Konnor's First Birthday!

It's just amazing how incredibly fast you can go from this . . . 

 . . . to this!

 This year has flown by and things that still seem so fresh and real in my mind are already a year old.  It doesn't seem like that long ago that I was sitting in the midwife office overdue and crying because she told me I should really keep my appointment at the hospital and not drive to Hamilton to watch Kevin play basketball.  I knew she was right . . .but it wasn't what I wanted to hear.  Seems silly in hindsight . . . Konnor ended up being born the day before that tournament . . but my desire to plan things was being challenged greatly and I was having to live just one moment at a time with no definite plans. I didn't like the idea of sitting at home waiting to go into labour . . . when I could be doing something fun while waiting to go into labour.  All that is neither here nor there anymore . . . but it is a memory that really came to mind these last weeks as a remembered those last days of pregnancy and those first days of Konnor!

 Konnor was sick (cold, throat, ears, chest, nose, high fever) for pretty much a week before his birthday. I finally took him in on Wednesday (the 24th) so that we could get some medicine into him and get him somewhat healthy for his birthday.  The antibiotics delivered . . and though not 100%, he was no longer miserable and he could mostly enjoy his day. (It was very important to Kylie especially that he be better for his birthday!)

 The balloons are always a favorite . . . for Karter even more so.

 

 His other favorite toys.

 He wasn't too sure about the candle . . 

 But he was pretty sure he'd like the cupcake!

 Not real sure what happened here . . but I feel like I have a lot of these "birthday child in tears" pictures, so I thought I'd include it too:)

 This is Konnor listening to us sing after supper. His favorite is "Clap Your Hands". He always gets a big smile when we sing.

 Then it was present time.  

 I feel a little bad for these latter children. I don't want more toys in my house . . . so how do we go about getting something that a one year old will need without adding more meaningless clutter.  I did manage to find a few things second hand and he actually has really enjoyed them, so that is all good.

 And because I thought I should spend more than $3.75 on him, we got him something that everyone else would really like :) (and hopefully it lasts for Konnor to enjoy too!)

 It didn't take long for Kevin to get his nose in there . . . 

 . . .and the other boys!

 And then it was whisked away. Just like that.

 But Konnor didn't seem to mind. He wanted to play with his new toys. 

It's interesting b/c Konnor would open something and then want to play with it . . but the other kids would yank it away from him and plop the next thing in front of him.  For them it is always . . what's next?! Oh the contentment of a baby!

 Konnor got to be one of the first to try it out . . .

 He likes!

Konnor.  It's hard to describe just how much we love you.  We have enjoyed this year with you so much. We love seeing you learn new things and we love getting excited when you do cute things.  You are well loved by all your siblings. They think you are something else!  Thank you for your bright and beaming smiles and your snuggles. A little less thanks for keeping me up at night. I'm sure you'll outgrow that soon. Right?!!! Thanks for all the joy you bring to this family. We pray that God will continue to bless your young life and give you many years to learn about Him, to love Him, and to serve Him with everything you have!  We love you, love you, love you!

Konnor at 1 Year

Our little buddy is a year. I ended up doing a separate birthday post, but still wanted to include his 11-12 month pictures and his milestones separately so here is his 12 months post.

Konnor is enjoying the basement more and more and just gets right into the thick of things. That blur behind him is probably Kevin rollerblading by. It is amazing Konnor doesn't get hurt more but he seems to love taking in all the action.

He also loves oreo cookies. Karter snuck the bag downstairs and ate the cream part and then Konnor helped out with the chocolate part. They make a good partnership!

This kid and his hair:)  I am tempted to cut it short but am afraid the opportunity for it to EVER lay flat will immediately disappear!  It gives us something to smile about.

Hanging out in the van with me while the kids are at the hill sledding.  This kid does not do winter. He despises a hat on his head or mitten on his hands. Even a coat is a nuisance and I am thankful for a mild winter and an attached garage! 

I was hoping for a cute picture of these two. Konnor figured since their clothes didn't match anyway, he might as well be miserable.  

This little dude will be happy for spring. He does love it outside and I am excited for when he can play out there every day!

At 1 year Konnor:

• has his first molar - so 9 teeth in all
• is in his big boy carseat now. We just couldn't handle getting made fun of one more time for carrying this big boy around in a baby car seat.  But I'm not going to lie. It was totally worth waiting this long. (He's  been in for about a month now, and it really is a bit of a nusiance in the winter. The kids can't get the buckles done most of the time b/c it's tricky and his clothes/coat are bulky . . so they can't help out much. But there are times when it is fine too. He really seems to enjoy the view too).
• can go down the stairs on his own. He still gets a little scared at the landings and the first step, but once he is past there, he just motors on down.
• had a bad cold and fever and was put on antibiotics - which he HATED!
• gets into everything and makes a lot of messes.
• will play fairly well on his own - but not for extended periods of time
• thinks Karter is pretty funny!
• loves music and is starting to bop along to it.
• loves the piano 
• thinks it is funny to be chased -- and runs and laughs
• goes to bed at night and for naps AMAZINGLY!  If only he would sleep through the night.
• is a pretty content little guy but likes to have me in his sights most of the time. It is pretty cute to hear him wandering around the house looking for me and getting a little sad when he cant' find me. 
• is often found walking around with a ministick or something else that he can hit stuff with.
• has goofy hair . . . but when it cooperates it is quite lovely. He does like to play with it once in a while . . . usually seems to be when he is eating and messy.
• puckers up and does the kissing sound - very well!
• says "mom mom mom mom" This is really cute except when it is when I am trying to sleep.
• hates kleenex and can see them coming from a mile away. He has needed them a lot this month!
• is not taking to the bottle or milk well at all yet. He guzzled about 1/8 of a bottle one night of milk and I was so proud of him and so sad about how it represented him growing up and not needing me as much. And then I could never get him to do it again.  He now pushes both kinds of bottles away right when he sees them. He will do the sippy cup still and we can get a little liquid into him with a regular cup too - which was fairly important when he was sick b/c he could hardly nurse b/c he was sooo stuffed up!
• hates shoes/boots and will just cry and refuse to move or walk. He is used to socks/slippers and I guess the hardness of shoes feels really awful to him.  It's really to bad b/c I have some pretty cute shoes that fit him right now!
• is starting to enjoy looking at books - more on his own than with someone else holding it.
• brings us loads of joy.