Never seen before footage

Never seen before footage of Finley's birthday. 

I have been really excited with the love Finley's first birthday has received.

It has been featured on spearmint baby (here), babble (here) and cheap and chic nursery (here)

What an honor!

You can see the whole circus soiree (here)

There has been too many weeks of radio silence, let the catch up begin.

33 years.

33 years ago on a warm summer day this hansom boy was born.

I'm sure his mama held him tight as tears ran down her face as she stared into

the sweet face of her first born son.  

I'm so glad he was born.  I'm so happy I found him.

I'm so thrilled he chose me.

I'm so thankful to wake up to his sweet smile every day

and close my eyes with his warm hands wrapped around me every night.

I'm so blessed he is the sweet father to my kidlets.

I couldn't be a luckier girl.

The world would be a sad sad place with out my joe.

He is a good man, wonderful father, sweet son and amazing husband.

Happy Happy Birthday my sweetheart.

I know this years birthday is bitter sweet but know

that I love you and will always be here to hold you

through the thick and thin.

love you.

Fin's Circus Soiree

what a perfect day.

family, friends, food and my baby turning one. 

I must say I can't help myself when it comes to parties.

I tend to go all out and boy did we go all out for Fin's first birthday.

face painting, bubbles, a bounce house, balloon animals, clown noses

and lots of sugar.

I couldn't help but reminisce about Genevieve's first birthday.  My how time is flying.

I made the balloon banner using this tutorial

it wasn't hard but tedious and time consuming.

Joe and I blew up 72 balloons.  We both had major headaches afterwards.

my sweet neighbor, Laura made all the desserts: cake, cupcakes and cookies

they were so yummy.

and what circus is complete without popcorn and cotton candy

Genevieve was the "ringmaster" 

face painting was done by the amazing: athena

grammy and grandad

there is just something magical about bubbles

I made my headband using this tutorial

we had about 60 of our good friends and family come and help us celebrate Finley's first year of life

here is just a few of them...

Happy Birthday Finley James.

We love you.

(all photos were taken by the wonderful alisha gregerson)

\

and then you were one.

Finely,


The night you were born was one of the best of my entire life. Bringing you into this world made me believe that I really can do anything and it solidified the creeping suspicion in my heart that the reason God put me on this earth was to be a mother. With you in one arm, and Genevieve in the other, I looked down at you both and felt for the first time that I had my answers. There was no more wondering who I would become or what my legacy would be. I was made to nurture and love you and I will spend the rest of my life doing it to the best of my ability.


Your first twelve months of life have not been without challenges.  Together we have battled the hardships of breast feeding.  With sores, and thrush, 17 cases of mastitis and a trip to the ER for mama you have been patient through it all.  You have endured your own trauma.  In your first two weeks of life you spent four scary days at Primary Children's while mama slept by your side and another trip to the ER two weeks later.  Thankfully, we had each other, daddy and Genevieve to help us get through these trials and although your first year of life has been challenging I wouldn't have it any other way.  This past year has taught me patience.  Patience with myself, with my role as a mother, with my body and with God's plans for us.  


I know that what lies ahead of you is so great that my heart nearly burst with anticipation for your future. There is an indescribable wonderness to your spirit. I try daily to put words around it.  There is just something about you.  A tangible peace. A soulful joy. These days, I watch as you are putting together what you know of the world. Yesterday I watched as you carefully watched your sister and tried to imitate her every move.  On a daily basis I catch you studying her so intently.  Trying ever so hard to talk and move as she does. At night when you are close to sleep, you hum ever so quietly as I blow in your eyes so you will give into sleep. It has become our ritual, the familiar warmth of your body curled up in my arms, our eyes meeting one last time while your little eye lashes flutter slowly, as you fall away to dream. 


Finley, my darling. I never anticipated that you, my sweet, blue eyed, little boy would knock me back down to my foundation. That I would have to learn everything differently and all over again. That parenting you would force me to re-evaluate and redefine everything I thought I knew about love and patience and being a mother. Everything about you has been unexpected and wondrous.

Happy birthday, my sweet boy.

~mom

Stats:

31 inches 95th percentile

24 lbs 70th percentile

head 50th percentile

12-18 month clothes

size 3 shoe

teeth:

four on the top

two on the bottom

movement:

on the move and finally crawling

pulling yourself up on everything

can climb stairs as quick as lightening

you can wave bye bye

clap your hands

put your hand, any toy up to your hear and say "hi"

words:

mama

dada

hi

hi dada

book

uh oh