It's the little things.

Today is my 28th birthday. It feels so different than any that I have experienced before. Nick is at work and I am writing while William sleeps and the house is quiet. I am sipping the iced coffee that Nick made for me this morning in his rush out the door. So sweet. I am so used to my birthday being this occasion where everyone drops everything. Never have I spent a birthday alone all day. While I know I won't be completely alone, I will have my William, I have always had friends around me. Today, I feel a strange craving to just be with myself. To do things that I normally do, clean the house, play in my garden. It is a tough call to make for me, my birthday has always brought... I dunno, change. Today, I just want everything to be the same. I think that means that I am happy with my life just the way it is. I don't feel the need to go out of my way to make it special, it already is because of the every day little things that make it that way. 

Love you long time.

william on his first birthday!

Things have been literally a whirlwind lately, and the weather outside reflects it! Time is flying and there is wedding planning to be done in our neck of the woods. William is doing great. He turned ONE YEAR OLD (can you believe it? I can't) on April 29th. We celebrated with a picnic- beach party at Fort Zach, complete with all of our friends and family. William had a great time, diddling around with his presents, eating cake, and just being the center of attention (just like he likes it, little ham that he is!). It was a little bit of an emotional day for me (kind of unexpectedly). I really felt the changes that we have gone through since that first moment that I held my baby in my arms. But I am very proud of all of us for continuing to grow together as a family. I couldn't love us more and every day with my loves brings me such joy and laughter. Even when it's stressful (which some days really can be!), every time I look at my little William (and my big William), I feel such gratitude for all I have. Love really is all we need, and lucky me, I have a lot of it!

look at those little hands- omg

birthday boy with ms. hayden

family

spring party

handsome prince

you are my sunshine

my angel

banana face on banana pan =)

oh christmas tree, how i love thee.

I kind of felt like Ban Pan needed some Christmas cheer, so here we are =) I find myself sitting and listening to Harry Connick Jr. Holiday on Pandora, all cozy and warm in my little abode. Nick and I have our first Christmas tree together this year, all tucked away in the corner with pretty white lights and cute ornaments, some old, some new. We just finished with a nice visit from Mimi and all the excitement of the week must have just spent us because here we are, all cough-y and sniffly and stuff. So, I am just spending time indoors, in sweat pants, sipping tea, with my William. Other than the scratchy throat, I don'r really mind being sick one bit ;) 

I am really looking forward to Christmas this year and hope that it is nice and warm and cozy with my loves. That is all I wish for! Well, I hope you are all enjoying your holiday season and staying nice and toasty. sending love. 

the many faces of william!

curious

excited!!

camera shy

aware

silly

eyes for muma 

talented!

enough pictures!

playful 

loving

Chicago trip part 1

Hello all from Key West, Florida. We just returned home after spending 4 days in Chicago, meeting the man that my son is named after, William Joseph Soto (the first!!). It was such an exciting time and I now, feel so much closer to my son and Nick. I feel like I have such a better understanding of who they are and where they come from. Meeting Great Grandpa was such an honor, and watching him hold baby William was a moment that I will cherish forever. I must say, they seem very fond of each other! William took to his great grandfather right away and had nothing but smiles for him the whole time! It was such magic and I feel so grateful to have been a part of it all. I have tons of pics to share and will post them all once we get settled back in. But for now, I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the family that made us feel SO WELCOME and loved during our stay in Chicago. It has truly been an unforgettable time for us and thanks to you all for making it happen.

williams first flight

exhausteddd

heading home

bye bye great grandpa!

4 month William