Seriously?

Is it seriously time to plan a 1st birthday party?

Surely not! However, this Mama did give birth to the best baby boy in the entire world about 11 months ago, so I guess that means it's almost time for a 1st year celebration!

We're going to have a cook out at the house, with lots and lots of balloons and of course a big cake, I mentioned to Matt the other night that I might make cupcakes for everyone and Case would have his very own cupcake for his "cake"...well Matt immediately disagreed and without twisting my arm hardly at all, we both decided that we'd go ahead and go all out and get Case a big ol' birthday cake, I mean he only turns 1 once right?

I recently read an article on First Birthday Parties, warning parents not to get too fancy, because they won't even remember it, right? Well, we're certainly not spending a fortune, but I am a true believer that pictures are absolutely priceless. I want the pictures with balloons everywhere in the background. I want the pictures with cake all over our boy from his hair down to his belly, I want paper flying, smiles, family, friends, and laughing...ok I'm getting pretty excited now!

Bob.

This is Bob.

Bob has become part of the family. Previous to our beach trip, I was rummaging through my hope chest through all of his stuffed animals, trying to find one he might become attached to. I was hoping he could have something that reminded him of home on his first big trip...well little did we know not only did Case like it, it became Case's new best friend!

The second I handed this stranger of a stuffed animal to him, he squealed with delight and hugged it! It was as if he already knew him and was wondering where he had been his whole little life! I almost melted right there. I decided to name him Roufus, I thought it was cute and catchy and I could hear us saying "Don't forget Roufus, Case where's Roufus?" for years to come. Well, my darling husband didn't think it was adorable as I did, and it just didn't catch on. We then called him Doggy for a couple of weeks, until Matt came up with the cutest idea! Case babbles all of the time and it mostly it comes out "Ba Ba Ba Bob Bob Bob Bob" ...and so Matt said one day "We should name him Bob because he can already say his name!"

And so, that is how Bob got his name. :) Case knows it too, he truly does. We can say "Where's Bob?" and he will literally stop, look around, crawl as fast as he can to Bob after he has found him and collapse on him and give him big bear (or dog?) hug!

We've been thinking about getting a 'Back up Bob' in case the unthinkable happened, so Mom and I did some research online and she found out they are discontinuing our Bob! He's actually named Jumperjack Puppy from the Jellycat stuffed animal collection, but thankfully Mom found Bob on Amazon...there were only 5 left! She told me today that she's buying our little man 2 just in case! (Thank goodness!!!)

Here are some captured moments with Case and his best bud...

Per-son-a-lit-y :

-noun
1. the visible aspect of one's character as it impresses others: He has a pleasing personality.

Matt & I are loving this age. Case has the biggest personality, he's laughing, giggling, flirting, and even testing his limits. :)

What could a 10 month old possibly be testing his limits with you might ask?

1. Climbing the stairs all by himself, scares his parents half to death!
2. Closing big doors all by himself, almost slamming his little fingers every time!
3. Climbing under and over everything he possibly can
4. Opening cabinets, pulling open drawers
5. Playing in the dog's water and food bowls
6. Putting EVERYTHING in his little mouth...

Oh the list goes on and on and on!

Luckily, we have baby gates which help tremendously to keep our little guy out of things he shouldn't be getting into. Right now we have his big stroller folded and laying sideways to block him from the stairs until we buy yet another baby gate to keep him safe...and to keep him from tumbling down the stairs backwards! (EEEEK!)

Even with all of this testing, (which is so totally normal) :) we are just in awe of how Case is becoming his own little person, he makes us laugh daily and we thank God every day for giving us such a wonderful little man.