Bryce's Birthday

I can't believe that my little boy is already one. This past year has flown by and so much has changed, including him! I don't know if it is because I have more children or just life in general, but it sure seems that he has grown the fastest and I long for him to be a baby just a bit longer. His birthday was pretty low key with family for cake and ice cream. Making his cake was fun since I can't use frosting with his milk allergy. For his first party I made cupcakes and frosted them, forgetting to save one to frost with cool whip instead. His cupcake ended up pretty darn ugly since I had to slice off the top, put on cool whip and then watch it sink in to the cupcake... oh it was not cute. But, Bryce LOVED it! He downed it by the time I had taken three pictures. Bryce is definitely giving me a whole new experience. He eats like a champ and constantly. I blame it on boyhood. He did the same thing the next night when he had his little caterpillar cake, much better the cupcake. He continues to be the happiest little boy and can make anyone smile. He giggles constantly. For his birthday he got some new clothes (this boy is on a far more normal growth pattern than his older sisters, 18M clothes already), trucks and a basketball hoop. I may just have a basketball player on my hands. He immediately knew what to do and spends much of his day throwing that ball in the hoop. When he isn't chasing his basketball down he loves to push trucks and especially likes the ones that make sounds. Can I just say he is ALL BOY! So funny. He also loved playing on the slip and slide with his cousins to celebrate. We love this little guy.

Adjusting

Well, we have sort of officially moved? The kids and I are here in our long term vacation at my mother's house. Derek left yesterday and is back to the grind, which hopefully grinds very quickly into nothing:) It still seems unreal and not knowing when Derek will be here, where we will go and lacking a permanent home makes it all seem like summer vacation. I realize how much I haven't said or done, as my mind continues to convince itself of our return. I am grateful I get to come back and drive with Derek, so I can see so many faces one more time. I am glad to know I will see many again. I am blessed with so many friends that I know will keep in touch. I am horrible at good-byes; I am so glad that it is mostly see-you-later instead. While I realize there are some I won't see, I am so grateful for all I have been blessed to know and spend time with. I want to call and chat with so many, but fittingly I have spent many days now without a phone as my handsome little man has broke it cleanly in half. Man, I love that kid.