The Pumpkin Patch

Growing up, one of mine and Dody's favorite fall traditions was visiting the pumpkin patch and picking out the very best pumpkin (or two....or twelve) that we could find. So I was excited to take Finn this year to do the same, and I just knew he would love it. Matt headed back to Augusta but Aunt Dody came down to go with us and continue our tradition.

Here he is the day before we went, at our favorite seafood restaurant in the area. I just thought he looked really cute sitting in his booster seat with all the colorful chairs behind him. 

Here are the pictures from the pumpkin patch. It was not exactly what we expected. The ones we used to go to had the pumpkins actually growing in the field, and you could walk along and pick the one you wanted straight from the vine. These pumpkins were lined up under a little tent and Dody is 100% positive she saw the big white cardboard boxes that they came in from Mexico. But they did have lots of other fun stuff to do and of course Finn didn't know the difference!

 We looked at goats. 

 We rode on a big swingy pipe thing.

 We pushed our own stroller. 

 We got in (yes, all of us) a big "house of corn" and played in that for awhile. At first Finn was unsure but he ended up really liking it. 

We ate strawberry ice cream. Note: This was a highlight. 

And of course we closely inspected (i.e. attempted to pick up/roll around) all of the available pumpkins.

The weather was perfect! Very sunny but a little bit breezy. 

We were exhausted after all those activities, so we headed home with our perfect Mexican pumpkin. It was a really fun fall day!!! 

Finn's 1st Birthday Party

When we started talking about Finn's 1st birthday party I wasn't going to do a theme, but THEN I saw all this adorable hungry caterpillar stuff on Pinterest and I was swayed. Who can resist Eric Carle's best known and most beloved character?!? I had a great time planning all the little decorations and especially the cupcake cake.

Here's how it all went down:

The food table! I tried to stick to what the caterpillar eats in the story....well, loosely.  :)  Matt made the best BBQ to ever exist on earth, and the caterpillar didn't eat that.....but he totally would have if he had the chance! I just realized this was before I put the fruit tray out. My mom made my favorite fruit dip. It's finally all gone now, but not before I ate grapes every chance I got for 3 days just as an excuse to eat that dang dip. I now weigh 400 pounds. 

 

Here's a close up of the cake. Dody made the eyes, nose, antennae, and feet. What would I do without such an artistic sibling? As I was making the cake on Friday, Matt kept telling me the icing looked pink. Looks pretty darn red to me!

The "lantern" caterpillar....the idea was conceived (i.e. stolen from the internet) very early, but it was assembled at the very last minute. Thanks Mom, Dody, Jess, and Aunt Michele! 

Treat bags! Isn't this the reason you went to parties when you were little? Oh, that was just me, huh....

More treats!

Here's Finn modeling his way-too-cute, way-too-expensive outfit. I justify it because it was a special occasion.  :) 

The birthday boy had to be woken up from his nap when the party started. He wasn't too happy about that, but once he realized there were other small people here, he perked up. 

Oh yeah, and food. This child LOVES to eat. He was not shy and dug right in!

And then it was time for cake. I wasn't sure what he would do, but he knows yumminess when he sees it. He warmed up to the idea pretty quickly. 

"Yay! It's....umm, it's.....wait, what is this?"

"Soooo, I just....grab it? Just dig in?"

"Yuuuuummmmm!" After that, he really got into it. Literally. 

You know it's been a good party when you have icing in your hair. 

Then we (or actually I) opened presents. Finn was pretty interested in all the things that were in boxes, especially the big things, and all the things with buttons that made noise. 

This is just some of the goodies he got! Spoiled??? Maybe just a little!

We played and talked with friends a little longer.......

And then sadly it was time for everyone to go home and for the birthday boy to take a nap. He was asleep before I even left the room! 

We are blessed beyond measure to have so many that care for Finn and came (some from long distances) to share his special day. Yeah, I know he won't remember anything about it, but I will. And it means the world to me that Finn is so LOVED!!! 

A letter to Finn

Dear Finn,

Today is a special day. Today is a day that I have awaited seemingly forever and now has come practically overnight. Today is your first birthday! 

You are such a big boy all of a sudden. Still small, still a baby really....but a completely different being than you were one year ago today. One year ago when we woke up early and headed to the hospital, knowing our lives would be changing drastically, but never imagining how blessed and awesome this ride would be. You are the definition of pure joy. 

Thinking about you now, sleeping in your crib in the sweet little way you sleep....on your back with your arms and legs sprawled out to the side....totally trusting and open...my heart actually hurts with love for you. Now I understand how the heart of God must feel. When He looks at all of us, into our lives. His children, all of us. And He loves us so much more than we are even capable of loving our own children. Imagine that!

I want so many things for your future Finn. I want you to know God, know yourself, know how to live with kindness towards others. But we have lots of time for those dreams. I just pray that we are capable of being the teachers you deserve. 

I want you to grow and stay little all at the same time. I want time to pass but hold still too. I want to give you the very best of everything always and never let your heart get broken. But I know I can't promise you any of this.  

I can promise you that life is tough. There will be joys, pains, and lots of in-betweens. Finn, my heart will always hurt loving you. You were worth the wait kiddo. And like it or not, I’m always gonna be right here.

Love, Mom 

11 Months Old!

How is it possible? Finn is walking (even if he does look a little drunk) and saying uh-oh, hello (while holding his "cell phone" to his ear. It's a flip phone, not a smart phone.....we don't want him getting too spoiled just yet.), and beep beep when he sits on his little car. What a hoot! Still strong-willed, he will let you know immediately if he's upset with you for trying to protect his safety by removing him from an activity he was enjoying.  Some of these activities include: climbing stairs, eating dog food, scaling the shelves of the pantry, trying to get into the dishwasher, gouging Myrtle's eyes out/biting her foot while she sleeps, etc.

Here he is! The pictures are a little blurry, not sure why? Hopefully the cuteness will still show.  :)

 A perfect smile straight out of the gate! 

Aaaaaaaand he's done. 

 See ya!

 Getting held upside down by daddy!

I hope he stays this happy, for now and for always!