Happy Birthday John Burke!

On April 28th, my Burke Burke turned ONE!! We missed his one year appointment, so I don't know his stats (not that I really care). I was curious to see how much he weighed the other day when we were at Target. Turner was asking me what the scale for produce was, and I decided to show him how to use it with his little brother. I just plopped him on it and he weighed 23 1/2 pounds. Then I wish you had seen the produce manager look at me. I was caught, and I literally said "Go!" to Turner and ran off. I don't think the manager was very impressed.

These are some pictures of John Burke as a tiny baby from last year. Even though he is my second, his first year of life escaped me just as fast as it did with Turner. And I forgot I took this picture with Grandad. So sweet, and fitting because we just returned from his funeral in Phoenix (that will be another post!).

My sister-in-law, Stacy, has been planning a carnival themed first birthday party since at least August or September. And boy was I glad she offered to share the big day with us, because with our little whirlwind of life lately, I had not put much thought into John Burke's party (definitely a second child truth). Stacy DEFINITELY covered that! And she did a great job. So thankful for everything she did!!

The candy table - Stacy didn't leave any details out

John Burke and his BFFs Read and Elizabeth Ann in the ball pit

The day before the party at about 4:30 p.m. I started wondering what the "older" (2-5) kids were going to do during the party. I had teased Stacy about the thought of a bouncy house at a 1 year old party, but she got the last laugh because I called and rented one at the last minute. And, I got one with Elmo and Cookie Monster because they are currently Turner's favorite things.

Uncle D (or Day-rek as Turner says) enjoyed it, too

The weather was awesome, but it was HOT!

And Day-rek also supplied some home-brewed beer - is that redneck at a first birthday? Maybe. Less redneck than actually taking a picture of your 2 year old with it. Who really tried to drink it. No luck.

Don't Chloe and John Burke look like twins? Just 8 or 9 pounds apart :)

We loved having friends and family come over and hang out with our little baby. Ironically, he will be one of the only ones who won't really remember. But, we blew it out for him anyways!!

Cookout and a hammock - have I mentioned spring/summer is my favorite time of year?!

Read and Turner couldn't resist the water...and we weren't quite ready for the pool yet, so this Rubbermaid was a good substitute

And we even had a guest of honor at the end of the party...

Nanny! She just loved watching the kids run around and the babies try to walk

John Burke,

You are a MESS. Seriously. Far wilder than Turner has been, and that is saying a LOT. You make me laugh every single day. You have several hilarious facial expressions. I started noticing a sense of humor in you around 9 months, when you started playing along in your favorite game of peek-a-boo. You love to jump out from behind a wall or blanket when I say "Where's Burke Burke? OH, there he is!!!"

You also have a huge appetite, eating anything and everything you can get your hands on. Especially meat. You have eaten more meat in the last 2 months than Turner has in his 2 and a half (almost) years. And, you are even getting him to eat more! Thank you!

When you wake up in the morning, you like to hit the ground running. You flip over, smile, laugh and then stand up. And there is no more sleeping for you for a while. Or sitting still at all. But I deserve it - I keep you on the run.

And, you give the best hugs of any one-year old I know. You squeeze my neck and giggle and don't let go! God gave you to me when I least expected it, and I love you so much I could cry at any given moment....motherhood does that to you! You make me crazy, but then I can't go very long without you or your brother, you little turkeys!!

I pray I get an over-abundance of years with you that bless me as much as this one did. I pray God will protect you and guide you, and that you will know Him as soon as you can understand. Your daddy and brother and I love you to pieces. Even if you squawk louder than ANYONE I know - and don't stop until you get exactly what you want!! You are such a blessing and I thank God for you every day, Mom