my baby!

i am having a hard time believing that john daniel is already a year old.
4.27.09 my baby boy turned one. i can't believe just 12 short months ago i was using my epidural pump to numb the lower half of my body. the people that say you forget the 'pain' once your precious little one gets here -- IS NOT TRUE!! i can still remember the pain like it was yesterday.

however,

the 'pain' is so worth it!!! i would do it over again a million times if it meant having my precious boys. i'm telling you -- i am the most blessed mom!! i have the two sweetest and cutest boys ever.

okay, enough gushing!! :o)

we went today to see 'dapa', aka the BEST pediatrician ever, today for john daniel's 12 month check-up.
our baby boy now weighs 18 lb. 3 oz and is 28 3/4 in.
yes, our baby is long & lean! he only gained a few oz in the last 3 months. this baffled me because if you know john daniel, you know his favorite thing to do is EAT, EAT, EAT!!! my boys can put away some food. i don't even want to think about what our grocery bill will be when they are teenagers. geesh.

but, he got a clean bill of health from the doc :o)

oh! i can't believe i almost forgot this BIG milestone.
NO MORE BOTTLE.
he has been off the bottle for 8 days now :o) this is a big deal, since elijah didn't give it up til he was almost 18 months old.
i know, i know...please, don't judge me!!

needless to say, i am one PROUD mama!

he is crawling all over the place and he puts EVERYTHING in his mouth (unlike his brother).
he is saying a few words:
mamamama (usually, just when he's upset -- but, hey, i'll take it however i can get it)
da da :=)
bye-bye
ball
and believe it or not....he said 'balloon' tonight! (yes, he is a genius don't be jealous :)

last night, we had a small, family party. john daniel had a great time. enjoyed every minute of his SWEET treat!! he is quite the entertainer AND was loaded up on sugar!!!

i wanted to make him red velvet baseball cupcakes.
i have always had a secret (not so secret anymore) dream to own my own 'cupcake' business. i love cooking and baking. but, last night proved that i should could keep my day job. stay at home mom. unless, somebody wants to send me to school to perfect my skill or lack there of.

#1 - i used a box cake mix (i don't think ppl would come to my store to buy cupcakes from a 'box' recipe)
#2 - i don't have a steady hand (just wait til you see the pics)
#3 - they were pretty dry. gross. nothing worse than wanting a really moist cupcake and you take a bite and it is DRY!!
(i wonder if it had anything to do with the 'box' mix? hmmm....

here are some pics from the BIG DAY and also the 'infamous' cupcake picture (notice the red (thread) icing on the baseballs, i.e. - shaky hands.