365 days of Jack

Jack turned 1 on Friday. It was such a fun day. I thought I would be sad that my baby is growing up so fast, but instead I was just so proud of him. He is in the best stage right now - learning so much everyday and showing his personality. I spent most of the day thanking God for this little man who has changed our lives so much and has taught us a new kind of love. I look at those huge eyes and see a wonderful person with such great personality. We have loved everyday of the last year with him and look forward to so many more.

We had our Drs appointment first thing in the morning (I know mean mommy giving shots on his birthday, but with Christmas travel plans and he needed his second flu shot, it had to be done). He weighed 22.11 lbs (50%), 301/4 inches long (70%) and is in the 80% for his head (yes the bobble head is returning!). He has only gained a pound in the last month - it looks like he is starting to thin out and stretch out (that does kind of make me sad, because y'all know how I love my chunky baby). He still has 8 teeth but is cutting 9 and 10 right now - his first bottom molars. He is having a bout with some seasonal asthma so we had to get a new inhaler and a cough medicine. Hopefully this will be manageable and he will grow out of it. He is walking great and acts like he is trying to run. Jack says Mama, Dada, Bye Bye, ba for ball, and something like a bu bu or a ru ru for puppy - of course that would be one of his first words! His favorite foods are mac and cheese, blueberries, mash potatoes, pizza, and yogurt. Not a fan of the green things or milk these days! I have to really work on getting those in.

After his nap, we went to lunch with Daddy at Red Robin. However, I apologize to the 6 readers of this blog, I forgot my camera! Which is such a shame, because they were some great photo ops. The waiters sang Happy Birthday to him which he thought was very odd but fun, and then gave him an ice cream sundae. After they left, he started clapping and then proceeded to eat the majority of the adult sized ice cream. He is trying to jump start that weight gain again! He headed off to bed early that night because his asthma and teething have kept him from sleeping well so he missed the arrival of Nonni & Pop and Uncle Matthew that night. But after a loooong and sleepless night, he was surprised by Nonni & Pop at 5 in the morning. He played for a while and then took a 4 hour nap - he had to get rested for his party!


About 2pm all of his friends came over for his party. Jack had the best time at his party. We opened his gifts, which was an all together overwhelming experience for him. So we kind of had to rush through it to avoid a melt down.


Then he decided it was time for his cake. I made the traditional Lawrence/Epp family lamb cake which my Grandma made for my m=Mom on her first birthday, and then my Mom made for me on my first birthday, and now I made for Jack on his first birthday. Unfortunately, my Mom and I decided it looked more like a cow this year or Rudolph...so it was an "animal" cake. Jack devoured his cupcake but again was confused by all of the singing.









He got a little clingy after cake and wanted me to hold him. Then all of the sudden (or when the sugar hit in) he wanted down and walked right into the living room where his new toys were and starting playing. He loves his new toys! He had a great party and I really think he had a great time. So fun, can't wait for next year!

All weekend, Nathan, Matthew and my Dad worked on finishing our Birthday and Christmas gift for Jack - a play scape outside. Nathan decided to be crafty build it himself. They were able to finish it Sunday morning - all except the swings, rock wall, and roof - but those he can do by himself without help. And we all know the slide is Jack's favorite and he couldn't wait to go down it!