Russell is ONE!

Russell had a very special first birthday and I can't believe it's already passed and over!  We started the festivities with mini cupcakes on his actual birthday, Thursday the 26th, after dinner with our little family of 4.  Russell also got to open his presents from mom and dad that big brother Palmer helped wrap earlier in the day.  He got a few cute board books that will be getting a lot of bedtime attention I'm sure.

A tired boy on his birthday night

Mini cupcake yumminess

I'm committed to making each of their first birthday cakes a little fancy!  Two down.

Playing while mommy & daddy cleaned up for the party

Saturday we were so happy to have lots of family over for his official party!  Some even drove from Oklahoma for the occasion :).  Russell was a little tired, but enjoyed some pizza, cake, and lots of attention.  Palmer did a pretty good job of letting Russell have the spot light and showed some impressive restraint during present time.  We encouraged him to help quite a bit and he liked blowing out Russell's candle and giving him the next gift to tear into!

Cutie!!!

Wardrobe change and some new bath toys

He was seriously interested in the instructions on this one.

Musical turtle- we're going to be hearing this song a lot!

Our sweet little one year old loves to crawl into mommy's lap, upend piles of laundry, EAT, and put things in and out of containers.  He's been wanting to be held lately on account of some molar teething pain, so we've been getting back to wrapping more.  I "wear" him into MDO for Palmer's drop off and pick ups and he is just happy as a clam up on my back in a rucksack carry, or on my side in a rebozo hip carry.  It takes just about the same amount of time to wrap him up as it does to stick him in a stroller, but keeps him close to me (where he wants to be) and lets my hands be free!  I don't care to wrestle a stroller through the glass doors and crowds.

Russell's 1 year doctor visit went well!  He recovered quickly from the horrifying surprise of immunizations and got rave developmental reviews from the doctor.  We recently got health insurance through Tyler's new job, enabling us to get immunizations at the pediatrician instead of having to make a separate trip to the county clinic.  The staff always treated us well over there, but the convenience of getting shots at the well visits will be sooooo nice.  This will be especially true when baby girl arrives since they go to the doctor so often when they're tiny.  County clinic waiting room with a newborn, 1 year old, and 3 year old. . . we're lucky to have another option now!!