Birthday Boy

Life is getting back to normal following the first annual TJ-palooza. It was a wild and fun weekend for our little cowboy.

On Wednesday, Daddy's cousins, Greg, Irena and their 9-month-old Izzy flew into town. TJ loved having a little friend to play with at the house, and it was great to see the cousins together. They even went and got their hair cut together (TJ's second, Izzy's first.)

Friday night, Grandma Martin flew in along with TJ's Aunt Tara and cousins, Mary and Joseph. It was late, so TJ didn't get to see them until the next day.

Saturday was the big day! TJ celebrated his birthday with 13 of his friends, and when you added up their parents... we had about 40 people at his party. It was a little chaotic at times, but it was so nice to see how many people care about TJ. It's amazing to think we didn't know many of our friends a year ago. And we are all so close now because TJ is in our lives.

TJ had a great time, and didn't even fuss despite not having a nap all day. He helped Mommy open some of his presents before taking off and playing with his new toys.

We sang Happy Birthday, and he really didn't "dig in" to his smash cake as much as we thought. It appeared he didn't want to get dirty. After a little while, he gave us the "all done" sign, and it was back to playing with his friends.

Once everyone left, TJ passed out about 5:30... and was asleep until the next morning! All of his company left Sunday morning, and we spent the day cleaning up and relaxing.

Tuesday was TJ's actual birthday, and he had a busy day. In the morning, we went to Mommy's friend's house. Adriane has done all of our pictures since we were pregnant with TJ, and it worked out perfectly that we could take his one year photos on his actual birthday.

She had a great idea to do a cake smash, and this time... TJ really got into it -- and got pretty messy! You can check out the photos at her blog:

www.amnphotography.com (There is a link at the bottom of our blog.)

Daddy came home from work early, and we put on TJ's Wranglers and headed to the National Western Stock Show. TJ went to the petting zoo and met a donkey, llama, ducks, goats, sheep and pigs.

Then, TJ and Mommy hopped on a giant Brahma bull for a quick snapshot. I was nervous he'd be scared sitting so high up, but he actually cried when we took him off the bull!

After that, we headed to the Events Center to watch the Super Dogs show. TJ had fun watching the dogs do tricks and dancing to the music. It was a long day, and he was pretty tired, so we ditched out early and headed home.

TJ had an awesome first birthday, and we thank everyone who made it so special! It has been quite a year, and we are so blessed to have TJ in our lives. He brings us so much joy... laughter... and love. We can only imagine what he has in store for us in this next year!

Happy First Birthday, Baby Beans!

(Have the volume on)

Growing Up So Fast

I thought I should get one more posting in before TJ's big day. In the past two weeks it seems his communication has really blossomed. He has perfected using the sign for more. And let me tell you... he uses it a lot -- that kid can eat! And his first serving is never enough. He also uses "more" when he wants another ride on his Rody, another song from his Scout dog or really, anytime he wants to do something again... and again... and again.

This morning, he crawled up the stairs to his highchair, pointed at it and did the sign for more. He then chomped down a bunch of apple dices. It's so fun now that Frankie & I can actually communicate with him and he can tell us what he wants.

TJ is now working on the sign for "all done," which he's getting pretty good at, too. I just don't think he'll use it as much when he's in his high chair as he uses "more!" :)

He giggles constantly, too. He loves to play games and do funny things to make you laugh. He's become such a character lately.

He's babbling more, too, and he's working on those first words. We're guessing it will either be dog or cat. He sees Jackson, points and says "dah," and he sees Bo, points and says "ca." He's almost there.

TJ is almost there when it comes to walking, too. He's cruising around really well, a nd he's reaching out, going back and forth between furniture. I'd be surprised if he walked before his first birthday... but it's coming soon.

TJ started his new day care last week, and so far, he's adjusting really well. He's been reunited with Miss Alisa, who took such great care of him in his first six months at Kindercare. The first day I dropped him off, he didn't even notice I left, and the only time he cried was when his new teacher, Ms. Heather, went home for the day! This week, he's cried when I left, but when I check in, I find out, it was only for a few minutes and then he was perfectly happy the rest of the afternoon.

We can already tell a difference in his demeanor from being at the new place, and he hasn't had a major night terror either. So, that's a relief for Mommy and Daddy.

Today, TJ gets to meet his cousin, Izzy. Frankie's cousins, Greg and Irena and their little girl are flying in from DC for TJ's birthday party this weekend. TJ's Uncle Joey is also flying in today. Greg and Joey are planning some ski time, and Mommy is off Thursday and Friday, so have some fun stuff planned for the kiddos.

Friday evening, TJ's Grandma Martin, Aunt Tara and cousins, Mary and Joseph fly in. It should be a fun weekend... and a packed house with lots of little kiddos for TJ's birthday party on Saturday -- Yee Haw!