Happy 1st Birthday, "wudgie!"

It is hard to believe our very own furry Chewbacca is one year today. Which means it's been a year since I have been on King Street in Charleston, SC. As excited and thrilled as I was the morning of June 6th, to receive an email from Good Day Doodles that the litter was born, over the next seven weeks and beyond, I had no idea just how much this sweet real life teddy bear would come to rescue us. 

The day Charleston came home was after two of the hardest days of my life. I had watched the puppy cam endlessly for eight solid weeks and the house was puppy proofed and ready just as I had done prior to Tripp and Baxter's anticipated arrival. 

Mr. Green was home and immediately I was in love. We didn't skip a beat with our activities and put a harness on him to begin his journey with the Paynter trio. 

Charleston's first morning home the hot air balloon landed in our neighborhood village green and it was the proper homecoming for this pup and our balloon chasing family. 

Froyo on the mall. 

Momma's morning cup,

And evening cup!!

He traveled everywhere with us. Week number two he was OBX bound. 

Obligatory first day of school picture. 

To momma's fresh cut birthday sunflowers!

Charlie loved his first visit to Zepp and of course was full of himself stealing Granddaddy's Virginia Tech hat. 

Charleston quickly became Tripp's practice partner at home. 

And was a constant fan on every sideline.

 

Sure, he's had his puppy moments. 

As cute and as sweet as he is/was, he too, was not a fan of my new travel schedule in the fall. 

Watching the three of them form this bond and switching our gears from always on the go, Charleston brought our family together even more than It already was. But he was home. A place in which we wanted to be with him. 

From his morning kisses, 

And occasional post workout donuts in bed, This little guy has filled every single missing piece of our family. 

His first Christmas, 

And first snow!

The relationship between the boys is night and day. Tripp is his trainer. Has taught him to sit, to shake, to lying and giving high fives. 

Baxter and he are my cuddle bugs. I could stare at them for hours in their sleepy state!

There is truly a special unbreakable bond between the two of them. 

A few things this furry hot mess is known for is, sleeping...

His "babies"

And sleeping tight with his babies!

If I would have known better, I should have purchased stock in JIF peanut butter. As I am "that" mom at Costco buying peanut butter and milk in bulk for my boys. 

A year ago the neighbor kids weren't too sure about this kangaroo jumping teddy bear. Now at night, he is one of the kids. Sitting in a power wheels to eating snow cones and invited to birthday parties. 

Where once there were three chasing balloons and making the love sign with our shadows, there are now four. I can honestly say I was the most apprehensive member of this family to take on a puppy, but one year later, many kongs lost, slippers destroyed, and a chair that will never be the same again, I could not imagine our family, could not imagine a dry floor around his bowls, or a sideline that didn't grace the presence of him and his sticks, by our sides. 

Happy Birthday, sweet Charleston. Your love for everything and most importantly our sweet boys, has completed our family. We love you so much!!