"Look Ma, I'm One!"

I've been trying all week to get this post finished due to computer problems, but better late than never I suppose. The big event in our live recently has been Will turning a year old. We truly cannot believe it's already been a year since he entered our lives (and changed everything- well almost=)). I thought it would be fun to take a look at what we we're doing this time last year and post some photos. I didn't have a blog until August of last year, so most of you haven't seen any of these pics. Even if you have, it's fun to take a walk down memory lane. One year ago (Monday) I was getting strapped onto monitors to prepare for Will's arrival.

After many hours of labor, I ended up having a c-section due to the fact that Will was turned sidewise (facing my hips) and wasn't coming out. I have to admit I was scared.

When I finally had him in my arms I ceased being scared and was totally overcome with love and intense emotion.

He was such a little peanut, 6 lbs. 7 oz. and 20 1/4 inces.

The days that followed were some of the most blissful I've experienced. We hadn't reached extreme sleep deprivation yet, and every morning we'd lay in bed together and I'd hold him close, smelling his beautiful baby smells and wishing the moment could last forever.



Now a year has passed, and he is a big boy (not only in age, but in size!). I was at Marisa's house this morning and we decided to weigh him: 26.5 lbs. according to her scale. We looked up the percentiles on the World Health Organization's growth charts and it said (gulp) 97th %. We have his one year check-up in a week and a half, and I'll have official numbers then.

The following are pictures from Will's birthday party which took place on Sunday. We rented a little pavilion in Tower Grove park and worried all morning about the rain that poured down until 1 or 2 pm. It was clear by 4:00, the time of the party, and despite mud on the ground it was a pleasant afternoon. We had lots of friends and family there and actually quite a few babies and kids, which was fun. Rodney and I are both very thankful for all the help that his family gave and give kudos to Jerry for grilling up some tasty chicken. It was all in all a very successful first birthday party. Happy Birthday William Paul!