1 YEAR OLD!!

  I can't believe that one year ago today, I was awakened by stomach pains only to realize that 16 hours later, I would be brining my son into this world.  What a wonderful journey that has been.  I look back at this last year and cannot help but thank the Lord for the beautiful child.  Yes, even when he is screaming his lungs out, having a full blown melt down, and pouring all of the water from his cup onto the floor in front of the tub!  He is THE MOST AMAZING thing that has ever happened to me!  As I look over this past year, I cannot even begin to thank the good Lord for this amazing child.  He has brought so much joy to not only our lives, but to our family, as well.  I love watching my parents play with him on the floor, as he snaps his fingers with Grandpa, and as he blesses my mom as she leaves my house.  I love as he runs across the floor to Grandma B, and as he plays with his uncle Mikey, making "that face" that only Uncle Mikey can make!  I love to watch him with his Aunt Melinda and Aunt Cathy, as they dote over their nephew, loving him in ways that only an Aunt can love!  I would have never imagined that in one year, we would be watching Jonathan crawl up the stairs (and the furniture), walk across the house like its nobody's business, and sit at the table as he attempts to feed himself spaghetti with his own fork!  I mean it when I say, I am in total AWE of this child.  He has his own personality, his own little laugh, and definitely his own little temper!  I want so badly to be able to protect him from anything that can hurt him, but I know that this is just the beginning of "letting go."

We celebrated my best friend, Amanda's, wedding on November 10th.  Jonathan had a blast!  We thought since it was late, he'd be ready for bed.  Well, the music started and he was wanting to be out on that dance floor.  At first, I stood with him at the edge of the dance floor so he could still see everyone, but not be trampled by all of the people dancing.  At first, he stood at the edge of the dance floor and danced!  Then, he looked up at me, reached for my hand and started pulling me to the middle of the dance floor.  He wanted to be in the middle of it all.  Amanda came and took him to the middle to dance and you should have seen the smile on his face!  He was having the time of his life!  He pumped his fists in the air, he bopped his head back and forth in rhythm with the music, and squealed with delight!  He is definitely going to be my social butterfly!

On November 17th, we celebrated Jonathan's first birthday.  It was a Sesame Street theme, and had the blue smash cake to go with it.  It was wonderful.  He had a blast, and he loved being around all of his family and friends.  He played with all of his new toys, ate pizza and cake and had everyone laughing and smiling!

He is now a "hefty" 20lbs and 29inches tall.  We have been bottle free for almost a month now, and he has graduated from formula to whole milk!  He is just a little man now.  We now go for walks down the street.  He loves to pick up as many leaves as he can, play in the rocks in the front of the house, and break sticks in half like he's the Hulk!  He is so little boy!  If I'd let him, he would just sit in the dirt and dig, but mommy isn't ready for that yet.  He has his own little WWE move where he body slams you if your are lying on the floor, and if you go to kiss him while he is on his back lying down, he brings his legs up and pretends to kick you off of him!  Yes, soooo little boy!  I will leave the wrestling moves for him and Daddy!  This past month, he also start talking more.  When I say talking, I mean more babbling, but the babbles are more consistent for things like "banana", "light" and for "grandma" and "grandpa"!  He did say "Elmo" the other day when he saw him on a poster!  He even surprised Steve and me the other day when he was walking across the kitchen, stooped to pick up a toy and kept walking.  The PT in me said, "that's not supposed to happen until 15 or 18 months!"  Yes, he is amazing, yes, he is my precious gift from God, and yes, Steve and I will do all we can (with the help of the good Lord) to raise this child right.  To direct his energy in the right direction, to give him those life lessons that are so important, and to ensure that he has the love of Christ.  Well, one year, has already come and gone and Steve and I can't wait to see what the next year brings!  Wait, that's the terrible two's....maybe we will just keep him one for awhile!!

                                    

                          

Party like a rock star!

...the next morning!

     

Future drummer!