January 30 - Happy 1st Birthday Blake!!

Happy 1st Birthday Blake Joseph!!!!
It is amazing to think that a year has already flown by. Not quite sure where it went?!?!
I remember being so happy to finally meet this precious little man a year ago, but so scared all the same. He has defied all odds - and is pretty cute to boot!


Blake,
You have truly completed our family. You are an amazingly easy-going baby (big boy?!?!?), you share your smile with everyone and your laugh is contagious. You are beautiful inside and out. I know with the determination and attitude that you have already shown us - you will face any obstacles in life with courage and a smile.
We love you so much baby boy!

His cakes and the NICU shadow box I made for him!

Gavin and Braden didn't even have time to put the food down for a picture - they thought the faster they ate, the sooner they could get in the pool!

Blake enjoyed a little nap while the rest of us ate!

But then he was ready to PARTY!
Thanks to my friend Jessica for making his very own "1" shirt in just his size.
You can visit her Etsy store HERE

Little man waiting for his Elmo cake!

What am I supposed do with this thing??
--He did try a tiny bit of frosting and it didn't go well...yuck! After cleaning that up he was a little subdued for awhile!--

We couldn't catch his big brother for a family picture, so while he was recovering we snuck one in!

Blake had lots of helpers ready to help him open his presents!!

But he got the hang of it pretty quickly!

But then he just wanted to get in the pool again!


Oh man did he love the water!!!


Being goofy with daddy!
He was pretty mad when we made him get out of the pool...then I wanted a picture with his hat that we forgot to have him wear and he was having none of it!
until he got PopPop Dirk to walk him back to the pool...ah the life of a One Year Old!!!