Celebrating the LAST First Birthday

On Sunday, March 8th, our last baby celebrated his first birthday! It was just days before life as we knew it came to a halt. Although we had to cancel his first birthday party due to coronavirus and social distancing, we were able to celebrate his actual birthday with our parents. It was a special day!

Coen's first birthday was probably the most bittersweet one we've ever celebrated. He is our last baby, so it was in our minds all day that this was the last time ever that we would be celebrating a first birthday for one of our children. That first year goes faster with each child that we add to our family, so we were reeling from the shock of having a 1 year old ALREADY!

That day, we introduced Coen to our favorite birthday traditions, and made sure he was properly spoiled. He was showered with attention and love, which is what makes birthdays so special. There is no doubt that our beautiful bonus baby is loved beyond measure!

The Busyness of a Big Family

I didn't really consider us a big family until baby #5 joined our world. Now that we're officially one year into having five children, I get it. I understand exactly why there aren't very many big family bloggers out there!

The issue is time. Or more accurately, the LACK of time. My day starts at 6 AM, and I literally don't get a break from parenting until my head hits the pillow at 11 PM (or later). And really, it doesn't end. I have a big problem with turning my thought process off so I can sleep!

I miss blogging. SO much. It was a part of my life for so long. I don't want to give it up just yet, and I have so many posts waiting in my queue. I had big plans to post 2-3 times a week, and I was doing so well until the busyness that comes with big family life got in the way. See, over the past 4 weeks, a LOT has come up that threw us off track!

Liam at 12 Months

My sweet Liam,

  You are officially 1 year old!!! This year was the fastest year of my life, but it was also the best year of my life.  I have all my babies in my arms and you truly complete our family.  I am greeted with your sweet smile every morning, and I get to snuggle you every day.  I am so lucky. We are beyond blessed to have you in our family!  You brought so much joy and awareness into our lives.  Every day with you is a blessing!  Happy First Birthday, beautiful boy. You are my pride and joy, and I love you with all my heart.

Love, Mommy



MILESTONES:  Pulling up to a standing position and taking little steps while holding onto furniture more frequently, playing in a kneeling position, standing up from a crouching position, and sitting down from a standing position.


 
TOOTH COUNT: Still no teeth!  Considering your siblings got their teeth at 4 months and were completely done teething (including 2 year molars!) by 18 months, this is new for us!


 
COMFORTS: Nursing, bouncing on knees, and being carried in the Ergo.


 
FIRSTS:  Between 11-12 months, you attended your first family reunion, celebrated Daddy and Lily's Birthdays, you enjoyed your first visit to Deer Park and Pymatuning, you rode on a little train (which you loved!), and you had your first birthday party!


 
EATING:  You still nurse several times a day.  You self feed all your meals and drink from a straw cup. You love to eat!


 
FAVORITE FOODS: Mandarin oranges, bananas, strawberries, watermelon, carrots, cheesy noodles, puffs, cheerios, baby goldfish crackers,  yogurt melts, apple sauce, and yogurt.


 
SLEEPING: I have NO complaints in the sleep department.  I nurse you before bed, lay you down awake, and you put yourself to sleep.  You sleep 12-14 hours, and wake up happy.  You still take 2 naps a day and you still tend to fall asleep in the car. 




SOUNDS/WORDS: Mama, Dada, Baby, Oooo, Ahhh, and lots of squeals, growling, and singing.  You are a talkative little guy!


 
LIKES:  Eating, nursing, cuddling with your family, standing, playing with the play kitchen, pulling toys out of the basket, taking walks, taking baths, and riding in the Ergo. You're happy most of the time!


 
DISLIKES: You hate when your diaper is dirty and you hate to get your face wiped! And, obviously, your too big birthday shirt that you will probably fit into next year!



FAVORITE TOYS/GAMES: Your Bright Starts Take Along Carrier Toy Bar (we use this on your infant car seat and your stroller), LeapFrog Cook and Play Potsy, Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Birdbath, your sister's play kitchen, Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Crawl Around Car, books, peek-a-boo, and your light up boom box!


 
NICKNAMES:  Miam. Lily can now pronounce your name correctly, but we still call you Miam!


 
HEALTH: You are perfectly healthy! Your laryngomalacia is gone and your reflux went away!


 
EARLY INTERVENTION: You still receive OT once a week for one hour and PT once a week for one hour in our home.


 
STATS: 15 lbs 14 oz and 27 1/2 inches.  These stats were taken at your well visit on your birthday. Several days later, you were weighed again and lost some weight, but grew a 1/2 inch!


 
WEARING: Size 2 diapers, size 1 shoes, and mostly 3-6 month clothing, although you still fit into several
0-3 month items. You're a little guy!


 
PERSONALITY: You slay everyone with your huge grin and bright eyes! You win people over with your sweet cuddles. You are a beautiful, joyful, social, healthy boy!  You are a gift to all of us!

Liam's First Birthday!

I'm still having a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that my BABY is one!  Liam's first year was the fastest year of my life.  It felt like I blinked, and August 18th was here.  We had a great time celebrating our littlest love!

Liam woke up to a room full of balloons, and enjoyed snuggling with his sisters and cousin.





We sang Happy Birthday to him before he ate his breakfast.  He thought it was hilarious!




After breakfast, he spent some time playing with his new toys from his birthday party.







We headed to the park for some more fun, and Liam's BFF, Amber, showed up with some food.   Liam approved of the french fries.






After a nap and some dinner, my parents and Grant's mom and Nannie came over for presents and cake. 



Liam thought the gift we bought him was the coolest.  He even helped Daddy put it together!







Finally, it was time for cake!





We attempted a family picture before singing to him, but Liam had already spotted his cake and wasn't interested in looking at the camera. We tried, but his eyes kept following his cake!  I don't really blame him.  The cake was delicious!




He finally got what he wanted!



 




Then, he moved on to ANOTHER piece of cake. And another. He ate until he dropped.







 





After he finished, a bath in the nearest sink was needed.  He was covered head to toe, and had a great time smearing cake all over my sink and counter.  Let me just say I had to scrub the sink and counter after he went to bed!!!





After some snuggles with mommy and daddy, Liam fell into a deep sleep. He had a great first birthday!



Happy 1st Birthday, Liam!  You are so beautiful and you fill our world with so much joy.  We love you more than words can say! Love you forever, sweet boy!