Happy Birthday, Maddox!

December 7, 2008

Maddox turned 1!  We celebrated the day with his baptism.

People said he was laid back while in my arms, and when I handed him to Clark he got real serious. :) I know that water was like ice and he didn't mind at all. He's such a good baby!

We weren't able to have his birthday party until the following week. Here is the cake I made for him. I suspect a wheat sensitivity with Maddox, so the cake was a wheat/gluten-free mix. It wasn't bad. A little dry, but it was a hit with the birthday boy! I made a buttercream icing and was worried about the lack of flavor until I added the whitener... made a huge difference! It was really good! The attempt at a wooden border for the washtub and the "soap" was made from gum paste. I think it's like fondant. Korbin dyed the coconut for grass, and I had extra terry cloth for the rag. I'm really happy about the way it all turned out. Maddox thought it was pretty cool too!

We kept things small. At this time of year, most people have much on their minds, and I've noticed 1st birthdays end in meltdowns because of all the excitement. The only person who was able to come was Sandy. But it was very non-stressful and light-hearted. I didn't worry that I hadn't had time to make the house cleaner. (Jeff & the kids had worked on it the day before, but I never had a chance to.)

He was really cute. Very impartial to many things. I guess it comes naturally to a 4th-born. He did get kind-of excited, but how fun is it really, to get all clothes for your birthday? lol. Korbin and Kailyn tried to teach him how to open them, but he left it to the experts. They were happy to oblige. They tried to talk us into each opening one Christmas gift that day. Yeah. Right. :o)

Since it has been nearly a month since my last entry, this one is short and sweet. I always forget how busy it gets around the holidays!!

The kids enjoying the fireplace the first time I lit it this year. They are so excited about Christmas. Now the mantle holds the gifts. (Not leaving it to chance the babies opening them up early!!) Since Korbin is so good at guessing his gifts, there's a "no touch" rule. He's already figured out one just by looking... although the specific one eludes him. The kids hung the ornaments. I have let go of the notion that the tree should be "balanced" in ornament placement. I did, however, spread out some of the 15 that Lacey put in an eight-inch diameter! 

Maddox is walking!! He took his first steps on November 14th. He now prefers walking about 70% of the time. Did I mention he's been crawling up the stairs for a couple of months now? He even crawls backwards DOWN the stairs on occasion.

This is Korbin's photo entry for the Cub Scout popcorn photo contest. He is hoping to win one of 100 Nintendo DS game units. (There were 1368 entries. Many of the same scout.) He's so excited about the contest. The odds really aren't bad! (I'd say after weeding out duplicates and shared backgrounds it's more like 1 in 10)