All Boy

Each day James does something to remind me that he is ALL BOY.  A wild, rambunctious, loud, physical, silly, boy. 
Thinking back to Anna as a baby, she was by no means a docile, quiet child, but the memories I have make me realize she was a girly girl baby from the start.  Between the two of them, it is hard to not believe that gender differences are ingrained in us from the get-go.

Whereas Anna enjoyed being outside as a baby, she also was (and still is) content to sit and color a picture or do a puzzle.  James, on the other hand, points and squeals at the door everytime we get near it, groans when we pass it, sits patiently to have his shoes put on, and pretty much flings himself out of your arms once the door is opened.  He LOVES to be outside.  To just wander, pick up leaves, shout at dogs, and run.  He pushes the "big kid" bikes and scooters, turning a nose up at the pint-sized trike he could be riding.  (I know he's still young for coloring and puzzles!).

He also has no fear which has led to multiple close encounters with the sidewalk and driveway and some pretty impressive forehead goose eggs.  He also is too curious for his own good and has eaten soap and bugs, discovered where the laundry detergent is stored; he strives to reach the water dispenser on the refrigerator, pushes chairs and stools to aid him in his climbing efforts, opens every cabinet, and has a magnetic draw to the dishwasher and oven.  The oven is rather worrisome...

I climb on everything.

I'm hoping this early experience with soap leads James to have a clean mouth...

Admiring the neighbor's gear.

Stretching his independent legs.

A pro at wearing food

There's always time to flirt with pretty gals

LOTS of bumps and bruises

T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

Outside + Water = Heaven

Happy Mother's Day to Me

Breakfast, flowers, handmade cards, pampering...my Mother's Day this year was great.  And, looking at these pictures, I see everything I have to be thankful for in my life. Even if they don't always smile!

April - 365

Here's our April in pictures - woo hoo!

Project 365

As this blog can attest, I take a lot of pictures.  At least one a day.  So, when a friend told me about Project 365 I thought I would give it a try.  Project 365 is a program that encourages you to create a chronicle of pictures by selecting one picture every day.  At the end of the year you'll be able to see your life in pictures in a calendar format.  Here are my picture calendars from January, February and March.  I can look back at these and remember each day's picture and what was happening when I took it.  I don't know if I can do this forever, but I will get through 2012!

Pollen!

Before moving to Atlanta I had never paid much attention to pollen.  Having been blessed with a life free of allergies, the daily allergen level report meant nothing to me.  In Atlanta, however, you can't ignore pollen.  For a few weeks in the Spring it is everywhere.  The entire city has a golden sheen, blue cars turn green, and your throat becomes parched because of the amount of pollen you breathe in.

We've experienced record-breaking pollen counts this year and poor Anna has taken it on the chin.  Or rather, in the eyes.  She has sneezing fits, coughing, skin hives, and eyes as puffy as Rocky's after a fight.  So strange, considering it has not bothered her the last three years.  Allergy medicine and daily eyedrops have helped but I can't wait for "Pollen Season" to subside for her sake!

Baseball Birthday

We rang in James's first birthday with a baseball party!  I decided to keep it small, mainly in an effort to keep my sanity (Jason says I act a tad crazy when it comes to birthday parties - I don't see it...ha).  And you know what, it was perfect.  There were friends, decorations, a game, favors, and cake.  What more does a one-year-old need?!?

James was a pro at devouring his cake.  It took him a second, but when he realized the cake on the tray was all his, he wasted no time.

Singing Happy Birthday

For me?

Well, if you insist!

Post-cake rinse

Post-cake strip down

The welcoming committee at the party.

James's pal Laura enjoying her cupcake

Cupcake picnic!

The big, happy 1.

One Sweet Boy

One year.  Amazing to believe that 365 days can pass so quickly, and yet, so slowly at the same time.  Amazing to believe that one year ago we were a family of three (+ Tope), and we were just at that stage of "wow, everything is starting to feel normal again."  Then you came along.

Your arrival was a bit rough - but hey, you have some playground bragging rights.  "Think you're tough?  Well, I was born with a broken collar bone!"  My Big Baby, yet so tiny at the same time.

As soon as you arrived, it was like you'd been here all the time.  You fit in like the missing puzzle piece.  Everything was calmer the second time around.  I like to think I was more relaxed, but I think you made it easy.  That's what you are...easy.  Happy.  Sweet.  Calm.

A calm baby who rarely cried, but boy can you smile.  That's the reaction you get when out and about, "Wow!  He is happy!"  And, happy you are.  Always (well, almost always, you do have your moments).

You settled into the role of little brother like a pro.  Although we often caution Anna with that ominous day when "he will be bigger than you," you delight in her attention and affection.  She loves you so much (some days we have to reel in her excitement and tight "love you to death" hugs), but I see a strong relationship for you two in the future.  And that makes my heart soar.

There is a something so different about a baby boy.  Friends had tried to describe it to me before you were born, but it is indescribable.  The sweet smiles, snuggly hugs, and shouts of "mama!" melt my heart.  And you're so physical, curious, into everything.  You leave no cabinet unopened.  If there is a baseball, football, soccerball, you name it, within a 30-foot radius,  you will chase it down.  "Ba! ba! ba!"  I've fished not two, but THREE bugs (2 roly-polys and 1 snail) out of your mouth.  One of your first sounds was "vroom!" for your cars, then "roar" for dinosaurs and lions.  You are a boy through and through.

And you are ours.  Growing up, yet still our sweet baby James.