Bouncy Ball Birthday! And other fun times in Utah..

I'm not gonna lie...I worked HARD on this kiddo's birthday party. In honor of kaden's first word being clearly, "ball" I thought it would be fun to do a ball themed party. We had ball-like decorations, ball-like food, and of course tons and tons of balls! We also filled up a kiddie pool in the backyard with water and some bounce-house balls. Kaden was in Heaven!!! He seriously is obsessed with balls and balloons and it was so fun seeing him play to his heart's content. I was so grateful for my family that helped with the food and decorations and especially for my sister in law, Rachel, for loaning her house for the party!

Ben and I have also tried to take advantage of our rare time in Utah. Though Ben has to study about six hours a day for his Step 2 exam, we still have had so much fun! We've hiked the Y and Stuart falls, so far, and have taken several long walks in the mountains behind my grandma's house where we are staying. We've also gone to Seven Peaks Waterpark almost everyday. Kaden is getting such a cute little tan! Ben has also babysat ALOT for me so that I could take Zumba class which has been so awesome because I have to confess I'm a huge Zumba girl and kaden screams if we take him to the gym day care. Ben is the best husband ever!

Kaden is 12 months! One year! 365 days old!!

No way. I really cannot believe it...

Kaden is one!

It's only expected that I'd get sentimental at this milestone, and I totally got teary-eyed on his birthday!

Our first moments with kaden were so scary, I still can't believe we went from this on day 1:

To this...right after we brought him home from the NICU...

To the days when he FINALLY got some chub on him...

To when his golden blonde hair began to come in...

To when we learned our son was the BIGGEST tease:)

To one year later...

Happy and healthy...

 and such a little stinker!:)

So much has happened in the last year...I've grown so much as a person since I've become a mother. I feel like everything with his heart has especially made me a Mama Bear. Before Kaden, I was a driven, smart and hard-working girl...but I was easily persuaded and too much of a people-pleaser. When I became a mother it became necessary for me to put my baby first; and I had to learn to say no, prioritize my life, and to take things a little bit slower. It was quite a change for me to go from my hectic life, always on the run, to days where I felt accomplished if both Kaden and I survived the day. This year, more than anything else has made me grateful for MY mother and the sacrifices she made (makes!) for me. I had no idea how much your emotions can be tied up in a tiny little person, how their happiness becomes your happiness, how their discovery of the world teaches you to re-discover and appreciate the small and insignificant. I'm so so very grateful for the biggest blessing in my life. Kaden, you are my best little buddy, the biggest joy in my life and my greatest blessing. Happy Birthday!