If I had a wish, then it would be…

…that you would stop growing!! Betcha thought I was going to say “a happy-happy birthday to you from me.” Ha!

I just can’t believe Taysum is already a year old! It still feels like we just brought him home from the hospital. I’ve had such a fun year with him. He’s the first of my children who I’ve been able to slow down and enjoy day to day. And it went faster, it seems! No fair, Universe!

Anyway…I now present for your viewing and nostalgia-inducing pleasure (for me, at least),  Taysum’s first year in review…

Taysum’s birth announcement

A quiet moment with Mommy

Smiling after his “morning snack.” He used to always have his tongue out…it was sort of like his way of saying hi. ;)

Taysum’s favorite two fingers. No soothie for this fella!

Play time with Daddy

Hanging out with Great-Grandma Johnson

Taysum always gets cuddle time from his siblings.

Trying Daddy’s hat on for size

Taysum loves (LOVES) the farm

Getting better acquainted with Great-Grandpa Mortensen

Bath time fun!

Too little for the play land just yet, but he doesn’t mind. He likes watching his siblings run around like loons…gives him something to laugh at.

Showing off his new lower teeth

Concentrating on his birthday present…all my children stick out their tongues when they’re engrossed in what they’re doing.

This last picture was taken today so Jon could actually see him on his birthday (yup, he’s out for some more Army training). We’ll have Taysum’s “actual” birthday party when Jon comes home in a couple of weeks. Alex and Elise had a fun time singing the Happy Birthday song to him all day, though. And he enjoyed it too…he even tried to sing along a little bit.

Not to worry, he did get one gift today: a LeapFrog Learn & Groove musical table. Here’s a video of Taysum’s reaction.

And I’m including a little bonus here for ya: a video of Taysum and me playing hide and seek. I’m mostly putting this here because Jon rarely gets to see us play these kinds of games, but it’s a cute clip (if a bit shaky—I was running with the camera).

So, happy birthday to my little Taysum. And a cyber-hug and kiss go out to my Jonathan. xoxo