Baby Joe is ONE!!!

 Our sweet Baby Joe turned one today!  It is so hard to believe he is a year old...but what a year it has been!  Full of lots of medical troubles...but lots of smiles and joy, too.

While he has not started walking yet, he is on the move most of the time.  If it were up to him, he'd be outside 100% of the time.  Whenever he is cranky, we take him outside...pull him in the wagon or let him crawl and pick flowers from the flower beds and he is happy!  He also loves bubbles, books, playing with his brothers, the wooden duck Grandma has on the window sill (he actually says, "Du--" when he wants it!) and spending time going for stroller rides or on field trips with his family!

Below are a few special pictures from the past month with our Joe!

Today we celebrated with a relaxing day at home...playing outside, swinging in his new birthday swing, taking naps and enjoying a dinner of ribs, corn on the cob and gluten free macaroni and cheese!  

He was pretty serious during the whole evening...enjoying everything, but a little wary of all the attention focused on him!  His birthday cake was a gluten free lemon zest cake with lemon icing and raspberries...since he loves lemons and raspberries!  

Thank you to all of you who sent cards, gifts, greetings and hugs from near and far on this day!  You helped make it feel very special for our little guy.  We are so grateful for each day we have with our Jolly Joe.  Thank you, Lord!