Little man turns one!

We celebrated Flint's birthday the night before he turned one. I realize that in most households that isn't such a big deal, but for me you would have thought I had been asked to give up my last born son . . . . o.k. maybe a slight exaggeration. Six kids and many birthdays, and this is the first one that we have ever moved. Josie had a daddy daughter party scheduled for that night, and she missed it last year because it happened to fall on Waylan's birthday. (My kids must just be born on important days). I just tend to like things exact, and I feel traditions to be very important; however, I was wise enough to accept the fact that this event was important for my daughter and that my son would never know the difference.

So sticking with tradition, I made my sixth Winnie the Pooh birthday cake. That's right sixth. We have already established that I have some sort of sickness with routine and tradition. All of my children have had a Winnie the Pooh party for their first birthday. Luckily the madness stops there and variety and variation reenter my life. All of the rest of their parties have reflected their own personal interests. As a disclaimer I have no special love or loyalty for Winnie the Pooh. My mom just had this mini cake pan when Josie was a baby, and then when each one came along it was easier to stick with the same theme than try to come up with another. Did I mention that I'm also very frugal. I didn't see the point of spending more money on a new theme when the baby wouldn't care. Thus the tradition of the first birthday being a Pooh party was born. (No pun intended!)

My baby's 1st birthdays have always been very important to me, and this one more so than ever. I feel a chapter closing in my life and a new chapter just beginning. It was a weird mixture of emotions as I thought about his birth and first year of life. I couldn't help but feel relief at not having to endure pregnancy(vomiting, fatigue/insomnia, aches, pains, weight gain), go through labor, post-partum care, first weeks of nursing, up with the baby half the night, so delirious with exhaustion that I can't think straight etc., but at the same time I felt sadness that so many dear and precious moments are fading to the past-- like feeling life move within me, holding the new baby straight from Heavenly Father's arms to mine, the peanut snuggle of the newborn on my chest, the first smile, the first giggle, his whole hand wrapping around my finger, the loving "hand pats" while nursing, my baby choosing me above everyone else, and rocking a sleeping baby in quiet solitude. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to bring these six spirits into the world. Each one has taught me so much and has added so much to my life. I feel like each one adds to the "party". If I wasn't subject to the effects of mortality, I would have children one right after another forever.

From birth Flint has been a delightful child. He has a large and infectious grin. He loves to have attention and flirts with anyone who will look at him. Being the sixth child I think he knew from the womb that the best way to get attention would be to smile big and look cute. He has mastered it. Even through constant ear infections he always finds a way to smile. I call him "mama's little man" because he looks like a little old man, bald with a mouthful of teeth. He loves to cuddle and snuggle and rub foreheads. His brothers and sisters love him sometimes a little too much, but he loves to be with them. Flint you are a blessing in our lives!