Hooper's First Birthday

I can't believe I am blogging my sweet little Hooper's first birthday. It seems like just yesterday I was still pregnant with him. Unfortunately, the older I get the faster the time seems to pass. I am reaching and grasping to hold on so tight to each and every little moment. I pick him up in the mornings and just hold him and kiss him. I sit and rock him when he wants to be held. I crawl all over the floor with him while he giggles and plays, when I should be washing clothes or cleaning up. I know that each of these moments are fleeting. I will never have them back and I'm certain I will never get the chance at them again. There is one thing I have learned through motherhood that I know for sure... they grow up. You can't stop them. They never stop. Every day they need you less and less, as it should be. I am raising these awesome kiddos! Raising them to become good, Godly, law-abiding, loving people. So, if you are doing your job right, they have to grow. It doesn't make it hurt any less that the sweet little moments I have today will be gone tomorrow though. So right now, as I sit and watch my precious baby boy sleep, I am enjoying the moments. When he wakes at night to nurse, I enjoy it. When he only wants me to hold him, I enjoy it. When he wants me to play with him, I enjoy it. I will never get it back. 
I am so thankful that we were able to celebrate Hooper with about 60 of our closest friends and family this weekend! We had the party at our house and enjoyed food catered from Moe's (the ultimate taco bar). Hooper had his own smash cake that Mema made for him. Mema has made all 5 of the children's first birthday cakes! We enjoyed a cookie cake from Great American Cookie Company. All the kids played basketball and football outside and the adults enjoyed each others company. Hooper loved to watch the basketball games being played! He got lots of wonderful gifts, including a bouncy horse, a tractor and farm set, a construction truck set, a firetruck, lots of clothes, balls, books and many other wonderful things! His favorite seemed to be the drum set from his cousins. He likes it the most! 

Happy happy birthday my precious baby boy. I love you with all my heart!