Happy 1st Birthday!

Well..ready or not, it's about to happen. Our little Balen is already a year old! Baby stage was fun, but I am REALLY enjoying his new found mobility. I love that it is becoming easier to be outside and just get up and go. It is amazing how much a little person can grow and change in just one year.

Anytime it came to any kind of transition, he has been the easiest baby. Sleep, bottles, pacifiers, milk, food, traveling, anything! Overall, this kid is laughing and being silly about 98% of the time! He loves to entertain! Two of his favorite faces are bull face and Oooohh! He loves to go through WalMart and United making faces at people who say hi to him. I constantly get the question, "Is he this happy all the time?" I am proud to be able to say "yes!"

He is understanding more and more each day. He is definitely all boy. Constantly studying toys and figuring out what else he can do with them. I can tell he is really going to enjoy building or putting things together. His favorite toys are random household objects that he finds. Off the top of my head I can think of hairbrush, LOTS of kitchen utensils, empty pop bottles, yard stick, broom, vacuum, remote, and tools. He will carry them around talking and trying to fit them in holes, or drawers, even VCR's!

Balen is also obsessed with animals. He can tell you what a cow, duck, and dog say. It is amazing how he can spot cows somewhere and start mooing. He has recently started showing us where his tongue is when we ask.

He loves reading. We usually read at least a couple of books everyday. Sometimes we sit and go through tons of them. That is really the only time he will sit still on your lap.

It has been an honor to be a mom for a year! I pray the peace, love, and joy in our home will continue for many many years. We continue to release Balen into God's hands to do as he wants. My biggest fear is that I will get in the way. It is going to be fun to see what he has in store for us.

Balen James, we love you SOOOO much. Don't ever lost your smile, charm, curiosity, and sweet personality. You have far exceeded our expectations and we love spending every day with you. Jesus Loves You!