Sissy makes me laugh hard

Devin takes a step

One of my favorite things right now is to remove

as many items as possible from mommy's tupper-ware drawer. If they get put away, I just

get them back out again in case anybody needs

them. Then I try to eat the lids and I crawl around with bowls under my hands like suction

cups to the floor. Who needs walking with all

this excitement!

Devin's 1st swing ride at the park

During spring break we all went for a walk in the neighborhood. I didn't even realize they had swings for little kids at our park but Steve suggested we give Devin his first ride in a real swing.

Of course he loved it just as he loved the indoor baby swing at home which used to put him to sleep. After the first swing you could tell he wanted to go higher and he seemed as though he would stay on forever if you let him. I didn't have my camera then but Kira, Devin and I went back the next day and just D and I went again the day after that. He enjoyed it every time and I can forsee the future of "no mommy I'm not ready to get off the swing yet, leave the park, etc. " though probably with a little less articulation and a little more defiance!

Devin's One Year Photos

Devin's First Birthday

Devin had a wonderful birthday party on March 21st the day before his birthday. Miraculously he took a 2.5 hour nap before the party so mommy could get ready, finish cleaning, etc. He enjoyed all the family and friends who came and seemed to be rather happy riding around in his new ATW wagon that G-ma and Peepaw brought despite my discouragement at Christmas. It says "for ages 1.5 and up" and after seeing it, I realize it is very safe with high walls and padding and our little man is already big enough to ride in it. Now we just need to make room in the garage or it will remain an indoor wagon/toy storage bin ; )

We got very lucky with the weather (sunny, upper 50's) and enjoyed an entertaining pinata smashing in the driveway. It took Sissy's metal softball bat and killer swing to finally bust open the avon box of "safari supplies" that I constructed. The suggested pinata of two grocery bags fitted together just sounded a little to weak for the older boys like Ashton who would be partaking. In fact, he was so excited to bust it open that he had left his candy sack in the house which led to a panicked but comical "where's my bag!!!???!!!" once the treats were flying in all directions. He quickly retrieved it and made up for lost time. Devin seemed entertained to watch from his wagon and baby Jacob would laugh hysterically every time someone would swing at that pinata which was cleverly hung from the basketball post by Steve.

Afterwords, we went inside for cake and a German tradition that determines what a child will do later in life. D chose $ over the book, pen and bread, meaning that he will be a banker or financial professional. Little man seemed to enjoy the singing though he wasn't quite sure what to do with his first cake. He stuck his hands in it but didn't try a bite until I put a little in his mouth. He didn't seem to excited about the frosting but liked the banana cake. He started to fuss shortly after getting his hands dirty and we took the cake away. I went to wash my hands so I could clean him up but should have skipped that since he began to get irritated and wiped his eyes with his frosting covered hands. He kept rubbing and fussing so I took him upstairs to the bath to get it all off and try to calm him down. By then he had broken out into hives and his face and sides were red, bumpy and puffy. It was nursing time too so once he was cleaned off and fed, we went back downstairs to the party and within a half hour, the redness and hives were just about gone. After most of the guests left except for immediate family, D got to open his presents. He got some great books, toys and clothes. He tried to eat the tissue paper and gift bags but once the toys were exposed he was more interested in those.

It was a great day, and on Sunday (his actual birthday) we took him to Red Robin for dinner. He ate baby food and some of my fish (cod) which he seemed to like. He got sung too by the red robin staff and he clapped for them when they finished their song. He got his own scoop of vanilla ice cream w/choc sauce and whipped cream, all of which he enjoyed, hive free!