Keeping Memories Close: Costner's First Birthday

Well, nostalgia has hurt me all day, so let's get current. Look at this precious piece of heaven. He is STILL that, and I know him so much better than I did a year ago. For instance, I know the difference between, "EEEEEEE!!!!" and "UHHHHHHH!" and "AHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Generally, they all mean, "Mommy!!!! GET ME!" OR, "Give me what you have." But YOU wouldn't know that. :) He has a smile that lights up the room. He smiles with every bit that he is, and it is contagious. I think he's going to be like Jaggar in that he's rotten and that cuteness will save him. He is a climber now, too. If you're on the bed or couch, he's right there, too. He has taken a few steps over the past few weeks, but so far, crawling is our main way of getting around.

I planned on him wearing that shirt on his actual birthday. It was a perfect fit for the day.

Playing at home while his siblings were in school. He has starting dancing like real bouncing instead of just waving his hands (he still does that too), and I tried to get it on video. I got a few seconds.

Here he is this morning. Sometimes, he just throws his hands up like, "YEAH! Feelin' good!" and it's so funny.

See?

The brothers. Jaggar kept saying, "I love him so much!" And he was also irritated that we acknowledged Costner's birthday today. See, we had a party for him on Thanksgiving in Kentucky (which I'll get to), so Jaggar was like, 'But he already HAD a birthday." NO WAY should he get two!

LOOK at him and that wild hair. I just can't bear to cut it.

Look at that. Doesn't even look like the same child.

I LOVE this pic. I have to give my new iphone props for taking beautiful pics. The clarity is awesome for a camera phone. (That was my Christmas gift from Travis. It was supposed to be a surprise, but it couldn't be purchased for my upgrade price without activating it then and there. I was really upset about that. ;)

In laws came over this afternoon and brought him some presents. He is actually starting to care...somewhat. He was so sweet smiling at his things. Sage took these pictures? Why? Because Travis is in Florida (going on 3 days, which feels like 3 weeks) on a tv shoot. I've been slightly bitter about it today, but at least I'm not married to a deadbeat, so that's a huge plus.

He was like, "Who are these people? What is going on?"

I LOVE that sweet face he has. I just want to squeeze him.

Precious angel

I got a small cake from Publix because...well, I did his party last week and had a big cake. I had intentions of having ANOTHER party here with friends here...then Travis went out of town unexpectedly, and honestly, I'm just beat. And would it be for him? He'd be totally overwhelmed. I'm kind of pushing myself to bring some things down a notch. He is one. I do not have to order custom invitations and get my cricut out and make a personalized banner. I LOVE THOSE, btw...and I don't think those are bad. But I just don't want to MISS life while I'm so busy trying to make it a certain way. I HAVE to do enough of that. So this was good...and the cake was amazing.