Knox Turns ONE!

This little guy fills us with so much joy. I can't believe he is one. This first year has gone by the fastest between the 3 kids. I guess time keeps speeding up. 3rd time around, however, I have realized how each moment is so fleeting, and I've really focused on soaking up every single moment of each of my kids' lives. They each bring me so much joy. I hate writing it out like that, because you see all moms say and write that all the time. But it is SO true. There is nothing more true, actually.

Knox V. 1.0:

-His sleeping habits aren't as fabulous and consistent as I'd prefer, but I love the moments in the middle of the night when he awakes. After his accident last year, I have never complained about waking up with my little man in the night. Those nighttime moments are sacred. I don't know how else to describe it. Nothing else matters in the middle of the night.

-He is SO affectionate. He hugs and kisses every chance he gets. He's a snuggler. If he's even remotely tired, a cuddle will put him to sleep. Along those lines, he is sensitive! A simple "no" puts the most pitiful frown on his face.

-He has very unique, sweet bonds with his siblings. Stone and Knox have a special brotherly love bond. Stone is his protector from anything and everything, and helps him all the time. He's great at keeping him company when I need a few minutes to do something. Emerson and Knox have a more playful/pesky bond at the moment. She likes to push his buttons, and he can give it back. However, they do play so well together. She pushes him in a big truck all over the house, and they build blocks together.

-His vocabulary is growing, and he understands SO much. He'll find something I ask him to get.

-He has such an appetite, but my little chubbers has lost his rolls and fat! Once he started crawling, and then walking, he goes goes goes, and those calories are quickly burned.

-He LOVES our dog. He feeds him from his high chair every meal. Our dog treats him VERY different from Stone and Emerson.

-I don't say this in hyperbole. He is the HAPPIEST baby. He RARELY fusses. If he has a full belly, he's the happiest baby. Though he's a snuggler, he is an explorer, and doesn't need to be next to me at all times.

-I can go on and on and on about this sweet kid. We love him SO much. ALL of us. He's the perfect addition to this family. Knox, WE LOVE YOU!

Here are some portraits from his 1st year photo shoot, followed by some candids from the shoot, an attempted "smash the cake" quick session, actual cake eating, and opening gifts:

They had a little fun while I was taking Knox's pictures:

We attempted a quick "smash the cake" session right before we actually did cake and gifts, but he just didn't quite get it. He was WAY more interested in the balloons.