Cupcakes

Having celebrated with family and friends last weekend, we had a quiet day on Monday, Adam's true first birthday. Ethan and Adam got to play in the spectacular autumn weather while Mom and Dad raked leaves, and then we all came in for cupcakes and milk.

After practicing at his party, Adam got right down to business this time and knew just what to do with that tasty cupcake.

All done!

I'm pretty certain that Adam had no idea that it was his birthday, but this guy sure did:

We were serenaded with encore after encore of "Happy Birthday to Adam!" ALL DAY LONG. And the "cupcake party" could not come soon enough for Ethan. I can't even imagine what will happen when his birthday rolls around come January...

Happy Birthday to Adam and Jack!

Well, Jack's birthday was actually yesterday, but he was born less than 24 hours ago, so it's still technically his birth-day, right? I was really hoping Jack and Adam would share a birthday, but Melissa didn't want to take one for the team and endure an extra 8ish hours of labor. Geez. Jack and Melissa both appear to be doing very well, and seem way, way too far away right now. Congrats Doyles!

Now for our own little birthday boy... Adam turns the big 1 today! I know saying "time flies" is so cliched, but I'm going to say it anyway. Time flies. I really can't believe that it has been a year since we welcomed Adam into this world. It truly does feel like just yesterday that we were in the hospital with him, introducing him to his big brother, grandparents, and uncle. It truly does feel like just yesterday that we were bringing him home, on a warm October day so much like this one, showing him our house, his room, our crazy kitty. It truly does seem like yesterday that we dressed him in his little pumpkin outfit (that we have now given to Jack so he too can have a Halloween "costume") and took him trick or treating, asleep in his sling against Mommy's chest. Time flies.

But then I also think about how much Adam has changed in this past year, transforming from a tiny newborn to a real toddler (gasp!). He almost walks, climbs up and over everything and anything, sings, "talks", smiles, plays peek-a-boo and patty cake, kisses (big slobbery ones, but still). I'm not sure where he got his dancing genes, but this kid can groove. Put on anything with a beat and Adam will stop what he's doing and start dancing. Adam also adores and is adored by his older brother. I have watched their relationship grow over the past year with intense wonder and joy, as these siblings learn to play, share (most of the time), love each other, and even conspire against Mom and Dad. Adam's a little bit of a "mama's boy", but loves to wrestle with, climb all over, and snuggle with Daddy. He also loves his sleep, and crawls up to rest his head on Mommy's lap when he's ready for bed. He is at times a force to be reckoned with, and reveals his Scorpio spirit when he wants something, or when we are trying to dress or undress him. He has had a quiet determination since before birth, entering the world quickly and in the middle of the night, "flying under the radar", which has since become his modus operandi. Adam is joyful and generous with his (still gummy!) smiles. Despite his lack of teeth, this little hoover loves food. And despite his love of food, this little peanut is still a very little peanut! Adam has seemed at peace with the world from day one - my zen baby, an old soul who seems wise beyond his years. He is observant, generous, cunning, flirtatious, passionate, adorable (I'm biased, I know), determined, and loving. Happy very first birthday to our Adam, our Puppy, our Nugget, our Mini-Munch. We love you!

Cozy Corner

When I was little, one of my favorite rainy-day activities was something my brother and I called "cozy corner". We would grab armfuls of books and blankies, stuffed animals and games, and head to the coziest spot we could find in our house. We'd stay there for hours, reading and playing, feeling snuggly, warm, and safe. I have such strong, positive memories of how I felt in our "cozy corner".

I had "cozy corner" in mind when I set up Adam's new bookshelf, wanting to create a little haven for the boys. So far, my vision has been fulfilled - the boys gravitate to this little book corner, and I often find them there reading together. Recently Adam has taken the idea of the "cozy corner" to a whole new level. I was throwing a load of laundry in the other morning and suddenly lost track of Adam (yes, I know, bad mother, but this kid is fast!). After making sure he hadn't fallen down the stairs or into the toilet, I found him deep in his cozy corner, happily "reading" his new books.

When he finally decided to come out, Adam chose an interesting exit strategy.

With winter around the corner, I am interested to see all the cozy spots the boys find to curl up in - small spaces where only wee ones can fit and Moms are not allowed!

Adam's Firsts

We celebrated a few big "firsts" for Adam this weekend. On Friday, we took him to get his very first haircut. It was difficult for me to part with those gorgeous golden curls, but after a few too many girl comments, I managed to be convinced. I still miss those long locks, but I think his new 'do is pretty cute too:

In fact, all the Stockwell men got their tresses trimmed on Friday. Ethan loved going to Daddy's barber (well, Supercuts...not to be confused with Great Cuts) and getting his hair cut at the same time as Daddy.

On Saturday we celebrated Adam's first birthday (!), about a week early. We had a joint birthday party with baby Helen, born less than two days before Adam. With five kids under three in attendance, it was a boisterous and chaotic party, but I think everyone had fun. Adam was overwhelmed by all his new toys and books, but very much enjoyed his first present-opening experience - crinkly paper and bows galore!

Neither of the kiddos was too sure about the whole cake and singing thing. Look at these faces:

But after a few mouthfuls, they warmed up to the idea.

Adam even kept his party hat on for long enough to take a few pictures.

Adam's Personal Chauffeur

Why bother learning to walk when you have a big brother to push you around?

Lazy Boys

In an effort to transform our living room from the college dorm room/grandma's house style it had going on to a slightly more grown-up/modern look, we have been doing our own part to stimulate the economy. One of our big purchases, which I had promised Ben since before we got married, was a La-Z Boy recliner. It took a bit of compromise to find one that we could agree on (he wanted big and comfy; I wanted something that didn't take up our entire living room and wasn't a huge eyesore), but I have to admit that these things are super comfortable. "Daddy's chair" is a perfect spot to snuggle and read with the boys. (For about 30 seconds, until they decide that climbing and wrestling is more fun.) One of these days they'll learn that being lazy for a few minutes is fun too...

New York State of Mind

While Ben and Ethan helped close up camp in Waterford this weekend, Adam and I headed to the Big Apple to visit Uncle Pauly and celebrate my good friend Kristin's engagement. Although I was reminded that flying with an on-the-go almost-one year old can be an exhausting experience, Adam was a little trooper, enduring planes, trains, automobiles, and skipped naps with very few complaints. I am pretty sure Adam will be a Manhattanite one day - this country bumpkin was enthralled by the sounds and sights of the big city. And his Mom REALLY enjoyed getting her city fix, catching up with old friends, and eating her way around the Lower East Side. Uncle Pauly had our epicurean adventure planned from fish tacos for lunch on Friday through to dim sum yesterday afternoon. It was all delicious, and Adam enjoyed tasting lots of new treats. I didn't take too many pictures, but here is the little urbanite enjoying some dim sum:

And here is how we both felt yesterday on our way back home:

A weekend in the big city leaves us country folk all tuckered out!