gus' first birthday

I can't believe Gus is ONE!!!  Wow, this past year flew by and he has gotten so big.  He is walking, climbing, waving, blowing kisses, and getting into absolutely everything.  He is the light of our lives, but he has still earned the inevitable nicknames of Fussy Gussy and Guster McFuster (to name a few of many).   He is saying Mama, Dada, Hi (usually on the phone), Bye (usually with a wave), Here (usually when he hands you something or wants to be held), There (or Der or something like that, when he wants you to take him somewhere), and Uh-oh (when he drops something or knocks something over).  He thinks his brother is so cool and tries to copy everything he does, but he also has stood up for himself a few times by hitting, hair pulling, and even biting.  We aren't encouraging this behavior, but Jimmy is sort of asking for it a lot of the time.  On the other hand, Jimmy adores Gus and tells me all the time, "Mom, I am so glad we got the cutest baby."   Jimmy was very excited for Gus' big day.  I think he secretly knew it meant there would be more toys around our house for him as well, but he also just loves birthdays and is happy for any reason to celebrate.... and get cake.  Gus is used to having "Happy Birthday" sung to him on a regular basis because Jimmy likes to pretend every day is Gus' birthday, but Gus was excited none the less when we sang it to him that morning.

Jimmy picked out bowling pins as his present for Gus so it was the first thing he opened in the morning. 

That evening we had a family gathering with Baabee, Danny, Mimi and Johnny, and the Burches.

The other kids all helped open the presents, but Gus did his part, too.

Then Uncle Pete, brought over his present for Gus:

A huge cardboard box.

Needless to say it was enjoyed.

It was like a giant game of peek-a-boo for Gus.

He also opened this large box from us.

And Lucy enjoyed hiding in it.

Gus really like the Little People Garage that was inside of it.

And Jack really liked the paper that was inside of it.

Finn and Jimmy just loved telling stories with Mimi.

I suppose Gus will be really sick of Halloween things on his birthday someday, but while he is too young to know any better, I will take advantage of it.  These were pumpkin flavored cupcakes that also look like pumpkins and were wrapped in pumpkin cupcake holders designed by Baabee.  What can I say, I love pumpkin.

Our big one year old boy.

He demolished the cupcake.

And then he went for the candle.

And this was only the first party of the season.