Today my baby Will isn’t a baby anymore. He turned one year old and it was a day of such mixed emotions. I have been both anticipating and dreading this day for weeks and I am writing this after a long day of celebration.
I had planned to write about his birth story last night, but yesterday turned out to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day for us. I need to share the girls’ birth story as well. So, you can look forward to learning much more about all of my precious children in the very near future.
I will tell you that Will came into this world angry that he was taken out of the comfort of his nice warm room in Hotel Mommy, and he let that be known for the next four months! Once he began to have some more independence, to eat more FOOD, and to be able to move about at will, he has become the happiest baby ever! Everyone that knows him instantly falls in love with him. He is such a joy to be around and I am so proud and humbled that God chose me to be his mommy.
We have had so many ups and downs over the last year, but, really doesn’t EVERY YEAR hold it’s own unique ups and downs?? Anyway, we have managed to make it through to today…the day that we celebrated Will’s birthday!
Somehow Will seemed to know that this was a special day for him. He woke up in the best mood and has been so full of himself all day!
I have gone back and forth for the last several weeks trying to decide how I wanted to celebrate today without Keith being here. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to have a party or just do something simple with Will and the girls. Finally, I decided to invite our good friend, Mindy, over with her two little boys and her mother in law that is visiting. They all came over to open presents this afternoon.
Will quickly became very apt with tearing the paper off of his presents, especially with some help from his sisters.
He got board books from Grandma and Grandpa, Cars pajamas from Nanny and PaPa, a Little People Farm Animals set and a very cute overalls outfit from Mindy’s family, and a Little People Garage Car set, bath toys, and Amazing Animals tigers from Mommy and Daddy.
After all the presents were opened, Will decided that he would try his hand at climbing on the coffee table!
For some reason, he thought this baby tiger should go on top of his head. I don’t understand, but it was C-U-T-E!
His favorite present was this car that came with his Little People garage. He spent so much time “driving” it around the living room. It amazes me how drawn he is to playing with cars and balls. He even makes little car like noises when he’s rolling them around! Can’t you just see the focus on his face?
EA and MC were not left out of the day’s festivities. They got cute denim hats from Mindy and had a blast playing Ring Around the Rosies with Luke and his MeMe.
But the highlight of the day for them was watching the video e-mail that their Daddy sent. It was so sweet and sad watching MC talk to Keith on the screen. She’s showing him her hat, saying “Look at my hat, Daddy!” They asked to watch the video over and over until I finally distracted them by telling them it was time to get ready to go to the Food Court.
Our FRG (Family Readiness Group) has “Food Court Friday” as a weekly event. I took Will’s cake and cupcakes to share with everyone.
I made Will a chocolate cake just for him to dig into, but I think he was a bit overwhelmed by it and was much more cautious with it than I expected him to be.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILL!!
momrn2 says
What a wonderful milestone to celebrate! Please know I recognize that you couldn’t be together on this very fun day due to the sacrifice you are all making for our country!
I do not take that lightly! Thank you from the depths of my heart!
Happy Birthday Will!
CptMom says
I just stumbled upon your blog and have enjoyed reading your posts.
My husband is a Chaplain’s Assistant and just returned from a 22 month deployment. I felt a twinge when I read about your little girl showing daddy her hat. My girl had 2 birthdays while daddy was gone. Those are hard days.
Thank you for the sacrifice you and your family make for our country and our God. They are life-changing.
Happy Birthday to your little guy!
Heidi says
Monica, I can’t believe he’s ONE. Where does the time go? He is so dang cute. Love the tenderness and honesty in your posts. And the pics are priceless. You look fantastic, by the way. Could you be any more gorgeous???
Happy Birthday little Will!
LifeatTheCircus says
Looks like a fun birthday and a very full day! He is such a cutie.. I love those frog pants. Thanks for sharing. And thanks again to you and your family for serving our God and our country. Your sacrifices are appreciated and you are in my prayers.
Stephanie says
Happy Birthday, Will! It sounds like you had an awesome day. Birthdays are such fun.
Mrs. N/Becoming Me says
Happy Birthday to Will. Such sweet photos.