Little Prince of Peace: Winter wONEderland First Birthday!

Hard to believe this little guy is already one year old! All month long I've been a bit nastalgic as I replay in my mind what was happening on each day at this time last year as we were preparing ourselves for his birth. I have to admit I've been a bit emotional, it's been a whole year but it all still feels like yesterday and I wonder if I will ever get over all the emotions I feel every time I think of our little miracle. I spent the morning collecting all of his pictues with his teddy bear so I could print them for a display at his party and as a present for Jess. How did he go from this tiny little thing...

To this little boy in just one year?

It took me way too long to collect all the pictures, by the time I was finished I knew I was going to have to simplify my plans because there was no way I was going to get everything done. But it was enjoyable to look back. I stopped to take the final picture, his 12 month/1 year old picture, with Matt right there to help. I was dying that he has that big old bump on his head, but that's what babies that are learning to walk do. I think it gives his one year old picture a little character as if he doesn't have enough! I can't help but add in the bloopers, we stood him and the bear up next to each other to get a perspective of how tall he is now. Ollie got all excited, in doing so he slammed his head back against the bed post. Here is the sequence of him hitting his head and then breaking down into tears. I should be more sympathetic I guess but I think it is so cute the way he puts his hands above his eyes when he cries right now so selfishly I was happy to capture it, and he really wasn't all that hurt.

While I was finishing up the pictures and already getting emotional Jess posted a touching little note on facebook:

Happy Birthday to the boy who will hold my heart forever. Ollie is 1 year old today! I can hardly believe it... Now I know I tend to get lengthy and emotional when I talk about my little one, so I wont. But a huge thank you to everyone who has been there for me this year, and all the love I have today goes to Matt, Loree and Ollie. We are our own miracle. Idk how it all works so well for us but you guys have become some of my best friends in the entire world and I love you so much. Give Ollie a big kiss and ill see you in a few days! Happy Birthday baby boy, mama Jess loves you! ♥

Jess had already been on my mind and since I was at the computer going through pictures I shared a picture of him walking just for her, and this post:

My favorite picture ever in the hospital is Ollie looking up at you- he didn't have to speak to tell you how much he loved you, to say thank you, and all the other things that were in his precious little heart. Love you FOREVER!!!! Happy One Year ♥ ♥ ♥ Matt, Loree, and Ollie

After posting back and forth our thoughts about him, last year, and how grateful we are for each other happy tears were flowing. Got to chat with her for a bit, she and the fam called to sing "Happy Birthday" to Ollie, but he was asleep. He woke up a few minutes after we hung up so I called right back so our sleepy little boy could hear them all singing for him. He held the phone and smiled- if he were old enough I sure he would have replied with "Love you too!"

With pictures finally being printed up Matt and I spent the next few hours getting the house ready. We rushed out the door at 2:00pm. We had to get all of the food for the party, all of Ollie's birthday and Christmas presents, decorations, and a whole list of other things and the party was set to start at 6:00pm. (Plus we still had a cake to bake!) We made it to Costco and loaded up on food, found a Christmas present for each other, and presents for Ollie. I was shocked that all the toys were gone- I don't know why that was a surprise but it was and for a moment I panicked, but then we found the remaining toys stashed over on the side wall. Fortunately Matt picked up the very last dump truck- that was the one thing he wanted to get him. I was sad the blocks I wanted to get him were gone, but loaded up on the next best set that was left, we also settled on some books for him too. I have to admit it was fun, Ollie was excited about everything we put in the cart for him. Good thing he is young enough to forget that he has already seen his presents!

We dashed off to Walmart after that. Picking out decorations for the party, the rest of the food, and more presents for Ollie. We were in there a bit too long, and in the end I started grabbing random toys for him but came out with a good stash. I think we finally got back to the house around 5:00pm. One hour till go time. Mom came early to help and had been there for a bit getting whatever ready that she could while she waited for us to get home.

Fondue is a bit of a Christmas Eve tradition for Matt and me. We've been doing the Christmas Eve party at our house for years, usually just a small crowd of family that isn't at the in-laws. This year we had Mom and Dad, Hydee & Adam and kids, Jodee and Dale and kids. A small crowd compared to having the entire family over, but it still made for 19 people total. I still wanted to do fondue, the good thing about it is that you don't cook it before hand so there isn't much prep, and you get to sit and talk while it cooks- great for me because I'm a bit of a talker and it is a slower meal. Matt however decided this might be the last year we do fondue- not the greatest experience with kids! I guess we will just save it for the adult Valentine's parties.

While Mom and Matt were busy with the food prep I started working on decorating. We tansformed the living room into one big dining room so we could all eat together. I used snowmen for the winter wONEderland theme and strung up a timeline of all of Ollie's pictures growing up with his teddy bear along the table. One side had his diaper pictures, and the other side had his pictures in different outfits.

We weren't ready when everyone showed up, but the good thing about family is they never seem to mind and I don't feel the stress of trying to impress anyone so they all pitched in and helped finish everything up so we could enjoy the night together. I was grateful for all the helping hands! Dad, Jodee, her fiance Dale and the kids were the first to arrive.

Soon after Hydee, Adam and kids showed up bearing presents. Hydee said the kids asked why they were going to a birthday party on Christmas Eve, but they were all insistent on bringing Ollie a present which put her a bit behind. I heard Sage begged Hydee to take her to the store so she could spend her last dollar on a present for him, but Hydee finally came up with a good alternative- they made him a shaker and Sage was very excited to tell me about it when she arrived.

Ollie of course was the center of attention the whole night, it didn't have to be his birthday for that to happen! I love every minute of watching him smothered by the family.

The one thing I finally gave up due to time was getting Ollie changed into a cute outfit for his party, and a shower and cute outfit for myself! I hadn't intended on wearing my chore clothes to the party. Oh well.

Food was finally ready, but I couldn't take myself away from Ollie who was showing off to everyone how he is now walking.

He was SO excited about it, and admittedly so was I. One of the best things this year has been watching Ollie and Emmie grow up together, so grateful he has a cousin only one month older than he is. It's been so fun to celebrate each of their new "victories" together.

When it was finally time to eat we all gathered at the table and Matt stood up at the front with Ollie to welcome everyone, say a few words and call on someone for prayer. It was like Ollie knew it was all for him because the whole time Matt was talking he was clapping and making faces at everyone, enjoying every minute!

Let to fondue begin!

After dinner Ollie got to open presents, the first were his presents from Marmee and grandpa. He loved the elephant bag nearly as much as what was inside!

I know a boy probably shouldn't get a cat, but Ollie lit up when he saw a little mini version of Missee, and was meowing and attacking it just like he does to her. Maybe it will give her an escape now that he can wrestle this little thing.

Then came his presents from Emmie. It was cute to see her waddle over with the bag and "share" it with him.

We attempted to put them on the couch to get a picture together, all I can say is it's a bit like herding cats trying to get a shot of the two of them. Ollie was a little wild thing squealing and thrashing around wildly the whole time!

This one has to be my favorite one- his little expression is like him saying he's trying so hard listen and be good.

Next came singing and the cake. Matt was working on the cake during the whole party. He threw the first attempt away, not typical for him to throw away anything he cooks, but evidence of how picky Matt is about his work! We had birthday hats, noise makers and a rowdy crowd to sing him is first "Happy Birthday" song!

For a boy that has no problem digging into his food with his bare hands, it was quite a surprise that he he would only touch his cake with the tip of his pointy finger to get a dab of icing, followed by a taste and another proper little dip. I finally had to shove his whole hand into it. He then proceeded to pick it off of his dirty hand with his clean hand. He made us all laugh.

The crowd died down, with all the excitement over and Santa on his way everyone had to get home. Matt and I kept the party alive long after they were gone. Matt helped Ollie finish his cake, and then they played in it...

These are the times that I am thankful to have a dog! I didn't even know where to begin with this mess, but Rocky had no problem figuring out where to start.

The high chair was literally "Caked", so I let Rocky have at that too.

Everyone else got to enjoy cupcakes that Mom made for the party, but we never did get around to breaking out the hot chocolate bar that was setup with all kinds of yummy add-ins.