Then, today, the most awful thing happened. I fell down the stairs while holding Leo. It was, again, absolutely horrible. I have not recovered emotionally. Horrible. Again, gratefully, oh dear Lord gratefully, we are both okay. This time, Leo has a goose egg on the side of his head and I am sore pretty much everywhere. Comic relief: I felt hardest on my bottom. Good thing it’s padded.  I am just so terribly shaken.

I’ve no idea how both Coltan and I slipped on the same spot. I’ve inspected it, believe me, and it seems like a normal stair…but it was surely not today and yesterday.

I am counting my blessings repeatedly tonight.

I really love this particular video of him sounding out a word because it shows the whole thinking process for him. So fun.

oops the candles blew out in the wind! Birthday boy didn’t mind. He takes the wish making to seriously I love it!

This was the morning of the party. SO exciting!

and this came in handy

We even found a policeman walking by just as the first guests arrived! What luck!!

The doughnut cake…

Pin the Badge on Policeman Sam

and more party fun!

including sweet Princess Sofia whom Coltan adores!

I heart Officer Sam…

Missing just a couple kiddos in that last photo, 3 more boys.  It is hilarious trying to get that many kids and babies into a picture. I even caught the back of Leo’s head in the front! Awesome.

What a fun fun day! We’ve been in our new place for just over a month and Coltan had so many little friends at his party. How amazing! And it’s official. I love throwing kids birthday parties! Coltan was ear to ear smiles all day. I will spray paint boxes for hours any time just for that. He was so happy. Love that boy!!

Dear Coltan,

You are my first child. You are when awe and wonder entered my life in a touchable, viewable form. You are light and warmth. You have captured my heart and you are so careful with it because that is how you are. You were created with a sensitive and caring heart. You are kind and compassionate. You love so well.

You are four. I’m so excited for you to be four! This is going to be a great year. You are learning so much. You love to learn! You know so much – bits of french and spanish you are so proud to speak, you sound out small words, you can do simple math. You are so curious and ask endless questions. NOTHING gets past you and that has taught me such a great lesson to measure my words. I am just so amazed by your little sponge of a brain!

Today, your reaction as you opened your gifts was so great. We bought you a play castle and as you ripped the paper off the box you kept saying, “No. No way. No. It’s not. No way.” You did the same for your Fulham football shirt. It was so funny. You asked if Leo would help you open your presents and you played with your new rugby ball with Leo and Dad. You love your brother. You protect him and get upset if he gets upset. You really don’t like it when he gets scolded on any level!

You actually woke up on your 4th birthday with a double ear infection. We jetted off to the Dr and you bounced back with the help of the meds. Even sick, you were so happy to spend the day at home and bring your Birthday rice krispie treats to preschool tomorrow. You of course are a little guy who has his moments but truly you are such a good natured kiddo. When we bump heads, it’s usually cause one of us is tired or hungry.

You love to dress up as a knight, superhero, fireman, policeman…even a businessman like daddy. Your imagination is wild and I love that are so creative.

You are a comforter. You know when people are sad and you do something about it. You say beautiful things…things like “You are the best mommy in the whole world and all the planets.” and “I love Leo’s sweet soft head.” and “Make a happy face when you tell Poppy (the neighbors cat) to go back outside, mommy.”

You bring me rocks and leaves you find outside because you think they are pretty. You are smitten with every little girl you befriend. You seem utterly perplexed to pick one that you will marry and you seem to think it is an urgent matter to decide.

I love being your mommy. Oh I love it! I thank God multiple times a day for Coltan Mattern Blossom…that I get the blessing of watching you grow. I am overcome with gratitude.

Happy Birthday Coltan!!

We had NO idea that Leo’s first year of life would be so packed full of…well…LIFE!  And in the middle such an eventful year, we were blessed beyond words with the love of our Leo. He is fun and exciting and loving and hilarious. I’m just so in love with this little guy. At one year he is walking like a 2 year old…pretty much running. He climbs the stairs at lighting speed. He eats and eats and eats…but hold the veggies unless they are in a baby food tube.  Bread is still his favorite thing to munch on and cheerios.  He can show you one finger when we say ” you are one!” and he signs “more” and “all done. ” He is really cuddly to me right now and has grown so attached to the little monkey Coltan gave him. He babbles all day and clearly says dada and mama. I feel like more words are just ready to burst out of him. He’s crazy in the bathtub. He wants to dance in there and sumo squats when I tell him to sit down and then pops back up. He sleeps great! 2 naps and 12 hours at least at night. He just seems to love life. He’s so happy and full of zest! Oh and he loves loves loves to be a MESS! Nothing bothers him.

We had a birthday party with our friends at our new place in London. I’m so grateful for these friends…it took a little of the sting away from being so far from family. We got back from our vacation on Saturday and the party was Sunday so I did a really quick and thrown together “Hungry Caterpillar” theme. Leo LOVED the cake. He was not so happy when I took it away. I’m sure he would have eaten the whole thing. I’m not surprised at all! Sweet gifts and good time with friends and we were all so happy to take the time to celebrate this very precious little boy we’ve been given.

The Nierentgartens…

The Harts…

Presents…Thanks everyone!

Cake!

He dove right in…

What was I thinking with that red frosting. It was everywhere!

Crazy, happy brothers playing…

The last picture was our attempt to get one of all the kids. Hilarious. Leo wouldn’t sit down or even be still enough to be in focus. Perfect.

The big boys got to take home a bug net and critter cage…Coltan fills his daily with creatures from the garden. The little boys got buggy bug books and sweet Grace, our only little lady at the party, got butterfly hair clips that I really hope I can see her wear before she’s 2!

Leo, you are a beam of light. You bring adventure and energy to our family. You are curious and brave. You are loving and enthusiastic. Your joy is contagious. Your smile is infectious. Your spirit is uplifting. I love you with my whole heart. Happy first birthday my gorgeous son. I will love you forever.

Leo loves the bath. He thinks it’s quite funny to stand up and then sit when I tell him and then stand right back up. Me. I don’t think it’s so funny anymore But, Leo, it’s just hilarious to him. We tried the sink but that was kind of a mess…but a fun one!

And look who has decided he prefers to give himself a shower…

Let me set this up with a little context. All over London, little tiny kiddos as young as 18 month (i do not exaggerate here) are ZIPPING around on scooters. It’s amazing…and terrifying. But naturally, Coltan was all about trying it as his eyes glued onto these little heart attacked inducing torpedos. A few months ago, I bought him a scooter but each time we took it out he was very scared. He’s ride it until it started to turn even a bit or if there was a person, dog, pigeon or leaf in his line of site. I felt so bad for him. Its so hard to know your child can do what he wants so badly to do but see fear get in the way.

Then, a week ago, Co wanted to take his scooter out and within a few minutes, he got it! He just did it. He figured out how to lean and steer and he was off! I was so so happy for him. Now, he’s mister big shot…even though there are these little dudes still zipping all around…he is uber confident and has even survived a few crashes without much drama.

Way to go Co. I know there will be so many times you just want to throw in the towel…you’ll get hurt, you’ll fall down, someone will whiz by you and make you feel small and I will remind you over and over again about when you were 3 in Holland Park in London and you were wearing that silly outfit you picked out because you always had to pick out your own clothes and those socks were your “racing socks” and you mastered that scooter!!!

couple weeks late! Oops. I think I was procrastinating because it was definitely a two adult job this month. Leo would not be still in the chair!

What a huge month for Leo. He is a full on walker which means no matter what I do he has a few bumps and bruises. He never stops moving or smiling. He’s a really happy little guy. He’s eating more and more finger food. He does not like the british chunky baby food. About two bites in he flat out refuses. He loooooves bread and scrambled eggs, blueberries and pasta. He’s not very consistent at taking his bottles.  I think it’s one part being a busy baby and one part that his reflux still bothers him. We tried no meds and things went downhill so he’s back on a minimal dose.  Still 8 teeth.  I think I’ve thought he was teething a dozen times. Oh, we had our first major choking incident where he ended up throwing up all over my feet to get the piece out. scary. gross. But he was just fine after that.  Now, we make a game of chewing. Much better.

The biggest thing about Leo is that he is constantly moving. Truly, there is nothing that keeps him still. I’m grateful he is a really good napper and sleeper. I would be too if I was sprinting from the moment my eyes opened till they closed.  He, like his brother, smiles at everyone and is such a happy little peanut.

He was weighed at the baby clinic and he is about 20lbs. He’s in the 50th percentile as far as I can tell.

Love you Leo!!

I am AMAZED at the bravery I witnessed Wednesday. My 3 year old son let a perfect stranger in rubber gloves scrape away at his teeth with a metal pointy thing without a single cartoon character, primary color painting, prize sticker or even a little baggy with floss and a toothbrush to keep his mind distracted. It was amazing. I can’t say I was quite as brave though I kept quiet while I took my turn and Coltan observed. I really wonder if he saw my knuckles turning white. We had to go, it could be delayed no longer.  Pediatric dentists aren’t on every corner here in London so I was really banking on my good natured little fella. And he amazed me. He didn’t flinch and insisted on going first. He’d been before in Atlanta but it was a completely different experience.

Now both of us have sparkly teeth again! I really had been noticing the city grime was sticking around even after a good brushing! Way to go Coltan!!

Leo is now rejecting most anything pureed. He can sure put it down!