Ba ba ba BUM!

And then a whole year passed.

Me with my brand-new Owen.

How a year came and went, I am still at a lose trying to figure.

The Lord must purposefully send the sweetest for #3, knowing that children finally outnumber parents.

My sweet baby started his big day like his brother and sister.

With his crown.

I'd like to say his birthday doughnut was his first sugar, but then I'd be lying. I DO believe it was his first chocolate. Chocolate frosting, that is. I'm unclear on the specifics at this point. Let's just call his 1st birthday the first day of his that was chalk-a-balk full of sugar.

Birthday doughnut.

He had no problems with eating chocolate.

We had no big plans for the day.

I mean, he's 1. I figured the greatest day I could give him would be a day where he could actually nap -- you know, go down on time and sleep until he woke up naturally.

So that's what he did.

In the meantime, I made his cakes.

No great artistic talent, but I think the point was made.

Better view of the main cake. I copied my sister Diana's (who supplied me with the materials for a Hungry Caterpillar theme), but mine was nowhere as beautiful as hers.

Courtesy of the efforts made by my sister Diana for her daughter's 1st birthday, we had A Very Hungry Caterpillar theme.

I haven't taken this down yet ... the kids like it too much!

The foods the caterpillar ate ... but just Monday thru Friday. I didn't have the strength for Saturday.

Seeing as this was a ONE YEAR OLD's party, we opened presents first. I thought once we got into the highchair, it might be best to stay put.

Owen had no shortage of help in opening his gifts.

Elliot was the main gift-opening offender.

Of course, everything had to be tasted.

Matchbox cars from his brother and sister. In all reality, Elliot was tired of sharing his cars, but as it has turned out (as suspected), the cars just have infused Elliot's stash.

Bad Mother Award: This was the only present that was actually wrapped. I didn't have wrapping paper and ended up using the bags from Owen's baby shower.

It worked out for the best, seeing as I mostly opened the wrapped gift.

Then it was time to eat (Owen's favorite activity).

If Owen could say anything besides "mama" "dada" and "baba", I know Polish dogs from Costco would have been the request. This child can eat half of my Polish dog, which is saying a lot for a little 22-pounder.

First strawberries. A hit, of course. This child prefers his fruits and veggies above all else. I should cultivate it, but knowing me I will end up switching his allegiance to chocolate within a fortnight.

 Then it was cake time.

He, of course, was not given the opportunity to blow out the candle, although it did have to be lit twice -- once for Jane and once for Elliot.

And, true to our family tradition, the 1-year-old was given his very own cake.

The apple from The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

 It didn't take long for my baby to get in the swing of eating a cake. He is my child, after all.

 We even got fancy and started to eat with a fork.

In the hair, of course.

And then on Monday, we went to the 1-year check-up.

Despite his cake-eating skills, he is my little lightweight. My tallest, but my lightweight.

I contribute this to the fact that he is my most mobile.

I mean, I was proud as a peacock Monday as I answered all the mobility development questions with a resounding "YES!" I'm fairly certain the nurse that I was hard of hearing.

My little Owen is pulling himself to a stand, cruising and will even stand on his own (on occasion and unbeknownst to him). He talks endlessly, but only assigns meaning to the words "mama" "mom" "dada" and "baba". He's very interactive and just started stacking and a rudimentary sorting of items.

My absolute favorite thing of his, however, is when he finally gets his hands on a car. He will push that little thing around on its wheels and mutter a mangled "roo". He does the same with Jane's wildcat animals (she's a collector), but his sound is more of a "ror".

30 1/4 inches and 23 pounds