Andrea Dekker

21 Comments

James is ONE!

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1 year old

Can you believe James is a year old today!?

One year ago, I was snuggling with my brand new baby in the spacious corner room of our local hospital, SO thankful he arrived early that morning (‘only’ 13 days late) so I wouldn’t need to be induced later that day! (Read James’ birth story here.)

At the time, I wondered how life with 3 kids, 3 and under would go — and one year later, I’m happy to say it went MUCH better than I could have ever imagined!

Yes, there were (and are) so many crazy, stressful, ear-splittingly-loud moments when I question what on earth we were thinking to have 3 young children so close together… but for the most part, this past year has been pretty awesome.

Nora and Simon play very well together AND with James — and I have no doubt that all 3 of them will be running around together in just a few more months.

Obviously, my expectations of the infant stage are completely different than they were when Nora was born (much lower, in case you were wondering!) — but in my opinion, James has been such an easy and happy baby… emphasis on the happy part!

4th of july

James currently has 8 teeth (which he has had for several months already), he weighs approximately 22 pounds, and he is 29 inches tall (the smallest of all my 1-year-olds so far). He doesn’t have much hair yet, but the hair he has is bleach blonde.

James loves me more than anyone, but has very little fear of strangers and easily plays with other adults and children. He does just fine when he’s away from me for periods of time — but if he sees me, he HAS to be by me 🙂

While he is VERY sweet, he is starting to show his stubborn side just a bit… grunting and pointing to get our attention and show us what he wants, and full-out screaming when he doesn’t get his way. It’s amazing to me how quickly babies and toddlers develop such strong opinions as to what they want (or maybe my kids inherit this trait from their mama!)

James walks like a champ (even outside on rough surfaces), he babbles CONSTANTLY, and he is actually starting to talk! He says: Mama, Dada, Papa, wow, all done, uh-oh, and big boy, to name a few!

It is SO fun to hear him babbling and talking — and although we often joked that James and Simon would start talking at the same time, I wouldn’t be surprised if James’ early talking is what helps Simon to “turn the corner” and finally start talking more.

Who knows, in a couple more months, I might have 3 kids who NEVER stop talking!

family photo

Since we couldn’t get a group of people together all at the same time, we aren’t having an official first birthday party for James (sorry 3rd child born in the summer when everyone is on vacation) but Nora and Simon helped me pick out a couple small gifts for James, they made him a birthday card, we got donuts for breakfast this morning, and we’re baking him a cake this afternoon — so at least he’ll get to blow out a candle 🙂

I also didn’t do the monthly pictures in a white onsie for James like I did with the other kids (again, sorry 3rd baby) but I DO have boatloads of pictures of his sweet face and I’m almost finished with his 1-year digital photo album!

Here are a few more “James pictures” from the past 12 months.

It’s interesting to me how well my children “fit the mold” of personality traits as they relate to birth order. Nora is the very bossy, take charge oldest child. Simon is the passive, content to be in the background middle child. James is the happy-go-lucky, loves everyone youngest child.

I’m thankful for all 3 of these little (big) personalities… but especially thankful for Mr. James today!

Happy first birthday, sweet baby big boy James!

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Comments

  1. Beatriz says

    Well Happy Belated Birthday James! So many milestones for you in just a few years 🙂 I hope you all had a great day celebrating.

    Reply

  3. Debbie says

    Awww…so sweet! I love his ever constant smiley face! Hope his birthday was a blast for you all!

    Reply

  6. Shelley says

    Wow…A year flew by! I think that is when I first discovered your blog/site?! Whatever it is officially called! ha!! I have only left a comment once, I believe (Re: lunch ideas…I mentioned ideas for kids and you were blogging about adults! 😉 At any rate, beyond that, I have always wanted to say so many things to you…But…didn’t know where to start! lol! Each time I read an update, I was like, “yes!” 🙂 This is awesome…!!
    First of all, you guys have the cutest family and your priorities are exactly where they should be on a regular basis! I envy how you figured it ALL out so early in your parenting! Gosh, so many things I wish I had done differently –so many of the things you do now…Smaller bday parties, buying secondhand and/or smaller wardrobes for your kids, not cramming your kids’ schedules with activity after activity…and NOT sweating the smaller stuff! Sitting in that cute blow up pool/slide…Aahhh! You just get it! I love everything about you! We just happen to live too many miles (and years!) apart!
    I, also, had all three of my kids within 3 years! Loved it! My oldest was just 3.3 years and my middle 21 months when I had my last baby in January of 1999! I gave up my career as an attorney to raise them and have never looked back! It was always a whirlwind and a bunch of fun! I loved having them so close together! You aren’t crazy at all! 🙂 They are all going through the same things in life at the same time and it is wonderful! They all were in high school together, Frosh, Junior and Senior…so much fun! You will love having them so close through the years! With that said, three is a lot and now we have two in college…$$$$$! Yikes!! It’s all good though…all back home for summer and trying to figure out how to get everyone to sit down and have dinner together just twice a week! 🙂

    Reply

    • Andrea says

      haha!! well thanks for another comment Shelley!
      Thanks for all your kind words of encouragement and for sharing part of your story. Enjoy this phase of 2 in college… only a couple more years of paying for them and then they are on their own 🙂

      Reply

  9. Emily says

    Happy Birthday sweet James!! Love all the pictures. You can see he has a fun personality. Enjoy your cake and the extra hugs and kisses today! 🙂

    Reply

  10. JoAnn C. says

    Happy Birthday, James! And congratulations Andrea and Dave. I’ve been following you for so long, (since Nora was born), I’m always honored you share bits of news of your family and each their milestones. James has an infectious smile! Thanks again for sharing.

    Reply

  12. Paulette says

    Are any of your children not completely adorable?!? Happy Birthday, happy boy! Thank you so much for sharing your family with all of us Andrea!

    Reply

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