Way Behind Blogging--Back 2 Weeks to Seth's Birthday

Seth woke up to his gifts in the living room in the morning. He thought they were for climbing on. Then he caught on that there are things inside

Time to eat--birthday or not

Yeah--I am one!

Savannah celebrating her birthday at school

Of course, Savannah had to get some gifts too. American Girl dolls.

Looking at them

Oooo! Look!

Since Savannah is the sweetest sister ever, she picked the itty bitty twins, because she wanted Seth to have one too.

One for Savannah and one for Seth

Hugging her doll

Savannah and her doll

Savannah going to give Seth his doll

Seth and his doll

A gift from grandma and grandpa

PJ's that say BIG SIS and she could work out the letter sounds and read it.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for my pj's

Seth got cups and a play phone

Sheila and Papa giving gifts

Savannah reading her book

Savannah opening her gifts

Seth with his gift from Sheila. A new favorite

Seth's new Tonka train track

Seth's birthday was so much fun. Still can't believe he is a year. Savannah celebrated her birthday in school on Seth's birthday, so she did not feel left out. She also got to open her presents from Grandma and Grandpa and Papa and Sheila. She also helped Seth with his gifts. My dad and Sheila and Rich's parents came to CT on Seth's birthday and we went out to Min Guong, one of our favorite Asian restaurants. It is a Asian Fusion and they have really interesting and delicious dishes. My favorite are the avocado egg rolls. Seth tried shrimp tempura for the first time and loved it. He also enjoyed maki rolls, miso soup, and ice cream.

Our Son Turns One

Many photos...some out of order, but you get the point! Happy Birthday Seth! 12 Month Smile with Six Teeth Gorgeous 1 year old drool boy Melts my heart

That look is going to get the girls everytime

10 Months in Nordstrom with my new hat

8 Months--I can pull up and stand holding on

4 months--I now laugh

In Norita Airport catching a snooze--I am smaller than my bag-- 6 weeks

Sleeping on my sister in Starbucks in Tokyo--4 weeks

5 months--I love my Jumparoo

3 months--I smile

2 months--on my Boppy

6 month smiles and haircut

Summer Smiles-3 1/2 months

In my high chair for food-- 4 months

Just home in the USA in NJ--6 weeks

Receiving Seth--March 28, 2009--16 days old

First Photos--9 weeks old

Family of 4 Photo--May 2009

First ride in my car seat--JFK Airport April 26th, 2009

First hug from my sister and first time her holding me--Tokyo, March 29th, 2009

Embassy Day April 20, 2009

April 2009 in Japan

March 28, 2009--First night with Seth--Bathed and Ready for bed

Many thoughts go through your head when your "youngest" is turning one. The baby is turning into a toddler. How could a year go so fast? This precious, tiny, newborn has turned into a person that can do so much now. You are still very much a baby, but you have changed tremdously. The only thing that has remained the same--our love for you! We loved you from hello and you have enriched all of our lives and filled our heart and home with the extra love it needed and was waiting for.

I am thinking of Seth's birthmother and what thoughts must be going through her head. This child she was so brave and corageous to make an adoption plan for. She did that because of the love and devotion she felt. She chose to do the uselfish thing for him. First she chose life and then she chose to give that life to others that have been dreaming, hoping, and waiting for. We pray for her comfort, peace, health and that somehow she knows how LOVED and ADORED Seth is by so many.

What we wish for our baby boy on his first birthday--we wish him health, we wish him happiness, we wish him love, and we wish him all he wishes for--this is our wish for you our precious one for your entire life. May we bring you as much love and joy as you bring us and may you grow up knowing how much you were wanted and are loved every moment and every day.

So, I cry a tear for the time that has gone by that I am nostalgic for; but many tears of joy and much laughter and smiles because you make me so happy, Seth. You are my love and joy and sorry, but will always be my BABY boy. Hopefully you won't mind be referred to as "the baby." I so look forward to watching you grow and develop and learn and love and be loved for the rest of your life.

SOME THOUGHTS

To Our Darling Seth,

Last year

We did not know when you would be here

You were just a dream

So far away you did seem

Then in a moment that all changed

Our life was rearranged

We got a call that it was a boy

What joy

12 hours on the plane

And the day finally came

March 28th you were placed in our arms forever

A bond that wouldn't sever

You made our life complete

And our family is so sweet

In Tokyo we did stay

Until it was Embassy Day

And you were officially our son

And our time in Japan was done

We were now a family of four

Who could want anything more

This doesn't seem that long

But we are singing your Happy Birthday Song

You came to the USA

And how little you were everyone did say

Now you have grown

All your talents can be shown

You are amazing in every way

And we love you more each and every day

It is hard to believe you are turning one

And you are the very best brother and son

We all love you with all our heart

We are a family and we will never part

Seth you are such a big part of us

Having you is such a plus

Your smile brightens up our day

And I don't know what else to say

But we love you to the moon and back

Yes it is a fact

You are one today

And we pray

That you know how very much you are loved

And we thank the lucky stars above

That you are ours and we are yours

Because you are the one we adore!

Walking, No Thanks, Play With My Sister YES!

Here are lots of pictures from the last few days... You want me to WALK? WHY? Ok, I will push the wagon with dolls and bears

Here I go

Ok, maybe it is fun

My feet have trouble catching up with the rest of me

A little help from your sister

Go Seth

He leans over and then his feet catch up

He was laughing, not crying

Watch out, I am coming through

I see my walker, I would rather go there. I can get around FAST in that.

Showing Seth how to use his new "weight"

Up, down, up, down

You are getting it

One arm up

We can do it together

You've got it

Now try two

Working out

Etch a Sketch Together

I will stamp you can write

Let me show you how

I want a stamper

Watch me

Do it like this

Now you got it. She teaches him so much.

Seth is going to be one tomorrow and he has no interest in walking. Savannah was a late walker, but she had interest for months. She liked to walk with walkers, walk with us holding her hands and she stood without holding on for awhile. If you try to take Seth's hands, he bends his knees and goes right down. If he uses a walker, his feet have to catch up with his hands and half way through he chooses to go down on his knees. He can get everywhere he wants to go by crawling and his is fast, so why walk? He is VERY interested in standing and standing on things and CLIMBING. Climbing is the best. He climbs the stairs and climbs up and onto anything he can, but walking---nah. Walking is too much work. I can get where I want to go mighty fine. It is ok with Mommy. He can wait a little longer. Once he catches onto walking, there will be no stopping him and he WILL be fast.

Savannah teaches Seth so much and they love to play together. She reads to him and sings to him and makes him laugh. It is the cutest thing and fills my heart with joy. We got Seth a baby rower and weights from V-Tech. Really cute. It plays music, does letters and numbers and encourages getting moving. He also loves to play with her with her toys (those that are safe). She knows what is safe and what isn't. She is so funny. I bought her a new package of "little markers" to draw on the plane. She asked what they were and I told her they were for her to draw with on the flight to Puerto Rico since it is long (I hope she will sleep). She asked if she could do the markers now and I told her no because Seth was awake and those are too little to play with around him and he will want to play. This was on Monday. Yesterday (Wednesday), while taking her into school we saw a plane in air. We looked at it and saw the vapor. A few seconds later she said, "My new markers are for the flight to Puerto Rico. Seth can't play with them. They are too little." Amazing.

We are looking forward to their parties this weekend and then leaving for Puerto Rico.