Baby Mark's birthday!!!

Our baby Mark turned one year old today-28th of December. Unbelievable!

A year ago, at this time, we were patiently waiting for his arrival, hoping that he'd come before Robert's Christmas vacation was over. My due date was January 5th, but as always I was a little early.

Mark's nickname is Speedy. And speedy he was:) I will not go into all the details of my birthing story, but I have to say that I didn't even REALLY know that I was in labor until about 2 hours before he was born. At 4:20 am we left our house (our friends, Knudsens, drove over to watch Katya and Alex sleep). At 4:35 am we were checked in at the hospital. And at 4:55 Mark was born! Water broke with one contraction and Mark came out with the next one. A whopping 9 lbs 6 oz (second biggest) and 20.5 in long.

Fort Walton Beach Medical Center-Dec. 28, 2008 around 5 am

I remember that Robert was home by 8 am that morning, got kids ready for church and actually was at church at 9 am. Mom (that is me, of course) was feeling fantastic:)

Mark is 1 day old

Florida was the perfect place to have a winter baby. We were out and about a couple weeks after the delivery.

Mark is 4 weeks old

Mark is 11.5 months old

We love you Mark! You are one of the greatest blessings in our life. The happiest and the sweetest baby ever! Being the third child and the youngest one is not always easy but it has its own perks too:) You know, what I am talking about, Markovka.

Happy Birthday!