1st Birthday Party

So, How do you know when a blogger's baby starts moving? She stops blogging! There is no time these days, but I will try to keep you better apprised of NAP's life as it happens.

NASH's FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY! We had a pigeon-themed hot dog party for Nash's first big birthday celebration. This comes from the Mo Willems books that I have referenced many times. Nash loves them! We invited all of our local friends and our family braved the snow and ice (really) to get here for the fun. We missed taking pictures of some of our sweet friends and family, but please know that because of all of you, we had a fabulous first birthday. It was a celebration of having a loving, growing, smart, and fun little boy in our life for a full year.

Birthday party morning. It's pajama time!

Mommy baked the cake from a box and Daddy decorated it. Daddy is very talented, if you didn't know. Now we're going to add cake decorator to his resume (and to the list of jobs he gets!).

He also decorated Nash's smash cake with a pigeon face.

First birthday plate. Awww, says Mommy.

Nash's birthday banner, made by Mommy. We also printed his monthly blog photos and strung them across the fireplace. So wild how much our potato has grown!

About the pigeon. His favorite food is hot dogs!

About Nash: His favorite food is grapes right now.

Mommy made kids' song cds for party favors.

NAP was not into the family photo. He was geared up and ready to play!

One more cousin photo before party time.

Sil looking cute as usual.

Abby in her party dress.

Grandma stole Miss Lilly.

Party!

Look at all of the babies! Andrew, Parker, and Jake were fast friends.

Here's Miss Lil looking cute as ever.

Hi Kyle!

The grandmas and most aunts eating hot dogs (or chicken sausage).

Buddy and Luke.
Getting ready for singing.

What is this stuff you call icing?

Ymmmm.

If I do nothing but eat this for the rest of my life, I will be happy.

Happy, happy birthday Nash Archer.

Nash Says Wow

This Boy Loves to Read

NAP: 12 Months (1 Year!)

Dear Nash,

You are a year old! Happy, happy birthday my son.

We celebrated your birthday this past weekend with a big party at our home. Everyone came to town to celebrate: Grandma & Grandpa, Mimi & Buddy, Midge, UM, Luke & Davis, and SueSue. Ade lives behind us, so she just skipped over. We missed NUT, but will see him soon. Lots and lots of baby friends came too! It was pigeon themed, after your favorite books by Mo Willems. You devoured cake, which made Daddy and me proud.

What a month it's been. You are WALKING. You still crawl sometimes, but for the most part, walking is your mode of transport. You put your arms out in front of you, set your sights on your next landmark, and go, all while jabbering and smiling.

You are trying more and more food, though you're still are not a fan of meat or vegetables, except when pureed. We have determined, through a not-so-fun process of a few sleepless, painful nights, that you are lactose intolerant. Thankfully, lactose-free, organic whole milk is readily available these days. We slowly switched you from breast milk to this milk, which as of today, you will be drinking exclusively. I have quit nursing and pumping all together. We made it a full year. I am very proud of us both.

In related news, I also dropped your middle-of-the-night feeding when I quit nursing. It took you two whole nights to catch on. Now you are sleeping through the night pretty well. You wake once or twice, but quickly put yourself back to sleep. You are still very easy to get out of a routine and we feel like we are re-training you at every turn (going out of town, having guests, cutting a tooth, illness, etc.). Oh well. Maybe the next baby will sleep better. (There's no next baby on the agenda yet.)

You now have 4 teeth. The two top middle teeth have just come in. They were very painful for you and caused a few days of fever as well. They are so darn cute though! It looks like you are going to have a little space between them like Daddy does. I love baby teeth, and particularly yours.

Your little vocabulary is about the same. You say dog, cat, cool, wow, yes, hi, Daddy, and now actually say Mama and direct it at me. Oh my gosh. This is so wonderful.

You love to read, take wagon rides, play with toys, pet the dogs, snuggle, play with tupperware in the kitchen while I cook, and be outside.

You are an awesome little bundle of joy. We are so thankful and delighted to have you in our life. We eat, breathe, and (finally through the night) sleep you. We cannot imagine our life without you. Happy, happy birthday, son.

Love,

Mom