Chase's One-year-old Birthday Shoot

Its finally Chase's turn. We celebrated his one year birthday in the Bahamas. Not a bad backdrop for his one year photo shoot. Here's to you, little guy...

(written by Judy)

This was an especially memorable trip for me because Chase turned the big ONE while we breathed in the Paradise Island of Atlantis. The little man is truly blessed to be so loved and adored by his daddy, sister, extended family and friends, and most devoted fan, me (*smile*). He is also lucky to be the second born because I have lowered my standards of cleanliness exponentially with him relative to Jaelin. Though I still suffer all the anxiety associated with watching my little boy crawl where dirty shoes & trash have been, dig his little fingers through vents that lead to God knows what, and squeeze mushy objects in his pudgy hands until they explode all over his dashing outfit, the difference is I hold that anxiety internally rather than express it through any action or behavior. Yes. He is lucky that his mother is tired enough to simply watch with horror. Those who know me well - you can appreciate how tired I must be!

We really needed this trip. We needed to regroup and at the same time, unwind. We needed to just be with each other with no agenda - no tasks to accomplish, no appointments to keep, no meals to prep or clean up after, no traffic to beat, no laundry to do, nothing to clean. It was heaven. We woke up to the calming sound of waves crashing ashore, the magnificent air rejuvenating our souls. We reconnected our spirits and recentered our self on the basic, core values of love and life - that is, until we realized that even a plain hamburger with no works cost $12! The island friends (waiters) sang Chase the most powerful birthday song you only hear in expensive theaters. As his proud mom, I was bursting with fruit flavors. Unfortunately, Chase was not accustomed to a bunch of strangers crowding his space, hovering over his head and singing at the top of their lungs. So it frightened him into a wail of tears. Nevertheless, I will always remember all the love and kindness showered on my little boy on his big day...and the gigantic manta rays that glided past us as he ate his first birthday cake.

Chase is a dream. He is love. When you lie down on the ground, he plots himself onto you with all his weight and affection. He is all smiles. He purposefully wrinkles his nose when he laughs. He asks for kisses by crashing his head into yours. He loves the challenge of multiple pacifiers. He savors them the way Gollum would his "Precious." He reaches out to hold Jaelin's hand when they sit in their carseats. He likes to dump toys out of bins and eat his books. And the icing on the cake? He even loves to eat! He will try just about anything and especially the crumbs he finds off the floor. He insists on feeding himself. He is all about dirt, mess, and independence. He is danger and accidents. He is sweet, sweet, so very sweet. Our lives are full and complete with his arrival. At a mere twelve weeks while in my womb, they broke my heart and crushed my spirit with the news that he may not be a healthy baby. Chase's presence is a gift. He has been my healing. Happy ONE-year-old, my little Chasey! Mommy loves you beyond measure.

Chase loves helping push the stroller.







He's magnetically drawn to stairs and all dangerous objects.











The sleepy boy in his favorite chair.