Birthday pictures continued

There are so many good pictures from the party thanks to friend Kim Martindell! This still is not all of them! The method I am using to upload pictures on blogger sucks! I have no more patience left in trying to post the rest of the photos. You can view the full album on facebook if you are interested. I have to find out if there is a more efficient way to upload pictures on here because I am sure that there is!!! So frustrating.

Grady's 1st birthday celebration!

Grady had a huge birthday weekend! Chris's family flew in from Kansas City to help us celebrate. Friday evening was a double celebration because it was also my parents 38th wedding anniversary! We went over to the Hawkins house for dinner and cake :). It was so fun to watch Grady dive into his first piece of cake! I wasn't sure if he loved eating it or playing in it more. Nothing brings more joy to my face then watching Grady having a good time. Oggie and Boppa got him a Thomas the train scooter and he just loves it! Oh it was too cute to see him take a ride on it. The Stahls also spoiled him with some gifts that he can't get enough of. Uncle Hank was able to join us and PawPaw stopped in as well. It was a wonderful evening spent with family. The following day was Grady's big party celebration! We planned a party for friends and family over at the IH swim club. The weather unfortunatley was a little chilly so there was not much swimming but it was fun to mingle and grill out with everyone. I am actually glad the sun was not beating down because it was a relief to not have to apply sunscreen on Grady or myself. It was neat to have Grady's friends all in one place, I love watching them interact with one another. My absolute favorite part of the day was watching Grady and friend Oliver eat the cupcake! It was hysterical! Daddy also painted an icing mustache on Grady, my side hurt from laughing so hard. I consider Grady's happiness to be the measure of success and so the party was a hit! I can't thank friends and family enough for coming out and showing their support. Having everyone there was so special and really just made the day! I can't believe I am now a mother to a one year old! Once Grady slept through the night time whizzed by and now I feel as though there is not enough time. As amazing as it is to watch my little Bubba learn and grow, I don't want things to go by so quick! Someone please slow down the clock. Where did my nearly five pound newborn go? Hard to imagine that he was once so small. He was outfitted in teeny tiny preemie clothes just last year which blows my mind. Have you seen how small those clothes are? NO WAY he ever fit into those! What a difference a year makes! Happy birthday Grady bug and to quote one of your favorite books, "I love you through and through yesterday, today and tomorrow too!"

Saying goodbye to the mullet

Some may be sad to see the mullet go and other's may think to themselves, "It's about time!" Poor Grady has just not been having much luck in the hair department so far. He still does not really have any hair however a sweet mullet has appeared over the past few months. I liked it and thought it gave him character but Daddy thought it looked ridiculous. I must admit, it did get a little out of control sometimes especially after Grady would wake up. We took Grady to the very same salon where I received my first haircut! Headlines has moved buildings but Jen and Sandy are still there. In fact I of course still go see Jen to get my hair done! Sandy, her mother is the one who gave me my first couple of cuts and then I switched to seeing her daughter Jen. I won't see anyone else! She does the best job but I'm slightly biased as they are practically family to me now. Chris also goes to see Jen for a haircut, it's our family salon :). My mother has kept some of the hair from my first haircut and so I will be keeping some of Grady's. I think it is really neat to have a sample of your baby hair because never again will your hair be that soft or have that color naturally. However I have been made fun of by friends saying that really it is just creepy. Well my mother started the creepy tradition because her mother probably did it. I don't care if people think it is creepy or weird, I think it is cute and it is just our thing! On that note I would like to take a moment and say goodbye to the mullet. Goodbye sweet sweet mullet I will miss the laughs you have provided, I will miss seeing you blow in the breeze, and I will miss giving you a wash. Thank you for the entertainment and good times...RIP. :)

Quick visit with the Bliss girls!

The Bliss family came into town briefly for Joe's twenty year high school reunion! Unfortunately I did not get to see Joe on this trip. However getting to spend some time at the swim club with the girls was so much fun! My little nieces are not so little anymore ! CeCe was a water bug swimming all around on her own. I watched Kaitlyn jump off the diving board and Abby got to watch Grady pass out. Grady was tired and got stuck under a chair and had a melt down. He cried and then did his trick off not taking a breath so he passed out. Luckily my sister was holding him so he just collapsed in her arms. Blowing in his face has not been working in terms of preventing the pass out. I try to get him to take a breath! He only passes out for a second and then he is lethargic for a minute or two. It looks and sounds really scary but I am used to it by now and know it is not cause for concern. I really hope he out grows it soon though because it is not a fun phase. I think we may have a little monster on our hands in just a few short years! It appears as though he may turn into a hot head. I see some serious tantrums heading our way. He also wants to climb on things, and is getting into everything! Did I mention that he is screaming a lot now. On the flip side he can also be very easy going and has days where he is all smiles and in a good mood. Spending the day at the club put me in a good mood. It was so nice to have family around, I miss the Bliss family and wish it were easier to see them more often.