Birthday Love

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!"

We think that Max knew it was a special day. He woke up with a smile on his face and was ready to play! Max opened up his birthday gift from Mommy and Daddy (very cool squishy blocks) and loved them. We kept telling him that he would get to see so many people who love him that afternoon at his birthday party.. he had no idea what was about to happen ; )

After visiting with Auntie Sarah who came home from Denver for the special occasion, Max took a super hero long nap for HOURS while we all turned the house into a Winter Onederland for his 1st birthday! We actually had to wake him up for his party...

52 Weeks of Max!!! 

I am SO happy that I did this project.. it is amazing how much he changed each week and I love that we will have these pictures forever. They grow up so fast and you forget the little details. This project was well worth the effort. And its still hanging in our dining room..we can't take it down!

Garon helped guard the presents for Max and take everyone's coats upstairs- thank you Uncle Garon!

Aunt Sarah stole lots of snuggles all weekend.. Max liked it.

Grammy and Third-pa gave Max lots of birthday love.. and promises of more sleepovers soon! 

The birthday boy and his macaroni and cheese... yumm... loves it like his Mommy!

The beautiful lady corner.. 

Max always has a smile for his Great-Grandma!

Can we have a discussion about how young these grandmothers look!?!?

 I'm sure Max's mother will take after them.. 

We were so overwhelmed by the love of everyone who came to celebrate with us!

Max loved opening so many new things!! THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

Someone is ready for the water!! YES

Max still carries this music player around daily.. 

Uncle Garon gave Max a dump truck and beach toys for the beach.. perfect!

"Look Mom- no hands!"

I know.. its too much.. i love it!

Caitlin wanted a ride!

Max got some awesome yard tools from Grammy and Thirdpa- Max has been practicing by raking and mowing the living room, kitchen and family room regularly. He is ready for garden time with Daddy!

Max's amazing birthday cake- thanks to Bel Air Bakery!

  Max was interested by the cake but wasn't impressed for long.. most likely because he likes to shove a handful of food in his mouth at once.. and then he would get really thirsty. Now the left over ice cream on the following day.. THAT was a different love story.

As the guests started to leave, Max took a quick afternoon nap to revive himself and then he was ready for the after-party (aka running a muck among his new toys and books).

 Pop-pop hurt his knee at the party so Max gave him snuggles to make him feel better!

"It's my birthday.. I can do whatever I want. Don't judge."

GG always wears nice jewelry for Max to inspect carefully.

Quick 5 minute break for some sustenance..

Max is currently obsessed with readying books (Yaaaaay!!) and will bring over his favorite books for reading all of the time. Reading is often a full contact sport with him.

AND last but not least....

 here is Max when he turned exactly 1 year old at 5:13pm.. in my arms just like a year ago! 

What time is it?! GAMETIME!!!!

WHAT A WEEK!!!

 Max turned 49 weeks old on Friday and the Baltimore Ravens were on their way to the Super Bowl in 2 days! Unless you've been living under a rock, you may have gotten the subtle message that we adore the Ravens in our house. So out came the purple blanket for Max's picture and he did his thing.. hoping that it would bring the Ravens good luck. I'm pretty sure this is a hard-core "GO RAVENS" pose! Or "TOUCHDOWN!".. either is appropriate because the Ravens are now SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS (pause for reaction and cheer yaaaay) and I'm pretty sure Max had a little something to do with it. 

While my sister Sarah and my Dad cheered the Ravens to victory in person (thanks to SodaStream!), the rest of us held down the fort and had an awesome PARTY! 

Sarah and Dad- don't be jealous when you see these pics. 

Party prep started early that morning: "Dear Jesus, please be with the Baltimore Ravens."

Max played some football while Justin decorated the purple velvet Team of Destiny cake.

...Max perfected his touchdown dance..

..and did some warm up laps around the house.

Garon came over for help with the party prep.

 But first he made his Annual Valentine's Cake yummm and stole a few snuggles from Max!

Let's hold hands and be friends. 

"What time is it?!"

"Oh false alarm.. its just reading time with Uncle Garon and Nana"

Awww cutest Flacco supporters ever!

The crowds gathered..

The excitement grew...

Some doubters got a little nervous..

But we cheered and cheered!!

 Grammy and Max! Third-Pa is in the background.. 

trying to hide that he was at an official Ravens events.. but he was a good sport! : )

Look who we saw on the pregame show.. .such a party crasher!!!

Max loves parties.. so much attention!!! 

Make your own nachos.. chili lime wings... veggies and hummus.. 

coconut klondike bites.. purple velvet cake.. my husband eats when he is nervous : )

Hours later.... exhausted and deliriously happy.... WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!! 

The next morning....

"Ok Mommy.. I'm ready. Tell me who won the Super Bowl..... YES!... Victory lap!"

And another... ! 

Ok i'm done

: )