Probably one of my favorite parts of each day is getting my daily photo of Archer. Carrie has been so good about texting them to everyone this past year, and I love all the little glimpses into how he spends a second of each day. I love this kid!
It's always great to come together to celebrate that first year mark, and Grandma DJ put together a great party for her first grand baby's first birthday. :) I think that first birthday is as much a celebration for the parents and relatives as it is for the little one.
There really isn't anything out there that can prepare someone for a baby, and I know Archer has had some challenging stretches, but Carrie and Bobby have come through it all beautifully. I'm already looking forward to seeing how much Archer changes over this next year.
I remember the phone call I had with Carrie when we first got the news that Darius had been offered a transfer to Salt Lake. I knew what it meant it be able to live close to her and the rest of the family. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to be around, to watch Carrie become the mother that she is and to see Archer grow and be able to spend time with them both.
February is quickly on the way out, and I'm still mentally half way stuck in January. The boys and I were super lucky to get a break from winter for a couple of weeks, and I think the recess scrambled my brain a bit.
The reason for our trip to sunnier skies was to celebrate Emma's first birthday with the Bacons. There's something about first birthdays that seem to me to be as much as a celebration for the family and friends as it is for the person turning one. Emma is one very loved little girl, and it was lots of fun to be around so many people who love her as much as we do.
Emma is at such a fun age. There's so much for her to absorb at her age. How interesting it would be to get inside her head and see her take on all the things she's experiencing right now.
A couple days following Emma's party we had planned on returning home, but we ended up extending our stay to lend some help. Honey had not been well when we first arrived and needed some extra care to recover from a nasty case of pneumonia. Although the circumstances were far from ideal, it was nice to be able to spend the extra time with the Bacons.
A little of the extra time included another fun party the following weekend. The Bacons are skilled at throwing a good party. Emma's party followed by their Super Bowl party the following weekend were no exceptions! I had lots of fun with Patti getting food ready for the party. I get so many great and delicious ideas from her.
During our stay we also enjoyed a nice visit with Grandma Gaile and her husband Jim, who were kind enough to make the drive over to Orlando from Sarasota. They treated us to lunch, froyo, and gifts for the boys. It was so nice to be able to visit with them and so much sooner than we had anticipated.
I didn't care to leave our friends and the warm weather behind, but it was good to come home to Darius. He doesn't like it when we leave him for long periods, and I can't say that I blame him. We miss being away from him too. I appreciate him and his job which allows us these opportunities to visit our far-away friends and family!
Darius and I made it through our first year as parents. We sincerely give our thanks to all our family and friends for helping us along the way!
It's hard to wrap my mind around all that's happened this past year. Having Ben & Zach has forever changed Darius and I as people. We are so blessed to have our boys, and look forward to celebrating all their birthdays still to come.
I honestly thought I would be a weepy mess all day, but I didn't tear up once. It was just a simple happy day with some party decorations, cake, singing and many Happy Birthday wishes.
There were so many of you who called and sent gifts and cards for Ben & Zach. The boys may not understand all the special attention but Darius and I do, and we're so grateful for all that everyone did! Many thanks!
Some photos from the day...
Ben helping with the decorations.
Zach is so close to walking. He could IF he wanted to.
Our salute to Florida where our journey began. Old Swampy was a delicious alligator!
All that sugar had them up hours past their bedtime. You only turn 1 once!
"No more. Two is all I can handle."
Zach on the phone with Aunt Brooke.
They boys had so much fun playing with their new Tonka Trucks.
