Chase's first birthday - Mom's Reflection

As I sat rocking him while he took his bed time bottle, I had a chance to think back over the last year. On one hand, I can't believe how long ago that seems but on the other, it feels like yesterday. My mother-in-law commented this morning as we were getting ready for his party that I looked much more rested than I did at the same time last year. Gotta admit, she was probably right! I can't begin to think about how we survived those first weeks with no sleep, but I do remember wondering if we would! (For all those new parents, you too will survive!) Now, he is taking his first steps without assistance, laughing, trying to talk, eating table food and getting ready to transition off the bottle.

While this last year hasn't always been easy, I wouldn't have traded it for the world. Chase is an amazing boy and I am lucky to be his mom. His party today was just the beginning in another series of milestones that I have to look forward to. While I know that Chase will never remember today, nor any of the fun that the rest of us had celebrating for him, he will be able to look back at the pictures and the video clips and see that he was loved. Right now, that is the most important gift that I can give him. I want to make sure the he never doubts how much I love him, even when he is driving me crazy. (See Chase, it is written down forever as evidence when you are a teenager!)

Thanks to all our family and friends who have supported us in whatever way you could over this last year. There is no way that we would have survived without you!

Chase's 1st Birthday (and 1st steps)

Today is Chase's 1st birthday. We had a relatively small birthday party for him with just family.
After opening presents, Chase tried a few times to walk between me and my cousin Liz. We captured a good clip of him taking about 5 steps on his own. I wouldn't go so far as to say that he's walking yet, but he did take he first few steps today. Here's the clip!