Happy Birthday Peanut

i started this blog when i found out i was pregnant so that all our family and friends who lived out of town could be a part of van's life from the beginning. since that time it's also turned into van's baby book and a way for him to look back on his first year and see what he was like as a baby.

when i was pregnant i can't tell you how many people told me not to blink because it all goes by too fast. so i tried my best to cherish every moment from the sleepless, uncertain nights in those first few months to all the new experiences with food, the crawling, walking and my favorite - our sweet, bedtime routine.

van is no longer a baby. he's a toddler. and though a part of me is sad and misses that sweet, cherub baby face. i am amazed every day that this little boy is my child. he is so sweet, loving and funny.

van,

your daddy and i are so in love with you. this past year has been the greatest of our lives and we just can't get enough of you. from the moment we held you in our arms for the first time you captivated us. you are growing by leaps and bounds and we are excited about waking up to see your squinty faced smile every morning. you have made us better people. we want you to know that we love you more than words can express; to the moon and back peanut. "we love all that you will be and everything you are."

what you are like at 12 months:

you............

are walking (practically running) everywhere

wave hello and goodbye

say dad(a), dog, bye, and yea

love carrying things around the house

push/pull everything you can (toys, chairs, pillows, dog leash & sometimes the dog)

get cheese-y for the camera

give the best hugs and sloppiest kisses

gave up the bottle pretty easily (thank you)

are a HUGE flirt

love your daddy like no other

are best friends with a yellow lab (Baxter)

are so laid-back and easy-going

love playing with your food (i.e. - open mouth wide, insert food, push food around in mouth, spit out food, look at food, put food back in mouth)

could eat yogurt all day every day

run to the bath and try to climb in before i can get you undressed

love taking showers with your daddy like a big boy

come running when i get home from work and no matter what my day has been like, it is instantly better when i see your sweet face

you are our everything van. you make everyday a gift and we are beyond thankful for you.

forever and all ways, mommy & daddy