Birthday Baby

Oh Coco-nut. I can't believe you're 1!!! My sweet, quite, not quite brooding - but always analyzing, serious, snuggley, kissy-face boy.

From the moment you entered the world you were very different from your brother. Your birth was an experience - face first and sunny side up. We had a room full of medical onlookers amazed at the position you had gotten yourself into and curious to see how you were going to make your way out. You were tough from the start. Battered and bruised in heartbreaking fashion. But still perfect. You were a tough nut to crack for me. It took me a while to figure you out, but once we hit our stride, we never looked back.
You are adored by your big brother. Cherished by your Mommy. Treasured by you Daddy. You have a HUGE fan in miss E and a built in bestie in baby Z. You, my sweet, are LOVED.
This year has been a whirlwind - with highlights including tiny baby casts and a summer living abroad. None of it phased you. Not in the slightest. As long as you had Cade - and the occasional nap - you were good.

There are no words to express how much love my heart holds for you. Snuggling with you is one of my all time favorite past times. You are maybe the single most kissing baby I've ever encountered and I love every single one. You are a treasure. You are a pleasure.
Happy birthday baby boy. I can't believe you're one already. I may have already said that, but it's true. This year I'm wishing on your candle and I'm wishing for time to slow down! I just can't seem to hold on to these baby years tight enough. Remember - Mommy love you most...and more than that.

Back

So we ARE back...back to Texas. Back to our "real" life. Back to blogging. I'll admit I had to take a break for a while. It was hard work blogging every week. The stress of trying to be funny and witty and make sure I take enough pictures...whew - I'm tired just thinking about it. But seriously - we've just been enjoying ourselves so much we haven't had time for much else.

Since we've been home, we've been on the move. It's a big ego boost to come home after 3 months. We've felt very popular. Had lots of invites and and play dates and lunches with friends. We've had lots of visitors and visited lots of people. It's been a blast. If I didn't know better I'd say we were missed and it's been nice.

KK spent a week with us after we got home to help us adjust, but surprisingly, we needed no adjustment period. No one had jet lag and the boys settled right back in to life in the suburbs. Our first week back we battled the heat with a swim day which was lots of fun. Cade isn't really sure of the water, but Cole loved it. I have to admit though - my favorite part of it all was what the humidity did to Cade's hair...HOLY COW...I love those curls!

We've also started a gymnastics class with our cousin Emmy. They seem to really like it, but truth be told I think I like it more. I love watching him run and jump. He's quickly becoming much more coordinated and capable and I sit there beaming with pride and amazement at how he's growing. Emmy wasn't quite as sure as he was at first, but he was glad to take her had and lead (or drag) her in.

Of course the most exciting thing that's happened recently is that the final member of our foursome made his way home. We talked about it for 2 weeks straight. We made a sign and got Whataburger on the way since we knew he had been missing it desperately. KK came back and brought the great grandparents with her. It was a real celebration.

Unfortunately, Steve left his cell phone on the plane, but fortuitously, we had a new phone waiting for him at home that had been purchased for his birthday which was the next day. Cade was more than willing to help him open it.

Saturday we had a PARTAY! Lots to celebrate including Steve's birthday as well as KKs. Our fort was overtaken with crazy kiddos. You couldn't help but smile.

When we were in London we did A LOT if outings to parks, zoos and museums. I promised to try to keep it up when we got home and have done an okay job. We have already made one trip to the children's museum in Ft. Worth and today we went to the Ft. Worth Zoo. It's so nice to have our "runnin' buddies" back. Cade and Em are adorable together. They have their own special relationship and it's fun to watch it develop. We have a pattern every time we get together now. Em rides in Cade's stroller and Cade in hers. That's the way they want it, so that's what we do. The little munchkins (Cole and Zack) are still good as gold and are truly roll with the punches kind of guys. They just go and do whatever. Thank God for that.