Shark!!!!!

Paxton turned one, ONE on July 14th.  It was so ironic the day of his birthday because I caught myself thinking about the day he was born a year ago and where we are today.  How fast time flies in a year! The day of his birthday we greeted him singing "Happy Birthday"... which he loved.  We had been practicing the song with him for a few weeks so that he would know it and recognize it.  Soon after, his Pammie and Opa came over and gave him their gift, a Little Tikes big boy truck, and made him some special birthday pancakes.  He knew he was special - it was precious. 

(Do you see the hidden 1?? )

After a good nap, Matthew and I took him to Build a Bear.  He has really been into stuffed animals lately so we figured what better birthday gift than his very first teddy bear.  We got there and let him "choose" his animal, he chose a monkey.  The irony in this was that when Matthew and I first started dating (9 years ago), we each made a build a bear(they were monkeys) to give to one another while we lived apart and to this day they are in our nightstands.  It was so stinkin' cute watching Paxton stuff his monkey.  He liked stepping on the foot pedal the best.  Matthew and I made a birthday wish for him and kissed the little heart before the guy put it in his monkey.  We all fluffed him, named him and dressed him... Paxton snuggled him and kissed him.  The whole experience was perfect and I truly hope he will always treasure his "birthday bear".  We then headed to the mall cafeteria, ate and let Paxton join the Great American Cookie Company club with a birthday sugar cookie.  We couldn't hand him cookie fast enough... he loved it!

"Sharky"

First of many gallons of whole milk I will buy I am sure.  We don't drink whole milk, we drink skim, so buying this and placing in my cart killed me... yet I did a major happy dance for not having to buy any more formula!!! :)

We got home that evening, gave him a bath and 'talked' about our day.  I turned out the lights except for his night light and he snuggled in my arms.  He drank his bottle ever so sweetly and I remember just thinking and recalling the time a year ago ( 8:30 pm).  I had just been told I would be pushing soon.  We were so anxious to meet him that evening and dreampt of holding him.  Here I was a year later holding him in my arms - giving thanks to God for sending me such a precious gift to hold and take care of every day.  Never before did I think I would be as excited to celebrate someone elses birthday until I had Paxton - the day he was born and now every birthday after.   

The next day, July 15th, was his pool party. Matthew was in a local triathlon that morning and sent Paxton a celebratory message afterwards.  Paxton (and myself of course) were so proud of him! He won first place in his age group at this Tri!!! Woo-hoo!!! Great way to start the day!!! 

I have, since he was born and actually before he was born, gravitated to shark themed things for him.  Maybe becuase he felt like a shark swimming around in my belly? Possibly because one of the first things I bought for him was a shark swimsuit?? I dont know... Regardless, there was no question as to what what the "theme" would be for his swim party.  I worked my momma shark tail off copying every cute shark thing I could find on Pinterest.  Thank God for Pinterest and Etsy, right? It made my party planning seem like a cinch, initially... and then I realized the time it was going to take.  Making all of the crafts I found proved to be fun but take forever.  To be honest though... most of his party decorations, favors, etc. ended up being homeade... a true labor of love.  I did get lots of help from my mom and Aunt Tina  - cutting and glueing and dealing with me bossing them around :). The weather had been iffy all week and especially the day of his party.  We hired an AMAZING, let me repeat... AMAZING balloon artist as back up entertainment if the pool ended up being closed.  About an hour before his party was supposed to start, the clouds parted and the sun came out and it ended up working out just fine! We/He was surrounded by so much love at his party... so many friends and family came to celebrate him turning one!! It was an awesome day and I thought I was going to be super emotional but I wasn't :) Paxton wasn't quite himself during the party... I'm sure he was overwhelmed with all of the people and the change in his schedule.  All the babybooks say not to have a big party and go over the top but I'm sorry... In this family we don't go subtle, 110% all the time! :) I cannot thank ALL of our family and friends enough for coming out on a Sunday afternoon to celebrate his big day... it was so wonderful!

Smash cake!

Lindies Bakery made his surf board cake but I made his shark infested cupcakes! The party favors were buckets filled with all sorts of goodies... shark drool bubbles, shark bait (goldfish), shark gummies and pool toys! Each childs bucket was labeled with a surf board bit off by a shark!

 My lovely husband carved this beauty!

 Paxtons pammie found these precious shark hats and there were shark fin hats too (just not in this picture)

Below his through the year banner I displayed all of his photo books.  In lieu of a baby book, I went digital and created a photo book for each month of his life.  In retrospect, I should have made just one big book... but, you live and learn :) I will forever cherish these precious books. 

Paxton loves his Opa

 I love how Lisa has on a shark fin

 "size matters" from his Uncle Jeff for Paxton's pick up truck

Handmade step stool from his Uncle Thomas and Aunt Ashley... SO CUTE!!!!

Thank you to Ashley, Matthews sister and my cousin Lisa for taking pictures of the day.  They were able to capture these precious memories so that we could enjoy the moment! Paxton is lucky to have them in his life!

I think that the one year old should get a party but I also think the parents should too :) Anyone who accomplishes and gets through the first year of having a child shoud get a reward.  Its the toughest job we have ever loved!! 

Until Next time... lots of love!