Christian Turns 5

Wow. I still can't believe that I have a 5 year old...it's weird to even think about! I still remember taking him home from the hospital. I remember his funny faces during bath time. It seems like just yesterday that he was learning to walk and run...climbing out of his crib, seeing CarsLand for the first time. I can still picture his face when he felt sand for the first time as he screamed. Some details have faded. Things like his first word and his favorite baby foods are long gone. I can't remember when his first tooth broke through, or what life was like before he ran around like crazy and talked my ear off!

He is my first born. I have been amazed to watch him grow into such a sweet and (somewhat!) adventurous boy. He has blossomed from a fairly shy and whiny kid into a fun and inclusive boy. I remember picking him up from preschool one day a few weeks ago. The boy who knew no one and had a hard time making friends outside of his cousins, was shouting goodbye to every kid that walked by! When Jared took him into class late after a doctor appointment, the kids all screamed his name. The little boy I was SO nervous for has really transformed over this past year and I have loved watching every minute.

Now don't get me wrong, he has definitely been testing limits...and my patience. He has taken to screaming "NEVER" when I ask him to do something he doesn't want to, which ends with a quick trip to his bed while he cools off. I can honestly say that while he ticks me off and I am often frustrated, I am also relieved. To see him be passionate and to stand up for himself is something that I hadn't seen in him as a younger child and it made me nervous. I didn't want him to be stepped on or bossed around because he was so nice and easy to get along with. Those fears are mostly alleviated now. He has developed his own voice and personality, while still maintaining his easy going nature. He still gets along with 90% of the kids he plays with and I know that it is because of how kind and inclusive he is, and I am so grateful for that!

This year was his first "real" birthday party. We usually just do a family dinner at my parent's house with immediate family. I wanted to wait until he was five and actually had some friends before I invested any time or money into a party ;) I have learned that I am not a big party planner. I don't enjoy it. It brings me no satisfaction and lots of stress. Jared and I talked it over, and we set aside money, and surprised Christian with a party at Wacky Tacky. For anyone who hasn't been there - it was an absolute blast, and VERY well organized. I didn't have to do anything and the kids ran and played until their hearts were content!

I ran out of time to order a cake, so Jared and I re-fashioned one that had flowers and made it a dinosaur cake!

For school, Christian got to bring treats for his class and they made him a birthday crown

Instead of cupcakes, he choose fruit snacks and gogurts for his classmates to share!

Here are the pictures from Wacky Tacky. This is after the kids were all worn out from playing and ready for pizza!

Getting ready to sing Happy Birthday

He got to sit in the Birthday Chair as he opened his gifts - it was an awesome chair!

Down in Front!

CJ had lots of "helpers" as he opened his gifts

His very first fishing rod

Just call him a Lego-maniac

CJ's love for Legos is transferring onto Leila

 That was all from his party! But here's some more of what has been going on lately for my first born. Since his Marfan's diagnosis, and after his Echocardiogram, we met with a Pediatric Cardiologist to discuss his options. After lots of discussion, we all decided his best option was to go on Beta Blockers to slow down the wear and tear on his enlarged aorta. So far it is going well, although we have him on half a dose to start.

Here he is getting a quick EKG before meeting with the Specialist.

Since most sports are not in CJ's future, Grandpa is helping him learn to golf and fish. Here they are practicing his putt. He loved it!

My handsome boy in his Ninja Turtle pj's

Crazy face

 Sometimes you just need to play hooky from school! Grandma and Grandpa took Leila, Elaine and Christian up to go sledding a couple of weeks ago and to say they loved it is an absolute understatement. They paid to go to an actual sled park which included a rope tow to the top. The kids had such a good time and the weather was perfect. The best part is that everyone survived!

Best Buddies

Carefree

Getting towed to the top

Happy Birthday to my first born. It has been a total adventure and one crazy ride. Five years down and I can't wait to see what the future brings. I love you clear to heaven and back again.