HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY JONATHAN!!

One year ago today we welcomed a gorgeous baby boy in to our lives. He has held our hearts from the very moment of his arrival and has brought us more joy than any of us (Mama, Papa, Benjamin, and Christian) thought was ever possible!

It seems impossible that a full year has passed but when Mama thinks back on each month I remember with such love all of the milestones you met and even more importantly, so many of the precious moments we have shared together in our day-to-day living. All of those hours each day that you slept so peacefully on Mama's chest as I dropped brothers off to school or watched them play soccer.

All of those hours we spent staring in to each other's eyes while we rocked and you had nummies.
And today you are 1 YEAR OLD!! You have grown so strong and so smart and your Mama has cherished each and every minute of watching you on this magical journey. 

You will forever be my baby, my sweet angel. And I love you more than all the stars in the sky!

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!!

Birthday Build-a-Bear Tradition

Mama and Papa are so excited to carry on the tradition we have done with each of our boys on their first birthdays. We Build-a-Bear together so that you have a special something to cuddle on your bed each night from Mama and Papa.
Your big brothers still sleep with theirs and after the fun with you today, we are certain your bear will be very loved!

Part of the tradition is that we like to see what bear our little one will choose so Papa walks you down the row and each of you over the years has made it quite clear which bear makes you happiest.
Well, Jonathan certainly surprised us but made us laugh out loud (as he often does!) with the sheer joy he shared when he found his perfect bear!
Our little angel squealed with delight and nearly lunged right out of Papa's arms to get a hold of his new bear.....a pink and purple/rainbow bear with pink paws and a big ol' smile. :) :)

When you finally got a hold of it you buried your face in the teddy bear and laughed and laughed. People from around the store came to watch your cuteness with your new friend!
And the magic didn't end then.....every chance you had to hug the bear, you would squeal and grab him in to a bear hug (no pun intended). Even hours later, when you caught sight of him you raced across the floor and smothered him in kisses!

You made quite a memory for Mama and Papa! It seems your build-a-bear brings you as much joy as you bring us and everyone around you......beary fitting!! (Pun totally intended there!) :)

You'll never be months old again....

1 YEAR is tumbling on in!
Mama and Papa's little boy, is growing up in the world.
You'll never be 11 months again!

Only hours before your first birthday. Spending quiet time with Mama who is soaking up every inch of you, my sweet angel from above!

 My little ducky who, on this day last year while you were patiently hanging out inside Mama for only a few more hours, I never dreamed could possibly be this beautiful, this wonderful, this precious. You have stolen my(our) heart 100 times over!

There was so much excitement and anticipation for your arrival, especially from these guys!!

It seems impossible that we didn't "know" you then......

(recognize the song above, Mimi?? :))

Carrying on tradition

Your very first (of many, many servings in the years to come) of Great Nonna/Mimi's SPAGHETTI

Isn't there any more????

You could not shovel it in fast enough!
Oh how you make us smile, sweet Jonathan!!

An entire month of firsts....

Your 11th month was certainly one big milestone!
Not only did you crawl for the first time but this month also marked your first:

• bath without the baby tub inside the regular bathtub
• cheerios
• finger foods and refusal to eat any more of the food Mama has been making for you because it doesn't look like what is on your brothers' plates! (even though it is....just a little more mushy) :) Our favorite is when you take your little snowman finger and point at their plates and utter an emphatic "uh" - translation - "give me whatever they are having!". Your Mama now spends more time chopping food into the tiniest of pieces than I did steaming and pureeing them!
• A second tooth but every one feels like the first for Mama :(
• Ride on the big boy car that you have been eyeing since you were old enough to sit in the playroom with Mama
• Sippy cup. You still love your baba but you like drinking from a cup that looks just like brother's....sigh.....my baby is growing up so fast!

FIRST CRAWL

My sweet little baby has started to crawl! I am so proud of him and yet I want so badly to freeze him so he won't get any bigger!!
It was my good fortune that he waited this long to finally venture out on his own...Mama has had so much time hugging, loving, and carrying my little beefcake! :)
But what joy there is in seeing his eyes light up and hearing his giggles as he realizes he can follow his brothers (albeit slowly...but he can do it!). And we have so loved watching him investigate what he sees as unbelievable new discoveries...like the cabinet with the puzzles inside. He's passed by this cabinet every day of his life but now he can get there himself, open the door, and see the wonders inside! :)
We are so proud of you my big boy!

Pure chunky deliciousness....

I don't know anyone else who can drive a car and look this delicious!

I don't think he realizes how delicious those thighs are hanging out of his shorts :)