Happy Birthday, my baby boy!

We celebrated Andrew's first birthday today! Grandma and Grandpa are here for a visit, and they helped make it a really special day! First, we went out to lunch and then shopping so Grandma and Grandpa could buy Andrew his own chair for video-watching! We found a cute Mickey Mouse Clubhouse rocker! After we came home for a quick nap, we met friends at Habaneros for dinner and then came back home for birthday cake. You'll see in the pictures that the cake was a smashing success! After the cake, we opened presents, and Andrew played with each of them! In all we had about 20 friends--neighbors, babysitters, friends from work, and single mom group friends to help celebrate the day! I felt so lucky to have such a wonderful support network for my little boy. Throughout the day, I often thought about our first meeting, bringing Andrew home, and how much has changed since he has been home. Honestly, I can't even really remember life before Andrew! This little boy has truly made my life more meaningful, more beautiful, more memorable, and so incredibly full of love! I love him so much, and I love being his mommy!

Andrew is now walking while holding onto things--me, furniture, etc. He has a lot to say too! He imitates sounds and uses expressive vocal inflections while gesturing or pointing with his hands. He plays hide and seek! If I crawl, he follows me, and I will hide around the corner waiting for him...when I say "boo," he jumps and startles, but then he busts out laughing and wants to do it again! He eats everything, especially loves all fruit--even really sour things like limes! He is learning how to kiss properly (instead of biting my lip off!), and he is such a happy baby!

Happy First Birthday, my baby boy!!