Happy 1st Birthday Charles Kevin!

"Days turn to minutes and minutes turn to memories..."

This is a line from a song that my Dad used to keep tucked away in his wallet.  I think he kept it as a reminder to enjoy every moment and be present in every moment; because moments turn to memories in a blink of an eye.  This line has been echoing in my head for many weeks now as I have been thinking back on the first year of Charlie's life.  I can hardly believe all of his precious moments and our wonderful moments as a family have already become memories - some of the best memories life has brought to the three of us.   It is amazing how a tiny human can turn your world upside down in the best way possible!

I knew Charlie was going to be pretty special after he was 9 days late and then had me hooked up to tubes and medicine for 32 hours (making me look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man) until he decided to come out.  I thought, 'this little guy has a mind of his own and is going to take his time at life.'  And was I ever wrong!

Since the day he arrived in the world with his eyes wide open, he has had zest for life that no one can take away from him (and if anyone ever tries, they will have to get by me first!)  His energy, curiosity, smiles and innocence are truly an inspiration to me.  While Charlie taught himself to roll over, crawl, stand, and now walk, he was teaching me how to take a step back from life, slow down and enjoy each and every moment.  

I look back on the first year of Charlie's life with such fondness and love, I could burst.  I am so proud of every little thing he has accomplished, all his smiles, all his laughter and all the love he gives.  He is my little man and I hope through the years, I will be able to teach him just as much as he taught me in his first year of life.

Happy 1st Birthday Charles Kevin! 

March 26, 2012 

Never forget, you are 'the one and only ever you'

2011 - 1 Year Ago

2012 - 1 Year Later

Now, the fun stuff!  We threw Charlie a 1st Birthday Bash over the weekend at a local restaurant not only to celebrate his first year of life, but also our first year of surviving parenthood! Our family and friends were able to celebrate with Charlie and us.  The Birthday Boy had an amazing time proving once again, he is the life of the party.  He enjoyed his smash cake but it took him a few minutes to get used to the idea of smashing.  But in the end, he did a pretty good job covering himself in frosting.  I bet if he could talk, he would say his party was "amazeballs" :)

The Very Happy Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday to you!

Here we go!

I love frosting but not in my eye lashes!

So yummy!!

The smash cake (before it was smashed)



We hope all of your 1st birthday wishes come true!
Love Always,
Mommy & Daddy