Happy 7 Years.

My dearest,

At the beginning of all of this it was just you and me. Our love was the start of everything else that makes up the content of our little blog.  So, today, I write to you...

Billy. You love me in a way that makes me want for nothing.  I try my best to give you the same in return.  Our family is full because of the husband and father you are.  I cherish our past, but am even more excited for our future.  As I always say, you are my true partner.   And I mean that in the truest sense of the word -- We are better together. 

I appreciate all the big things you do for us, but hold the small things closest of all.  You truly take care of my heart and for that you are the man of my dreams still.

You give me all of the love, adoration and patience a woman could hope for even when I'm sure I don't deserve it.  I said it on our wedding day and it still holds true...I'm so proud to be your wife.

My whole heart,
Sara

Sullivan's Backyard Beach BBQ

Ok, last post on this topic!  Sully, you spoiled little stinker, you've gotten to dominate nearly every single post this month thus far.  But I cannot NOT post pictures of your big party.  You sure are one special little guy...

You're lucky to have a summer birthday.  We were able to invite lots of people since we planned an outdoor party.  I love mixing friends, old and new, with family, neighbors, etc.  I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I realized that the rain was going to stay away!  I absolutely loved planning this party.  It was to celebrate you, it was to honor all of our friends and family who are such an important part of our lives and to show appreciation for our playgroup friends who have watched you grow every week and were such a huge help when you were born bringing meals, etc.  It was a big "we made it through the first year!"  celebration and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.

Bubbles greeted guests at the front door.

The kids received sand buckets with goodies as favors. For the bar tables I painted old, wine stained table cloths with a beach ball on them to cover the stains :). Gram helped with the buffet....I tried to make the fruit tray into the shape of a beach ball, but I doubt if anyone noticed ;).  In lieu of gifts we collected OVER 70 new and used books from everyone to give to underprivileged KC children!

The kids loved playing in the big beach ball sprinkler, baby pool and with the water table.

"Sullivan's Sea" was the sidewalk chalk area.  The kiddos had fun drawing fish, sharks and boats.

Digging for sea shells and treasure in the sand!

I set up a table that had Sully's first year scrapbook, a hard copy of our blog with entries going back to when we found out I was pregnant with Sullivan and a guest page for everyone to leave their "fish print".

I promised myself that I'd always make my children's first bday "smash cakes".  I made a little treasure chest for Max's first birthday pirate party and I made this little beach ball for Sullivan.  I'm 2 for 2 so far :) The beach ball cake pop, however, where outsourced!

Cake time!  He had his smash cake AND a cake pop!  These pictures need no words.

Clean up time in the baby pool!

You can't go wrong with a few big red balloons...

Left to right:  1) BooBo & Sully 2) The regulars. 3) Some of our play group girls...Suzie, Caroline and Max grilling. 3) Mimi and Sullivan.  4) GG and Sullivan.  5) Lolli & Annabelle.  6) A couple playgroup momma's Jessica and Katie.

 Thus concludes the first birthday extravaganza!  You are worth every bit of it my sweet Sullivan ;)

Update: 12 Months

Well, my darling, you are officially one year old now. How much more can I dwell on this milestone? Even I'm getting annoyed with me ;) Oh well, I hope one day you'll appreciate how thorough I'm being with the coverage of your first birthday.


Sullivan had just gotten his shots at the Dr this morning and didn't have it in him to give me a smile.  Sad baby.

Friday you had your check-up and shots.  And your first haircut for your scraggly strands.  Had to look handsome for your big party on Sunday! 

Stats:
Height - 31 inches (90th percentile)
Weight - 25 lbs (80th percentile)

Dr. Kate said you look perfect!  She noticed that FOUR of your top teeth are coming in at the same time.  Ouch!  It's about time though...you currently only have your two little bottom bunny teeth.  You're trying to walk and will take 2-3 steps on your own before deciding you'd rather crawl to reach your destination faster.  You are doing great at using sign language to communicate basic needs and even have a few words...dog, woof-woof, up, book, ball, bye-bye (all the 'b' words sound kind of the same, but I always know what you mean ;) and, of course, momma and dada.  You love stacking legos and sorting shapes.  You can point to your nose, mouth, eyes and ears when asked.  You're becoming a master climber which is new territory for us because Max was never interested in climbing.  You try to get those chubby legs up on anything and everything!  You're still a very good eater.  Your favorite continues to be a hummus sandwich.  You also get excited for sauteed tofu with red/yellow peppers.  And the good old PB&J is always a winner too.  At some point in the past month you've sworn off blueberries.  If I put them on your tray you'll squeal loudly and throw them on the floor.  So dramatic!

Here are a few pics of your first haircut...my handsome boy...

You did great!  The stylist and other clients commented on how laid back you were.  Max sat in the chair next to you and reassured you..."Is just a haw-cut, baby.  Don't wowwy." 

All that's left is the post on your big par-tay that took place on Sunday!  It was a whirlwind of fun that went by too fast.  I have a ton of adorable pictures that I'll document soon!

Beautiful Oops: A gift for Sully

Dear Sullivan,

I've made it no secret that you were a surprise in our lives.  I'm open about it because there's nothing inherently bad about the unexpected.  Its how we perceive those unexpected things that come our way.  In my case, the unexpected arrived in the form of a sweet, smiley little boy with an undeniably enchanting soul.   How could a surprise like you ever be categorized as an "accident"?    And I guess in a way you were part of the plan...just not one that your Dad and I happen to be in control of.  The plan of something/someone bigger than us all. 

Learning of your existence expanded my faith and made me take notice of all the wonderful things that cross our paths without being planned and controlled down to the minuet detail. With the knowledge that you would be joining our family I actually felt free from the plans, deadlines and schedules that I generally hold myself to.  I let go of my need to try and control every aspect of life and opened up to the amazing gift that you are.

This book is given to you with so much love and appreciation for the person you are. And the person you will become. The story is about how many "oops" in life can lead you to something even greater than what had been planned.

I hope you color outside of the lines, take a few wrong turns and make all of the "oops" in your life into something beautiful.

Happy 1st Birthday to my most beautiful and wonderful oops. 

My whole heart,

Momma

Here are a few more pics of how we celebrated your first birthday as a family earlier this week...

Max helped me set all of your presents out on the deck first thing in the morning on your birthday.  The grill is handmade just for you.  We also got you a bubble mower and the Beautiful Oops book.  Max got you wooden food for the grill and a grilling apron.

Sullivan approves of his gifts!

It took every ounce of self control Max had to wait his turn with the mower.  He kept saying "HappyBirthday, Sully.Do you like your mower?Can I borrow it?"  Trying so hard to sound sincere :)

Sullivan's turn again.  He giggled the whole time!

Grillin'!

Max couldn't wait to get his hands on the grill and apron as well :)

After Sullivan's morning nap we took him on a special lunch date to Browne's Irish Marketplace. He loved the chicken salad and bites of momma's corned beef and saurkraut!




After lunch we went to Murray's Ice Cream for a treat...but it was closed!  So we headed to Glace' for some artisan ice cream.  We lit a candle and sang to the birthday boy.

Happy boy back at the house after a fun day.  What a year it's been!

Real Life Moments: July

We had some happy times this past month.  Nothing earth-shattering, but I wouldn't trade one single moment for anything.  I love to watch these boys explore and experience the world around them, which is what I spend the majority of my days doing.  Here are a few of our real life moments from July...

Early morning bath for Max's dinosaurs.  He's meticulous about scrubbing them with the soapy water, rinsing them in the clean water and then lining them up perfectly to dry.  Sullivan tries to mimic Max.

"I'm cute." -- "Oh yeah, I'm cute." -- "Yep...pretty stinkin' cute."   
(and please take note of Max putting his foot in the bucket in the background of these pictures. :)

Big jump!

Trying to stay cool by painting with watercolor ice cubes.  This one was for Aunt Kim's birthday!

Sullivan loved being pushed in the laundry basket...

Max decided he was missing out on the fun and hopped in the basket too.  He said someone needed to "hold the baby".  Sure Max...you're not fooling anyone :)

Lights off.  Glowing Drumsticks.  Italian techno music.  Just the normal bath time routine at the Murray household :) 

Sullivan discovers nectarines!

1) Anything and everything is a victim when teeth are coming in.  2)  Max thought this bucket would make a great hat for Sullivan.  Sullivan disagreed.  3)  80's Sully.

All-Star Fanfest.  Max loved every minute of it.  It was an impressive event that left me feeling very American.  Max got to draw on a ball that will be sent to our troops and even enjoyed his first Doritos Locos taco :) 

"Grandma's Day" at the pool with Mimi.  The goggles were clearly a hit.

The joy of seeing Dada pull in the driveway never gets old.  They have a special spot in the playroom where they're on the look-out each afternoon

Max loves shopping at Trader Joes.  He loves pushing the little cart and insists on unloading it himself.  Luckily the TJ's employees are always so patient.  When we're done he walks out to the car with his little chest puffed up so proud and a handful of TJ's stickers for being a good helper.  Everyone wins :)

Play date with our Brookside Moms.  Its a special treat when there's a pool and picnic lunch!

I got to go on an amazing, relaxing girls weekend in July.  I came home to this (and a house full of blanket "forts") on Sunday.  I missed my boys so much.   

July treated us very well.
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About RLM:

I take so many pictures every month. Most don't document any particular milestone or special occasion. They're ones that might seem kind of boring, but when you put those little fragments of time together they tell our true story. The one that is ordinary but important in its own way. I call those fragments of time our real life moments.

I compile our "real life moments" at the end of each month to begin stitching together our little moments into something more tangible. A whole greater than the sum of its parts. Like a quilt of memories.

Almost 1!

Dear Sullivan,

In less than a week you'll turn one year old.  I'll never get over how much change and growth happens within the first year.

 

When I think about how much life you have ahead of you my momma heart can barely keep all of the dreams and hopes it holds inside.  At one year you are still so little, but the days are passing quickly.  I try to take every opportunity to be purposeful in the way I'm teaching you as you grow.  However, my love, my guidance and my dreams are merely a launching pad for the many possibilities of your life. 

As for me, I'm certain that the very best thing I will ever do in my life has already begun.

My whole heart,

Momma

You have gone from this little baby...

To this big boy...

Peek-a-boo!