Happy 1st Birthday Ayden!

...first birthdays are sentimental for first time mothers!

As I look over this past year, I am filled with nothing but sweet memories. Naturally, I will never forget the moment I held my helpless and tiny baby boy in my arms. Or the fact that he peed on me TWICE when the nurse was working on getting the amniotic fluid out of his lungs. Ha. And that's how it has been since...nothing but smiles and laughs with the little guy. Here's a glimpse of what I have learned as a new mother in one year:
1. There is nothing more joyful than being a mother.
2. Make every holiday a huge deal---they grow up so fast.
3. Buying the cheaper diapers and wipes only causes more stress.
4. LEAN on God during the hard, and even easy, times.
5. It never really matters what mommy looks likes because people only look at the "cute baby" anyways.
6. "If mom ain't happy, noone is."---the truest statement...Take time to take care of myself. Mom's deserve a pedicure every now and then!
7. I appreciate and admire my own mother wayyyyy more. She is simply amazing. But it is okay to have a difference of opinion with her.
8. Family really sticks by you in the times of need.
9. I have a new outlook on all mothers...especially single mothers...we are like this unit, understanding one another. But it can get ugly on fighting to see who has the best kid and brag about it!
10. It is okay to ask for help. I can't do EVERYTHING. That's a hard one for me. We all know how stubborn I can be!
11. Going back to school takes on an entirely different meaning. I cherish it more because I have something huge to fight for!
12. Be comfortable in your own skin and own methods of child-rearing. You will always find someone to argue against your ideas. Stick with what you believe.
13. Baby boys are so much fun!
14. Ayden's mere presence turns me into a more patient person.
15. Christian community is KEY. I would be a wreck without the constant guidance, support, love, encouragement, and prayers from my fellow believers.
16. I have never felt more blessed in my entire life.

Ayden's characteristics at age ONE:
1. Seeing how many blueberries he can shove into his mouth at once.
2. Cheesing for the camera.
3. Dancing anytime he hears music.
4. Throwing a ball, any ball.
5. Socializing with anyone.
6. Wanting to push the stroller instead of actually ride in it.
7. Thinking he is 1 going on 3, thanks to Matthew and Jackson! :)
8. Loving to cuddle and get kisses!
9. WALKING!...zombie style, arms flat out in front of him. it is HYSTERICAL.
10. Seeing how many times mother will actually bend down and pick up the sippy cup he threw from the highchair...and while she's bent down, smear food in her hair.
11. Sucking out of a straw.
12. Throwing his own diapers away.
13. Brushing his teeth.
14. Riding in the baby carrier.
15. Singing himself to sleep.
16. Having curiosity about everything!
17. Playing with boxes.
18. Reading books.
19. Praying "God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food..."
20. Head-butting Aunt Katrina.
21. Unrolling the toilet paper.
22. Taking baths.
23. Figuiring out how to undo the safety gate.

I've put together a slide show of some of my favorite shots of Ayden as he is moments old up until his first birthday! ENJOY!:

....birthday party pictures to come!

From baby to toddler

I heart football season!

This is the first year in AACS (Anne Arundel Christian High School) history of having a football team. Despite my sister's wishes, the little man and I joined in the fresh excitement of last night's game. I loved it. He loved it. Everyone loved it. A nostalgic rush overcame me when I entered the football stadium. I suddenly had flashbacks into the past and heard the sounds of the announcer over the intercom say, "annnnnd THE BETSY BAND" followed by the sweet tune of "Go Ye Ole Betsy" and the fans cheering. Friday nights in Elizabethton were surreal as the football games became the main social event for the ENTIRE town. It was a chance for the band to march their show that was going to compete the next morning, the cheerleaders to look cute (but sometimes annoying...I can say that because I was one of them), the elementary school girls to hang over the stands with that twinkle in their eyes saying "mommy, I want to be a cheerleader when I grow up!", the mother's to brag about their son who's name was just announced for a good play, and the students to show off their brand new fall clothes while holding the hand of their new "fall" boyfriend. Oh. Those. Were. The. Days. And it is completely captivated in this picture!


Ayden and pop pops enjoying the game


Ayden steals the remains of grandma's sucker (er, lollipop depending on what region of the US you are from). No worries, it was basically gone. He just wanted the stick.


Mother and son, about to watch the halftime show of the band. Mother gets teary-eyed, thinking of her precious days marching in the Betsy band.


...by the way, they lost. BUT made their very first touchdown. In the football players' and fans' eyes, they won. :)

taking advantage of a beautiful morning

This morning was a perfect, fall morning; a cool breeze with a hint of crispness and not a cloud in the sky. I decided I couldn't miss out on this day so I finished my coffee outside while Ayden turned on his usual exploratory mode. The last shot is Ayden watching an airplane go by. He LOVES airplanes.

random

Kat and I had a random picture taking moment on Erich's lap top.



Ayden decided to join and show off how proud he was to be in between two of his favorite gals!



And of course, gearing up for football season, watching our buddy Jason Witten - Go Cowboys!

etiquette class turns into art

Tonight I made it a point to spend some extra effort in teaching Ayden how to eat properly. A gentle, spooning of food motion turned into this:




(the red mark on his forehead is leftover kiss marks from his grandmother. she likes to do that everytime she leaves the house.)

Here's a video to get a taste of how determined and concentrated my son was. He wanted those green beans so badly he even tries to eat the container:

A moment like this

There are moments in your life that you will never forget. Sunday was one of those...(it was grandparent's day, might I add to the "specialness") My mother and I were hosting a baby shower at our house. Nearing the end of it, as women were mingling around the food table and gifts, Ayden woke up from his nap so I brought him down to join the festivities. Upon request, I placed him next to a lady who has watched him before in the church nursery and I went and got some food. Ayden must have noticed my retrieval of crackers, because as I was coming back to him, he decided he wanted to meet me first...by WALKING. A few days prior, he had been standing quite sturdy and taking ONE step, but this was, I believe EIGHT! The best part was, in the middle of it, the entire room (to help with the mental picture, filled of women, hyped-up on sugar and cheesy games...) started squealing. He, being the natural comedian/performer that he is, soaked it all up and continued walking with that all-time famous cheese of a grin. Naturally, my eyes filled with tears as I thought "I'm in for it now!" It was one proud moment and I was one proud mama.

My baby's not so much a baby anymore. It is a sad yet exciting thing to think about. "He'll always be your baby, no matter how old" says Melissa. And I believe she's right.

....walking video to come!