David is ONE

I think a first birthday is more for the parents than it is for the child. We celebrate one year of parenthood and all that it involves. It is a time to reflect about how grateful I am that I am not in labor again or feeling those contractions. Clint and I also talked about how much life has changed and how we can't really remember life WITHOUT David. He has brought so much joy to our family and he has so much energy and excitement for life that it keeps us on our toes. He is busy as a boy can be! He loves opening drawers, cabinets, climbing on the dishwasher, under tables, and up and down the staircase. Sitting still is not an option, unless he is in his high chair eating.

We had so much fun celebrating with David. He loved the singing, opening presents--especially the tissue paper and ribbon. But, maybe these pictures will give you an idea of what he loved most about his birthday...

Frosting + Chocolate cake = BLISS

At one point his hands were both full that he started to reach with his mouth for a bite with no hands

The damage is done...BATH TIME!

DAVID WE LOVE YOU! HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY.

Love, Mommy & Daddy

One year stats: Height 31" (90th percentile) Weight 24lbs 3 oz (75th percentile)

Can it be?

Is our little baby really about to turn one? We just can't believe it, it has been so fun watching him change, grow and learn new things.

We found a fabulous photographer to do his one year photos. Check out her website here for more pictures of David.

The count down is two more days!!! He is gearing up for cake and frosting...yum, yum.

Your Life is Worth Living

I was driving over a bridge in New York on my way home last night and I noticed a sign that I had never seen before. I had to make sure my eyes were not playing tricks on me. The sign said, "Your Life is Worth Living"! Was this for real? is this NY's attempt at preventing people from jumping off of a bridge? Maybe, they think if it is the last thing they read they may reconsider. As odd and unusual as it was it did make me a little sentimental and reminded me that YES INDEED I am grateful that life IS worth living. (please note, this post is not to imply that I ever doubted that it wasn't).

Here are a few things that make life worth living:

*A husband that I love and adore

*A baby boy that I could hug and squeeze all day

*A family that loves me and teaches me so much

*Raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake

*Summer afternoons swimming in the pool

*Sitting out on the back porch and talking on the phone

*David and his new tricks

*getting phone calls from old friends 'just because'

*going for an early morning jog

*watching our garden grow

*Sweet Potato Fries

*Making a new friend

*Sitting on the beach and hearing the sound of waves crash and feeling the tide come in around your feet

*Going for Sunday afternoon walks with my little family

*Road biking down deserted country roads

and the list goes on...

4th of July at Waveny

This year we visited my mom for the 4th of July and had the chance to attend the town picnic and fireworks show at the town park. This park is not like any other park. It has a ton of wide open spaces and has an old mansion house that sits in the middle of the green fields. The park was donated to the town years ago. I have many many memories associated with this park from my childhood...playing snow football in the winter, ultimate Frisbee in the summer, going for long runs on the trails, having picnics with friends or just going to walk and talk. In fact, I love it so much I even had my wedding reception there. It is a tradition that the whole town gathers for the 4th of July to spend time with family and friends, have a picnic, listen to the town band (what town has a town band?) and watch the fireworks. I was happy to return with David and Clint and get to enjoy time with family and friends in a place that I love so much. It made me grateful for the community I grew up in and the country that I live in. We have so many freedoms that more often than not I take for granted. I am certainly proud to be an American. Happy Independence Day America!

Ms. M, Mr. A and Baby David

Like I said, what town has its own band?