One.

One. Year. Old.

I am sure everyone is tired of hearing me complain about my baby being too old too fast, but today is the big day! He is one today. Wow. As I’ve said probably ten times by now, it’s amazing to me.

Our day started out pretty typically, only with birthday themed embellishments. I got him out of his bed and sang the Happy Birthday song, which he thought was a hilarious way to start the day (maybe I’ll start singing to him every morning! It seemed to put him in a pretty good mood!). Then I made him scrambled eggs (he’s one now so he can officially have the whites… so his egg got to keep the white for the first time) with onions and tomatoes. He thought those were AWESOME. I also cut up some strawberries for him and he was a happy camper.

Then we went for about a half-hour walk. I didn’t think it was early enough to be too hot (it was only about 8 a.m.) so I forwent the sunscreen and I think I burnt my baby. Sigh. Bad parenting. But he loved the walk, chatting with the Pakistanis as we cruised by them. We walked down into the neighborhood adjacent to ours that has huge and luxurious villas. They are so amazing. And since apparently walking here with no reason seems foolish, I was stopped by three separate taxis offering their services (whatever that might end up being). That officially pooped him out because he was ready for a nap almost as soon as we got back in the door. On the way back in, our building watchman was mopping our hallway and he stopped and said hello to us and asked me how old Kaden was. “He’s one year old today!” So Kaden got his first birthday wishes of the day (other than from MOM) from the Pakistani man in the light green dress. He was thrilled too, all smiles.

So, Happy Birthday to my big boy Kaden! Mommy loves you!

The past year:
(WARNING: some of the following pictures may not be suitable for the squeemish!) :)

Back when Kaden was just a basketball...

Right before leaving to go to the hospital

After Stu and I learned that I'd have to have a c-section...

trying to be brave...

There's his head!

And there's all of him! Hi Kaden!

Getting measured

Mommy's first time holding her baby boy!

Daddy announcing Kaden's arrival to the waiting room!

Great Grandma, Great Aunt Marcia, Grandma, and Aunt Maddison all texting the news around the world!

Very proud Gramdma holding her first grandbaby

Kaden's banner waiting for us on our door!

Shamu!

First plane ride. Three weeks old.

Napping with Aunt Maddison, Aunt Justine, and might-as-well-be-aunt Caitlin

First time rolling over. Two months.

First Christmas. Five Months.

Hanging out in his cradle that Granddad made for him!

Mommy-and-Me time after work!

Taking a bath! Six Months.

First time playing with sand on the beach! Seven Months.

First Air Race (Red Bull Race). 8 Months.

First trip to Oman. 9 Months.

First trip to Dubai.

First steps! Ten months.

First 4th of July! 11 Months.

And this was this morning... Kaden enjoying his Birthday Breakfast... ONE YEAR OLD!

Party Like a Rockstar!

Kaden’s birthday is tomorrow (Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!) so we decided to throw a birthday party for him this past weekend. We had our friends over for food and cake/ice cream (from Baskin Robbins, so they were ice cream cakes). He got soooo many toys that I think we’re going to have to designate another area the “toy area” since they are now taking over my living room. But we all had a really great time and it was so nice to get together with friends since we don’t have any family here.

I’d been pretty down the few days preceding the party. I guess it’s the combination of missing family an wishing they were here to celebrate with us, and the fact that my son is turning one, that did it. He is so big and getting more advanced every day (this probably never ends though does it… I should probably stop saying so). After the party he was waving bye-bye and blowing kisses to his guests as they departed. Too cute.

Aside from most-things-good, the one major screw-up of the day was brought to us by yours truly. I sat Kaden’s just-for-him cake down in front of him, the candle still singing the Happy Birthday song, and he grabbed the candle just as I hurriedly blew it out. So, for my son’s first birthday experience, I succeeding in burning him with fire. Awesome.

Other than evil Mommy, the rest of the party was basically uneventful in that it was a typical one-year-old’s birthday party. He cried, he laughed, he ignored his guests, and he even took a bath right in the middle (thank to the ice cream cake experience)! Thank you to everyone who made it over to help us celebrate my baby’s first birthday!

Kaden's birthday banner

Big boy in his birthday outfit!

The table with the presents and snacks before the friends showed up.

Daddy and the big boy!

Mommy and a very happy baby

Kaden interested in what Andrew was doing... following him around.

Andrew on a very important call.

Alicja and Alberto having a snack!

Marcelo and Rainy arriving!

Kaden wasn't sure what to think about that toy!

Mommy!

Kaden's cake! (with the fire)

post-cake

messy messy baby!

Bath time!

Caught in the act! Even marcelo had a piece of cake!

present from Grandma Ezzell (that just sounds weird... from Momma E!)

The loudest, most obnoxious toy known to man. Thanks, Mom! :)

Reading a card from Marcelo and Rainy

Andrew!

Blocks! Way cool present from Kasey, Kyle, and Andrew

Eating the wrapping paper on his present from Alicja, Louie, and Alberto

Kaden, Cassie, and Rainy!


More presents! This is the barn from Marcelo and Rainy.

And the Elephant!

Matthew! He got him a toy that sings the alphabet in AMERICAN English!!! (So we can teach him that the last letter of the alphabet is "zee" and not "zed"... also, it's pronounced "are", not "ah"

Sam and Kaden! Her toy was awesome too! He got a Little People circus toy set! He loves pushing the button to make the carousel spin!

Uh oh, caught eating pizza now!

Kaden with only a fraction of his toys!