No (other people's) Kids Allowed: Name: Maximus Sebastian Hassell, Age: 1

When people used to tell me that when you have a baby you need to enjoy every minute because it goes by so fast I usually rolled my eyes at them. Sentimental people can be so lame, right? Well, here I am shocked that a whole year has flown by. How is it that time seems to move so much more quickly once the baby comes? Longest 9 months ever followed by fastest 12 months ever. This was probably the fastest year of my life. Maybe for the first time I just wanted to savor things and wasn't always waiting for the next big thing to happen.

Max turned one on July 14. We had such a nice day with him. Just a nice, slow, family day.

We took him out to breakfast at Blue’s Egg and got a sweet treat with a candle. Everyone around us clapped when Max went to blow out the candle and then gasped with horror as he grabbed the flame with his hand.

We spent the afternoon at Lake Michigan watching Tim fly the kite. Max enjoyed the views of the Lake and the City.

The next day friends came over for a six-layer confetti cake that Tim made for Max. It was a labor of love and Max thoroughly enjoyed it. I hate giving him sweets and I secretly hoped he would spit the cake out but instead he devoured almost the entire ginormous piece Tim gave him. Oh well, he is after all my child.