My boy's hair

Oh, the hair on my baby's head.  It's changed SO much since he was born.  I remember the first glimpse I got of Kason's head (I won't give any gory details) all I could see was hair.  Lots of dark hair.  I couldn't believe it.  All throughout my pregnancy I told people I knew he'd be bald, because I was bald until I was about 3.  Therefore I couldn't believe it when the nurses said "Look, he has lots of dark hair!"  I was so excited that he would have some hair on his head.  Sure enough, that tiny infant had lots of dark hair.

He kept that dark hair for his first couple months of life.

Then, as the months went on it got lighter...

and lighter...

and lighter...

And then, almost over night, it went from being blond and straight to blond and curly. 

 This boy has tons of curls in the back of his head! 

 The front and top are still straight, but the back is all curls.  

People have been asking over and over again, "when is he getting his first haircut??"  I don't know if they are trying to hint at something or what, but I'm having a hard time bringing myself to cut it!  I'm worried that if I cut it, the curls will be gone.  That would make me one sad mama.  On the other hand, it kind of looks like a mullet, which isn't really the look I'm going for.

So there you have it, my dilemma.  To cut the hair, or not to cut the hair.  

 Mamas out there..when was your boy's first haircut?!

Red wagon party

Today we celebrated a year with our boy!  I won't lie, this first birthday party has had me a stressed out mess.  I know Kason won't remember it, but this little boy means the world to me and I wanted his first birthday party to be special.  Between working full time and trying to start up a photography business, I feel like I haven't had time to breath.  Add a party that I was so excited to piece together to the mix, and I've gotten close to no sleep lately!  I am SO pleased with how the party turned out.  I googled and looked on pinterest for first birthday ideas.  I found lots of cute ones, but kept coming back to a red wagon theme.  Although it was mainly a "red" theme with some wagons thrown in here and there, I loved every detail of it.  My family helped me so much with this party.  I am so thankful for them!

Kason had a blast at the party!!  He had a balloon attached to his arm for the entire party and he was a happy kid!  He walked around entertaining everyone for house.  He was pretty timid with the cake smash at first, I think due to the fact that all eyes (and cameras) were on him.  Once he got a few tastes, he was all about it!  We decided against presents, due to the fact that we have SO many toys that we just don't need anymore.  After visiting my student in Riley Children's Hospital, I became very aware of the needs of the families there.  On Kason's invitation I asked for people to bring a small gift to be donated to the hospital as opposed to gifts for Kason.  Everyone brought SO much stuff..I can't wait to take the donation!  Of course some family brought Kason some gifts..so he didn't miss out on any gift opening!

I am so glad that we had so many friends and family come to celebrate our boy with us.  What a fun day!  I know a certain little boy is currently zonked out after his big day!  :)

I am sorry in advanced for the picture overload that is about to take place.  I will add details at the bottom, under the pictures in case you are interested!

-- All of the burlap items were made by my wonderful grandma.  She rocks with a sewing machine!

-- Pinwheels I made out of double sided scrapbook paper with a tutorial here.

-- The wreath was made from burlap, I found the idea somewhere on pinterest.

-- Photo displays: I got $4 window frames at an antique store and Duane stapled chicken wire to the back.  I though they turned out great!

-- Kason's wagon shirt was from esty, find it here.

-- Adorable bib made by Bobaloo.  She has done 2 custom orders for me and I LOVE her stuff!

-- Red wagon balloons found here.

A special thanks to our friend, Todd, for taking some of the pictures so I could be the mama instead of the photographer!

I'll leave you with this sweet picture of my boy and his balloons!

Happy birthday kason {one year}

Today my sweet baby boy is one. 

 A year ago today I was sitting in a hospital room, anxious with anticipation like I had never felt before.  In a matter of hours I would meet my son.  I would meet the tiny baby that had been moving around inside of me for 9 months.  My memory is not great anymore, and although I often can't remember where I put my keys, I remember that day like it was yesterday.  I remember being nervous sand excited, but most of all happy.  There was so much that was unknown, but the one thing I knew is that on March 16, 2011, I would meet my baby.  At 4:54, we welcomed our sweet, sweet boy into the world.  That moment forever changed my life.  I became a mom.  I became Kason's mom.  A title that I have come to love above all other titles.  

Although I feel like this year has flown by, it's also hard to remember Kason not being a part of our family. Over the past year I have been lucky enough to watch my sweet boy grow.  I have tried to savor every moment of the last 365 days.  I have loved every stage that he's gone through.  I loved rocking and nursing my sweet newborn.  I loved seeing Kason's eyes light up and grin from ear to ear for the first time.  I loved laying on the playmat and watching him absorb the world around him.  I loved watching him learn to sit up.  I loved watching him try solids for the first time.  I loved watching him work so hard to crawl only to turn around 2 months later and walk.  But most of all, I have loved watching his personality emerge.  

Although I sit here crying tears of disbelief that my baby is one, I also cry tears of joy for the little boy he is becoming.  He is SO curious and SO dramatic.  He is one of the happiest one years olds I've ever been around and I love watching him find joy in the smallest things.  He enjoys the simple things in life, which is something I hope he holds on to as he grows.  I don't want time to go any faster than it already is, but I can't wait to continue to watch my little boy grow.

I am so thankful to God for entrusting me to care for this sweet, beautiful baby boy.  He has blessed Duane and I more than words can express.

Here's my boy over the past 12 months!

Dear Kason {1 year}

Dear Kason,

      I just laid you down in your crib for the last time as a "baby".  Tomorrow you will wake up and be a one year old.  This is so hard for your mama to believe.  The past year has been by far the best year I have experienced.  From the moment the nurses laid you in my arms, I was head over heals in love.  That love has continued to grow and grow over the past year.  Since the day I became your mama I promised God I would love you as he loves me.  This is an unconditional love, that is hard for me to explain.

    You have brought your daddy and I SO much joy over the past year.  We have been enthralled in watching you grow and change and emerge into a little boy full of personality.  You have a smile that will always melt my heart.  You have a laugh that makes me laugh on the hardest of days.  Your curiosity and joy in the small things makes me long to keep you small forever.  Everyday you learn something new and you are always so proud of yourself.  I hope you keep this self esteem as you grow older.  I can already tell that you are going to be a happy-go-lucky little guy (like your daddy) with a temper (like your mama).  I love that about you as I do everything about you.

      So, even though tomorrow you will be one, I want you to know that no matter how old you get you will always be my baby.  You will always be my first born that came into my life and taught me to love like I've never loved before.  You will always be the little boy that makes my heart explode with joy every time I'm around you.  I am so glad that you came into our lives a year ago.  We are so very blessed to call you our own.

Happy *almost* first birthday Kason Asher.  I love you more than words can describe.

Love,
Your Mama