Happy First Birthday Nate

Momma, dadda and Nate

Daddy and the birthday boy

He wanted to tear it apart rather than sit on it and play like it was made to do. He likes to "fix" things. He is such a boy!

He was not shy at all-he dug right into his cake

He was so excited to put a hat on-he loves to play with hats

I LOVE this picture of Nate. I think it captures the way he felt on the inside about that cake! Look at those lips!

To the left is my hand holding a "1" up. Nate will hold his hand up in the 1 position and then proceed to clap and jump up and down.

Jim and Mendi Carlson

Pete, Gabby, Jess and Olivia Garcia

Colin and Nate

Heather, Avery and Sadie Berry. The 16th is also their dad's birthday.

PaPa and Nate

Braden, Jodie and Olivia

Jodie did this mural for Nate. We have a chalkboard wall in our kitchen for kids to draw on.

Nate's cake Mendi made

Mendi made this cake especially for Nate to dig in to-and he sure loved it!

Saturday we celebrated Nate's first birthday! That morning, it was pouring rain so my friend Jodie called me and said" hey why don't we have it at your house since it is raining". Being the stubborn person I am, I said "no, we are going to have it at the park. I paid for it, so I am gonna use it". Well, Dean and I decide to go to the park and check things out. I started walking-in the rain no less-on the sidewalk and as I got closer to the pavilion-oops I slipped and thankfully caught myself. So I kept walking thinking I would get more traction under my feet. Well, no this is not going to end up with me on the sidewalk face down. I did not fall-to your dismay-but I did humble myself and decide to have the party at my house.

My house was a wreck, but I have a wonderful friend-Jodie-who came over and helped me pick the house up! Thanks Schmode!! The party turned out wonderfully. My friend Mendi made the Elmo cake-which was really yummy too! Nate had a great time playing with his friends, tearing into his gifts, and making a mess with his first taste of cake-which he loved BTW. Thanks to all the family and friends who made it. It was such a special day for Nathaniel and Dean and I and we are so happy you helped us celebrate.

It is amazing. Now that Nate is one he loves to throw fits?! Have the terrible two's started early? I am not liking this fit thing. What happened to my sweet adorable little baby? Maybe it is one of the four teeth breaking through on the top? Maybe it is Nate not getting what he wants? Maybe it is me at my wit's end sometimes? But I do love that little man with almost all my heart.

Here are some of Nate's favorite things and words he is saying. We did a short video of Nathaniel where we asked him on his birthday some of his favorite things. We will do this every year to see how he has changed. Here's a list:

Favorite food: milk of course

Favorite toy: Jack-Jack and his baby(puppy he sleeps with)

Friends: Jack-Jack, Braden, Colin, Corbin, Caden, Dylan, Sadie, Olivia, Gabby(most of these are mommy's friends kids)

words he is saying: mamma, dadda, jack-jack, hey, hello(sounds more like whoa), boo, ball, bubba(universal name for my nephews), look(sounds like woo)

Mothers Day

This past Sunday was Mother's Day and it was my first day to celebrate being a mom. I love my mom and grandmother dearly. Mom's teach you how to be compassionate and selfless and serve others. I now know that that same duty has been passed down to me and I pray that I will teach my children the same good qualities my mom and grandmother have taught me. I am so blessed to have my mom and grandmother still here with me!

Here is a picture of my maternal grandparents with Nate, Colin, Chandler, Corbin and Caden. I think it was Caden's nap time but he was partying so hard he just wouldn't go down!

This is 3 generations:Me, my Maw Maw, my mom and my sister (Dit). Notice Caden between my sister and mom.

I love the candid shots-Jason grew up with women and now he is still in a house with all women. He is so lucky!

Me, Mom, April and Jason


It got up to 90 degrees on Friday so I got the kiddie pool out-thanks Dad and Vicki-and let the boys "swim". Nate was so excited. He loves having his cousins over to play!

Nate adores Caden. They are about 1.5 years apart.

Water baby!

Nate loves this pirate hat. He will try to put it on his head and when he finally gets it on right, he jumps up and down and grins from ear-to-ear!

These two like to look out the wimndow at all the passer-bys. Squirrels like to tease Jack-Jack.

He is such a happy boy!

Me and my family, my brother and his family, and my sister and her family.

My sister and her family.

Dean, Nate and I.

A year ago

Oh my! Time really does fly by. I guess it would slow down if I was bored, but I am in no way bored! Nate keeps me so busy. So busy, I forget some of you actually want to know what he is doing these days :) Last Thursday Nate started walking. He still prefers to crawl-as this is much easier and faster-but he is taking steps now. Dean and I-and a few others-have been working with Nate trying to get him to walk. But he is like his momma-he will do it when he is good and ready! It is so amazing that a year ago-on the 16th-he was making his appearance in our lives. I never thought I would aadmire and love him so much. Dean was going to go to school starting this summer for a principal's certificate, but he is waiting until next year and that means he will probably be home more thsi summer. That makes me happy because we will be able to travel a little and visit some of his family and friends. Nate's first birthday party is next weekend and though I have bought most of what I need for it, I still have a bit to get and I think I will be a little overwhelmed-with him turning one and all. Besides walking, Nate like to talk and smile alot. He says momma, dadda, jack-jack, ball and some other words that I can't quite understand yet. I have a playdate here at my house almost every week and I think really enjoys playing with kids that are his size-as opposed to Dean and I! His cousins come over about once a week and that is a blessing for me because they keep him entertained so I can get some things done.

We started him on whole milk last week and cut his bottle down to 2 a day. I am dreading taking the morning and bedtime bottle from him because he loves those-as I think all babies do. If you have any suggestions as to how to wean him from those bottles, please share! I hope all is well your way. Until next time...