Don't just skip to the end of this post for the exciting news!

Benjamin's first birthday was almost two weeks ago now, and I'm just getting around to posting pictures.  In my defense, a few things.  The day after B's birthday, we had a little house concert in our backyard, so birthday party planning lead right into music party planning.  I thought a lot about having both in one weekend and decided that with enough preparation, I could do it and still have fun at both events.  I was right.  The birthday was low key, and I had at least a month to work on the concert, so I did actually enjoy being with our friends and family celebrating Benjamin and making and listening to music.   

For the week after the party, I was preparing to take my child with me to San Francisco without JB for a church related event.  Our friend Gabriela accompanied us on this trip, so I didn't feel completely like a single parent for the weekend in SF, but when Benjamin was crying in the middle of the night and tossing and turning all night when I finally let him sleep in the bed with me, I felt pretty alone.  Please don't misunderstand me:  I loved San Francisco.  We were staying in the Mission District with all of its interesting murals, coffee shops, and restaurants.  We took long walks viewing beautiful architecture, admiring gardens with lemon and orange trees, and finding absolutely exquisite coffee on every other street corner.  

But I don't think I would try to travel again with a one year old and without JB. 

On the way home I was thinking many virtuous thoughts about how much I appreciate JB's daily contribution to raising Benjamin.  And then a day after we got back, JB threw his back out and I felt once again like a single parent.  After a couple of days home from work and a few prescription muscle relaxers later, he's feeling a lot better, but it was a rough couple of days for all of us.   

So, yes, I'm just now getting to pictures.  First, above, a classic birthday picture of a child enjoying a cardboard box more than his birthday gifts.  Indeed.  He did love the box.  

I think Benjamin had a very special first birthday.  I only wish his Wilson side of the family had been able to be there to celebrate.  Benjamin's Smith grandparents were here, however, and he had fun drumming on granddad's cajon, a spanish drum, and playing his new glockenspiel with his grandmommy.  JB made us a grand feast of smoked meat for a birthday dinner, and we had lovely weather for eating outside on the back porch.  B gobbled down sweet potato fries like they were candy.  Our small group from church joined us to celebrate with cake after dinner.    

The cake is supposed to be in the shape of a monkey (or a gibbon).  It didn't turn out perfectly, but I really had fun doing it.  That was the extent of the party theme, folks.  A gibbon cake.  And gibbon faces from father and son.   

We had fun opening gifts from the Wilson grandparents the next day.  I love it when birthday celebrations last for days.   

And now, a reward for those of you who stuck with this entry to the end (or skipped to the end):  Benjamin Henry is walking!  He took a few steps last week right after his birthday.  Until this weekend, he kept taking just a few steps between me and JB, but then at the Dallas airport, on the way home to Waco, just after we learned that our flight to Waco had been cancelled, Benjamin suddenly decided to walk from me over to some friendly strangers in the waiting area.  And today he really took off.  He pushed my hand away when I tried to grab it this evening, and just walked clear across the room, squealing with delight the whole way.  As JB was rehearsing downstairs for playing at Farm day this weekend, I was following B around as he walked in and out of each bedroom, just so pleased with himself.  Every time he fell he pulled himself up and got going again.  What an amazing sight to see your child walk with confidence and pleasure for the first time!