Happy Birthday Brandon

Today is Brandon's first Birthday and it is hard to believe that this amazing little guy who has changed our world is already ONE year old. On the one hand it seems like we've had him forever (we find it difficult to remember our lives before him), but on the other hand he seems to be growing up so fast and so quickly, we can hardly believe it. We get so excited and encourage him as he tries to walk and then when he finally does, it's a little sad that another milestone is behind him. There is always another one just around the corner and we are in constant amazement at how much he has learnt in just a year. Cam and I both agree that we have learnt a lot in this year as well. We remember the panic and stress of bringing him home before we knew how to feed him (or do anything with him), we remember the sleepless nights in the early weeks but most of all we both remember never having smiled, laughed or loved as much as we have in the last 12 months. We have Brandon to thank for that.

Happy Birthday Buckaroo. We love you. xx

This is a photo of Brandon on the day he was born: August 12th, 2008

This is a photo taken of Brandon today on his 1st Birthday: August 12th, 2009.

Isn't life amazing!

My 1st Birthday Party

Brandon celebrated his 1st Birthday this weekend and what a bash it was! With 25 adults and 14 children, it was more like a circus than a birthday party but everyone seemed to have a good time and most importantly the Birthday Boy had a blast!!

After 20 days of no rain it decided to rain on the day of the party so we had to transfer the party from a park, complete with train rides and playground, to our house. As you can see there were people, children and toys everywhere.

Brandon's Grandpa was there.

And so was Abby, who was a fantastic help and worked tirelessly along with Cam and I to make sure everyone had plenty to eat and drink. Thanks Mom!!

Brandon got to wear his special Birthday Boy T-shirt.

He even found time how to learn to use a pair of scissors....thanks Owen.

Our house has been renamed Toys 'R Us! ;-)

In between all of the entertaining we even found time for a quick family photo.

Finally it came time to sing Happy Birthday.

Sadly, all the partying had to come to an end and Brandon's guest started to leave. Brandon was convinced all the hard work was worth it after he got a nice big kiss from Ella who had come up all the way from Seattle just for his party

Present Time!!

All this just for me!!?

One of the gifts was his first backpack, in readiness for his first day of school next week.........it's a turtle backpack and I think he's pretty proud of it.

We would like to say a really big thank you to everyone who was able to celebrate Brandon's first birthday with us. We had a fantastic day and really appreciate all of your very generous gifts.

Brandon the Biker!!

Watch out everyone......someone got themselves a nice set of wheels for their 1st Birthday!!

Brandon's Australian Grandma bought him a beautiful looking "Hog" and because she was over visiting she decided to give it to him early, before his first birthday..........so my warning to you all is if you see this license plate around your neighbourhood.....WATCH OUT this is one bad dude looking to recruit people into his new Biker Gang!!!

Brandon hanging out at the pond on his new Hog.....he absolutely loves it!!

Brandon has his first run in with a rival gang known only as 'The Ducks'!

They are one of the meanest gangs around but Brandon wouldn't back down, eventually winning the standoff as 'The Ducks' retreated to their Waterhole.

He was pretty fired up though and looking for the next confrontation........

"You want a piece of me too?!!"

"Yeah you...you want to join my Gang?"

" If you want to join my gang, you gotta be tough.....and you gotta have a cool pair of shades".

On a more serious note I think that a boy getting his first bike is a pretty memorable and defining moment. I couldn't have been prouder of my Buckaroo as he took off for his first spin on his new set of wheels. We have been out cruising every morning on the weekend and he just loves it.

Thanks so much Grandma for giving me my first bike, Daddy and I will remember it forever!!

Look who's Walking!

Starting several weeks ago Brandon decided to take his first step! That is, without holding onto his Mum or Dad or a piece of furniture around the house! Since then he's gone from strength to strength........he's even started running!!

We thought it might be fun to share his progress with you all.......

Starting with a few wobbly steps and a fall...

Then a few more on the safety of this playroom floor.

As the confidence grew he decided to take his practise to the outdoors.

I have a feeling we are going to see this kid in the 2028 Olympic Games 100m sprint.

You heard it and saw him here first!! ;-)