What a year!

Well, it is official...we no longer have a baby in our house.  The boppy and swing have been packed away, the bottles are all cleaned and boxed up, ready for the next little Keimig to enter our world (whenever that may be).  Enter sorting toys and books and baseball tee's, sippy cups and plates.  Enter an ever growning, ever moving toddler named Vinnie!  While we are excited about the growth and change and excited to enter the next phase of parenting, it is with a tinge of sadness that we say good-bye to our little baby and the first year.  Never again will we experience what the past year has brought us.  Sure, there will be new babies and new adventures with each of those precious gifts, but there is something special about being a first time parent!

Vinnie officially turned one on Wednesday, July 25th, and while we were hosting a party in Minnesota the following weekend, we could not let the special day go without celebration.  Vinnie and mom spent the day shopping together.  We started by getting a sweet treat at the Barnes and Noble cafe.  Thanks to a birthday coupon, Vinnie enjoyed an oatmeal raisin cookie, and mom enjoyed a carmel late.  It was what our summer together has been all about...taking time to enjoy the little things and exploring and experiencing new things together.  It was a perfect morning!  That evening we went out for pizza...Vinnie wasn't such a fan, I'm not sure if it was the pizza or the soccer that was on tv that prevented him from fully enjoying his birthday dinner.  We returned home for some presents and a little taste of a cupcake before heading off to bed.

In an effort to get to celebrate with as much family as possible, we decided very early on that we would bring the party to Minnesota.  So Thursday, after Jon was done working, we ventured on our usual 5 hour drive north to White Bear Lake.  We spent some time Friday morning getting ready for the party, before taking some time in the pool and heading to Cup and Cone for an ice cream cone (a new FAVORITE!).

Saturday we were blessed with the most beautiful Minnesota weather...blue skies, sunshine, and thankfully, not too hot!  We got our little cowboy ready and celebrated his first year on the range with family, enjoying Sloppy Joes for lunch, cupcakes, and then a little swim at the Keimig watering hole.  It was such a perfect day!!!  That evening a few friends stopped over to celebrate as well, rounding out a great weekend and tuckering our little one year old out.

We have enjoyed every minute of the past year with Mr. Vincent.  Looking back on pictures, it is hard to believe all that we crammed into this first year, and amazing how fast it flew by!  Now, our sites are set on the school year ahead...returning to work and daycare.  Vinnie and I are enjoying our last full week together before the responsibilities begin to trickle in.

I leave you with a video I made to celebrate Vinnie's 1st year (its amazing what a mom with a computer,  few naps and a little time on her hands can do!)  Please follow the link to the video on youtube and enjoy

Vinnie's 1st Year