Wet Weekend

Warner is a water baby-there is no doubt about that!  If it has anything to do with water, he is in love!  So when I found this water mat I was pretty sure that it would be a hit.  

Like my shades?

I think I like it!

No, I LOVE it!

Chilaxin with daddy!

Wicked Wishes

A couple of months ago I remember saying that Warner looks at the camera-always!  I recall saying that he always has his mouth open and I just wish that I could get come action shots.  Well, times have changed!  As my little cutie is getting more active and inquisitive it is getting harder and harder to get him to smile for the camera.  In fact, it is getting hard to even get a shot of him before he moves out of the camera frame.  He is truly a man on the move even though he is not walking yet.  He is crawling so fast and when I go after him, he goes even faster!  Yesterday we had a playdate with the frat boys and I thought "I better bring my camera to get some good shots!"  Well, I brought the camera and got a couple of cute shots, but mostly shots of W crawling away.  So lesson learned!  Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it!

The only 2 pics with Warner looking at the camera!



Sunday Smiles



Ahony Matey!

Warner is still basking in the joy of his recent birthday!  He is overjoyed playing with all of his new toys.  He received so many things that we organized them into backets and he gets one basket a day (in addition to his big toys that are not in the baskets).  Don't go thinking that we are mean parents depriving our kid from playing- believe me, he has plenty of toys to play with!  One of Warner's presents was a water table, but not just any ole water table.  It is a pirate ship and W thinks it is the best.  Why? Because it has water of course!  So on those warm days (which they all are lately) we let him go crazy in the water and he loves every minute of it:)



One and Done

Well, there is no way to deny it now- Warner is one!  The official celebration was on Saturday, but the festivities really started on Thursday when family flew in from Louisiana.  My mom, dad and niece (Alex) arrived in Tampa in Thursday.  Warner was not feeling great (he had a low grade fever that began on Tuesday which I believe that he caught from the sickly girl at the mall playground, but that is another story!)  So I hauled my nearly 27 pound child into the airport to greet his relatives.  A little shy at first, W quickly warmed up and knew that this was a special visit.  The next few days are a blur filled with play dates and party preparations, but Saturday soon arrived and it was all systems go to get everything ready. 

The party was great!  We were surrounded by our family and friends to celebrate Warner's first year.  It was so touching to know that everyone was there for our little guy (and for us).  He got lots of kisses and warm wishes, but the noise was a bit much for him so Gigi came to the rescue and spent some quiet time in his room for a bit before eating and cake.  When the door opened to Warner's room he was a different child that was ready for the action.  After eating burgers and red beans cooked by the best husband ever:) it was time for .....the first birthday cake.  This is a very sweet moment that I was looking forward to for quite some time.  We stripped Warner down to his diaper and it was go time!  Judge for yourself from the pictures what W thought about the cake.



 

That's right- he loved making a mess with it and he did a great job!

Matt has this grand plan for Warner to open gifts next, but our boy was spent.  After a quick shower with Daddy to wash off the cake, it was nap time.  We opened gifts later on that night and man did W rack up!  For a one year old he definitely has enough toys to last him for a long while.  Everyone's generosity was truly humbling.

I am not sure if I can express in words what it meant to Matt and I to have everyone gathered together for our son.  We talked about it before the big day and got a little choked up realizing that the last time we were surrounded by such love was on our wedding day.  Warner is our world and to have everyone gather in his honor was beyond touching.  This past year has held so many firsts for us and we have made memories with our son that will last a lifetime.  I can only hope that every year will be just as special and with our little family- I know that it will!





Mommy's Day

What a great first Mother's Day weekend!  We didn't do much except for spending quality time together which was just perfect.  Warner and I hung out with Matt while he finished the bar outside and just let little guy explore.  Sunday was definitely dedicated to Mommy! A breakfast feast was prepared by Matt and it was delicious.  Dinner was another masterpiece followed by a wonderful dessert which capped off the weekend!  A warm brownie sundae with vanilla gelato and topped with toffee and pecans- what more could a girl ask for?  The images below are of the handsome little guy that makes life so great!

Look at those blue eyes!

"OK Mom, I'll show everyone my shirt.  I am definitely Mom's lucky charm!"



"That's enough!  I'm spent!"



Helping daddy

Such a good little helper!

"Dad, I think you need these directions"

"I'll learn by osmosis daddy!"

"Not funny people!"



Babies No More

It is so very hard for me to believe, but the birthdays have started.  All of the babies that Warner has gone to baby classes with are beginning to turn one.  It really started last month with his pal Jackson, and the birthdays just keep coming.  Recently, his girl Madison turned one (they have an arranged marriage:).  Her birthday made it real for me as we have known Madison and her mom Katie since Warner and Madison were a few weeks old.  We used to get together and the babies would just lay there and not interact with one another.  It has been really great to see them grow together and watch the milestones being conquered.  But, I must say the birthdays are bittersweet.  I know they are going to get older, but where has all of the time gone?  Warner is turning one next week and I am excited to celebrate, but sad that a year of his preciousness  (I know that it is not a real word, but I still like it) has already come and gone.  I know that I cannot stop time, but I am going to treasure every moment that we share.  In the meantime, Happy Birthday Madison! 



"I'm gonna be one tomorrow!  Didn't they tell you?  No more baby here!"

  When we visited Madison, she was ready to rock wih Warner.  So, they decided to form a band-well a duo if you want to be exact.  They are going to recruit more members (they have their eyes on these two little guys Jackson and Lawson), but for now just think of them as Sonny and Cher!

"I've got the beat Madison.  Can you get on track please?"

"Okay honey, we'll take a break to chew.  It's more fun anyway!"

"Um hello Warner!  I'm ready now!"

"No more music- time to roll the ball!  It's my new thing!"

"Watch me dance!  I've got mad moves!"

"Back to work!"

"I think I have this music thing down!"

"Hey Madison, this is what it will be like when we get hitched one day!  Honey I'm home!"



Wet n Wild

It might only be the beginning of May in Flroida, but it is HOT!  Some days I feel like summer is already here and the warm temperatures make it difficult to play outside with a littloe one for very long- unless there is water!  Warner and I ventured to the splash area at Bayfront Park for the first time this week.  Warner had a great time and enjoyed playing in the water.  After that was done aka mom is getting attacked by love bugs- it was time to go.  As I picked up my soaking wet little one, he proceeded to scream and kick as he did not want to be taken out of the water.  I began thinking to myself that this is probably the first ot many times like this-oh joy:)  After getting the little guy dried off and dressed, I decided to be a nice mommyand let him play on the shaded playground.  Easy enough, right?  Wrong!  As I am about to put W down, I notice the lovebogs everywhere!  They are covering everything!  I peeked inside the tunnel the babies can crawl through and it was covered with lovebugs.  Sorry buddy, no playground tody.  Well, that sparked screaming fit #2.  Oh well, time to go buddy, maybe next time!

"I'm gonna get that water if it's the last thing I do!"

"Yeah that's right, I'm the king of the water!"

"Hey Mr. Walrus, look who's bigger!"

"I know it's gross, but I must know what it tastes like!"

 It also tired him out and I am pretty sure he fell asleep in the car.  It's hard for me to know exactly because he is still rear facing, but he was pretty quiet and still.  I thought "Score!  He will sleep all the way home nd I'll transfer him from the carseat to the crib and he will take his nap."  Well, even the most well-designed plans go astray.  When I pulled into the garage and took a peak in the back seat, there he was smiling at me wide awake!  So we played for awhile and I put him down to sleep.  It took him an hour to fall asleep which NEVER happens! But he did sleep and all was right with the world again:)

Happy Boy at home!

Full Pool

After a hard day's work it was time for a relaxing swim.  Wait- let me back up a minute.  Warner wasn't working hard, but daddy was!  When W woke from his nap and after a refreshing snack it was time for a swim with daddy!  I think the pictures below speak for themselves!

"Daddy, you sure do take up a lot of room in my little pool!"

"I'm gonna splash you daddy!"

"Yeah- I'm getting him"

"WOOOO Daddy!  It's not time to wash my hair yet!"

My two favorite guys!

"And I'm spent!"