McKay's First Birthday

When McKay woke up on his birthday, I walked into his room singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to him. He didn’t know what it all meant but he could tell by how I was acting that it was fun and he started grinning and laughing! After we got home from our walk, Nanna Anna, Grandpa V, Uncle Dustin & Aunt Chantelle called to sing Happy Birthday to McKay. He loved being able to hold the phone and listen to them. He loves 'talking' on the phone and as far as I know he hasn't broken anyone's eardrums yet. During his first nap I hung red, yellow, and blue streamers up in the front room. McKay noticed right when he woke up. Lots of enjoyment for $1.50!

For McKay's 12 month pictures, we went to Central Park. He loved seeing all the geese, ducks, and pigeons as well as all the dogs out for walks. He wanted to chase the birds. Between all the distractions and my little TODDLER'S new ideas (meaning NOT looking at mom when she has the camera) it was an interesting 'photo shoot'. He loved the park so much I took him back the next day for a walk.

He was so worn out after going to the park that he actually took another nap. He just laid quietly in his room for an hour or so and then went to sleep for another hour and a half. Wonderful! When Jordan got home from work we had dinner and gave McKay some of his birthday presents. We were really excited to give him his lion (it took ALL our self control to not give him early!) and so we all played with it for a while. As soon as he got the idea, McKay had a blast and we got a lot of enjoyment out of watching him. McKay lasted through one more gift from us and the gifts from his grandparents and was ready for bed!

Friday morning I baked McKay's birthday cake. I have let him taste brownie batter before but I have never given him the beater to lick. At first he didn't know what to think but he got the idea pretty quick and loved it!

Saturday afternoon we had a barbecue to celebrate McKay's birthday. We invited the Clark family (Mark, Jennifer, Brooklyn, Jack & Isabelle) and a couple who just moved into our ward a few houses down from us, Ben & Nancy Bailey, to come celebrate with us. We had hamburgers & hot dogs, pasta salad, fruit & fresh lemonade from the Bailey's tree. McKay really enjoyed playing with the Clark children, especially Brooklyn who will be 7 on July 25th. She loves to play with McKay and is really good with him.

McKay enjoyed eating his birthday cake, though it did take him a few minutes to catch on. Now whenever he gets any food on his fingers he tries to squish it between his fingers like he did his birthday cake. Lovely.

The Clarks gave McKay a Lego set and duck book and the Baileys gave him a big red ball. McKay enjoyed putting the Legos away each time they were dumped out. Thats my boy! We also had McKay open the last few gifts from us and the gift from Grandma Cardon. We had a very enjoyable evening. McKay waved bye bye to everyone as they left and was asleep by 7:45.

It has been interesting to observe the transformation that has occurred in our little guy during the last several days. He suddenly has an opinion on what he wants to eat and on what book he wants to read first. He makes sure someone is watching him as he drops his sippy cup on the floor and looks everywhere but at the camera when I am trying to take his picture! He is always on the go and wants to be part of whatever we are doing, even more so than before. I've lost my baby and gained a toddler! But he is still the sweet little boy, ready with a grin and a laugh, and noticing everything around him (we name everyone in our family picture several times each day) and loving it all! What a joy our little boy is in our lives!