BIRTHDAY BOY!

I have been looking forward to this little Birthday Boy tribute for my little Bowen. Bowen turned the big ONE on February 3. So in honor of this special occasion, we had a SUPER BOWL BIRTHDAY PARTY! As you can see from Bowen's face, it was so much fun!

I LOVE having a little one-year-old around. It just seems that they are learning and developing so much that it is so exciting to see what they are doing next. Just to capture this time for me, here is a list of the things Bowen is doing right now:

*waves "hello" and "bye-bye" while saying "ba-ba" (genius)

*claps when you say "good job" or "yah!" (genius again)

*says "Oooohhh! with a look of amazement when something intrigues him (did I say genius?)

*pulls himself up

*crawls everywhere! He is so independent. A lot of times, I have to walk around the house to find him. Basically, if you look where any shoes are, you'll find him (he likes to eat them).

*he loves to open and shut doors. Most of the time, he shuts himself in a room and sits right in front of the door so you can't help him out. The other day, he trapped me in the shower!

*he loves to give hugs. I like to think of them as "Pit Stop Hugs" because he interrupts his play to crawl over to us, climb up on our laps, and give us hugs. Then, he wants to get down and contniue playing. Sometimes during these hugs, you also get a love scratch (or four) on your face!

*he loves his brother Jackson. Their loving and playful (most of the time) interaction makes my whole day.

*he is starting to develop a little attitude! Lately, he has been giving me a few whines throughout the day to express his displeasure with something.

We love Bowen so much and feel so blessed to have him in our family. Here are a few pictures to capture his special day.

THE CAKE!

Thanks to Aunt Joanna for helping me make this cake. Her creativity saved us as I realized, one again, that I am lacking in that department!

Grandpa and Grandma Bailey came to visit us for the weekend since Grandpa's birthday is only a couple of days before Bowen's. They enjoyed some quality cake-eating time together!

THE PRESENTS!

What a spoiled little boy! Bowen received his first 4-wheeler from Grandpa and Grandma Mauss along with his first phone and fire engine! I can't decide who likes them all more: Jackson or Bowen?!

THE GUESTS!

We have such a wonderful family! Those who came to the party were: Mark and Katie; Joanna and Chris; Grammy and Papa Mauss; Jake, Megan, Annie, and Luke; Jake, Tey and Walker; and Grandpa and Grandma Bailey came up for the weekend to see the birthday boy! Thanks to you all for being so great.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOWEN!