two whole hands...

I've been browsing thru KJ's pictures of the day he was born 10 years ago.  TEN.  It's completely surreal and almost baffling how quickly the years have passed.  The pictures take me back to that day which seems like yesterday, but as I scroll thru his 10 years of pictures, I really can't imagine or even almost remember what my life was like before he came in to this world.  He gave me a whole new world.  I don't know why I was blessed with such a gem, but I'm sure grateful he's mine.  He is my baby and I remind him everyday that he will always be my baby.  The little boy who did NOT want to leave my womb.  He was nice and comfortable hanging out in there, kicking my ribs, giving me crazy cravings, giving me stretch marks, and even the pitocin wasn't making him come.  Little stinker gave me a day and a half of labor before they finally took him C-Section.  I was very nervous to have another surgery, but with his heart rate dropping and my body completely worn out, I knew it was what needed to be done.  And although they didn't have time to properly get me numb, enduring the pain and nausea, as soon as I heard his newborn cry in that Operating room, my world stopped.  Nothing else mattered.  It was PURE joy.  Who knew a cry could be such a sweet sound?!!  I didn't get to see him right away because there was a drape separating me from being able to see the surgery.  But I kept asking if he had 10 fingers and 10 toes.  Then the moment came where the nurses brought him around the drape for me to see for the first time. Nothing compares to that moment.  Nothing.   

Birth Stats - 

8 lb. 8 oz.

21 inches long

Size 0 foot.     

Tenth Birthday Stats -

68.3 lbs. 

56 inches tall

Size 6.5 foot.  

Speaking of shoe size...we wear the same shoe size.  What. The. Heck.  He's growing too quickly.  

I don't know about you, but I still remember my 10th birthday.  It's the age I really start remembering everything from my childhood.  I remember the feeling of saying that I was two whole hands, two digits.  I thought I was so old and grown up.  Now my baby is there.  He is so big and he's growing up.  He's always had an old, calm, sweet soul and a very intelligent and inquisitive mind.  Maybe it's the 'oldest child' trait, who knows.  

All I know is that he is one easy kid.  

Always has been.  

Hope he always will be.  :)  

Another favorite thing of mine...his eyes and his freckles.  

He rolls his eyes when I tell him that, but seriously, love freckles.  

I asked him what his ten favorite things were the night of his birthday, these were his answers:

Birthdays

Idaho

Cousins

Having his own room

Water - high dives, swimming, boating

Back Scratches

Japanese stuff - sushi, chopsticks, origami

Long Boarding

His basketball hoop

Camping

He also still wants to be an Astronaut.  Same as last year.  Only this year he's added 'Chief' or 'Head' Astronaut.  He wasn't sure what the official title would be.

KJ turned ten in style.  His birthday celebrations lasted over multiple days.  

He really worked the system this year.

Since we knew we were moving shortly before his birthday, he decided that he wanted to have a birthday party in Colorado with his whole school class before we left.  It was a fun way to end the school year, say goodbye to good friends and make KJ feel pretty special.

He wanted a family party here in Idaho at the lake.  It was a fabulous day!  We stayed until about 10pm.  Then we had a few cousins come and stay the night.  SLUMBER PARTY!  I thought after a day in the sun, everyone would be tired and crash.  I thought wrong.  Needless to say, we didn't get much sleep that night.  But it was fun.

my Baywatch beauty.

 Pizza Pizza.

 How cute, all the cousins sat on the dock to eat. 

 Seriously, I know I'm his mom, but isn't he the cutest?!!?!

 He LOVES tubing.  

 Girl Cousins.

 Little Russell's first boat ride. 

 Russell and Will's first tube ride.  Russell LOVED it, kicked his little legs the whole time.  

Will, not so much.  

my favorite little guy.  

 Kicking back.

 The adults had to play too!  Me, Coley and Jill. Fun.  

Coley and Jack Jack.  Love.

 Sunset skiing.  Felt good to be behind the boat. 

My rock star Uncle Ryan.  He's amazing.

 Video Games kept them up way too late! 

Breakfast in Bed!  

For Everyone!

 KJ chose Taco Bell for Lunch.  The crew had to eat before their big day of swimming.

 It was a fun party day at the community pool.  Pirate boat rides, Jump houses, high dives...the perfect combination for fun.

Later that night we met a bunch of family at the Mongolian BBQ for KJ's birthday dinner.  We took up half the restaurant, I think there were 20 or so of us. THANKS Nana and Pops for treating us to a delicious dinner.  KJ's favorite place. 

 KJ wanted sushi for his birthday so what better way to make it kid friendly than to have sushi dessert style.  These were a hit. Will definitely be making these again.  

It was the day that never ended.  We came home and had my parents and sister over for gifts.  

SURPRISE....a new basketball hoop!  He had no idea!  He was so excited and surprised!

 We sure love our sweet birthday boy.  HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY KJ!!!

I think it's safe to say that he had a very memorable birthday!