My little pat of butter is ONE today, people.
I cannot quite wrap my head around this.
It seems like just yesterday when I took this and announced I was FINALLY expecting.
Then the NEVER-ENDING-PREGNANCY full of illness, scariness, disappointment in gender, clotting disorders, needles, endless ultrasounds and stress tests and insurance hell.
But he was so cute, even in my tummy.
And even though I was so sick I could barely walk at the end, I was happy.
And then?
May 19th, 2009 came and the decision to induce was welcomed because I was NOT doing well. So, I was ready…and pretty dang hawt looking if you ask me.
Or, I was hawt UNTIL MORE HORRIFYING PAIN THEN A HUMAN SHOULD FEEL HAPPENED, THAT IS. (This photo is made even more charming by the “CENTRAL LAUNDRY” print on the gown, no? I look like I’ve broken out of the home, y’all. Also? The next time I try to go through NINE HOURS of INDUCED labor UN-MEDICATED to try and save two grand on an epidural? KICK ME IN THE HEAD.)
Then?
He was here in all his wee modesty.
And I felt more joy than I ever, EVER thought I would feel again.
Every single day has been a joy because of Aaron.
EVERY single one.
I could, and do, watch him for hours and hours and hours on end.
Staring at him is a favorite pastime of mine.
I meet this day with a bittersweet feeling.
How did he go from this?
To this?
SO FREAKING FAST???!!!!
His first year, my very favorite time in the lives of my children, is over.
And that makes me want to sob.
But?
He is still here.
Healthy.
Breathing.
ALIVE.
And no one, NO ONE will smile a brighter smile today than his mama because of that.
I love you, little one.
You are my heart–thank you for bringing so much joy and healing to it.
Happy birthday ! I hope your day has more joy for you and your momma !!!
BUTTERLUMP!!!! Happy Birthday to you BOTH!!!
XOXO
Sob. Gorgeous baby. Gorgeous momma. Happy birthday, A.
Awwww! Very sweet! You are truly blessed!! ;)
Allow me to gather myself from this pool of melted happiness…
ADORABLE!!!!!! He is CRAZY CUTE!!!! I love all these photos. Beautiful!
God, Loralee, you and J make a beautiful baby! Happy day to all of you. It’s been a long haul and I’m pleased as punch for your whole family that there is so much happiness. What a blessing!
(Oh, and yes, my ovaries hurt. They always do when you post pics of him. Damn those blue eyes!)
Happy, happy birthday Butterlump! What a great reason to celebrate! He’s such a yummy, sweet boy and I’m so happy you have him in your life, Loralee.
Oh my goodness, he is soooooo precious!!!
And yes, you look like a movie star laying on that bed. Thank you for showing the after photo to make the rest of us not feel so bad. I looked even worse in my after shot.
That’s brutal that you didn’t the get epidural b/c it cost so much. That’s a time I’m thankful for free epidurals in Canada.
Happy Birthday to your baby. (And you.)
Happy Birthday, Aaron!
Plant a few kisses on those adorable cheeks from me. ;)
Wow, no way has it been a whole year!
XOXO to you both.
Also? I didn’t realize that he shares a birthday with my beloved grandfather who has been gone, as of this year, half my life. Sigh.
Happy birthday little one.
Happy birthday kiddo!
Awww, this made me cry. Happy Birthday to your sweet boy!!!!!! :)
*feels all warm and snuggly inside*
AIGH! *threatens her persuasive uterus and ovaries with a rusty spork if they don’t give her a couple of years to get started on children*
>.>
<.<
*smashes her biological clock for good measure*
Your love of your children is dangerous to me, Loralee XD
And they certainly are great kids :)
I’m sure no one needs to tell you this, but…he’s darling, and your pictures are so gorgeous!
(Okay, that one is rough, but the rest of them are really wonderful! I really love the heart/hands one.)
Awwww… that is a-freaking-dorable!! (and don’t let this comment go past these walls, I have a rep to protect!). Widdle bebe!!!
Oh, and happy birthday to the little guy, of course. Excuse my bumbling idiocy.
He’s a YEAR old?!! When did that happen??!!
Aaron, please don’t grow out of those cheeks too soon!! Happy Birthday, big boy, and xoxo to Mama.
One year. Wow. Such a big year for a little boy…sadly, he’s not really a baby anymore, is he. May you have many, many years together. Happy Birthday, Aaron.
(and I agree, you and J do make beautiful babies)
he’s such a cutie pie! i just want to kiss him behind his adorable little ears on his chubby little neck. i bet he even smells good like babies do. i want him. just for a cuddle or two. i’ll give him back.
he’s getting so big! he’s not an itty bitty lump of love anymore. more like a little lump.
Happy birthday Aaron! So sweet!
Happy Birthday Butterlump! He is so adorable, the photos of you two together just shine.
Oh, the cuteness!!! Happy 1st Birthday little man :) I hope you both enjoy this wonderful occasion.
Happy birthday wee man! Loralee, everytime you put up pictures of him my heart melts, he is a *really* cute baby. And I mean, far cuter than most. I hope you guys have a fun birthday party with him and I hope you post pictures of a frosting-coated child for us to enjoy!
Awww, so much luff. Congrats on having a happy, healthy baby–he’s totally adorable. ;)
How did that happen, indeed! Happy Birthday little guy! And when did he lose his baby face? He’s a BOY!
Gee thanks. Because I needed another reason to cry today. SOB. Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Butterlump!!
Love your post. So sweet.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUTTERLUMP!!
I am so happy for you Loralee!
He is just so dang cute! Happy Birthday little one!
Did you feel that?? That, my friend, was my ovaries twitching, and the tears falling.
I am so glad that he has brought you so much healing and so much love.
He’s so big.. and it goes by WAY too fast. (As you already know..)
Enjoy that butterlump today and always! :)
Happy Birthday!!
God love ya woman, ya gave me chills!!
Happy birthday little one!
Happy Birthday Aaron! I can’t believe he is already a year old! He is sooooo cute! (altho you already knew that!)
xo
He’s ONE??? I can’t believe it. Happy birthday to the two of you!
Happy First Birthday to both of you! Feels like his birth was a new beginning for you too! Crying as I read this. So happy for you both.
well you made me cry! happy birthday little one. I love you both!
Happy birthday!
Oh, all these pictures are making my baby-lust even stronger than normal. BABY FACE OMG.
Wow, 1 already! Time sure is fast. Happy Birthday little one. He is such a cutie!!
Happy Birthday, Butterlump!
He is absolutely precious! ^_^
First, I love how your mouth is open so wide like you are going to eat him up in these pictures :)
Second, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET BOY!!!!!! I am SO glad he is still here. It is so healing to have a child that LIVES!
Third, when Libby saw this she said, “Worwee” Yep, she knows her friend :)
LOVE YOU!
Happy Birthday, Little One! Bless you and your mama!
ciao,
Amy.
Your butterlump makes me smile. Lots.
Happy birthday Aaron! Thanks for making your mom (and all of us) so dang happy.
He’s beautiful, and now you have all that sweet, incredible toddlerhood to look forward to! Pure magical bliss!
Happy Birthday, Baby Aaron!
Happy 1st Birthday Aaron!!!!!! I hope you have a great birthday and an awesome life!
Happy Birthday sweet little boy!!
This post made me tear up! Happy Birthday to Aaron, I hope this milestone can help you to breathe a wee bit easier. I found your blog when I was very pregnant with my son, he’ll be 1 in July. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Happy Birthday to you both! Love the pics….could he be any damn cuter!!!!!! OMG!!!!
He is gorgeous! I am so happy that you have him here with you :)