His big day!

Well today is the day my boy turned one year old! I can't believe it flew by so quickly. I also can't believe I have survived on so little sleep. I have been so blessed to be home with my sweet boy. It has been challenging too. I believe that being a mom is making me a more patient and less selfish person. This picture isn't the best, Daniel wanted to capture him opening his first bday present, but there will be many more I'm sure.

I will reflect on Simeon for a bit. He started walking oh a few weeks ago and now he is running! Seriously if I don't have the gate pulled he will run down the hall to explore one of the "not so baby proofed" rooms in a flash. He is still a big momma's boy, he really wants to be held a good portion of the day. I have given up trying to force him into amusing himself when he wants to be held. I am loving being able to wear him on my back around the house, and he loves it even more. I suppose some babies just need more attention and closeness. I'd rather wear him than hear him fuss, and he'd rather be worn too:) Simeon is interested in his toys and books more and will entertain himself happily for maybe 30 minutes a few times a day. By entertaining himself he completes wrecks the room, toys are from one end to the other. What a boy:) My grandmother nailed his little personality while we were visiting. She said "he's just a little busybody, I thought he was hyper but I don't think he is." Although Simeon is very busy he is also very focused when he wants to be. Daniel and I have worried that he might be a bit ADD, but my attitude now is so what if he is. We can help him cope with it it's not a death sentence. He is going to keep me very busy for the next few years. I'm praying that I have the patience to help him channel his vast energy and curiosity into helping me around the house and learning about all sorts of things! He hates to nap, he just doesn't want to miss much. I have gotten better about coaxing him into a nap.

He is still a good eater as he has been from the first! I have been blessed to be able to nurse Simeon for a year. I attribute my success to all the support I've had from my family and being able to stay at home with him. The mom's who go to work and pump for their babies are super moms and I really admire all they do for their babies. I will briefly mention that in the last few months I've started attending La Leche League meetings and wish I had done that so much earlier. Don't be afraid of LLL, not everyone there breastfeeds their kids till they're 6! I have met a lot of nice people there and Simeon enjoys playing with other kids. It's basically a playgroup, kids play and moms talk. I'm pretty much feeding him what I cook for me and Daniel, and he likes most everything. He tends to prefer food seasoned, like a little bbq sauce on his mashed hamburger but who could blame him?

He loves his daddy and will run toward the door when he gets home. He and daddy play fun games that I'm not creative enough to have invented! Daniel has been a great dad and I couldn't ask for more. He has cloth diapered like a pro with few complaints. He pulls Simeon's rickshaw behind his bike, with Simeon's heft it's a 50 lb load! More importantly he has helped me with everything I have asked him to.

I have been reflecting on this last year a lot over the past month and feel so blessed. Simeon is a blessing to us, it is difficult to put into words how much I love him. It does take a village to raise a child and I would have frazzled out this year completely if it wasn't for the support of my family and our wonderful church family. We are very blessed.