A Year of Blessings

Did my baby boy seriously turn 1 on Monday???

I can't even believe it!  On one hand I can't believe that I was pregnant a little over a year ago...seems more like a lifetime ago that I had a baby in my tummy.  On the other hand, it seems like only yesterday that Tavian was so little and new to our family.  This is by far the fastest year of my life and I doubt things will be slowing down anytime soon.  I get a little sad when I think about how fast it all went by and about how big he already is, but at the same time I rejoice in all the time I have been given with him and I look forward to all of the experiences we will get to share in the future!

The beginning of labor at the hospital.  Please do not let this picture deter any readers from having children...I'm aware of how HUGE my belly is..lol!

My sweet baby boy

The most intense love!

My beautiful family

Cole and I watched Tavian's birth tape the other night (don't worry, it is a very tasteful birth tape!!), and we both had tears in our eyes.  It was actually way more emotional then I thought it would be.  The whole experience was just so beautiful!  It is interesting what I realized looking back at the tape that I was oblivious to at the time.  At the time I remembe Cole rubbing my leg and being so supportive and a calm force, which don't get me wrong, he was, but while watching the tape I realized just how anxious and nervous he was.  I could tell by his manerisms and his pacing...I love that at the time he was so convincing as the strong one that I could lean on...just what I needed him to be! I'm so glad we have it on tape!!!!

   

We have had a lot of fun birthday celebrations.  On Saturday we had a big party at our house with family and friends.  It was a bit chaotic because there were so many people, but it was great having so many of our loved ones in one room together.  Many of the people celebrating with us have been with us throughout this year long journey and it was very special getting to celebrate together.  Not only celebrate the gift of Tavian in all of our lives, but also celebrate the accomplishment of making it through the first year.  It has been a year of love and blessings, of course, but there have also been trials and adjustments.  Cole and I are proud to have made it!!!!  We had a Noah's Ark theme for his party (since that is one of his favorite toys) and it turned out adorable.  The best decoration was the cake that Cole made out of rice crispies and homemade fondant.  I tell you I am very impressed with my hubs.  He is always pulling through with amazing results!  (I would have settled for buying a cake, but Cole knew I would be happier with a homemade masterpiece!)  We served spinach artichoke dip, fruit with fruit dip, guacamole and chips (thanks to Cole's mom), and ordered pizza.  I think it turned out to be a perfect day!!!

We also did a little celebrating yesterday on his actual birthday.  Cole hadn't left yet when we heard Tavian wake up so we both entered his room together singing Happy Birthday!  It was very fun and something I know we will continue to do throughout the years.  That night Sarah and her family and my dad came over for a simple dinner and some brownies.  I think Tavian liked the brownie even more then he liked the cake!!!!  Tavian got some amazing gifts for his first birthday.  Some of which include a slide, power wheels, a beautiful book about Noah's Ark, a drum set, a blowing bubbles lawn mower, and a tickle me elmo!  He is loving playing with all of his new gifts.

Tavian with his cousins...Aiden didn't make the picture because he wasn't cooperating!

I can't believe how much life has changed in only a year.  I feel like a completely different person.  Some changes are harder to accept then others (like rarely looking presentable and most days running around a bit frantic), while others I am so thankful for (like the fact that I am learning to love and sacrifice more then ever before).  Motherhood is a call to love.  It is a call to sacrifice.  It is a call to give for the good of someone else.  I never understood this to the extent that I do now.  It is ok if I feel somewhat chaotic or if I wear sweats everyday or if I never do my hair or wear makeup...it is ok because I have a little boy that I put my time and energy into and he is thriving because of it.  It is a beautiful thing to be willing to take the back seat out of love for another. 

Tavian Larkin James, thank you for being my sweet baby boy.  I am honored to be your mother.  I couldn't have hand picked a more perfect child.  I am proud of you and I will always strive to be the best mother I can be for you.  Thank you for giving me sweet kisses, bird kisses on my belly, laughing with me, and snuggling with me.  You have grown so much in a short year and I couldn't be more proud of you.  Daddy and I watch in awe and amazement at the sweet baby boy you are...we are often asking, "Is this really our child?  How did we get so blessed?"  You bring a smile to everyone who sees you.  Your have the best personality accompanied by the best facial expressions and the most fanstastic sense of humor.  I find myself chuckling all day at your silly antics.  Thank you for teaching me more about love and about innocense and about sacfifice.  I willl treasure you as my gift from God for the rest of my life.  I am thankful for this past year, and I look forward to all those to come :)