And just like that, another year has flown by and the newborn we brought home last summer is a fully-fledged one-year-old who has begun to walk and takes advantage of his many siblings to help him practise.
As I am sure you know, one-year-olds tend not to be interested in their birthday gifts; but their three-year-old sisters often are.
He briefly enjoyed his new wooden train until it was confiscated by Mariana and his attention was distracted by a box in which he could sit.
How I love his face. He is one of my best sun-tanners and has quite the farmer's tan from days spent watching his brothers' and sisters' swimming lessons at the beach. Note the difference in skin colour between his neck and leg.
Jacob thrown in for good measure because he doesn't appear that much around the blog anymore.
Isaac looking like something is bothering him.
Ben wearing an unfortunate side glare.
Matthew clearly upset by the paparazzi.
Dave in farm clothes, or maybe these are renovation clothes. He hasn't had a day off this summer between farmwork and helping with the renovations at our new house. He was actually glad to get back to school today.
The box that distracted Matthew.
Classic Matthew face. He has quite the eyebrows and often pulls in his lower lip to form the face you see above. My sister calls him my be-eyebrowed baby.
Train appropriated by older sisters.
Grandma and Grandpa in attendance at all birthdays. Actually, if it weren't for Grandma, the last few babies would have been present-less on their first birthdays. I figure that the baby doesn't know either way, but Grandma thinks otherwise.
Joe wearing an undisclosed expression.
Mariana next to one of her favourite people, Grandma Julie.
Matthew absolutely loves corn-on-the-cob and his birthday falls exactly at the best time for eating it - fate.
He does love corn, despite the facial expression.
The iconic GF donut cake made by Grandma Julie. This cake has become a staple at family birthdays and is expected by all the kids.
Matthew also loves strawberries.
Mommy making an effort to get into photos.
He had no idea what to do with his candle, so I took the liberty of blowing it out myself.
First taste of chocolate icing.
Shock and awe.
Wondering why this food had been kept from him for so long. He needn't have wondered long based upon the wicked bum rash that appeared the next day.
August birthday buddies.
Stuffing it in.
Looking for more, with authority.
Siblings playing around with their baby and the camera.
One of Hannah's greatest gifts to me was to photograph Matthew on his monthly birthdays. She started when he was a few days old and continued until he was one. I do believe she will keep going. This is such a great record of the past year and I do wish we had done it with all the kids. Matthew, we love you so much. You are pure gift and it seems as if you have always been here. Whatever did we do without you?
