Finn's Birthday Playdate

On Saturday Mae, Hasan and their parents came over for a playdate to celebrate Finn's birthday. It was fairly low key. We just went to the park near our place for about an hour and then came back, played and had cupcakes. Finn also got some really cool presents - an activity walker, a tool box, and a great new book. Most of all, he just loved hanging with the older kids. Thanks Hasan and Mae!

Finnegan's 1 Year Pictures

The weekend before our trip to Ohio, we went to Millenium and Grant Parks to take Finny's one year pictures. We used the same photographer we used for his two week and six month pictures, and she once again did a fabulous job. Here are some of the highlights.

Finnegan and Jillian

On Finny's actual birthday, we met up with Kristin, Joe and Jillian for a trip to the zoo. Hands down, Jillian and Finny's favorite part was the aquarium. Mom's favorite part was the HUGE bears we saw. Then we headed back to the Mudra's for some lunch. Since it was his big day, Jillian let Finn wear her sweet first birthday bib. Finn also got to check out all of Jillian's cool toys before getting in the car for our long trip back to Chicago.

Finnegan's First Birthday Party

On May 23rd, we celebrated Finny's first birthday. The party started out with a trip to the Richland Carousel, which was a HUGE hit with Finn and his cousins. Izzy easily must have riden that thing ten times in the hour or so we were there. Then we went back to Grandma and Grandpa Kline's house for a cookout and some cake. Finn was pretty tired after all those carousel rides, but his cousins had a lot of fun. They found a big rock near the creek to climb, made carousel horses out of construction paper and pipe cleaners, and successfully bested a pinata. Finn then got a second wind and had fun checking out all his new toys. Jillian, who had just had her first birthday, was there to give him some pointers. All in all I think it was a successful first birthday. A big thanks to all his friends and family who came and made the day so special!

To my son on his birthday

Finnegan,

Today is your first birthday and so I wanted to tell you about how you came into my life exactly a year ago today. It was the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend and I was spending a long weekend in Chicago with your dad. At this point I was still finishing up my clerkship in South Bend. I decided this would be my last weekend in Chicago as I was almost 38 weeks along and wanted to stay close to the South Bend hospital after this. We woke up around 10 a.m. and Joe said he would start getting breakfast ready. I went to start my day by waddling in to use the restroom. While I was sitting there contemplating what to do that day, I suddenly heard a pop and a bit of water came out. I called for your father to let him know that I thought my water might have broken. He was dubious. So I went and laid down in our bed because I heard that if you lay down and then stand back up and your water has broken, much more water will come out. So I thought I might try it. And lo and behold - a whole lot of water came out. So I told Joe that I was SURE that my water had indeed broken and then everything really started to progress quickly. I called my doctor in South Bend, where I was supposed to deliver, and told him I was on my way. He told me that I had to go to a Chicago hospital to get your heart rate checked and if they released me, then I could go to South Bend. I then called my doula, Deborah, who also happened to be in Chicago that weekend and we agreed to meet at Prentice Women's Hospital. We then called Vicki and your grandparents and texted several friends and family to spread the news that you were on your way. When we got to Prentice, I hadn't preregistered so I was the stereotypical pregnant woman having contractions while giving my insurance information to check in. The nurse quickly told me that I was 3 centimeters already so there was no way I was being released to drive to South Bend. So I took in the news and resigned myself to the fact that my baby was going to be born in Chicago instead of South Bend as I planned. The contractions started to really kick in after I got into my room and it turned out that I had back labor, which meant every contraction felt like someone was kicking me in the lower back. For HOURS, your dad and Deborah applied counter pressure to my lower back as I tried to breathe through the contractions. Around 6 I was in a lot of pain, so we decided to get in the shower for an hour. It helped a bit, but as soon as I got out the contractions started to come hard and I projectile vomited all over the bathroom. Shortly after this, your grandparents arrived and I was not dealing well with the contractions. So even though I was adamant that I wasn't going to get an epidural, I decided to give in. Well the anesthesiologist arrived and I started to think this was a good decision as I got my worst contraction yet right in the middle of the spinal. But then the nursing staff started to get nervous. They kept telling me to switch the side I was laying on. Then about 6 high risk nurses and a doctor arrived and told me that your heart beat had fallen to 50 bpm and they were giving me 2 more minutes for it to come up before taking me in for an emergency c-section. I was terrified as this was exactly the sort of complication that had me against getting an epidural to begin with. Well at the last minute, your heart rate came back up, but I decided to just let the medicine wear off so that your heart rate would stay strong and you would be delivered naturally. The epidural did give me a couple hour break where I visited with your grandparents and by the time the pain came again - it was time to push. And push we did. Your Grandma Manning was pushing my head down, your dad and Deborah were pulling on each leg and your Grandma Kline was giving encouragement for AN HOUR AND A HALF. At one point after the hundredth time that your dad assured me we were getting closer I said - are you sure or are you just telling me that to make me feel better. He admitted that we were getting closer, but just in very tiny increments. Finally, the doctor told me to give a final push and out you came. I can still picture the look on your face. You weren't crying - you were just looking at me quizzically. My sweet, beautiful little boy was just wondering what the heck just happened to him.

I fell in love with you that instant and each day have loved you more and more. You truly are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. I always knew I wanted to be a mom, but I had no idea exactly how wonderful and life changing it was going to be. And I never imagined I would be blessed with such a wonderful little boy. Every day you make me laugh while also challenging me to be a better, more patient person. This past year I've watched you grow from this tiny dependent little newborn to a more independent, walking, talking little man. I am looking forward to this next year and all the new milestones you will conquer including your first full sentence. I love you Finnegan with all my heart. Happy Birthday my sweet little man!

Finny Walks!

Mother's Day

Finn and Joe planned a very nice Mother's Day for me this Sunday. It started with a beautiful flower delivery. Then we all went to Bin 36 for a yummy brunch. Finn was SO GOOD. He just sat in his high chair and kept himself busy by eating cheese cubes, grapes and some yogurt. That gave Joe and I the chance to sample the vast amount of food options available as well as sharing a mimosa flight. Awesome. Then Finn and I came home and napped for 2 hours! It was a really wonderful first mother's day. Here are a few shots we snapped at Bin 36.

Jillian's First Birthday Party and Aunt Michelle and Uncle Greg's House

Joe, Finn and I went to Ohio this weekend so we could go to Jillian's First Birthday party. She was born 3 weeks before Finn and is my goddaughter, so we were so excited to be there for her big day. And I told Joe about 5 times to make sure we brought the camera...and we did, all the way to Ohio. Sadly, the camera stayed behind at Aunt Michelle and Uncle Greg's house while we were at the party. I'm bummed we can't post pictures because Jillian looked SO CUTE in her green dress, white tights and cute hair barette! And she had an amazing Very Hungry Caterpillar cake made out of 100 cupcakes. She set a very high bar for first birthday party's - one I'm not sure we can meet in 3 weeks time. Well we can't post pictures of the big event this weekend - but I can post a few pictures of Finny clowing around with Aunt Michelle. He was totally showing off - taking steps, playing peek-a-boo, and waving bye-bye.