ONE adorable child

Well, it has come and gone...Liam is ONE! It seems so unreal and yet i see him growing up right before my eyes.  We were blessed to celebrate with family and friends....and a happy baby! Well, he was a bit fussy (short naps) until i put a cupcake in front of him.  Since he has never had anything like it, he didnt quite know what do do.  It took him awhile to get into it, but once he did, there was no stopping him. He devoured an entire JUMBO carrot cake cupcake! YUMMY DIA DOCE treat!!

Unfortunately, the night before the party, Stephanie and Matt both got hit with that nasty 48 hour bug that has made its rounds.  A few hours before people arrived they made the decision to check into a hotel so they could feel better before they made the trek back to Syracuse this morning.  They were more sad than anyone to have to miss their newphew's big day but they were there in spirit.   Though one of my sisters and brother was unable celebrate with us, we were lucky to be blessed by having longtime friends Lindsay and Ryan Daniels here! A year ago, Ryan joined the air force and they have been living in Hawaii since June. They had not been home in some time so she figured what a better time to visit!! I knew Lindsay was coming to the party but it was a nice surprise when i found out Ryan would be joining her.  All in all, we were amazed with the joy love and support that our family surrounded us with.  More than anything, it was a birthday to remember :) 

Ahoy Matey!

Liam is almost 1! We have experienced so many memories and so many beautiful moments as a new family. While watching every move in hopes to see his first steps, I'm often "disappointed" as he looks at me with a big toothy grin and goes down to his knees. He always smiles bigger and crawls faster when i have food in my hands but has yet to take that step towards me...If i were a betting woman, I'd put all my chips in to say that it will be food that gets him to let go of the couch and walk to me. Maybe i should walk around with apples in my pocket; cookies in the pocket seem to work for Lola and this kid begs for food more [effectively] than the dog! Hey, its not the craziest idea I've ever had.

Maybe the excitement of his birthday and cake (his first sugary dessert ever) will do the trick! In just a few short weeks we will be celebrating in true pirate style with the family.  The fabric for a few of the party crafts have been sitting on the stairs for weeks. FINALLY I got started on some of the decor today. Where in the world would i be without Pintrest??!! Well, I'd be here...having a party...but with way less cute decor/food/photo ideas...now, the trick is to follow through with these brilliant and adorable plans.

Before we knew the sex of the baby I said to Bill " you may think I'm crazy for already having this planned but if we have a boy, his first birthday party is going to be pirate themed". I was so excited about how creative my idea was. Little did i know that in less than a year, pirates would be HUGE. Or...maybe they were always huge and I didn't have kids to be in the loop/I don't pay attention to media and other trends.  I may have been a bit bummed that my creative flair was ruined but that annoyance quickly faded once i realized how easy decorations and actual 'piratey' decor would be to get. (woot woot). Anyway, here's to the mighty Liam! May the wind always fill your sails <3

A year and a lot of "firsts" have passed. Its so hard to believe that a short 12 months have gone so quickly creating a beautiful child who is healthy, active and eats like a monster! This blog is to [try] to keep you all updated with blessings, trials and photos of the life with Liam.

Will and I are blessed to have a family that is willing to take us in for a couple of years so we can get pay loans and save for a house. It has been an opportunity that has come with a number of challenges but more so, an abundance of  blessings.

Im excited to share our life with the family and friends who don't have the ability to talk to and see us on a regular basis.

xoxo

Will, Andrea, Liam (and Lola)