Happy 1st Birthday, Flint!

On October 20, 2011, our happy, easy-going, goofy, ball-loving, high-five giving, babbly, screechy, speed-walking, jumpy-dancing, cracker-eating monster, toothy-smiling, big-brown-eyed, finger-sucking, wiggly, busy, hilarious and adorable Mr. William Flint turned ONE!
On his actual birthday, we celebrated by opening gifts from Mommy and Daddy just before Lyla went to school. Later, during naptime, Lyla and Mommy baked our favorite little dude his first birthday cake. Chocolate, chocolate! Yum! Lyla had tons of fun following the directions and helping stir and pour (read: taste). We made Flint a special mini-cake all to himself and used the rest of the batter for cupcakes and a few mini-buggy cakes.

That evening, Gia, Pap, Aunt Shan and Uncle John paid a visit and watched Captain Carb Junkie dive into the messy deliciousness. I set up a backdrop and prepared to snap some photos while he stuffed his face and smeared chocolate everywhere. Much to Flint's confusion and simultaneous delight, everyone sang Happy Birthday and Luke set the tiny mocha tower in front of him, then offered him the first taste. Slowly, but surely, he went to town. He hardly moved from his spot beside his special treat and diligently worked his way through the gooey icing to fistfuls of crumbly cake. I thought surely we'd have to pry his fingers off the cake plate, but he soon had his fill and simply stood up to walk away - Cue Daddy for emergency fast-bath! The boy literally left a chocolate ring around the tub!

Two days later, we celebrated all over again at Flint's First Birthday Party! Per what has now been deemed tradition, he had his first party at Grandma and Pap's house. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful Fall day (Okay, maybe it could have been a little more "Fallish," Texas! But we thank you for the sunshine, though we stayed in the shade as much as we could).

We went with a "ball" theme, since that seems to be Flint's #1 mostfavoritethingever.
Gia bought a small kiddie pool and filled it with several bags of ball-pit balls (I think the count ended up being something like 500). The boy had plenty of practice time in the days prior to the party.

With the ball pit being outside (another favorite) on party day, he was super excited. He rolled around, threw balls, gnawed on balls, swam around in the balls, buried himself in the balls (with assistance, of course) and simply chilled out, as well. He was accompanied by family and some close family-friends. Gideon won the prize, though, for most chillaxed.

Flint was not too keen on the opening presents part. I imagine it's hard to understand something like that when it isn't a regular experience. But with his sister's help, he did his best. We tried to go pretty fast to hold his attention. It's been a week, now, and I can safely say (and my wrecked house can attest!) that he is thankful for all the wonderful toys, books, clothes, and hand crocheted Yoda hats he received.

And again, Flint got to chow down on loads of sugary cake, this time in the shape of a ball! Mmm. Everyone else enjoyed cake balls and brownie balls while Flint shredded his own cakey "mah." Following more playtime in the yard with his besties, the boy crashed for a few hours. I know naps are greatness, but birthday naps must be super awesome. They always seem to last a little longer...

What a day! We had so much fun enjoying our little man. A year ago, I remember not being able to wrap my head around how I could ever love another child as much as I love my Lyla. Well, Flint, you enlightened me! And while I don't tend to think of the day of your birth with quite such fondness (at least all the part before you finally came out), I'd relive it everyday for my favorite little boy of all time. We love you SO much! Happy Birthday, Son-shine!
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More birthday pics (yes, there are more... ah!) in this album on Picasa.