One Year Down...

I have been thinking about what to write for a few days now.  I had an entire year to prepare myself, but I still waited till the last minute.  Typical.  Pace turned one on Friday and I am still reeling from amazement at how fast it went by.....and how wonderful it was/is.  A lot of people I know had a rough go of it for the first year of their child's life, but I have to say that it has been pretty great.  I'm sure I will eat my words with our next kid though (is there such a thing as baby karma?).  Don't get me wrong, there were days that I thought I would pull all of my hair out, days when I questioned whether I was a good enough mom, days when I could barely function because I was so incredibly tired.  But those days were always trumped by this.....

This smile that lights up the room and makes everything better.  He is the best thing that has ever happened to B and I.  I feel so lucky to have been able to stay home this year and spend time with him, watch him grow and learn, and become the crazy, curious, fun, happy toddler that he is. 

We had a small party with our family last weekend and it was wonderful to get everyone together to celebrate this little guy. 

He didn't love the cake, but we tried.  I actually smudged some on his face for effect.  He didn't really like the feeling of it on his hands.  Haha.  Just looking at these pictures of hi, now though, it's hard to believe where we started last August.  The transformation is crazy.  He doesn't even look like the same baby.

From this...

To this...

It has been the best year of my life, Pace.  Thank you for being you.....wonderful, nerve-wracking, curious, crazy, loving, snuggly, adventurous, smart, beautiful you.  I can't wait to see what the next year brings!