One.Year.Old.

It doesn't seem possible that its been a year since Mason was born.  Thank god I took so many photos.  It went so fast.  It feels like a blur of diaper-changing, nursing, laundry, in-the-carseat, out-of-the-carseat, in-the-highchair, out-of-the highchair, pumping, bottle dishes, that book again?, and yep, more nursing and diaper-changing.  It's been an incredible journey.  I honestly can't imagine doing it again but I'm sure someday down the road we will.  For right now though, I'm happy just enjoying Mason and watching him grow.  We are celebrating his birthday this weekend with a small get together of just our immediate families.

So what are we doing, Mr. Big Boy 1 year old?
We are walking.  We skipped crawling all together.  Not interested.  Mason can walk several steps but is still figuring out the whole balance thing and building up his confidence to try it without holding on to someone's hands.  He loves to furniture cruise.  We are babbling with all kinds of sounds and say a few words and word approximations.  We are still waiting on any teeth to come in....there are a bunch right near the surface, we can see them/feel them so it is only a matter of time.  Mason still loves fruits and oatmeal; we are working on developing a taste for veggies and meats.  He hates textures (because I was waiting for teeth to appear but eventually just gave up and started giving him textured food but probably too late).  Last night he actually put food in his mouth willingly to chomp on so here's hoping we're on our way....We are definitely learning new tricks everyday!!

So now as we enter the whole new world of toddlerhood, I pause to thank God for a healthy, happy baby.  Unfortunately, there are sick babies out there and I don't take Mason's good health for granted.  In reading blogs and such, I've often come across this quote:  "The days are long but the years are short."  Whether it's sleepless nights, a particularly fussy day, a backache from the weight of him, yet another broken breast pump part, or just feeling like I need a minute to myself or I might explode...I always keep this saying in mind.  He will only be my little baby for a short time.  He will only be this intensely dependent for a short while.  Someday I'll miss nursing him or even those damned baby socks that I'm constantly losing.  We are trying to savor this special time, even though it can be overwhelming.

Happy Birthday Mason Robert.  We love you baby boy.  Forever & A Day.

Sharing his rice cracker with me

my happy boy 

Daddy & Mason

1!!

<3