A year ago tonight...

[buddyleebaby]

A year ago tonight the entire preggo board was on baby watch, as it had never been on baby watch before. We were checking every ten minutes, taking shifts, talking until the wee hours. Our hearts and minds were with Jo. Our friend who was about to become a mommy.
We already knew and loved Adam. We had seen his pictures from the time he was the size of a bean. We had talked to Jo through every phase of her pregnancy, every ache and pain, and although we only knew her "virtually", it felt as if we had known her forever.
When the time came for the induction, we could not think of anything else. We wanted so badly for our friend to have the baby she so loved and cherished in her arms.
It was not easy. Jo went through hours of labor, with no pain medication. But she did not allow herself to be bullied as first time moms sometimes are. She fought for the birth she wanted, and got it. After hours, in the early morning, her beautiful baby was born.
We were there through Adam's first few days of life, when Jo was completely exhausted.
We were there the first time he laughed.
We were there when he sat up, and when he crawled.
And now, Adam is turning one.
Jo, you have handled your first year as a mommy with grace and humor. You have fought for the thing that mattered to you and your son. You have learned when to let go of things. You have grown not only as a mommy but as a person, and I am proud to call you my friend.
Adam, wishing you a very happy birthday, and a very happy upcoming year. You are so loved! Now, don't pull mommy's hair...

[AmyZ]

Awwww, Alicia! Beautifully written... that was a very intense baby watch.

Congrats Jo on Adam being ONE! We love you!!

ps (Alicia - we miss you!!)

[mudder17]

Oh Alicia, I'm tearing up just reading your beautiful post. I don't think there's anything left to add.

Jo, Happy Momaversary. Adam, Happy Birthday. DH, Happy Dadaversary. We love you three very much.


Eileen

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_amethyst_36m.gif

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[kep]

Alicia, that's beautiful! Happy Birthday, Adam! We love you! :)

Kelli

Proud Mommy to Lukey (2003). Weaned after 3 years of happy nursing!
And Mommy to our newest baby, Joseph, born 3 days after Christmas.

[fortato]

Exactly as I told you to write it... very nice Alicia!!

Happy Birthday Assy McGee!!!
We love you!!!!

And happy Mommyversary Jo!!!

Love you!

[maestramommy]

Alicia.......

That was really beautiful!

Happy Big ONE birthday little man Adam! Be nice to your mommy, she loves you sooooo much!

Happy first Mom anniversary Jo! Here's to many many more!

[denna]

So beautifully written Alicia.

Happy 1st birthday Assy!

Jo, Happy Mamaversary. And please pass on a Happy Dadaversary to Dh.

Such a gorgeous and wonderful little boy you've got there. Enjoy this special day.

We love you guys!

[megs4413]

happy birthday, adam!

i like you OK, jo.

[MartiesMom2B]

I can't believe how quickly a year has gone by. Happy Birthday Adam.

Happy Mama-versary Jo!

-Sonia
Mommy to the M&M girls

[Corie]

Happy 1st Birthday, Adam!!

Jo,
I hope you guys have a great day together!! :)

[candybomiller]

Happy birthday Adam! Happy Momiversary Jo.

[ciaobella]

Wonderfully written, Alicia!

Happy Birthday, Adam! Give your mommy a big hug for all of us!

[Zana]

Alicia that was beautiful!

Have a wonderful first Bday Adam!!!

Jo, you are such an awesome mother, wife, friend....here's to a very happy momaversary and a wonderful year ahead!

[Jo..]

Alicia, that was lovely and made me cry.

It's so hard to believe that a year has passed so quickly. Adam went from a bundle of screaming crying poopy infant to this crazy happy toddler overnight.

He has 2 teeth, says mama, dada, yeah, hey, hi, and yum. He laughs like a lunatic, all the time. He sings when he's happy or when someone else is singing.

He has two speeds: On and Off. It is difficult to catch him in a still moment for a photo. Most of our pictures these days have a hand or a foot in them, trying to stop him for a second while we snap a picture.

He weighs 23 lbs and is taller than most two year olds.

He is cruising like a maniac, starting to walk, and inhaling everything in sight. He truly is our pride and joy.

Because I am feeling sentimental, here are a couple pictures: Then and Now.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f254/joellenh/sleepy.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f254/joellenh/august21.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f254/joellenh/august28th.jpg

[denna]

Wow Jo! He has gotten so big, and is still so gorgeous! Love the curly hair and big ol' baby blues.

(Love the last outfit in the post, where did you get it?!)

Thanks for sharing the pictures. Hope you guys have a wonderful day and a blessed 2nd year!

[CBB]

He is sooooo beautiful! Happy Birthday to you, Adam!!

[mommy111]

Awwww, Alicia, that's beautiful!!!! Happy Birthday, Adam! Happy mamaversary, Jo! Adam is so BIG now, he's almost a toddler....hope you have the most beautiful of days!

[caleymama]

Awww, so sweet! Happy Birthday Adam!!

[janeybwild]

Alicia, that was so beautifully written. Jo, happy mama day. You are an amazing woman and mom, and I am so grateful to have had this past year to get to know you. I too remember the night Adam was born!

To Adam, Happy Birthday sweet boy. You are loved.

[CharmedOne]

Alica, that was so beautiful!

Happy Birthday sweet Adam!

Caroline

http://lilypie.com/pic/070603/vb1E.jpg http://b3.lilypie.com/2Vyrm7/.png
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_sapphire_24m.gif 26 months

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[ChunkyNicksChunkyMom]

alicia, what a beautiful post. tears here. happy first bday assy and love to your great mama.


i have no shift key due to two year old vandal living in my home.
Susan

#1 Nick 11-18-04
#2 Kate 04-26-06

[karolyp]

I'm bawling as I write this.

Jo, you and your precious son are very much loved. I am so thankful I have a friend like you in my life and that we got to share your pregnancy and the 1st year of your son's life. Today is a bittersweet day isn't it. It just seems like yesterday he was a tiny newborn, and now he's such a big boy. But you did it - Adam's one and you survived your first year of motherhood. Congrats mama and may Adam's second year be blessed.

They grow up way to fast don't they?

[elephantmeg]

Congrats Jo and happy birthday Adam!!!!!!! He's a cutie!

[Lovingliv]

Alicia,

that was beautiful.

Adam, happy bday....

Jo, Happy Birth day....

nak

[mudder17]

Awwwww....

I never realized he has curls, but they are adorable, along with his stunning baby blues. Yep, he's definitely a keeper. :P

Beautiful, just beautiful!


Eileen

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[punkrockmama]

JOoo! Girlie, I've mad love for you. Happy birthday to that sweet baby boy. :) You're doing an awesome job mama.

Also, when can I come over to (in no particular order) pinch those cheeks, kiss that nose, and nibble those fab fat baby ankles? :)