Charlie's 1st birthday

One year ago today, this sweet little bundle of joy unexpectedly decided to make his debut at 34 weeks gestation. I was in the hospital with him at 30 weeks for 1 week due to placenta previa. I was put on bed rest hoping that he would stay put for a while. At almost 4 weeks later, on July 26th I was sent to the hospital scared to death. My section was scheduled for September 1st so I was not ready, but my sweet little baby boy was telling me otherwise. I met the doctor there and she checked me and I was 3 cm dilated and having contractions. My baby was ready! I was rushed back in the operating room and he was born at 12:28 am on July 27th 2010. I barely missed having to have a hysterectomy and lost 4 pints of blood so I had to have a blood transfusion. I would do every single bit of it over again and again! He stole my heart like everyone said. My head full of dark haired baby weighed 6lbs 1oz and was 20 inches long even 6 weeks early. Boy, he would have been humongous at full term! He was for the most part healthy. He stayed in the NICU for two weeks with me right by his side almost every second. He wouldn’t eat at first, but once he learned how to we were on our way home. Thank you God for this most precious blessing that you have given me. Watching him grow this past year has been so much fun! Here is a picture of Charlie when he was one day old.

 

                                                                               One year later…

 

I planned an “under the sea” themed birthday party for him. All of our family and friends came to swim and celebrate his birthday! My mom was so sweet to help me put it all together!!!

My cousin Amy and her kids came over early to help with setting up and taking pictures (which she took all of) and she brought with her this adorable birthday hat that she made Charlie! It is sooo cute and is now being displayed in his room! What a sweet memento of his 1st birthday!

Cake Pops (Thank you Kelly, my sister-in law) for helping me make these yummy creations!!!

Zaxby’s Chicken Strips,

Pasta salad, goldfish, and brownies!

Some of the decorations!!

 

Our guests started arriving…big ones and little ones!!

The birthday boy had a little bed head when he woke up, but he still looked adorable!

Everyone had a great time in the pool. The weather was beautiful, and the kids played for hours in the pool!

Even the birthday boy enjoyed the pool!

But, I think he enjoyed the cake pop more!! I don’t blame him one bit!

He was all smiles when I was throwing him up! He was a very happy birthday boy!!

Ready, set, swing…it’s piñata time! We had a clown fish piñata to match his underwater theme. As always, the kids loved the piñata and were eager to get the candy!

 

It was time to sing Happy Birthday so we all gathered around Charlie and sang. I quickly slipped his adorable birthday hat on hoping he would not notice. At first he didn’t, but it wasn’t long before he realized and snatched it right off. Oh well, at least I have a picture!  He dug right into his smash cake, but didn’t seem to love his cake like I thought he would. He was fine with it, but then started to get a little irritated with all of the icing on his hands. 

 

He did manage to get it in his hair so I got him out and hosed him off, literally!!

After a decent cleaning, I dried him off and put on some comfy pj’s so he could finish enjoying the party!

Happy Birthday my little buddy! That has been one of the best years of my life. You are the sweetest little boy and oh are you loved!!!! We enjoy watching you grow every single second and continuously thank God for the blessing that you are! We love you Charlie!!!

My almost birthday boy!

I’ve been trying to capture as many pictures as I can before my sweet little boy turns one! We have been spending a lot of time at home as Charlie has recently had another ear infection and so his doctor decided he needed tubes. We were thankful that they did them in office without anesthesia and using just numbing drops. It took 5 minutes, but several nurses to hold him down! (he’s a fighter) They did them 2 days before his 1st birthday! We are hoping that this eliminates his ear infections and wheezing (which was always a result of the infection). Other than that,  he is still one sweet, happy little fella! A busy one nonetheless!!

He is saying a handful of words and seems to be adding a new more often that not! He says: “mama,” “dada,” “nana” for Hannah, “Sa Sa” for Sallie, “PaPa,” Pappy, “Ni Ni” for nite nite, “ba” for ball, “ma” for more, “bye bye,” and has said “Gigi” a couple times, but not as often! He loves to clap for himself after each word too! I have a hard time believing my baby is starting to talk.

I have heard probably a million times how much busier little boys are than girls and I am here to tell you first hand, that is a slight understatement-there is almost no comparison…at least in my case. Hannah and Sallie were busy, but he is probably busier than both combined. He is already a climber and was caught halfway up the stairs only to be rescued by the younger of his sisters. (She got a BIG treat for that one) You can’t take your eyes off of him for long or he’ll be playing with the fire poker or sticking his hand in the toilet. (Yes, he has done that on several occasions-GROSS!!!)And I think he sometimes knows when he is being mischievous because he wrinkles his nose and gives me the grin and will occasionally say “no no” to me before I’ve said it to him. (Still, it doesn’t stop him!) Despite it all, he is still my heartstrings. I look at him several times a day thanking the good Lord he brought him here safely. I can never be grateful enough!

He’s almost a walker, standing everywhere- just has not been brave enough to take that first step.

I’m surprised his cheeks aren’t chapped from all the kisses he gets from Hannah and Sallie (and me too, of course!)

In my opinion, these are two of the best sisters anyone could have. They spoil Charlie rotten getting him whatever he wants but also making sure he is always safe. They don’t seem to ever tire from playing with him. My sweet little mama’s!!