Tuesday, February 22, 2011

A birthday boy celebration!

Every January we are blessed with celebrating two birthdays, four days apart.  Yup, two in one week. Every year.  I shared Analyzer's birthday here, back when it actually happened.  Due to technical difficulties though Inventor's birthday post has been quite delayed.  Nothing like going through 50,000 pictures (literally), again, to throw this together.....Well, let's get right to it, shall we?

PA16651191843 (1).jpg

In January of 2003 a small, tender, sweet and silly, yes, silly, boy entered our lives.  He began his life in our world in the same carefree fashion he'd continue to live it, by quite literally peeing on the OBGYN as she caught him!  No, he no longer does that, on people anyway, but he definitely still knows how not to take himself too seriously.  He excels at lightheartedly squeezing every ounce of fun out of life!

He was a peaceful and serene baby, bringing tremendous joy to all who had the pleasure of being around him.

01070009 (1).jpg

P1010390 (1).jpg

Upon his birth, we had a short list of names we were considering.  Like all our children, we didn't name him until we saw him.  It's still miraculous to me how once born, the right name always just popped right out at us!  With him, as with the others, it was clear as day.  He was 'my (our) joy', a direct translation of his given name.

00730017.jpg

His beautiful yet goofy grin brought endless smiles to our faces,

HAMMOCK CLOSE UP (1).jpg

Big sister was always looking out for him.  30 minutes after his arrival she offered him her teddy bear because he was crying.  She also made sure they'd become the best of friends,

IMG_0245 (9).jpg

To this day they are two peas in a pod.

Like I said before, he knows how to milk every last bit of joy and fun out of everything he does.  Eating with relish is no exception.

IMG_0402 (5).jpg


IMG_1519 (2).jpg

Though where he puts it I cannot say.

As his second birthday came and went,

IMG_0152 (8).jpg

Inventor was getting himself ready to become an older brother.  It was his turn to be the older sibling, but he was still as cuddly as ever, maybe even more so.  Perhaps, in his characteristic astuteness, he was keenly aware that things were about to change....

IMG_0308 (1).jpg

A proud big brother he was though!  It's amazing, and a little sad perhaps, how the youngest always seems so big once a new baby is born....It's like he grew up over night!

IMG_0102 (9).jpg

Through his role change he still, as always, wanted to stay close,

IMG_0587 (5).jpg

Togetherness was and is, without fail, still his top priority.

With people,

IMG_0945 (2).jpg

And pets,

IMG_2345.jpg

As the song goes ".....just as long as we're together, it doesn't matter at all!"

He's an observer and a day dreamer, especially when it comes to all things nature,

IMG_0228 (9).jpg

The child is always looking down in the dirt (he's the one who always finds interesting things, and money.),

IMG_6368 (1).jpg

Or in the sand,

CRW_7365.jpg

Examining one thing or another,

IMG_0129 (1).jpg

Though sometimes, he does look up to do the same,

IMG_4125 (2).jpg

He simply soaks up and delights in all that surrounds him,

IMG_8057 (1).jpg

He not only observes and inspects, he also relishes PLAYING with and in all that surrounds him:

IMG_0007 (2).jpg

IMG_9863.jpg

IMG_8215.jpg

IMG_5719.jpg

IMG_6906.jpg

And has the evidence to prove it!

IMG_6734 (1).jpg

Though he does clean up real nice :-)

IMG_3479.jpg

He's a collector,

IMG_9253 (1).jpg

IMG_7256 (1).jpg

He's gentle with, and respectful of, all living things,

IMG_0728 (5).jpg

CRW_3873.jpg

IMG_0477 (2).jpg

CRW_2506.jpg

Let us not forget that he IS Inventor after all.  There's a reason he earned that name!

Other than being an investigator,

IMG_0145.jpg

He is most in his element when he -

Builds,

IMG_0394.jpg

Assembles,

IMG_2821.jpg

Designs

IMG_9764.jpg

Constructs,

IMG_1709.jpg

Creates,

CRW_7354.jpg

And, Invents!

IMG_0523.jpg

He's intrigued by all things bones,

IMG_1811.jpg

fossils,
IMG_3914.jpg

IMG_3546.jpg

and geology,

IMG_3934.jpg

When he's not focused on nature or engrossed in creating,

he's the silliest,

IMG_9562 (1).jpg

the kookiest,

IMG_0981 (1).jpg

100% playful,

IMG_4329.jpg

And when he laughs, he does so with his entire heart and soul,

CRW_6239.jpg

He is a BOY and yes, has always loved LOVED cars!

IMG_0417 (1).jpg


CRW_1949.jpg

He may not be a sportsman, but he sure loves gettin' his body movin',

IMG_2184 (1).jpg

One way or the other,

IMG_7531 (1).jpg

Even if it is a bit scary,

IMG_4729.jpg

He delights in learning new things.

IMG_0439.jpg

All. The. Time.

IMG_2712.jpg

With pure wonder we've watched him grow,

IMGP0569.jpg

Grow,

IMG_1690 (2).jpg

And grow!

IMG_3744 (1).jpg

Now that he's EIGHT,

CRW_3949.jpg

He continues to bring tremendous joy to all who know him, and especially to those who get to hug,

CRW_3752.jpg

Squeeze,

CRW_0576.jpg

Cuddle,

CRW_8275.jpg

and play cards with him :-)

P1280463.jpg


He is tender hearted, a sensitive soul, sweet and kind as can be, insightful, helpful, clever, diplomatic, super friendly, a super cuddler, goofy as all heck, and oh so lovable!

Watching his personality shine and his passions develop and evolve has been an absolute delight and honor for us.

He is 'Our Joy', and always, ALWAYS, will be.

1 comment: