My baby...is ONE!!!

Ummm....I am still kind of in denial that Nicholas turned 1 on the 19th. It really does not seem possible. Shouldn't he still be my little baby that I can hold and cuddle and rock? When did he become this walking(some), talking(a lot) big boy? What a fast year this has been. It seems like yesterday that I was at the hospital having him.

Nicholas is such a great baby. I feel so very blessed to have 3 happy, healthy boys. Everyone comments on how happy he is and what an easy baby he is. He really is. He does not cry often...but when he does you better watch out. Because he is LOUD. And, he has a temper. But, most of the time he is content and happy :) And, he is such a ham! Oh my goodness...he makes us laugh all the time. He has so much personality. He does all these faces and sounds. He is such a mess!

(update)...I started this blog entry a few weeks ago and then our computer died :(. Turns out computers don't like it if you spill coffee on them (completely my fault...total accident). Boo.  Long story short, we got a refurbished computer with all our files transferred to it. So, now I'm back to blogging again..yay!

So, now Nicholas is almost 13 months. I thought I would be sad that he was growing up and that I would really miss the "baby stage". But, I forgot just how cute and fun a toddler is! They just learn new things every day at this age. It's so fun to watch. And they just do the cutest things!! I love it. It is a little more challenging because he is a lot more independent and wants to do more things on his own (and wants to explore everything), but that's okay :) I definitely feel like I'm a little more patient and know how to handle things better the 3rd time around.

Nicholas is walking everywhere. He started taking a step here and there right before he turned one, but in the last week or so he has taken off. He just looks so big now. You can tell he's so proud of himself. It amazes me how fast he has picked it up and how well he already gets around. He can walk from one end of the house to the other without falling once.

And, I know all parents think their babies are smart. I know. But, I really am amazed at how many words Nicholas says and how much he understands. I definitely have to give credit to him having two older brothers and wanting to do everything they do. I really do think that he believes he is as big as they are. I started writing down all the words he says (some he says better than others, but my ped. said it counts as a word if they use it consistently). So, here are all the words that Nicholas is saying now:
mama, more, milk, daddy, light, puppy, apple, banana, Nate-Nate, Noah, baby, balloon, ball, bye-bye, Pa-Pa, thank you, kitty, tick-tock, uh-oh, bubble bath, moon, hi, fish, tractor, cracker, Ashley. And, he understands so much too..he really amazes me everyday.

He loves books and I really enjoy holding him in my lap and reading to him (one of the few times he'll stay still in my lap and let me cuddle him). It's a special time. He is also very outgoing and friendly.  His new thing is everywhere we go he wants to say "hi! " to everyone. And of course everyone says hi back. I think he picked it up because when I go in to get him from his nap I'll  open the door and usually say "hi!"

Nicholas had a great 1st Birthday party. The Friday before his party "Aunt" Ashley and Matthew came over and gave him a very special rocking chair that they made for him. I love it. She has made one for each of the boys when they turn one and they are so special. His is a "ball" theme which is perfect for him because he loves balls! It's great. On Saturday the 21st, we had a family birthday party for him. I had gotten balloons and a cake from Publix. I also made cupcakes. My parents, Uncle Frank and Aunt Allyson, Parker and Allison, Colin and cousin Charlotte came to the party (Tiffany was sick). We had it here at the house and it was laid-back and fun. And it was great to spend some time with family.  We had snacks and cake and then he "opened" presents. He didn't really want to dig into the cake. He kind of played with the icing a little with his hands, but he didn't want to put it in his mouth. His expressions were so funny. But, when we gave him cupcake he liked it and ate it :) I also put together a little picture slideshow of his first year and we watched that.

I took this picture the morning of his actual b-day (2 days before the party)

Ashley and Matthew and the awesome chair they made for Nicholas

Grandmama and Nicholas at his b-day party

balloons!

cousins playing :)

Our birthday boy!

"What am I supposed to do with this, Mom??"

Eatin' some cupcake.

presents!

Nicholas playing with Granddaddy and Uncle Frank. 

He loves his Granddaddy :)

Nicholas Charles, I can't believe you are a year old. You have been such a wonderful addition and such a blessing to our family! We love your sweet, fun, crazy personality. I think you are (one of) the smartest, most beautiful baby boys that I have ever seen and I feel so honored and blessed to be the one you call "Mama". Oh, my sweet baby..please don't grow up too fast.
Love,
Mom