Celebrating John Patrick's 1st Birthday with friends

We celebrated John Patrick's 1st Birthday a little early with his friends. My mom is in town from Rochester, and helped me make the special chocolate dog-shaped cake from scratch. John Patrick just adores dogs, so I was excited to see his reaction with all the dog decorations. He saw the table cloth first, and made his typical, "mmmm" sounds in a high-pitched squeal that he makes when he likes something or sees an animal. He wasn't too sure about what was happening when we all started signing to him and put the cake in front of him, but he did get pretty into the chocolate cake once he got going. It was so fun to watch! Thank you everyone for coming to celebrate and making his day so special! Can't wait to celebrate with the Gilmore family next weekend for his real birthday!

Day 2 of camping and beaching...

Beach photos!

No fear... that is John Patrick's life slogan... He just crawled all around the sand and splashed right into the water. He loved loved loved being thrown high into the air by daddy! The light was gorgeous, so of course I took way to many pictures!

First Camping and Beach Experience!

We decided to camp at Lewes, DE in Cape Henlopen State Park at the ocean for a night. It was a beautiful park, and we would definitely go back, versus spending the day at over-crowded Rehoboth.

First, the camping photos... He loved it! Dirt, sand, and pine needles, oh, and fire... what more could a boy ask for? He loved crawling all over the campsite, playing around in the tent, and was transfixed by the fire daddy built as he stayed up way past his bedtime to enjoy the complete camping experience! We were a little nervous about how he would do with the camping, but clearly, he is very adaptable and adventurous. We're so glad we took him, even though it was just one night!

John Patrick is 11 months old!

Hard to believe he will be one in just a month! I made an attempt at a quickie informal portrait session today, since I missed the 10 month shoot, and it is nearly impossible to get him to sit still for 2 seconds. He makes so many funny faces! Today he actually was so excited by the white backdrop that he walked from his Radio Flyer wagon to the backdrop all on his own! I couldn't believe it. I don't think he could either! He has been taking more steps today on his own, and he gets so excited every time. I love the shots of him trying to climb up the backdrop. He is a climber for sure! He climbed up onto Grandma Sop's rocking chair a few days ago, and started clapping when he did it. Clapping is his newest trick. He also can climb all the way up a tunnel slide at the playground. He gets a real kick out of giving me a heart attack as I run around to the top to make sure he doesn't crawl off the ledge. It's been a fun summer together and I am getting sad to see it come to an end so quickly.

Playing around- 11 months

You wouldn't know it but little man had his tear duct surgery this morning. I think he may have had some super human powers mixed in with the anestesia because after he came to, he was rearing to go all day. He took a long 3 hour nap after a little bagel and cream cheese (disregarding the notice to avoid food for 12 hours.... yeah right!), and when he woke up, it was non-stop discovery all day. He even climbed a lawn chair at the pool and attempted to climb the chain link fence. Yikes! Everytime I would go into the kitchen to do somehting, he would escape away to his new fave play spot- our bedroom. Actually, more specifically, my dresser. He stands there opening and closing the doors for the longest time. It just doesn't get old!

His eyes look so much better after the procedure! No more goopey eyes!!! YAY!







I couldn't help but snap a few of his cute little butt cheeks hanging out of his dipe... and of course, his luscious curls!