Baby Boys 1st birthday!

I seriously can not believe its been a year since we welcomed our precious Benjamin in to our family! I remember feeling like he would never get here (much like I feel now with baby #5) and now he's been here a whole year! Saturday we had a simple little birthday celebration with family. He wasn't too sure what to think about everyone  wanting pictures with him and singing to him but he sure was happy about getting to chow down on a cupcake! It seems like now that he is officially one he really thinks he is a big boy- last night we were eating dinner and  he was in his high chair with a bottle which is our usual routine but he was over the bottle and wanted to eat everything we were eating - we usually feed him after his bottle but it was like, nope, not anymore, I'm joining the big kids 100%! So maybe he'll be done with the bottle before his brother or sister comes after all :)
Here are a few pics from his special day.

 Most of the day he had this serious face on - I don't think he knew what to think being the center of attention - usually he has to share with 3 other little hams but this day was all about him!

 Best attempt at a family shot

 I wish John-Mark and was smiling - James and Ben are too cute!

 Digging right in to the cupcake!

 Getting down to business!

 Total cupcake dominance! He's an Allen for sure :)

 Checking out his new ball pit - he LOVED it! The boys had one when they were little and would play in it for hours - hoping Ben and his little brother and sister will have as much fun in this one - if I can keep the big kids out of it!

 Love his cutie-pa-tootie birthday outfit - I sewed the shorts and my sweet friend Nikki monogrammed his shirt.

 Going for a little stroll outside - the kids LOVE to push him around in the car and will actually fight over who gets to push him next which is awesome for this preggo mamma!

The kids with my mom and Papa Steve - I always forget to pics of everyone at the party but Papa and Nonni, Chrissy, Bissy and Mike, and my Dad (aka Papa Duck) also came to celebrate with us.


Yesterday, Monday, the 24th was his actual birthday so of course we did our little family tradition of singing to him in his crib and then letting him open his presents from mommy and daddy. I think the big kids were more excited than he was and were trying to "help" him open his gifts and then "show" him how to play with them :) we finally had to order them to step away from the toys so Benjamin could even get a look at his gifts. I've never seen a 5, 4, and 3 year old so excited over a baby drum and baby baseball and bat! Both toys that they have larger versions of but they wanted to send the day playing with Ben's!


Dear precious Benjamin -

What a lucky, special little boy you are! You are so loved by your mommy, daddy and your brothers and sister. I feel pretty certain you will never have a dull moment in your sweet life! Before you were born I couldn't imagine how it would be to have 4 little ones but now of course I can't remember what we did with out you. You have always been such a happy laid back baby but lately you have become quite the little adventurer and explorer and keep us all on our toes. You are SOO much like your older brother John-Mark not only in your looks but also in your temperament and overall attitude. I wonder how much of that will change as you get older. Your little life does seem to have flown by so fast this past year and I wish I could stop time and just enjoy my sweet little wobbly walking boy but I know before I know it you will be outside climbing the rock wall with your brothers and sister and asking me 1000 questions just like they do :)
Your daddy and I truly thank God for your amazing life and are so thankful that we get to be a part of it. Our prayer is that you will always know how much you are loved not only by us but by your Heavenly Father and that as you grow you will have a passion and desire to know and serve Him all the days of your life. We pray that your gifts and talents will be revealed at a young age and that we will be able to help you use those to glorify God in all you do. We pray that we will be living examples of what a passionate relationship with Jesus looks like and even though we will mess up plenty as we raise you that we will always be able to point to God and know that by His grace and mercy in all of our lives we are able to do His will.
We love you soooo much baby boy and look forward to all God has in store for you!! You are a blessing to us all!