Sam Turns One!!!!

My sweet boy turned one today.  It was a nice day.  Filled with simple things.  We decorated the dining room for breaky, and ate with party hats on (okay, so really only Julia did...but SHE thought it was the most wonderful thing in the world,  and remembered to tell me this a few times during the day, "mommy i LOVE birthdays!")   We are strange parents, and we have not bought anything for our dear sweet child.  i know i know, now you are all running out to buy something for our poor unfortunate child... but really you don't have to.  i can't imagine what else Sam could possibly want....  he has all he needs and desires at this point, food, NO socks on (not for mommy's lack of trying that's for sure!!), a sister to watch, balls to chase, light fixtures to point at CONSTANTLY (yeah, his favorite thing to look and point at.... a light fixture... figure that out!! ha) and all sorts of fluffy things to rub his face in!   Really, that is the life. to not be constantly desiring after the next colorful, plastic something... ah, innocence!   (we do own a lot of colorful plastic things..... can you believe how many different forms of plastic toy entertainment we have come up with?????? what a mess. does anyone else get totally overwhelmed thinking of the mass of stuff that is out there... in mile after mile of stores????)
I was thinking about how to make birthday's simple and meaningful in our home life.  So, julia and i made sam a sock doll. yep. it was..... interesting. ha. to say the least.  This 'creature' was well named by miss J, "Sukey Socky" .  it is odd. but julia did a lovely job of stuffing socks and coloring them. it was an attempt at showing her that we can make things for each other to show our love and care for them.  but really, what kid doesn't get that already?? maybe it was a lesson for me to learn again. :)

AND NOW FOR THE MEMORY PICS!!!! i love this part! :)
Sweet dear Isabelle with my new baby boy last year.  just after 5 in the morning! :) 9 lbs 14 oz. good sized little man.
The glorious afterbath that the midwives made for us!  Full of healing herbs and salts.  i got a bath like that every night for at least 2 weeks, it was amazing! :)  And a fantastic time of bonding with sam, that first morning his little eyes just popped open and he watched everything as he floated around.  
and just 7 hours later, Big sis returns home from her sleepover at omas.  And cuddles with her new favorite buddy. 

ah. i love my family.