one year of you...

Boys are found everywhere - on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around or jumping to. Mothers love them...and Heaven protects them. A boy is Truth with dirt on its face, Beauty with a cut on its finger, Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair and the Hope of the future with a frog in its pocket. - Alan Marshall Beck

My sweet George,

The past year has been the most transformative of my life all because of you.  On a cold, sunny Christmas Eve one year ago at 8:36 am, you screamed your way into the world and made me your Mama. From the moment your Baba brought you over to me in the operating room so I could kiss your tiny cheek, you gave me purpose and filled my heart in a way I never would have imagined.  The first time I looked into your original grey, wide, startled eyes I vowed to teach you, love you and protect you as much as a mother can.

Now, one year later I want to you to know that you are an absolute joy.  You have filled my life and our home with giggles and dimply grins, squeals and shrieks, mountains of diapers and such unwavering love.  You have changed so much from that 7 lb, 14 ounce swaddled bundle to the rough and tumble, sturdy, gorgeous (I'm your Mama so I can say so!) 22 pound toddler you are today. I adore every bit of you and the darling boy you are becoming. 

At one year you:

• weigh 22 pounds, 8 ounces (50%) and stand 30 3/4 inches tall (77%). 
• have two teeth on the bottom and two more on the top that decided to start pushing their way through today, your birthday.
• have started walking, a few wobbly steps at a time. You took your very first steps for Baba on December 11, 2010. You prefer to crawl or cruise right now because it's much faster but, I think you'll likely be running circles around us in a few weeks time.
• make coffee for us every morning. You love buttons and gadgets so, Baba taught you how to press the power button on the coffee maker.  Each morning you point to the kitchen and and motion to us to hold you up to the machine.  You press the button (usually with your left hand), giggle as the machine starts and wave "bye-bye" to the beans as they are pulled into the grinder.  I can't think of a brighter way to start breakfast each day.
• say: Mama, Baba, YiaYia, Voom (for 'vroom' as you push your cars and trucks), Ba (for balloon and bottle), 'Did it' and 'Got it'.
• love your books.  You'll sit and flip through page by page for long periods of time and you bring us your favorites to read to you, over and over. You enjoy touch/feel books and any that have us making animal sounds.
• are getting better at following direction. You will pull your hand back when we say "No touch", which is helpful when we are visiting new places.
• when asked (in both English and Greek) you will wave hello or good-bye, clap and give kisses.
• are so good with other babies. You are curious and want to see what they are doing but, play gently.
• are a climber! You climb into drawers, on to the couch and ottoman and on top of your large toys. 
• are fearless.  You dive right into new situations from climbing to exploring new places to crawling up stairs (even though we have none in our home and never taught you!).

I love you to the moon and back...and I always will,
Mama

the birthday boy, a.k.a. cake destroyer...

"Mama, I will humor you for just one photo with the silly party hat.  This cake and I have important business."

This, my friends, is how birthday cake is meant to be eaten.

The life of the party.  Looks like he may kind of like his new toys, no? (Parum Pa Pam Drum set by B. at Target)

 Our little family, Est. one year ago today.

All worn out after the cake-fest of 2010. 
Happy FIRST Birthday little guy!

one year ago today...

I was waiting and dreaming and thinking I would have the holidays plus two full weeks at home to finish preparing for a certain little boy's appearance.

One year ago today, I was sitting at work with all of my office in order for my leave, just biding my time.

One year ago today I looked like this:

a birthday, a cold and a partridge in a pear tree...

As I write this post, I'm still trying to figure out exactly where the last week went. Between my three-day birthday celebration, work and George coming down with a cold, time slipped away. I've been reading the #reverb10 prompts and am hoping to get to some of the backlog later this week but, if not, I'm letting it go. There are enough potential stressors in December without adding another to the mix.

So the birthday recap. in short, this was one of my favorites ever. Mr. Boom was able to take a day off of work to make a long weekend and both my parents and my in-law's joined us in baby-friendly outings to celebrate. That's what I wanted, time with my family. That (and the Kindle3 + green case....squeeeeee!) is exactly what I got.

Last Sunday kicked it all off with a trip to the Children's Museum. My parents met us and everyone had a great time watching G explore all of the exhibits. Not surprisingly, those that involved water were among his favorites. Is there any better gift than the joy on that little face? I think not.

The day was capped off with a delicious lunch at an italian restuarant around the corner from the museum. Blue crab and corn stuffed shells for me...oh, yum! And that was just day one of the festivities. Much more to come - soon, I promise!

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

first steps...

Today, our sweet little growing-up-far-too-fast boy took his first steps!

We knew it was only a matter of time before he made the short leap from cruising along furniture (and walls, and any other available surface!) and walking behind his push toy to taking actual unsupported steps. I had just hoped that he would hold off and do it on a day when Mr. Boom and I were both home and, honestly, was also half hooping that G would reserve his first couple of steps for his Daddy.

Well, he must have heard my wishing. His first two steps were just for Daddy, and the next few and then, finally, I was able to come in the room and catch a couple for myself from behind.

Soon enough, we'll be chasing him all over the condo but, right now he'll only try his new skill when he is bribed with a coveted item, such as the wireless computer mouse. Can you say obsessed?

reverb10: day 3

REVERB10 : Prompt 3 : Moment

Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Ali Edwards)

Put this year down to one moment in a year where there have been countless moments that have taken my breath away? Nearly impossible. To many to choose. But, there is this one.

George's first laugh.

I could not tell you the actual date off the top of my head but, I remember it vividly. He was sitting in his bouncy seat and I was doing whatever crazy faces and things I could come up with to get him to smile. Just looking for another sweet smile. And then, there it was. He giggled.

This sweet, delicious belly laugh that had me laughing along with him and streaming tears in the same moment. This sweet little boy of mine, wearing that awful hip harness underneath yet another cotton gown. The house was hardly clean, I likely had not yet showered and we were still trying to figure out some type of schedule. But, in an instant none of that mattered.

Life was (is) perfectly imperfect and it is truly all about the moments that take our breath away.

reverb10: day 2

REVERB10 : Prompt 2 : WRITING

Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it? (Author Leo Babauta of Zen Habits)

Too much time on social media and web surfing. Too much time in front of the television at night instead of writing. Mainly though, too much thinking. When I sit down to post, I often over think even the most simple topics. Posting online at times gives me a minor case of performance anxiety. Will anyone read this? Is it as humorous to others as it sounds in my head? I need to focus less on perfection and more on just typing it out, sending it out and letting it go.

reverb10: day 1

REVERB10 : Prompt 1 : ONE WORD

Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you? (Author: Gwen Bell)

My word for 2010: Fulfilled. Throughout this year, I have been on the journey of my lifetime as a newlywed and a new mother. Both are roles that I had longed for and were (and are) finally mine. As in every stage of life, this year has not been without challenges - nor would I wish them away or expect differently - but it has been fulfilling beyond all imagining.

My word for 2011: Present. This year moved so fast. I'd like to think that I was truly alive and present for each moment but, I'm sure that wasn't the case. Next year my goal is to do more of just that. Be present in all the incredible and ordinary moments of my life.

a december daily, of sorts...

2010 has been an extraordinary year in my life, filled with incredible joys and challenges. I've documented a lot of what has happened here, in part because I wanted a record that I could look back on and share with G one day. There are stories and letters that will eventually find a way into scrapbooks and photo books. Some memories will be held close to my heart and a few anecdotes will live on to be told at family functions for years to come.

December has always held special meaning for me because of my own birthday and those of several friends and family members and, of course, the celebration of Christmas. I love December, not the weather so much, but for the season of giving, sharing and family.

Over the past few years, I have seen fellow bloggers and scrapbookers take on the December Daily project, a journal to document the spirit of this month in a unique and personal form. While I love the idea behind the project, I have failed often enough at paper journaling to know that it wasn't for me. This year is no different. But, today I followed a link on Ali's blog to a different type of December daily and one that, hopefully, will be much more manageable for me while still keeping the meaning.

I've signed my commitment and joined #REVERB10 - "an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. The end of the year is an opportunity to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead. With Reverb 10, we'll do both. This December we invite you to share your story and join us in reflection."

I can't think of a better, more eventful year to reflect on than 2010.

Will you #REVERB10? If so, leave me a comment and let me know you are sharing in this process. Merry December!!!