I took the boys to Graysmarsh Berry Farm yesterday to celebrate Arlo’s first birthday.  Arlo LOVES strawberries and he was in heaven.  He just sat in the row of berry plants smashing strawberries into his mouth until he was covered in a mixture of strawberries, drool and dirt.  I wasn’t sure how the kids would do while I picked berries, but they were awesome.  I picked 12 lbs of strawberries (Zach picked three, berries that is, not pounds and said they were “yucky”) and I even had some time to make some freezer jam once we got home.  Arlo will love that!  Later in the day, we took the kids to the weekly Concert on the Pier and enjoyed our friends, some snacks, great music and sunshine.

And what to say about my birthday boy?  The sweetest baby ever- with eyes so big and blue that sometimes it is like looking into the ocean.  He is in this sweet stage now where he is not quite a baby and not quite a toddler.  He is going to be a busy little man, he can really get around crawling now and is starting to be quite proficient at cruising and transferring.  Walking days are definitely just around the corner.  He is so expressive too- saying “Mama” and shaking his head for “No” are his favorites, but he is also waving, pointing and clapping and starting to imitate other sounds.  He has more of an attitude lately too- freaking out when we have to take something away or when he doesn’t get what he wants, so I can see my “easy” baby is going to turn into an opinionated toddler!  He is definitely a mama’s boy, still nursing and can’t bear to have me out of his sight.  And I love that he will eat almost anything!  After dealing with Zach, it is such a relief to just put food in front of Arlo and just watch it disappear.

Arlo’s birthday will always be a little bittersweet for me.  Every year we celebrate a year with him, it will be a marker of another year without my sister.  She was everywhere with me yesterday- helping pick berries and then taking the kids for ice cream, trashing the kitchen together making jam and then dancing on the pier with the kids.  I miss you Jess.