Masen's 1st Birthday Blowout Bash

As you all know, Masen turned one on Saturday. We had a big party with cake, balloons, food, presents and people. Here are the highlights. As you can see, he had a lot of fun.

Masen's own personal monkey face smash cake.

The balloons that the big monkey cake was holding.

The big chubby cheeked monkey cake the rest of us ate.

The monkey balloons.

Opening presents.

Aunt Roni and Bri.

Opening presents still.

Riding his Lil Quad Power Wheels from Mommy and Daddy.

Wearing his Prince crown from Auntie Ann, Jack, and Adam. It only stayed there for about a minute.

Digging into the cake.

Sugar coma anyone?

A Year Ago Today....

Exactly one year ago today, at this time, I laid in bed next to T, knowing that I should be asleep resting up for my induction but not being able to sleep at all. I was excited to meet my son, and I wanted him to be here, safe and sound, in my arms. Knowing that the hardest year of my life was soon coming to a close kept me awake. What would he be like? How long would my labor take? Please, oh please, don't let anything be wrong with him.

At 5 am I walked into the l&d floor of Jordan Valley Hospital for my induction. They set me up in a room and started my IV. My first nurse (who was only there an hour after I was) asked me a gazillion questions, and flipping through my chart, commented on what an extra special baby we were having that day. At 7am, the new nurse walked in, started me on a very low dose of pitocin. Ah, the start of labor. I couldn't believe it was finally happening to me. I was going to give birth to my very own healthy baby boy. At 9am Dr. Nichols (one of my favorite men ever) walked in to break my water. All hell broke loose. That started the back labor. Not fun. Masen wasn't liking labor too well. Not fun. It was time to push. After a few practice pushes Dr. Nichols busted through the door and jumped right in to deliver. I pushed for a while, and suddenly I heard the magic words "Just one more push" and only a matter of seconds later I heard the nurse yell 12:19. Masen Charles Milburn was born April 18, 2008 at 12:19 pm.

Now, a year later, here I sit wondering how it went by so fast. My baby boy is now a walking, talking toddler. He amazes me and lights up my life every day. He's smart, he's funny, he's gorgeous. He's my son. I never could have asked for more. Happy Birthday, Masen. Mommy loves you very much. You are my miracle.

Easter and a few others

A few pics from Easter and a couple random ones.

Whip cream face, celebrating Grandma's birthday

Meeting Icee bear

Dying eggs with Mom.

Showing off his eggs with Dad.

I wonder......

YES, I CAN eat it

Hunting eggs with Dad

Stopping for a snack

Gonna get it.

Putting it in his basket

Gorgeous Frankie

Adorable Dolly

Looking for Joyce

Using the tree to stand

With Grandma

Tired boy

Can you spot a baby in there?

Playing ball.

A moment with Dolly

Pearl sitting at the fence waiting to be let in because she is too lazy to jump

Beautiful Woody

He's got something to say

Only holding on with one hand

With Grandpa

Playing in his new house, the dryer box

First......

Masen took his first 2 steps on Easter evening while visiting an aunt!!! Now here we go a running!

He Speaks!

So within the last month or two, Masen has gained a few words. He can now say:

• Hi
• Dad
• Hi, Dad
• Mom (can but will only actually say it on a rare occasion)
• Haha
• Whoa(only sometimes, when playing with bubbles!)

Next comes the backtalk!

Finally!

Finally tooth number 8 that he's been working on for a while has a corner that has finally popped through. Thank goodness! Now, come on molar!

A Smattering of Pictures. Some Old, Some New.

Here is a selection of random pictures since I haven't updated in a while. Some are older, some are newer. Enjoy.

His first cookie, a Nilla Wafer, courtesy of Grandma Snow.

Now this is how you hike in style.

First Thanksgiving dinner.


Helping Mommy decorate the Christmas tree.

Helping Daddy put the tree topper on.

Just before he tipped the tree over on himself, and laughed about it.

Not sure why T is blurry, but playing with his favorite table on Christmas.

Playing so good in his room.

Under the changing table.

Smash it!

Streeeetch!

My handsome explorer at the Sac Zoo.

What we'd look like as kangaroos.

The itsy bitsy spider.

Mom and Masen.

My best friend Roni, and her baby girl, my niece, Bri.

My gorgeous niece Bri again.

Smiling boy.

Pretty Missy Girl.

Look at those bubbles!

My water baby.

It's a stare down.

Look what I scored at the Crazy 8 store!

Wearing his shells and cheese on his chin.

Loving the swing!

Loving the slide, with Dad.

Exploring the bark.

Messy face!

Unsure of the grass.

Super Crawler, to the rescue!

Walking with Dad's help.

Sitting pretty with his ball.