The Birthday Marathon!

Tonight marks the end of Carson's week of Birthday fun.  I cannot believe this boy is already one.  I know all moms must feel the same way, but where did the time go?  

Sweet Carson,

Wasn't it yesterday that you slept right next to our bed and wanted to eat all night?  Wasn't it yesterday that you snuggled with me on the couch while we watched the morning news?  How did you grow so quickly?  I watch you now as you run around our house and praise the Lord for your sweet little life.  In you, my heart has truly taken on a human form.  Watching you is like watching my heart outside of my body.  Your dad and I never knew what life was like until we met you.  Now you keep us laughing constantly.  You are at your best when you are in a crowd. You love to work the room and you are quite the comedian!  You giggle at such little things; like the horse we saw outside of the restaurant tonight that you were very unsure about - you laughed mostly out of pure nervousness.  Your innocence is precious and your stubbornness is even charming.  I know the day will come when your mischievous little grin tests my every nerve, but for today, I am going to cherish it.  Dad and I happen to think you are a brilliant baby as well.  You can tell us what a cow says, what a dog says, and what a fan says (yes, a ceiling fan - your POPS taught you this so he will be the one to owe you an explanation one day).  You also know how to tell us what a birdie says but you would rather just wave your hand in a wing-like fashion instead of saying "tweet tweet".  You love it when dad and I quiz you about the sounds you know.  You know the order we ask them in and many times you just move to the next sound before we even say the animal name.  Like I said, dad and I think you are brilliant!  You love life and it shows each morning when I walk in your room to get you out of bed.  You flash that toothy smile and reach for me to pick you up, ready to go crawl in bed with daddy and tell him good morning.  Your hair is a wreck and many mornings you smell like snot and drool, but dad and I think you are the sweetest boy alive.  This is the way it should be and the way it will always be.  Though we know there are many long, long days ahead, full of potty training, disciplining, and learning obedience we will think about that tomorrow.  For today we will simply be glad for you.  Glad for the past year with you.  Excited about many more years to come.  We love you Carson.

Love, 

Mom and Dad

Now a pictorial recap of your birthday!

Mickey Mouse Pancakes for the birthday boy.  Hey, mom tried her best!

It all goes down the same way anyway, right boy?

This was the note you gave me on your birthday!  What a sweet letter you wrote me about how you love that I am your mom.  I have a feeling that daddy helped you with this.  What a great dad he is!

Back to the task at hand...more pancakes!

Then we got to watch Mickey Mouse on TV!

Mimi and Pops came over to give you your first birthday gift.

A picnic table!  (more pics of this later on...)

Then we headed to the doctor.  Am I a mean mom for making you do this today?  Sorry, but the week was crazy busy trying to plan for the party and today was the best day...plus, Mimi got to come with us!

When we got home, dad put your table together.

Then we had to take it outside for a spin!

We love that you can put water in this table...then snap the top on it and use it to eat on.  Genius!

Fast forward to the par-tay...

Like this little can I made to hold the party favors?  Daddy will never miss his tin can, will he??

Sweet Carson, here is the cake that took me entirely too long to make.  Enjoy the picture of it because I am sure you won't remember eating it.  And judging by the time it took me to do this, it's very possible that the next cake will be store bought!

Carson and Aunt Kara.  He looks confused.

Probably the best family picture we managed to get all day.

Carson loves his Mimi!

Sweet friends!

Thank you sweet Addison for coming all the way from the Woodlands to see us!

Opening gifts was quite chaotic.  A new experience for Chris and I.  Please tell me it gets better than this!  I almost had a mental breakdown due to all the madness!

Carson, you love this Elmo toy.  Funny, because you have never seen Elmo on the TV.  But child, you love this toy!

A suitcase to go to Grandma's house...any takers this next weekend???

After presents, it was cake time!

Here you are entertaining the crowd...

Clean up was no fun!

All in all, it was a fantastic day and a fabulous birthday, but whew!  This mom and dad are tired!!