Here is the link to Easton’s 1st Birthday Video for those of you that might be interested in watching it online.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p-h9Oy9DyQ

Thank you, Bryce, for another wonderful video!

Last night, we had lots of family over to celebrate Easton’s first birthday. Easton seemed pretty overwhelmed by all the people and especially concerned when we all decided to sing to him and watch him eat his cupcake. But all in all, I think he had a good time and we certainly enjoyed the fun.

Very excited about the big ball we gave him. Classic smooshed face here.

The mariachi card that had a moving guitar inside (from Uncle Colin and Aunt Jill) was a big hit.

He was showered with so many lovely gifts–clothes, books, a few toys, lots of snacks.

Then came the Happy Birthday singing and the cupcake eating…

"Why is everyone looking at me?"

"And why did Uncle Brett just try to help me eat my cupcake?!"

"What kind of torture is this?!"

"Oh, well I guess..." Sniff, sniff..."I guess this stuff is actually kind of tasty." Sniff, sniff.

"You mean I have to do this again next year? You've got to be kidding me."

After the cupcake trauma, he was actually very happy and enjoyed playing with his gifts.

The kids made a banner to help decorate for the party. I love Amelie's little drawings of Easton crawling around.

Look! A whole army of little Eastons crawling around!

Wow…My sweet little boy is already 1! As much as I have tried to cherish every moment of his babyhood, it still seems to be slipping through my fingers like shimmering strands of silver. With my third little one, I feel like the lessons I’ve been learning the past 5 years as a mother have given me the room to just love every bit of him. Of course, I cherished Amelie and Calder, too. That’s one of the wonders of motherhood. Each child, each experience, is filled with different miracles and moments of clarity and growth. I am so glad to be a mother.

But this post isn’t about me. It’s about Easton! This darling boy spends his days crawling around our home, clapping, waving, resting his head on my chest as I sing to him before sleep, teasing the kitty, watching his brother and sister with eager eyes, and melting my heart over and over again. From his amazing birth to this very moment, he has had one wonderful year.

Now, for the traditional birthday portraits. Thank you, Marcie, for squeezing us in just before your own baby arrived! Oh, and, Grandmas–make sure to let me know which one you’d like.

Hello, Handsome!

Hello, Tongue! Don't you just want to plant kisses all over that face?

A frequent look for Easton. Always trying to figure things out.

Looking very chill. Wazzup?

Pretty happy little boy.

Hello, My Love!

What a little man he is. I can't get enough of him.

So, Happy Birthday, my little one! You are sure loved.

As many of you know, Bryce and I (although it really is mostly Bryce) make videos for each child’s birth and birthday. I’m so grateful to Bryce for all the time he takes to make these. It’s taken almost a year, but yesterday Bryce made this wonderful little video about Easton’s birth. Watching it brought back so many memories! I can’t believe it’s been a year since that amazing birth that brought sweet Easton to our family.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g100ZwzASRI

Easton’s birth video

Bryce also went back and increased the quality of Amelie’s and Calder’s videos, so now you can watch them online (I realize “you” may only mean my Mom, but just in case anyone else would like to watch them). You should be able to just click the link and it should take you to YouTube. Once there, you can make the video bigger. You might need to wait a minute while it loads the video.

Here are the links to the videos:

• Amelie’s birth video
• First year
• Second year
• Third year
• Fourth year
• Fifth year

And Calder:

• Calder’s Birth Video
• First year
• Second year
• Third year (only photos for right now)

So, the other day I took the kids in for their 6-month check-up with their dentist. Everything went fine, but the dentist did want to discuss Calder’s finger sucking habit (a habit which is now non-existent). He was pointing out the different effects sucking on fingers can have on teeth and mouth. Touching Calder’s big upper lip, he said, “See how this lip extends out? It’s been pulled into that shape by the finger sucking. I bet if you stop the habit, this might move back into place a bit.” I nodded my head and smiled, but secretly thought to myself, “Don’t think so.” Why, you ask? Well, just look:

That lip is 100% natural kissable goodness, my friends. It just came that way.