1 year old!

Can it be?!?!  My little baby is already 1 year old?!?!  I get teary-eyed every time I really stop and think about it.  This year has just been so up and down for us (high highs and low lows) and so in some ways it seems like it's been a really looooong year and in other ways it has just flown by!  I guess that's life, huh?

Anyway... I know all the moms out there can identify with me, but I fall more in love with our lil guy each and every day.  The more he discovers the world around him, the more interesting he becomes!  He's starting to really show a personality (quite quirky and calculated yet laid back and easy!) and he is learning and growing a ton.  He still eats A LOT (he seems so heavy now!) and can wave bye-bye, "walk", give kisses, clap and sometimes do the Thai greeting of putting your hands together and bowing.  It looks more like a clap than anything, but we're working on it.  He still doesn't say any words, but I'm wondering if he'll be delayed in this area since he hears two languages every day.  I mean, it's confusing for me so it's gotta be somewhat confusing for a 1 year old! :)  He still sucks his thumb a lot and is attached to his sleep sacks.  He likes to hold the tag and fall asleep with it in his hand and his thumb in his mouth.  He sleeps like a champ (always has...) and takes 2 two hour naps throughout the day.  Plus, he sleeps 12 hours at night!  He must get that from his momma :)  He is pretty attached to me, but loves goofing around and "throwing" the ball with dad.  He loves Pawn and can recognize my mom's voice on facetime.  All in all, he's the favorite part of our day and we couldn't love him more!  We praise God for his life and for allowing us the joy of being his parents.  What a blessing!

On to the celebrating...

William got spoiled the morning of his birthday when everyone called to sing him "Happy Birthday!"  He got to blow out a candle with Ama & Papa, join in on bath time with cousin Leila & Natey and enjoyed a nicely harmonized birthday song from Auntie Kelsey and Uncle Tony!  (Auntie Kara and Uncle Joshie were in Italy, but they sent their love and Uncle Doug & Auntie Kristi keep forgetting that they have another nephew... j/k Ishikawas!)

I was kind of against throwing a big party for William (party pooper, I know...), but I just felt funny making a big deal out it.  But Steven convinced me that this would be a good opportunity to hang out with our neighbors since we hardly see them.  So, we quickly threw together a birthday party (had a Thai friend cook all the food, ordered the cake and bought some kid-friendly "fireworks") and we called it a day!

William's birthday party invitation

 Our BIG MAN all ready for his party!

Our lil fam :)

 Pawn & Bpin helped make William's favorite food... potstickers!!! :)

 Auntie Kristi with Zion and JJ

 Waiting to eat!

 We had such great food!  Pot did a great job preparing everything... so easy for me!  We had sweet and sour chicken, fried chicken, khao soi, potstickers and fruit! :)

 Yum!

 William's happiest when he's eating!

 We invited our neighbors (some pictured above), but the majority of them couldn't come.  Between the big "Loi Kratong" festival and working late, most of them missed the party.  We were kinda bummed, but each of them stopped by to give William some hugs and kisses and a gift.  It was so nice and made us feel loved.

 A good party always has good food!

 Is it really my birthday, mom? :)

 Our dearest friends!

 

After we ate, we let the kids play with sparklers :)

 

They loved it!

 

Even William got in on the action!

 William doesn't yet know that his momma's kinda crazy...

The sparklers were so bright that he kept closing his eyes :)

 

William's best pal, Obie

Chocolate birthday cake

 One of our neighbors came over and lit some candles on our fence for William's birthday.  Even though it was done to keep the evil spirits away, we still thought it was sweet of her to do that for William.

 The chaos continued...

Singing Happy Birthday--William was more confused than scared!

You're really gonna put this big thing in front of me?!

Hmmm....

Finger lickin' good!

Happy Birthday, Bud!

He knows how much momma loves sweets, so he thought he'd share :)

We eventually gave him his own piece of cake...

 

And it was soooo good that he had to lick the plate, too!

The kids lighting and releasing lanterns just for fun!

 It really is like Tangled! :)

All in all, it was a great birthday.  I'm so glad we ended up throwing a party for William because it was fun to celebrate with friends.  It was a little sad being away from family (more so because I know how much they would've all loved to be celebrate with him...), but we are thankful that God has provided William with people who also love him here.  Thanks everyone for their help and for coming out to celebrate... here's to the next year!

After all was said and done, Mr. Birthday Boy slept in til 10:30 the next morning!  He must've partied too hard!  hahaha... love the little munchkin oh so much!