Supermodel

So I did it, and actually went forward with getting baby (ahem, TODDLER) pictures done at Sears for AZ's bday #1. I went back and forth, I mean, I HAVE a camera, what can they do that I cannot? And isn't that just joining the consumer bandwagon that I always want to reject.... but then again, I have ONE child, and he sure is cute : ) So off I trundled to Sears- who I currently hate because they turned down a refund I am due. But they were not so expensive, and could get the little man in ON his birthday. So two days and several hours of clicking and selecting later, and I paid a pretty whopping fee for some awesome baby pictures. Even though the girl who took the pictures had all the enthusiasm of hmmm..... those teenagers at Taco Bell who are not ever sure they have cups, let alone drinks to put INTO the cups.

But anyhow, despite the fact that she was obviously no zest for child photography, she took some darn good photos. I had the job of chasing little man around and putting him in front of the camera for the 5 seconds before he dashed off - his goal being to grab the camera and the button that made it work. Or to toss the blocks in a fun arrangement, narrowly missing the camera, or to pull down the lights by the intriguing cords. Grandma tried to solicit grins through funny faces and absurd noises- and Grandpa watched from a somewhat safe distance.

The pictures were great, better than I could have taken, and he will never be one again. So I have given up on buyer's remorse and decided that this is a long term investment-something to look back on when he is 16 and claims to not be my child, or at least not a child who has to hang out with me in public. But for today, he is my little man, and I have an "Bronze Package" of photos to prove it.

Birthday Boy

Birthdays are fun, and more fun when there is a baby involved- although apparently once they turn ONE they are no longer BABIES- now he is officially a TODDLER. A BIG boy! He is not offically walking yet... but onto toddling, no more referring to "the baby." I always thought that it was best to call him by name, but I think people get confused by us having two name choices for him, A to Z! A or Z! A and Z! Anyway, I almost did NOT schedule a birthday party for him, being so busy, but then I realized I was making way to big a deal out of a 1 year old's birthday party. All he would care about is playing, and if the party is for HIM, that is all I had to worry about. So I ordered two cakes- from Loaf of Bread Bakery in Lancaster, http://aloafofbread.com/ one carrot cake, one Mexican Wedding Cake- which no one had heard of, but a vast favorite with the whole crowd. It has the texture of a carrot cake- cream cheese frosting, nuts and pineapple on the inside, along with a ribbon of cream cheese... YUM. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mexican-Wedding-Cake/Detail.aspx (I found a recipie!) Then I went to Cherry Hill Orchard and bought some of every bit of locally grown fresh fruit they have. So- cherries (WOW!) Apricots, blackberries, blueberries and strawberries... and put them in bowls ready to eat. Cheese from a local dairy and bread (from the same bakery) and some iced tea make with berries. I love that his birthday will be during FRUIT season every year! Anyway, kiddo had a good time, and our guests did as well, for Fruit Fest 07. And I remember that having a birthday party for him, it is important to consider if I am doing something for ME, HIM, or OTHERS. (The carrot cake was for me- that is my favorite! Luckily he was quite taken with it as well) Grandma and Grandpa C had fun, as did Aunt K and Uncle S, and Auntie Janna and other assorted guests, who helped bring on the good cheer and a rousing "Happy Birthday" song. I was short on taking photos, but I did get a few shots to share with friends and family far away from festivities. So happy birthday, AZ! My favorite part was telling his birth story- how just a year ago we did not have a wonderful son, and now our lives have changed forever, in the best possible way.