"Choo, Choo, Choo...Reed Havenar's no longer TWO!"

My "baby" is THREE!
This is the first birthday that Reed "owned". It was all about him and his good time with friends, only a handful of his nearest-and-dearest as opposed to the bigger groups we have had in the past (which often included OUR friends with kids). It was priceless to see him interact with his "buddies" and also a bit embarrassing for me, too, when he played favorites with a few instead of including all...natural, I know, but not in my adult, "social etiquette" comfort-zone :).

Reed has been having on-and-off behavior at school and it often includes his interactions with his buddy/girlfriend-of-sorts :), partner-in-crime, Annie. She was his side-kick at his party, too, and the only one "picked" to sit by him on the train, for pictures, etc.. Other guest included friends Emerson and Brady, Annie's twin Ben, usual BFF Bella and her mom Jess, the three grandparents, and cousin Cooper.

We celebrated at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, and it was wonderful! Balloons, pizza, and cake on the "party car" all to ourselves and train rides for the kids. Roamed the grounds a bit, too, and Reed could have cared less if we were there, I think, he was in his "element" :) and a happy, social butterfly to say the least. He's growing so fast and, though it makes me sad that all of our family can't be a part of these experiences and changes, we treasure every day of them and honor each year of memories with a day of reflection and BIRTHDAY FUN. We love you, dear dear REED! :)

Mommy, Hold My Hand...

Reed is a hand-holder and how this sweet little-something is so important to me. Important and cherished as I know my days are numbered of "hand-holding" with my sweet boy.

In November, I had Veteran's Day off and so took Reed to the park (was super warm though November 11th!). A boy pushed him because he was about to pick up the kid's shovel or something, and Reed got that crumpled up, "wounded" face, burst into tears and shouted "MOMMY! Hold my hand!!!". I had to kinda love it, though his feelings were hurt, because I thought to myself...tomorrow he will be two and oh-how-fast these birthdays sneak up!...how many more until he won't want to hold my hand?

Come December, on Santa's lap, he kept calling over to me- in a timid little voice: "Mom. hold. my. hand.", (repeated numerous times). Would only stay on Santa's lap when I was holding his hand, though I eventually got a photo without my arm in it by bribing my child with fruit snacks...didn't think of it until now, but kinda wish I'd just had it taken with my hand as his comfort instead ;)

Over break, Steve cut Reed's hair. This took waaaaay to long and we have since learned from this experience :). Anyhow, because it was taking so darn long Reed understandably got restless in his high chair/"barber's chair" and Steve called to me, "will you come hold his hands?", meaning of course: hold his hands down, so he doesn't swat at the scissors anymore. As I was walking over there, Reed said, "yeah, Mommy, come hold my hand"...and that was enough to keep him perfectly content and still for the rest of the grooming! Poor thing...had to feel a little guilty that we'd thought of pinning 'em down and he, unknowingly, shed light and new perspective on our words....made the too-long experience much more pleasant for all involved!

Ah, do you think he will let me hold his hand when I walk him to school...high school even? :)

Our Baby Turns ONE!

A year like no other...

In my last post, I talked about all the things that made this year so extraordinary to me, highlighting the victorious Jayhawks and historical and inspiring presidential election. Now for the most special part of this year, of course, and that is our son Reed....aka Mr. Fantastic. A very happy first year to you, little man!

So I am writing this a bit late and fudging on the entry date to hide my procrastination a bit. I have been thinking of all the great things there are to say about our sweet baby, now active toddler but always a baby to me, and I could really bore you with a super long entry but will just sum it all up in my "Top 12". Why twelve? Well, because he was born on November 12th, he is now officially twelve months old, and I have had "The Twelve Days of Christmas" in my head since hearing it on the radio recently. For all these reasons, I deemed this the magic number to go with...

Twelve Thoughts on Mr. Fantastic's First Year:

1) love those bright, piercing blue eyes that people often comment on...they are like no other and will be a hit with the ladies one day (oh no! :))

2) his distinct monkey screech is a vivid first year memory of mine, though hasn't let itself out in months and for that I am very thankful for this

3) fire and water seem to be Reed's "elements", definitely a water baby and loves all things that have to do with this...bath, pool, ocean, hose, sprinkler, shower w/ mom or dad, Tucker's water bowl, etc.. And the fire is in his wild eyes and constant energy. This he gets from Daddy :)

4) Besides streams of "mamamama", and "dadadada" that he used interchangeably, Reed's first words were "No" and "Tucker" which we find amusing as that is mostly what he heard from us over the course of his life thus far. He often intentionally prompts the "No!" from us by doing something he knows he is not supposed to, with a naughty smile of course.

5) Nothing sweeter than his affectionate "wrestling" with Dad...the "come and get me AGAIN" tackle is priceless

6) Mr. Fantastic has been a very proficient sleeper and eater from Day One. For this, we are so so lucky. I am already anticipating his future sibling will not be so. Oh well...fair's fair, right? :)

7) Reed loves strangers. There is a lesson to be learned in this, I know, but for now it is darling to see him approach anyone he can get his speedy self to in public and grace them with his schmoozing laugh as if all the people in the world share an inside joke with him.

8) Humor. This kid is funny in his babble and over-expression and I can't wait to hear what all he has to say once he talks more...this could come back to haunt me so don't quote me on this in the future, please :)

9) While he has grown in to those big feet and hands for the most part, they still remain his cute and quirky signature to me.

10) As crazy and on-the-go as Reeders is, he will sit still and completely focus when being read to. It is sweet and interesting to see this total absorption and I always wonder what he is thinking as he studies the pages and listens to our words.

11) Many now teach their kids sign language and so I went with the trend and focused on a few "words". Amazed at how they just came to him, right around his first bday to the day. His few signs are still cute and oh-so-genious to me :)

12) "Sweets for the Sweet"...Reed's (main, there are a few!) nickname is "Sweet Bo", don't know where I got it from, but that's how nicknames just go sometimes. Anyhow, our Sweet Bo LOVED his birthday sweets and we (okay, I) took would would have been two film's woth in the 'old' days, of him devouring his birthday cake. I know we all do this for our baby's first birthdays, but I still found it thrilling. He even licked the plate at the end! He also ate up all the attention from guests, happily smiling along to his birthday song...his crazy mother even made the guests sing to him twice. Such a "Stage Mom" :)

As you know, my list could go on and on but I am sure you'd agree that it has enough already :).
We had a great celebration of family and friends for Reed's 1st and went to dinner at Red Robin on his actual day, too, and I am including pics of both. Spoiled little one...must be the first (and currently only) child.

Happy First Year, Mr. Fantastic!