One Year Old (Tomorrow)!!!

A year ago today, I went to the doctor in the morning because I thought my water broke. Turned it hadn't and was only at 1.5 cm dilated. So I went back to work. Several hours later, I was definitely in labor. Thank goodness my friends, Paul & Ally were there to help with the twins and my mother-in-law for coming to watch the twins overnight.

At 4:17 a.m. on February 25, Nicholas James was born. My little snugglebug. This little boy LOVES to cuddle and give the biggest hugs. He giggles a lot when he gives those big hugs. You can just feel the love coming from him. And right now, he doesn't seem at all anxious around strangers though he does seem to have more of a comfort level with his parents and siblings or his little friends at school. Our daycare provider told me that Nicholas won't play in the infant room if his little friends are gone - he wants to be out where Ben & Ella are.

In huge milestones, Nicholas took his first independent steps this past Saturday when were in a hotel in Vancouver, WA. He was so excited to walk between myself and Jon. Ella thought she would get in on the action and have her baby doll learn to walk (have I mentioned that Ella is calling her baby Andre after Paul & Ally named their baby Andre?). Then, she acted like a small toddler that was just learning to walk. She found it hilarious when we would clap and applaud her taking her "first steps".

It's amazing that he is going to be a year old tomorrow because it really does seem like yesterday that I was pregnant with him. I remember the shock when I first found out I was pregnant with him. I remember seeing proof on an ultrasound that I was somehow, miraculously pregnant. I remember feeling him move inside me for the first time. I remember the anticipation of finding out whether I was pregnant with a girl or boy. I remember his whole birth (including the pain! - who says you forget!?!) and feeling his head as he came into this world. I remember holding that little guy in my arms for the first time and seeing Jon hold him for the first time. I remember feeling so shocked that he was 8 pounds and 9 ounces. Since then, he has learned to hold his own head. To sit all on his own. To crawl. To cruise along the furniture. To pull out all the toys and books onto the floor. And now to walk. He says momma and hi (haaa) and something that sounds like gawok (for go walk, I think). He has said papa a few times. He waves hi and bye. He knows how to give a "high 5".

Happy birthday to my youngest miracle baby, my snugglebug, my Nicholas. I love you so much!

Pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/heathercim (though I need to update this)