Thanks Chris!!!

I didn't realize until late last night that it was Columbus Day and Franklin had the day off today! It has been so nice having him home with us and such a treat. He even got to join us in music class this morning. We've had such a lazy day. We went to chick-fil-a after music, got caught up on little things around the house, watched movies on HBO, I read my book (which I have almost finished- The Time Traveller's Wife), and DF and F even squeezed in 2 naps.

I opened my fridge to think about dinner tonight and David Franklin just climbed right in. He usually likes to pull salad dressing out of the drawers but tonight I guess I was taking so long (because the fridge was so empty) that he just climbed on in. He got comfy at one point and crossed his little feet at the ankles. Hilarious! Thanks Columbus. First and foremost, for sailing the ocean blue, but also for giving us our family day today!

Last B-day Party

We had a blast in Fayetteville this weekend. Cupcakes from Rick's just can't be beat and DF ate every bite at his last birthday party! It was so cute and didn't feel like very long ago we were doing the same thing with Jack, probably because it wasn't!!

The game was great (winning is pretty fun), so was tailgating, and shopping with Grands is even better. Especially when she insists on buying you something, and you can't leave the store until she has! I love being with my Grands Ellen. She is SO much fun. She also insists on more wine and telling you how much she loves you and how beautiful you are. She doesn't only do this with her family, perfect strangers get told how gorgeous they are too. She is the greatest!!! We both cried today when we said goodbye. This is something that has happened as long as I can remember. You would think it would have stopped by now, but once she starts in, I do too.
We're worn out from all of this birthday fun! Now we need sugar detox...all of us. I have eaten birthday cake everyday this week, sometimes more than once which has to stop!

Party #3

Sweet Kate Van Bebber

Just happy as can be his parents are in his class

DF's crush, Rowan. (Just as I thought, definitely not mutual)



This afternoon I brought oatmeal raisin cookies to DF's class for his birthday during snack time. (I know cookies aren't great, but at least oatmeal raisin has some nutritional value). The kids loved them and some were even trying to crawl under the table for scraps... Kate especially loved her cookies and was sad when snack time was over!

It was by far the shortest and least lively party so far. The kids just sat in their little chairs and had their snack. They all watched us (Franklin came down for a bit too) like hawks at first. At one point almost every pair of little eyes was on us trying to figure out who we were and what we were doing there. David Franklin smiled and kicked, and even laughed all through his snack. I think he was so happy his parents were in his class with him. (He was the only one who who was in on it, and knew who these new characters were).

I brought him home afterwards, and he took a long nap. He's still asleep actually, so I got a little snooze myself which was SO nice on this yucky, rainy day!

Birthday Parties

My pap-paw says when there is a birthday it isn't just a day, it's a birthday month so we are following suit. DF is going to have about 4 "parties". He had 2 yesterday. My mom's group of girlfriends are a lot like the YaYa's (with less booze and mental illness) although some may debate that! :) They all love DF and wanted to get together so my mom had her very own "Grandmother's party" for brunch. Her party favors were reading glasses and she thought that was hilarious! I must say, they were a big hit!

Last night, we had a Razorback party at our house. We watched the game, ate pizza and cake, and played. DF got so many new fun toys and nice gifts! I was overwhelmed actually. Not only by how generous everyone was, but where I'm going to put everything. It's a toy explosion at our house!! We got him a cozy coup. I had one when I was little and have so many memories with it. This made me feel old because it's the 30th Anniversary Edition. Franklin had so much fun putting it together, Christmas is going to be a blast!!

I know DF's too young to really get the birthday thing, but when everyone sang happy birthday to him, he just beamed. He was so pleased that everyone was singing to him and that makes it all worth it! He loved his cake, but we had to take it away eventually. He pinched off pieces and was a very polite eater so it was taking forever. I also didn't want him to get sick, but the icing was a big hit!

I am going to take cookies to his class on Tuesday so that will be fun. Next weekend is his last celebration in Fayetteville, with the Johnsons and Grands Ellen. What a lucky little guy he is!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Day-Fray!!

So I have been wondering why this first birthday has been affecting me so much and it just hit me. It is because this is the only time I have been an integral part in some one's birthday. His real birth-day. Not just giving gifts, singing a song or attending a party. I gave birth to this baby one year ago and it's been the biggest miracle of my life. I am part of this story. I guess I've never thought about a birthday as being a story. I'm sure as the years pass, I will feel less and less like this and the memory will fade. Which is a good thing. It's his birthday and it's not about me, but now, 1 year ago seems like yesterday. I remember my nerves, fears, and the excitement I felt awaiting his arrival. I remember that night before I checked into the hospital. I remember Franklin being so calm and so organized and yet so antsy and anxious. I remember the nurses, the hospital room, and every detail so vividly. One year ago today, we met our son for the first time and changed forever at 1:13pm. I remember the doctor saying, "Whoa, he's big!" We've heard that almost everyday since. I remember immediately being overwhelmed with a sense of relief, awe, amazement, and gratitude. I remember praying and praying and praying, I truly couldn't stop praying thanking the good Lord for this healthy baby in my arms. We have continued to pray for you, David Franklin. We pray the same prayer every night and have since you were born. After we rock you and put you down, your daddy continues to pray. These prayers vary from praying for a good night's sleep to your future spouse, to your friends and family, your future, not getting the swine flu, etc. Prayer has been something that has been constant since the you were conceived. God has blessed our socks off with you and we are so absolutely honored He chose us as your parents.

I wonder if all mom's feel like this, especially on the first one? (I'm pretty sure they do.)I woke up this morning with so much JOY and excitement in my heart. Better than Christmas morning. I will never forget October 3,2008 as long as I live. Thankfully my epidural worked like a charm so they are all good memories!!! David Franklin Bass, WE.LOVE.YOU. Everyone who knows you loves you, most importantly God loves you. Happy 1st Birthday!! Let's get this party started!

(In order to hear our lovely singing voices, go to the red music box on the right sidebar and click pause)

Pumpkin Playgroup

This morning we were invited to a pumpkin playgroup and it was some party! I was super impressed, Kim went all out! She had mini pumpkins to paint (which we attempted), a bounce house (which we didn't), hay bails, so many yummy snacks, spice cakes, coffee and so on. It was so much fun and we had a blast!!

As you can see by these pictures, DF has taken an interest in girls!!! There are so many boys he's always surrounded by so this is a new development. There are only 2 girls in his class and lots of our playgroups and friends have mostly boys. It is funny to see him with these girls. The other day at school I went to pick him and and his teacher said, "he likes this baby here." She was rocking a new girl, named Rowan. Mrs. Shannon said he walked right up to her and grinned so big. I've been calling her his girlfriend, but I'm not sure it's mutual so now I'm just calling her his crush :)

Big day tomorrow....we CAN'T wait!

1 year old Pictures

I found a photographer in town and I LOVE her!!! She is 5 minutes from my house, sooooo SWEET, affordable, and does great work...how can you beat that?!

check out his one year pictures (if you have time or want to):

www.melaniemcknightphotography.com
Click on Portraits then clients and the password is "david"

I'm SO pleased, I don't know how we are going to to choose!