Benjamin's first birthday was 2 days ago, Wednesday, August 26, 2009. We celebrated with a party on Tuesday evening with all 4 grandparents, Uncle Mike and Rebecca, and a few family friends and little ones. We were so thankful that Grandma and Grandpa Perry were here from Michigan and that Grandma and Grandpa Freeto were here from across town to celebrate this milestone. Uncle Mike and Rebecca had traveled from New Orleans and it was truly a pleasure for us to be surrounded by family on this special occasion.
Benjamin was a trooper, waking from his nap just in time to enjoy the festivities. He had cupcakes (sort of), blew out his candle (with a little help from Mom and Dad), opened his very fun and fabulous presents (with a little help from Mom), and managed to look adorably cute the entire time. Not to mention he got to go back to sleep before the party was even over.
Getting ready for the party
Trying to be incognito for the papparazzi
Cupcakes fit for a birthday boy
"Blowing out" the candles
"Enjoying" my cupcakes ?!?
And then smashing them, before I throw them on the ground...
A truck almost as big as I am...
And that I can ride in!
Mommy trying to refocus my attention on the gifts and not the paper, boxes, plastic, etc.
Thanks Lois!! I miss you!
Blowing a kiss to Parker and lots of thanks for my cool tricycle
Grapes for breakfast on my "real" birthday
My new wheels, in the park
Happy, swinging Birthday Boy!
Sorry for the LONG delay between posts-we moved from Arizona to California, changed licenses/license plates, unpacked a bit (not finished yet) and are trying to make some new friends in the process. Not to mention there have been a few computer glitches-working out the kinks as best I can!? We are still working hard to get settled and hope to be unpacked (or mostly unpacked) before Auntie Jill's wedding at the end of the month.
Brian's family has been extremely helpful and hospitable during our move-in process and I am eternally grateful for the help of my in-laws and my mother, who made a trip out to California to help with the move and especially the kitchen organization (no small feat when our kitchen was almost certainly designed by a man, who never cooked, and was also very tall-like 7 feet tall?!) I should also shout out to my dad, who lived without my mom for those long days alone back in Kzoo-thanks for the loan Dad!
Benjamin is almost 1 (a little over 2 weeks from now) and seems to be enjoying our new place. There is a LOT more room for him to crawl around, new things to pull up on and VERY FUN stairs to climb up...we haven't been able to work on climbing down just yet, but we'll get there. He is cruising all around and standing a lot on his own. We think (fear) walking is just around the corner. Benjamin's curiosity is growing, and his favorite thing to do now is point and exclaim "Dis" and "Dat"-he has helped us discover the true joy in wall sconces, doorbells, etc.
Here are some pictures from our first "adventures" in our new place.
A fun, bubbly bath in the sink at the Freetos
Testing out I mean tearing up some) paper in my new house
I like spaghetti!
Enjoying my new bath tub and toys
Helping Mommy with the laundry
Playing on the deck in my new backyard
Showing George the ropes in our new place
Blowing kisses to all my fans
I really really love to play peek-a-boo now!!
Getting ready for the party
Trying to be incognito for the papparazzi
Cupcakes fit for a birthday boy
"Blowing out" the candles
"Enjoying" my cupcakes ?!?
And then smashing them, before I throw them on the ground...
A truck almost as big as I am...
And that I can ride in!
Mommy trying to refocus my attention on the gifts and not the paper, boxes, plastic, etc.
Thanks Lois!! I miss you!
Blowing a kiss to Parker and lots of thanks for my cool tricycle
Grapes for breakfast on my "real" birthday
My new wheels, in the park 
Happy, swinging Birthday Boy!
