Happy 1st Birthday Brady!

Brady turned 1 this past Saturday.  His age is a year, not a month.  He's one.  I am the mommy to a one year old.  It just seems (and sounds) so weird!!  We had family over for a birthday lunch for him today and I think he really had fun.  Of course, he didn't get it, but he had fun seeing everyone and playing with his cousins!!  Not to mention that he has gotten some pretty cool toys.  We all have had fun with them!  The driving wheel, the zoo, the Lego wagon, the twirlin' tumblers, the drum.  And I'm super excited to walk with him in his new wagon this summer!  We now have a very noisy and toy-filled house.  And to think that Christmas is right around the corner. 

Here are some pictures from today:

"This hat feels weird!"

"Hmmm.  Now just what is this?"

Yup, my boy likes sugar - just like his mamma!!

Chillin' with cousin Lyvie

The birthday boy and me!

Well, I want to write about what an amazing and wonderful little boy Brady has been, but I think I am too tired to get emotional tonight.  So here are some Brady facts and thoughts:

: Brady wakes up around 5:30 every morning.  Yup, you read that right - 5:30.  Anyone who knows me knows that I was never a morning person when I had to work and I was always going in late.  And now look, I'm up at 5:30 every morning.  It's amazing what you do when you have too! 
:  Brady also seems to not need a lot of sleep.  He does take a morning and afternoon nap, but they typically do not last longer than an hour/hour an half. 
:  Brady woke up on schedule the morning of his birthday.  My first thought?  Exactly one year ago at exactly this time, Jenn was there visiting him before she went back home.  It was 5:30 am and she was his first visitor that was able to hold him.
:  I missed out on about the first hour of Brady's life.  It does make me sad to think about.  My battle story?  I was put completely under for my c-section because my epidural was not working.  Therefore, I was out and then in recovery for about an hour.  At least Chris was there for him and our families got to peak at him through the window.  Still sad if I let myself think about it though.
:  Brady started holding his own bottle probably around 5 months.  I can't remember exactly.  But he has ALWAYS held it upside down.  No matter how many times I correct it, he flips it back down.  That's cool - whatever works bud.
:  He has this face he makes that we call his cheese ball face.  It's a great big smile with his nose wrinkled and eyes closed.  It's cheesy.
:  He makes friends easily.  In store checkout lines, at the gym daycare he has some sitters that always treat them like he's theirs, and of course, he is best buds with the Fareway day crew during the week.  They see him come in and say "there's that smiley little boy again!  How are you buddy?" 
:  He is really starting to get comfortable with this walking thing.  You just don't know how weird it is to see him walk into the kitchen to see you unless you have a kid of your own.  It's amazing.
:  He likes to be by me or in the same room.  A lot.  I have learned to do a lot of things one handed, such as typing, laundry, cooking, unloading the dishwasher and vacuuming. 
:  He loves bath time.  He would stay in there forever if I would let him.  His favorite toy?  His rinse cup.  Which is not a toy.  Silly kids and what they like to play with. 
:  I haven't checked yet, but minus the money we spent on the food today, I think I spent under $15 on his birthday.  And he had fun, I had fun and the decorations, etc. were very cute.  Who said it was necessary to spend a lot of money on parties?  
:  It's really hit me how big Brady's support system is.  He has so many people who are a part of his life, guiding him, supporting him, loving him and are there for him.  Obviously he has Chris and I as parents.  His grandparents and aunts, uncles and cousins love him to pieces.  And it doesn't stop there.  Extended family, like my aunts, uncles, cousins and Chris's side and all of our grandparents love him so much.  His birthday day was filled with phone calls, texts and Skype wishing him a great birthday.  And it doesn't stop there either!  Our friends have been there for him on his birthday, wishing him Happy Birthday, spoiling him with gifts - being there for him.  What a lucky little boy.  All these people in his life, there for HIM.  I feel like the luckiest person in the world having so many people in my little boy's life.  A big THANK YOU  to all of you!!!  Brady will be influenced by everyone in his life and with the people he is surrounded with, I know he will be blessed!
:  There are quite a few words I use to describe Brady.  He is amazing, wonderful, funny, happy, smiley, charming, handsome, ornery, a little stud muffin, cuddly, silly, playful, curious, cute, adorable, sweet and mine.  I think that is my favorite one - mine. 

Happy Birthday Brades - we love you so much!  You have given us the best year of our lives!  We look forward to every day with you and hope that every day is a happy day for you!