Life Within the Cuckoo's Nest: Happy First Birthday Austin!!!

Our baby turned one year old today! I know this is so cliché, but where did the time go?! He was walking around the doctor's office this morning to flirt with the other patients and one woman said, "He looks too little to be walking around like that!" I wanted to cry because I agree! I wish I could keep him little. I just want to freeze time right now. I want to freeze his chubby little legs and his fat little cheeks. I want to freeze his excitement for life and interest in everything... and I mean EVERYTHING! I want to freeze the feeling of his sweet little arms wrapped around my neck and his slobbery kisses. I want to freeze his love for Josh and me, and how he wants to be at our side at all times. If we even try to use the bathroom we have a travesty on our hands! I know that someday he won't want anything to do with his "loser parents" so I try to hold onto these moments as long as I can and not feel frustrated by the screaming child on the other side of the door.

Since his birthday falls on a Tuesday, we had his birthday party a few days earlier on Saturday. He had his Aunts Sadie and Briana, Grandma Porter (Grandpa had to work and he was really sad about that), Great Grandma Helm, Great Grandma Wiegel, and Great Grandma and Pa Porter there to celebrate with us! This kid is so lucky because he has so many Grandparents who are very involved in his life. That is pretty rare and I know he enjoys every minute of it. After all, nobody spoils you better than your Grandparents ;). And spoiled he is! He received so many toys he didn't know where to begin! He just kept going back and forth between them all and the second he would start playing with one, he realized there was another one he could play with! He totally missed his afternoon nap and didn't even care (very unusual). We all had so much fun watching him play. He didn't understand the whole unwrapping process which surprised me because he has no problem ripping up every book and magazine that comes in contact with his busy little hands. So Mom unwrapped each present and he took it from there.

For lunch I made a big pot of sloppy joes and everyone else brought salads, veggies, and chips/dip. It was delicious and I was very grateful for everyone's help. I baked a chocolate cake, vanilla cake, and Austin's very own little chocolate smash cake. He loves marine life so I used bright blue frosting and sprinkles in the shape of fish and sharks. It was pretty cute if I do say so myself. The time came for Austin to taste his first bite of cake. The cameras were ready, the song was sung, and the candle was ready to be blown out. We tried to show him how to blow but he decided he would rather just put out the flame with his hand. Luckily Mom was quick and blew it out about one millisecond before he touched it. Then the fun began! He put his hand in the frosting and took his first bite! He didn't need any coaxing for this task. before we knew it he was grabbing more and more frosting and shoving it in his face, making a mess everywhere. Auntie Sadie came over to get a picture with him and he decided she needed a little frosting in her life too. He painted frosting on her face with his messy little hand and we all laughed hysterically. He never actually made it to the cake part because he was too busy enjoying all that frosting. When we took him to the sink to wash him off, he was covered in it. It was even up his nose! We tried to get it out the best we could but it was so deep up in there that it was just going to have to come out on its own. He ended up throwing up frosting later that day because he wasn't used to eating so much sugar.... poor little guy :(. But that didn't stop him from enjoying all his toys! He barely stopped to puke before he was on the go again.

It was a wonderful day and we were sad to see everyone go home. We tried putting Austin down for a short little nap but he wasn't going to have it. He was too wound up from all the sugar and fun! I am so grateful Austin has so many people in his life that love him.

The smash cake.

The adult cakes.

Playing with the balloons with Great Grandma Wiegel.

Lovin' all those balloons!

Playing with Auntie Briana.

Getting a quick picture with Mom and Dad! You didn't cooperate very well because you wanted to play!

Your Grandmas love you so much! (Great Grandma Wiegel and Grandma Porter)

Helping the ladies in the kitchen.

Eating your yummy lunch.

The whole family eating lunch.

Eating some of Grandma Porter's lunch. You two are inseparable whenever she is around.

Checking out all your presents!

Picking out the present you want to open first.

Waiting while Grandma cuts the toy out of the box.

You were so funny with this toy from Great Grandma Helm! You are supposed to push it around but you just wanted to carry it.

Great Grandma Helm tried to show you how it works.

But as soon as she left, you were back to carrying it again.

Riding your cool new car!

Next present please!

We bought you a bowling set that Dad was trying to teach you to use, but all you wanted to do was carry around the bowling ball.

Another picture on your car because you look so dang cute!

Discovering your new Tonka dump truck that Grandpa Porter was so excited to buy for you. It was so sad that he wasn't able to be there to watch you open it.

Loading toys up in your truck.

The cute pajamas Great Grandma and Pa Porter bought you.

You are obsessed with the TV remote and are always getting in trouble for having it so Grandma Porter bought you your own! Hopefully you like it as much as you like the real thing ;).