Alex Turns ONE

It happened. Our baby turned ONE.

When this milestone marker happens, most people say that they can't believe it's been a year. For us, in the year since we became a family of four;

• We moved internationally
• We bought our first home
• We bought two cars
• My mom was diagnosed, fought and beat cancer
• Started a new job (Daddy), new school (Gretchen), new state, neighborhood, friends, life
• We visited Brazil, Uruguay, California and Virginia (twice)

because of this, it is completely believable that it has been a full year.

That is not to say that Alex hasn't grown up incredibly fast. He goes with the flow, giggles at everything, smiles at everyone and is now (finally) sleeping like a champ. He is walking around, pointing at everything and has started protesting (loudly) when he doesn't get what he wants. He is a great eater, though he lets you know what he doesn't like by throwing it on the floor. Or when you're not paying attention, he'll throw food on the floor just for laughs.

I was not a very good photographer at his birthday party, but it was filled with friends, food and the first sunny day in a week of rain in Houston. We held out giving him cake until his birthday - and he dove right in.

He started with a bit of frosting, holding out until we had one picture with the special guy.

Then he took his opportunity to shove the cupcake right down the hatch.

Alex wasn't the only one excited about cupcakes. Gretchen held still long enough for a quick siblings picture, and then she was up to her ears in cupcake as well.

 Our precious, happy boy. He makes life fun, brings out the best in all of us, and reminds us of those wonderful first years of growing up with siblings.

Happy Birthday Alex! We are so happy to have you along for this crazy ride.