One year already?!?!?!

Tonight I designed Finn's birthday party invitations. Wow. It is so hard for me to believe that a year has flown by already. He's still hanging on to the couch, walls, ottoman, chairs for confidence...but I know one of these days he's just going to take off and walk across the room. I'm in no hurry...he is growing up so very fast.

So to take a quick minute and recap some of my favorite "Finn" memories from this year...

Of course, the first time I laid eyes on him. This was an amazing moment b/c he was late...a week late. I was off work and walking 10+ miles a week in mid-November trying to get him out before Thanksgiving. No such luck. : ) The neighbors would all laugh and comment when they saw my round body circling the neighborhood all bundled up. I went in to be induced, IV in, ready to go...last minute ultrasound and he was breech. So back home I went and the next afternoon at 2:24pm via c-section Finn was welcomed into the world. He cried and Shane kept taking pictures of him and bringing the camera back to me so I could see him. Then finally when he was bundled he brought him over. As soon as he heard my voice he quit crying. Then I started crying...lol. It was the most amazing moment of my life.

Since then, we have had so many wonderful moments. After his second feeding at night, I would tuck him in bed w/ me under my arm and snuggle in. I didn't sleep well (in fear I'd hurt him) but he slept like an angel. I will never forget those nights. Every night this year (with a very few exceptions) I have bathed and rocked Finn to sleep. It's my thing...it's our time. And around 4 months, we started reading before bed together. Our favorite book is "I love you through and through". The little boy looks like FInn and his teddy looks like my teddy from childhood. So we sit together (teddy too) and read that book every night.

Finn LOVES to read. He loves to 'read' to himself and have others read to him. If you want to befriend Finn, read a book. He will sit in the middle of our living room in a sea of 15+ books and talk to himself/look through them for hours on end. No tv, no music...just books. I hope this is a lifelong love he's found. : )

Finn loves cream cheese toast, blueberry muffins, cheesy eggs, pears, bananas and baby 'goldfish' crackers. His biggest and best meal of the day is always breakfast. He LOVES breakfast and scary enough, he may be a morning person...which I am NOT. : ) He also loves cereal, oatmeal...he has ever since 4 months. He is weaning himself onto vanilla soy milk...won't touch the stuff from the cow. Doesn't care for juice either...water is his other liquid of choice.

Finn above all is delightful company. He is relaxed, always smiling, snuggly, hilarious and very observant/alert. Actually...now that I think about it I remember everyone commenting on his 'alert' eyes when he was brand new. He has always been amazed and aware of his surroundings and loves to experience new things. He loves to swim, be on the boat, he loves animals, people (especially Hudson), sled riding, playing 'peek', cars (or anything w/ motor and wheels). Finn loves life.

Finn is, by far, the biggest blessing I've had in life. He makes me laugh, cry, love more deeply and intently, encourages me to be more every day, holds me accountable, gives me hope, and has been nothing but PURE JOY. We are beyond grateful, thankful and ever so happy to have this sweet addition to our lives and family.

We love you Finn.