Happy Birthday Baby Buddy!

One year ago, I was getting less sleep than I enjoyed last night! Aaron Rio arrived at 2:00 a.m. 1 year ago today. I remember being so excited after his birth, I didn't sleep all night. Around 5 a.m. I began calling my friends on the east coast to tell them the news, and then continued dialing numbers toward the west... We thought he was due on New Year's day, so waiting all the way to the 19th seemed like a really long time. Once he came, he was cute, healthy, and has been keeping us busy ever since!
This post is mostly for Adrian, who has to be out of town working until Friday night! Here are some ways your "Cook" celebrated his 1st birthday:

unloading tea bags from the cupboard:

(Today I added something to the "Favorite Things in Life" list: a little boy "working" in his overalls!)

Opened the presents that had arrived so far, in the presence of Grandma Mary and the rest of us ~ he got some Green Bay Packers PJ's, an awesome hand knitted hat, some socks, and a John Deere wagon!

Talked on the phone to several adoring grandparents and aunties, plus Daddy:

Walked around outside and at playgroup:

Ate mac 'n' cheese for lunch:

"Helped" with the dishwasher:

We love our baby Buddy! Or as Daddy affectionatly calls him, "Cook". That seems to be an abbreviation of Tessa's longer nickname for him, which is "Aaron Buddy Doodie Cookie Mommy". Baby buddy didn't quite make it to my prediction that he would weigh the same as Jaci by 1 year. She is steadily keeping 2 pounds ahead of him, which of course I think is great! Aaron began walking at 10.5 months, and has been more content to self entertain since then. He loves to go outside, and throws a fit whenever we shut an outside door. Or the dishwasher door. He loves his sisters, and already has a unique relationship with each of them. He loves dogs, the goldfish, and baths. He is a hefty bundle of joy, and we love him very much!!