Two!!!

My son is two. I can't believe how quickly that happened. It seems like only weeks since I wrote a blog to comemorate his first birthday. In fact, the profile picture I had up was from that birthday.

For those who don't know, this momentous occasion occurred on January 21st, but, as I'm sure you've guessed, we have been busy around here. He had a Thomas the Train themed party at The Little Gym, and there were a few friends (okay, 12, plus adults) there. I find it so amazing how easily Billy bonds/plays/gets comfortable with other kids - and so quickly. As I watched the other kids play, I realized that most kids his age (and even some older) take time to warm up to playing. Billy jumps in head first. Not that I'm surprised...I've always been a "social butterfly" (my dad's term, I believe, coined during my days as a 16-18 year old), and any of you who know Eric know he lives for entertaining a crowd.

I do wish the head first thing was a figure of speech, but my little boy is quite the daredevil. I have come to believe that God created little boys so that us mommies could develop nerves of steel...probably so that on that day when they find a woman that they love more than *gasp* us, we can handle it a little better :) ! I don't know if I should blame my husband (for all the panic he caused his mom), my brother (for somehow passing on HIS daredevil genes), or his weekly gymnastics class (where he loves tumbling and throwing himself into the pit). All I know is, Jeffery's (my brother) only visit to the emergency room when we were younger was because I hit him with a metal baseball bat (long story short, he was too close to where the end of my swing was headed), so he came out of most of his hijinks unscathed. I just hope Billy takes after Jeffery in that area....because as a mom, Eric's horse story (no short story) scares me to death - heck, it scared me to before I was a mom!

Anyway...I have enjoyed every second of Billy's two plus years, and I can't wait to see what year three holds!!!

Ho Ho Holy Cow it is Already Almost Christmas!

So, my last post was in September, and I feel like I just composed it. As I sit here, staring at the computer screen I see that the school year is almost half over, and my son's second birthday is right around the corner. Not to mention, of course, my favorite time of year - Christmas!!! I love the decorations (seriously, I have a problem), the food (umm...another problem), and the cold weather that lets me have tons of apple cider and a fire in the fireplace. Sometimes, I get so busy or stressed that I forget how much fun this time of year is. But it has gotten so much easier with Billy. He has so much curiosity about all of the Christmas decorations, is loving playing in the cold weather, and is just so much fun that it helps me remember how much I love Christmas. It's like being a kid all over again. Here are a few pictures you can enjoy! Merry Christmas, all - and I'll try to be more consistent!

Billy and his cousin Elliot

Turkey Trottin' across the finish line!

Billy and his Aunt Jessica

Christmas Card Pose....Merry Christmas all!

Wow. Where has the time......

GONE???? School started 5 weeks ago, and after the summer I forgot how quickly the year just swooshes on by. I miss my summer days! So, here I am to blog, albeit quickly, about the happenings in the Keltner household. Billy is 20 months old. 20. In 4 months he'll be 2. I can't believe it's been two years. He can talk your ear off, mimic you perfectly (guess what you get when you spend the summer telling the loud-barking bassett to shut up? A toddler who quietly says "shut up" without moving his lips because he knows he's not supposed to say it!), race you, sing his favorite nursery rhymes (including the alphabet - mostly) on key, and tell you he does or doesn't like something. He blows me away daily. Lately, he's been asking for my sister's fiance, Chad. I told him Chad is back in Boston. Now, when he sees a picture of Chad, he says "Chad, Boton". Another crazy thing - he recognizes places we're going in the car. If we drive towards Firewheel, he says "Tina's House" (his sitter), a couple of blocks from my parents' place, he says "Bill-o, Lala", and if we exit off of 75 anywhere around Lovers, he starts looking for Gammy's house. It is pretty awesome.

Recently, Billy got to ride on his first Ferris Wheel - at Addison Oktoberfest. He saw it from across the park, pointed and said "WOW!" We rode it, and the whole time he kept saying "I up here, Wheel". He also waved at the people he saw on the ground, and kept throwing in the occasional "woah!". I can't wait to take him on the Texas Star. How much fun will THAT be!!! He also got to see hot air balloons at the Balloon Fest - and he kept telling them to "Get down". It was funny to watch him try to "catch" the balloons.

I don't know when I'll blog again, coming up soon I'll be helping my parents with the very big and extremely emotional task of packing up their house. I can't even begin to tell you all of the things that go through my mind just thinking of it. For those who don't know, they've been splitting their time between Temple and Mesquite for my dad's new job. It is too much on them to keep splitting the time between two places (financially and emotionally), so they're moving down there. Selfishly, I hate it. I know it is what needs to happen, but I've never been more than 30 minutes away from my parents....so it is a HUGE thing for me. I know it is only 2 1/2 hours, but with working, Billy, and Eric's schedule, it just makes it that much harder to see them all the time ... I know, I know, there are webcams...but that's just not the same.

Well - as Billy would say "Bye, Later"....

Testing out mobile blogging...let's see just how connected I can be! I figure with this I can at least upload silly Billy pictures more quickly!

My Son, The Clothes Horse....

So, I was doing a little maintenance on Billy's closet this morning (which is funny, because I never thin out my closet), and pulled out all of his 12 month and starting-to-get-too-short 18 month clothes. I tried to add what I pulled out to the 9-12 month tub of clothes in our recently cleaned out (only to be filled up again) guest room closet, only to find I could fit no more. I crammed them into a Central Market bag. My son, the 18 month old, has three tubs and a brown grocery bag full of clothes he's outgrown over the last 18 months. When I say tubs, I'm talking about those tubs with the hinged lids that interlock to close (when there aren't clothes spilling out of them). I have two more of them in the attic with Christmas decorations in them - they're good sized tubs. But my little man has managed to fill up THREE of them. Stuffed to the gills! How can a child this young have so many clothes??? I was looking at the stack this afternoon, and I suddenly began feeling very thankful for all of our friends and family who have so sweetly given us these pieces of clothing. I know we didn't even buy half of what is in those tubs, and that is amazing to me. That little boy is so adored by so many people - that they see things in the store and just grab them up! It is bittersweet to see all the clothes, because it seems like only yesterday he fit into the smallest of them. And I know it will be no time at all before I'm in the same situation as my Best Friend with her almost 7th grader buying new uniforms to compensate for a 2 inch growth spurt! Ahhh...if only I could just slow down time a few seconds each day!

A Sad Day for Mama...

I am writing this blog as my summer is rapidly coming to a close. I "officially" have two more weeks off, but this week I'm enrolled in a staff development course on Life Science. It is a great course, but this morning was very, very sad. Instead of running to greet my boy in his PJs and then slowly starting our morning (either with breakfast or an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse), I had to get him dressed and then get ready myself. Now, me and Eric take turns in the morning during the school year - but I wanted to do it this morning. This first of what is about to be 180+ mornings where I've got to rush, rush, rush to get my already rapidly growing boy off to the sitter (whom he LOVES) so I can get off to work. If any of you have seen him lately you'd agree - there's very little baby left in him as he transitions completely into toddlerdom. I just hate that it seems that time moves so quickly! And, don't get me wrong, I love my job, BUT - I spend just about every moment wondering "what is he doing now?", "what is he learning?" "what absolutely amazing thing is he going to show me when I see him this evening?"

I know next summer will be here before I know it....and before that I've got Christmas and Spring Break as little teasers...but some days I wish we could just keep on hanging out at the house, doing our little routines and playing our little games every day. That is why weekends during the school year are so precious. That is why I tend to put everyone else on "ignore" on Saturdays....the only day me, Billy, and even Eric can just have our quiet, family at home time. So I guess this is not only a "highly emotional" post from a mom who is starting to think staying home wouldn't be all bad....but also a bit of an advance apology to everyone - since once school starts I'll either go MIA a lot, or say no more often than I want...to protect the precious few weekend days we have to play while Billy still wants to hang out with his parents ;)

That said - if you're really wanting to see us and you know we're caught up in the constant whirlwind of life...give a call and stop on by. Just know, I very strongly hold to this poem given to my by my mom - "Cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow, but babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs, and dust go to sleep - I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep" -Anonymous (this means, there's clutter, dust, and maybe even (gasp) dishes in the sink...so deal with it! :)

And here's a photo of my rapidly growing boy....I have some video, but all the little toot wants to do is "see" what is recording when I turn it on:

Busy bees at the Keltner household...

We've been busy around here! Between swim lessons and Tiny Tots gymnastics, there has been a LOT going on! I'm just so sad that there is less than a month left of my summer with Billy, and I really wish it could last a little longer! Next week is Billy's 18 month appointment. I cannot believe it has been a year and a half since he was born! I was looking at photos today, and he's gotten so big, and sounds so big when he talks (we're getting two word sentences now) that it is just amazing how quickly they grow and learn. I swear, by next summer I have NO IDEA where he'll be. And I know that we'll be at next summer in the blink of an eye. I wish I could slow down time a little. But, as it is, I am enjoying every minute of my summer home with Wild Bill....even when all he wants is to "come here"...because I know that soon enough he'll barely remember he used to ALWAYS want to be on my hip or sitting in my lap. Here are some recent pictures of my sweet boy having his summer fun!

swimming at Lala and Grandpa's "other" house in Temple.

Playing in the foam pit!

Front Roll! This is his favorite move. If you say front roll, he bends over and waits for you to flip him!

More fun with Lala (my mom) this time.....

Chocolate pudding - and his "surprised" face. If you ask him if he's surprised, this is the face he makes.

Swim lessons. Billy HATES having to float on his back. He'll finally do it about halfway down, but he screams the whole time.


1, 2, 3......
Dunk! Finally got him to submerge without drinking half the pool on the second to last day!

Food Allergy Strikes Again...

Well, I have now spent the last two hours doing as much research as possible on food allergies - specifically peanuts. Went to dinner tonight, Billy, my mom, and me, at Olive Garden. Ordered Billy the ravioli, and mom and I each got a pasta dish. As we waited on food, Billy gnawed on a bread stick and we ate our salad. When the food got there, we got cheese on our dishes and mom offered Billy some of her shredded cheese (he is a CHEESE MANIAC) while he waited impatiently for me to get his food ready. Shortly after this, three hives appeared on his chin and the skin over his mouth. My mom noticed it first. I wiped his face and hands and we continued our meal, thinking he looked better. After a bite of the ravioli, more hives appeared, all around his mouth. Panicked, I dug in the diaper bag to find the Benadryl, which I found quickly, and the medicine dropper - which took a minute. I gave him the Benadryl, and within minutes his hives were going away.

I asked the server if any of the food was prepared with nuts, and he gave me a blank look. Then he said, "I don't believe so". I have since emailed Olive Garden (they really don't have any info on their website available as to allergens), hopefully I'll get a response. We assumed it had something to do with the cheese grater or the block of cheese, because that seemed to be the thing that kicked off the hives. Somehow, I think something came in contact with peanuts (or, since it is an Italian place, I'm thinking pine nuts), or he's allergic to something else now, too.

Fortunately, there are a ton of moms of food allergic kids in cyberspace, and I've been reading many of their stories tonight. I'm also going to visit Amazon and purchase a couple of books, and it looks like I might be baking his birthday cake from now on (too many scary stories of bakery incidents). After this event, I'm going to have to be much more vigilant, and make sure EVERYONE who takes care of Billy knows to read EVERY label. Probably ought to make sure there is always Benadryl ready for him, too. I guess I'll need to attach the medicine dropper to the bottle in the bag, because seriously, I was panicked trying to find it.

You know, just when you think you're getting the hang of this parenting thing, here comes a curveball, and it's back to square one. Oh well - off to research more ways to keep him safe around peanuts....

Just Do It.

No, this is not a blog recommending Nike shoes, it is a blog directed towards all my new parent friends. If you think you and your spouse aren't getting time to work on your marriage, if you think all you do all day is watch kiddie movies, wipe poopie diapers, and maybe get in a late night shower before crashing into the bed, or if you just feel like you need a short break - JUST DO IT. Take a mini-vacation. If grandparents just aren't able to take the baby/toddler/kids, then find friends with kids (or experience keeping kids) that you know you can trust. Set up to take 2-3 days away and just do it.

Eric and I just got back from 3 days in Eureka Springs, AR (fabulous romantic getaway place - and it is NOT in a dry county), and before we left, I didn't realize how much we needed the time alone together. I sat in a rocking chair on the porch of our B&B and read an entire book, something I haven't done in a LONG time (well, except for such literary selections as "Good Night Moon" or "Mommy Hugs"). Eric took a nap in the middle of the day without worrying that I would get ticked because he wasn't helping with Billy. We got to eat two breakfasts, three lunches and two dinners without rushing or getting a little person convinced he needed to eat something besides his ketchup. I slept, without waking, a full 8 hours. Twice in a row. And, of course there were sightseeing activities (I finally got to see the Passion Play - Eric had been), bar activities, hanging out with the other B&B guests until well after midnight (the cops drove by - we figured we might need to tone it down a little), and of course there was alone time.

I couldn't believe how energized we both felt after this little trip. I didn't know how much we needed it. I will say, originally, we wanted to go on a cruise - but I just couldn't be in the middle of the ocean with no way to get home quickly if there was an emergency. This was just the right distance, and just the right time. The moral - GO AND DO IT. I highly recommend doing this - and I am forever grateful to my mom for putting in the time and energy to keep Billy while we had a quick vacation. I can't thank you enough mom!

In Eureka - I highly recommend the Peabody House (where we stayed) - it is a great place, and the innkeeper is fantastic (and fun - she might just join you on the patio for drinks). I also recommend the Grand Taverne restaurant for a fancy dinner. It was the BEST food I've had. Amazing menu, amazing drinks, just fantastic.

We did take the laptop and webcam, and each evening spent 15 minutes or so talking to the little man - and that was sweet. Except for the one time when he wanted me to c'mere....that made me a little sad.

PS - Special thanks to Ashley, who gave me the encouragement to go through with this - and you're right, it really is the planning to be gone that's the hardest!

Pictures are - Our B& B - nice sized rooms, and excellent location - up the "hill" from Main street, and me in a silly pose at one of the pubs in town:

Reflections.....

For those of you who may not know, my sister-in-law, Allie gave birth to her son, Elliott, on June 12th (picture follows!). He is cute as can be, and Allie did an amazing job during labor! The newest addition is home, and, aside from jaundice, is doing quite well in his new home.

As we all anxiously waited for Elliot's arrival, I began to travel back in time and think about how I was feeling, and what I was thinking in the moments leading up to Billy's birth. I also began to think of all the things I wished someone had told me to be prepared for. I was good, and I waited until I was asked for advice before dispensing it (at least, I'm pretty sure I did). As I answer her questions, I keep thinking about how tough the first few weeks were, and I make sure to remember her and my two other friends who all had babies last week in my prayers (three babies, one week!). Being a mommy is wonderful and amazing - but it isn't easy, and it is an emotional roller coaster, especially at first. For me, last week really has made me reflect on those first weeks. Man - it is weird to look back.

I remember I was on the edge of a nervous breakdown for what seemed like forever, and even had a couple, thankfully with people there to help me through. I remember thinking "what is wrong with me??" as I couldn't seem to get the hang of nursing. I also snapped at Eric for every little thing, and he didn't deserve it. I think the problem was that I tried to be supermom - which is probably why I was constantly on the edge of tears for 3 weeks. As I thought of these things I realized the biggest problem was that I didn't ask for help. I just assumed I was supposed to do it all and tried to. OOPS. Thankfully, I had wonderful people come and help me who could tell that I couldn't do it all - and wouldn't take no for an answer.

I also remember being scared about everything to do with Billy. Terrified he was breathing too fast, not eating enough, sleeping too much, crying too much, not pooping enough, that I or someone else would somehow drop him, that his cry sounded too hoarse....the list goes on and on. Oh, if I'd only known then about the knots on his head from diving out of his crib, or falling out of the chair he was STANDING in - I am pretty sure I would've worried less about that stuff (and worried more about what would happen as he learned how to walk, climb, open doors, you know, the really scary things).

I am so thankful that I have such wonderful friends and family who were there to help me through and answer the questions when I FINALLY started asking them. I am also thankful that Eric asked me (about a zillion times) if I was okay and what he could do - because he knew I wasn't okay, and he knew that I wasn't going to ask for help (don't know why, just the way I'm built I guess).

I also realized something as I held little Elliott - babies are such a precious miracle and all that worrying, stress, and agonizing gets in the way of just enjoying them as newborns. Because, as I have very quickly learned, they seem to fast forward through each wonderful little stage and move on to the next one before you can blink - and if you worry too much you'll miss something amazing!

Now - some pictures - one of Elliott and a couple of Billy.....

Newest addition to the family - Elliott Arthur England - 7 lbs, 12 oz, 21 inches long!

Billy in his big boy bed - we got it the same day he took a nose dive out of the crib.

My little man enjoying a bounce house...he thought it was AWESOME.

Helping mommy do breakfast dishes....water is fun!

Life is a Whirlwind!!!

Everything is crazy right now! The school year is winding up, Billy is growing faster than I thought possible, and I think we've got something every weekend between now and forever! But, all that said, it has been a wonderful couple of weeks! I have a better post I want to write, but for now, I just want to post a fun collage of the things Billy's been up to (thanks to Aunt Shelly for the cute "faux hawk"):

Such a Wonderful Mother's Day

It was a great one, my second Mother's Day. Actually, Eric and I were thinking back earlier, and I honestly don't remember a lot about the first one. I guess a three month old will do that to you. Today was fantastic. I woke up to my little man bringing me a sweet Mother and Child charm for my charm bracelet and a beautiful card featuring, who else, but him! Then my amazing hubby made me delicioso banana praline pecan waffles...oh my goodness. He then turned on the most amazing video he put together. It started with our first sonogram of Billy and ended with recent footage. I know he worked hard, and it is perfect - and of course, it made me cry.





We met up with Eric's mom to give her a gift from us and her special gift from Billy. She was very happy!!! Later, we made our way out to Uncle Jeffery and Aunt Shelly's house where they hosted us with fantastic barbeque. I got to spend some quality time with my mom, who, as I am sure all my new mommy friends would agree, is waaaaaaaayyyyyyy more appreciated now that I am a mommy, too. I liked, too, getting to see my brother and his wife and their sweet baby girl. They are such a cute little family - and I kept making Marley giggle - which was nice! I also got to watch Billy be fascinated by his baby cousin, Marley. It was so adoreable how he kept saying her name - He was over exaggerating his tongue from the r to the l, it was really funny. After a couple of hours, we headed home with an exhausted Billy in tow (he crashed minutes into the drive home) - and I just kept thinking how wonderful it all was.





About an hour after we got home, my mom called and invited me over to help enjoy her gift from me and my sister - a china tea service for four. We had our little impromptu tea party, and it was soo much fun. I love being a daughter, and I love being a mom. Two of the best jobs in the world, in my opinion (another of the best jobs is being a wife...but that's for another post). So yay - happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there - you deserve it!!

PS - oh yeah, and as for Billy updates - as healthy as can be (thankfully) and growing like a weed. Only one thing we've got to worry about, and even though it's a biggie, we're going to be okay - just will have to be diligent. We found out on Easter he's most likely allergic to peanuts. He had a Reese's Egg and broke out in hives within 15 minutes. Let me tell you, that was a scary mommy moment. Not as scary as him passing out in my arms at 3 months (reflux related), but pretty darn scary. So, for now, no peanut anything for him. I now find myself reading every label for the peanut warning - there are a LOT of things out there processed with peanuts!!! Oh - and just FYI - Chick Fil A fries in peanut oil (so only grilled if we're headed there, and no waffle fries!). We also always have benadryl on hand just in case. We did find a substitute for peanut butter - it's called sunbutter and it is made from sunflower seeds. Actually pretty tasty, but not the same taste or consistency - way more drippy and gooey...oh well, Billy likes it!

Things always work out according to His plans...

There has been a lot going on in my family lately. Like everyone experiences there have been ups and downs - they've just been a little more roller-coaster than usual recently. Some of you know that my dad has been running his own dry cleaning business for the last nine years. Sadly, he had to close the doors about a month ago. My dad is not one who quits, or fails - and he took the closing of his business very personally. He has been looking for a job since he knew he would be closing the store, but it is, as I am sure you all know, a tough market to be looking for a job. Wonderfully, he has been offered a position managing a retail store, and will be starting May 1st. Of course, it is in Temple, and who knows what that means for my mom and dad in the long run - but I would guess some kind of move is in their future (which means we'll be traveling to the Waco area a lot). I am so happy for him. This is an amazing thing that is happening, and it is true that when one door closes another opens. I can't wait to see what is in store for my parents, but I believe it is something wonderful.

I am a lot like my dad. I take my career very seriously, and I constantly give 110% to my students. Someday, I want to be a school principal, and eventually help make public education better for students and a more respected profession for educators. Because Billy is older now, I thought that this year would be the perfect time to start moving in that direction, so when my district posted the listing to apply to the Assistant Principal pool, I threw my name in the hat. I got an interview, and I stressed over it for the week before it happened because I knew it would be a panel interview and the whole process would take about 2 hours. The day came, and I really felt good. Of course, I knew there were a ton of people applying and only 4 upcoming elementary positions, but I was hopeful. Friday, I got my letter. It basically said "Thanks - but we just don't have enough openings to add you to the assistant principal pool this year." Needless to say, I was crushed, but I was at school (it was 7:40 and the bell was about to ring) so I sucked it up, told my principal and a couple of my team members and rolled up my sleeves to wrap up the last week before TAKS. I couldn't figure out what I could have done wrong, and I thought about it all day. I even cried about it when I got home and finally sat still for a minute, but I realized something. I truly don't think it was anything I said in the interview, I think that it just wasn't my time. I do believe that my future is in administration, but right now just isn't the time. Now that I've had over a day to think about it, I am feeling a little better. I realize that now I get to spend my entire summer with my sweet baby boy instead of cutting it short for training if I were to get an assistant position. And, my hubby and I may go on a cruise this summer - alone - and that excites me (and worries me at the same time, but that's for another post). It does still sting quite a bit - but that's my pride, and I really need to work on that anyway - so I'm probably getting a little lesson in humility from all of this.

All that said - I guess what's left is that I need to remember that God is in control, not me, and everything that happens in life happens in His time and according to His plans, not my own. It was a great experience for me, and now I can work on growing more as a teacher and a leader - so that when it is time for me to move into an administrator role I will be better prepared.

Woah. My Little Ladies' Man.

Billy is a talker. We're not sure where he gets it from (wink wink), but man can the kid talk. I read the other day that more talkative 14 month old kiddos say about 20 words. I counted. He says at least 32, and learns new ones every day. Of course, that all goes out the window when (a) the video camera is on or (b) there is anyone but me or his daddy in the room. All that said, one of the cutest words he says is "woah" - Joey from Blossom style.

This morning, the 7:55 bell rang at school and it was business-as-usual. Then, my classroom phone rang. It was Eric. He called to tell me a very funny story. Today, the sitter was keeping the daughter of a friend along with her other kiddos. The girl was about four and had on all pink and her hair was in pigtails. Billy tried to swan dive down to her when Eric walked in. When he got down, he ran over to the little girl, put his hand on her knee and said, "Woah."

I have laughed all day long thinking about this (and telling anyone and everyone who would listen). My little toddler is already on his way to wooing the ladies. Of course, I'm not surprised, I mean, look at how adoreable he is!

Chasing a Toddler....

I love the Dallas Arboretum. And to think, I only first went there a few years ago. It is amazingly beautiful, and today was a glorious day to go! I packed up a picnic for Billy and myself, tossed some necessities in the diaper bag, and we headed out. There were a billion other people with the same idea, but it was so worth the trip. We enjoyed our picnic in the shade of Pecan trees, visited with other mommies doing the same thing, and then we were off to explore. First, we went to the petting zoo they had set up, and Billy was fascinated with the chickens. He also got to pet a goat, and he made a really funny face when it made the Baaa noise! Then, we watched other kids play in the frog fountain (I wasn't ready to have slippery, wet Billy running around) and ran around in all of the playhouses. It was nice just to let him run - and see what he would go to - and that he didn't try to put anything in his mouth. It was also cute to see him call the squirrels he saw "meows", which is his word for cat. We had fun, and I discovered that it really isn't that hard to take him out to something like that solo - it's only tough trying to get pictures!!!

Another year....

It just amazes me how quickly a year flies by. When I think back on the past year, I can't believe how much has happened. This time last year, I was packing my 7 week old son and ALL his necessities to head back home from a trip to Galveston for a "pi day" wedding. In all the rush to get out of town, I hardly remembered it was my 30th birthday, and on the way home I was so tired from worrying about how Billy would handle the trip, I

still didn't think about it! This year, I spent my birthday at school, then home with my boys (the grown one and the toddler) before going out to a fancy dinner. We celebrated in style. And today my whole family came out to our house to celebrate. It was a wonderful birthday - and I really didn't worry about Billy too much at all. Well, except for trying to catch him :). Wow. What a difference a year makes!