Life is so much fun, when you're only one!

Well in true Harris/Dorrance fashion we celebrated Finley's first birthday not just once, but twice (and there is a third celebration still to come in about a week!). This past Sunday we had over some extended family from out of town for dinner and cake.

His first birthday cake was a store bought ice cream cake (Carvel - YUM!). I thought he would really like because it is cold and sweet, but no such luck. He wanted nothing to do with it. I think maybe it was because it was so late he was just tired and ready for bed. So our first mini celebration was not a huge success - but luckily there is still more to come. It was nice to visit with family though!




The night before Finley's actual birthday some very nice Birthday Elves got the house ready for his next celebration.

The theme - Happy 1st Birthday.

The colors - blue and white.

I was very happy with the colorful and cheery decorations. It was so much fun to get everything ready while he was sleeping so it would all be a surprise.

I must admit the thing that made me the happiest and got me the most excited was baking and decorating his birthday cake. I debated about whether or not to go through the trouble of having a real cake since Finley hadn't seemed too interested in solid foods. But I am so glad I did! I think the cake turned out so cute. I was especially proud that I cut out the 1 shape on my own instead of buying a 1 shaped pan.

Here is our big boy on the morning of his very first birthday!

Wide eyed and happy just the way he was when he was born.

Oh no, starting to have labor flash backs...must move on...quickly!

Both sets of grandparents came over the help us celebrate this special day.

Finley received some awesome gifts and was pretty good at unwrapping them himself.

Of course he wanted to stop and play after he opened each gift so it took quite a while to get through them all.

Then onto the cake!

Here is one last before shot of the cake.

Let the destruction begin!

At first Finley was just barely smearing the icing around, but when I gave him a fork to have at it the real animal in him came out.

He seemed pretty pleased with himself.

By the end of it he was covered in icing.

He had it in his ears, hair, all over his face, and highchair. Clean up took several people and a new outfit!

And here is the cake post Finley.

Not too bad for his first time. Luckily there were still some edible parts left for the rest of us to enjoy.

After all that sugar it was time to get out some of our energy.

We made our way over to the Children's Museum in Greensboro.

This picture makes him look so small in that huge chair!

But Finley wants you to know he is still a big boy now that he is one, despite this deceiving picture.

Finley wasn't the only one there having fun!

Even though he isn't walking all on his own he was still able to interact with a lot of the toys they had there. He especially enjoyed the grocery store and loading up the cart with all his favorite fruits and veggies.

He did not enjoy when I trapped him in the center of these play mats.

There was so much to see and do there. I was very impressed!

Even the grandparents got down and played on his level.

I was a little late in getting the camera out for this shot, but Finley crawled through the tunnel all on his own!

This hat they had over by the airplanes was just adorable. Note to self - next Halloween costume...a pilot?

Or maybe a fire fighter?

I must say I loved the train the most.

Finley was able to throw coal into the engine and push some buttons that made train noises. It was super cool.

Well after playing until we dropped it was time to head home and take a nap. I hear that we even wore the grandparents out too who also had to take naps when they got home :).

I still can't believe Finley is 1!

Where has the time gone?

How has he gone from just a little blob to this big boy in just one year?

I am still amazed at all that he can do and how much he is learning everyday.

Being a parent and watching him grow is the best thing ever!

Happy first birthday Finley!

We love you to pieces!

Finley's First Year (a pictorial)

Words cannot possibly express what this past year has meant to Natalie and me, and so this will have to do . . .



Finley, we love you!

O N E

Has it really come to this?

Is my precious little baby almost one?

No, it can't be!

He's not a toddler yet, is he?

Oh I don't know if I can handle this!

How did we go from this...

to this?

The time has really flown by this past year. People said it would, but I didn't believe them. I am having such mixed emotions. I am excited that he is growing up and almost walking, and starting to say words, but I am sad he won't cuddle as much and no longer fits so nice and neat into my arms. Sometimes he would rather sleep on the floor than in my arms.

As we are approaching the 1 year mark...Finley's latest accomplishments include but are not limited to:

- saying dada, dog, yeah, and uh ooh

-signs dog, more, milk, and signing time

- will walk beside you holding just one hand

-can climb the stairs
-loves clapping, waving bye bye, and hugging his stuffed dog

Finley's likes include:

Swinging at the park, strolling, having friends over to play, the trash can, the toilet, toilet paper, our DVD collection, throwing things, and smothering his face in his burp cloths.

Finley's dislikes include:

Getting dressed, having his diaper changed, strangers, having his boogies snatched and washing his hands.

Finley's 1 year old stats:

Weight: 19 lbs 5 oz (down a bit)

Length: 28 1/2 inches

Head: 18 1/2 inches

And as this year is coming to a close it is now time to start the weaning process. I am very proud to have made it through a whole year of nursing! Proud and blessed. I must say I am very nervous and scared about weaning. Finley is down to nursing 4 or 5 times a day so hopefully it won't be too much of a shock to his system. Wish me luck!

And now...let the count down to 1 begin! 5 days until Finley turns ONE!

(and just so you know I am trying very hard not to cry right now)

Hoppy Easter

Happy Easter Everyone!

This past weekend we loaded up the car and traveled to Chapel Hill for Easter weekend to spend some QT with Mimi and Pappy.

Finley loves Mimi and Pappy's house. Especially playing the piano, terrorizing the dog, and swinging on their new baby swing. There is so much to do there!

On Saturday morning we went to an Easter Egg hunt that our old CH ward puts on every year. It is held out at the institute building on campus. The backyard is covered with nice rolling green hills, trees, and flowers. It was so beautiful out there with all the flowers and tress blooming. If only David wasn't suffering from seasonal allergies it would have been perfect!

The Grandmas were definitely excited for Finley's first Easter egg hunt!

I was pleasantly surprised with how well Finley did. In planning this trip a while ago I had initially invisioned Finley being able to walk around by himself and hunt for eggs - not so much. Finley still isn't walking by himself but he is able to walk next to you holding just one hand.



He picked up eggs and enjoyed putting them into his very own Easter egg basket. I think the woman in charge said there were something like 750 eggs out there so Finley had a lot to choose from! To keep the little kiddos safe they had a designated section for children sunbeam age and younger.

Finley would even share his eggs with those around him! Good thing too because it is not like he was going to be able to enjoy what was inside.

Here is the egg hunting crew! Fin, Mimi (my mom), Grammie & Abuelo (David's parents).

Finley is so lucky to have so many grandparents to dote on him!

Of course we do our part as well to spoil this little bunny.

Then Easter morning Finley was pleasantly surprised again with an Easter basket from Mimi and another egg hunt!

Now our house it filled to the brim with candy galore!

I guess mom and dad will have to take care of that :).

And my favorite part of the weekend...putting Finley in some bunny ears!

See David he didn't seem to mind too much!

Hoppy Easter everyone!