ONE YEAR OLD

Happy Birthday Van! We celebrated Van's first birthday by going to the zoo (I forgot my camera. Boo!) eating delicious shishka bobs grilled by Daddy and buying Van a toy cell phone. He loved the zoo and kept pointing at all the animals saying "Ooooo!" We also got to see the bird show which was the best part of the zoo. He was very cute and happy all day long.

Van! I can't believe it was one year ago that I delivered you into this world. I remember waking up early in the morning and having consistent contractions. I fixed myself a sandwich because I knew it would be a while before I could eat again and I wanted energy for the natural childbirth. We called Grandma Bruiser around 6:00 AM. She came over and watched Thomas the Train (maybe Toy Story 2) with William while we went to the hospital. I walked in and said "I'm in labor." The nurse looked at me like "Ya right." Then we went and checked in. The office was busy because the TV was there filming the Pregnant Teenager show (I can't remember the official title). The nurse came and checked me and said "You're dilated to a 6! You get to stay!" I told her I wanted to do a natural childbirth and she said "Well no water in case you want the epidural." Gee lady, thanks for trying to psyche me out! After texting and making phone calls I went into the labor and delivery room. I saw my doctor on my way and was so relieved. Her name is Carrie Sloan and she is hands down the best doctor I've ever had. I was really hoping she would be able to deliver Van. My mom and sisters all came and it was great to have the female support. My sister Kelly kept my head cool with a washcloth, my mom cried in the corner, and Sophie made sure Lana kept quiet. Ha ha! The last 45 minutes were brutal. I got lightheaded and had to use the oxygen mask. I had my hands clasped to the bedrails and basically sang through the contractions. I was sure I sounded just like Free Willy calling for his mom. I remember thinking right at the end "I am never having another baby!" Then 5 minutes later Dr. Sloan handed me the fattest newborn I've ever seen. His cheeks were HUGE. The nurse laid him in the scale and announced "8 pounds 10 ounces!" I couldn't believe it. I was exhausted, but so proud that I did it with no drugs or epidural. I remember his eyes looking just like William. I also knew my life would never be the same. We had a new addition and he was perfect.

One Year Later

Van's first year flew by. He is now cruising furniture like crazy, pushes the chairs and laundry baskets, loves to pull things out of drawers, and climb up the stairs and fireplace. He waves "night-night" and would probably be perfectly happy to only eat yogurt. He laughs and smiles more than he cries and screams. He points at everything and says "dis." His first words were "dad" and "Yay!" He now says "Mama". He rips up books, sticks his hand in the toilet and plays with the blinds. He loves to ride in the stroller and waves his arms when he gets excited. He loves his big brother William and playing "doo doo doo" after bath time. I probably say to Isaac ten times a day "I love Van! He's so cute!" He has such a sweet personality and cracks me up all day long with his mannerisms. Happy Birthday Van! I love you to pieces and I'm so glad you're mine.