the long birthday warm up

 our little sbj (sweet baby james, obviously) is not so little any longer. in fact, november is his birth month, and he's about to be a big one year old. if we can teach him any valuable life skill, it is to celebrate not just a birthday, but an entire birth month. celebrations of all kinds are well under way for this sweet little guy.

lots of regular-day costume wearing occurs here at the staple house. here's james as a busy busy bumblebee, standing at the firewood pile, banging sticks into things; he's really in his element here.


that's not actually a picture of a birth-related-celebration. it's just a really cute picture of him. ahem. anyway. james' nana and papa came for a visit (and a little child care fill-in, so THANK YOU again!), and we had a small birthday party. w celebrated with breakfast at the great dane. we all had eggs and toast, except james, who ate his nana's necklace pendant. mmmmm, pendant.....


this weekend, james joined forces with his other november-birthday-cousins in chicagoland for a little party. those cupcakes were a delicious creation from his cousins, and they were very well enjoyed.

but what would a one-year-old be without some bumps and bruises? james is learning to walk, and there are some bruises that go along with the territory. he is also learning to climb, grab, dance, and throw his body at dangerous objects. unfortantely, this means a bit more than "some bruises." he's celebrating the arrival of the one year anniversary of his birth with facial lacerations that require emergency medical treatment.


i'm celebrating the arrival of the one year anniversary of his birth by counting how many more gray hairs this kid is giving me. ramona is celebrating with her best samurai pose in front of the cow at the uw hospital emergency room entrance.  to each, his own.