Tough April "Showers" are Bound to Bring May "Flowers"!

I can’t believe how much Andrew is growing and changing lately. He literally turned into a toddler the day of his first birthday. I think he just looked different and started acting more “grown up” somehow. I’m just over here going with the flow while Andrew grows up. Now he’s:

• waving hello and bye, bye

• blowing kisses (a.k.a. licking his hand and throwing it out in front of him)

• hugging on command and when he feels like it (my favorite…the cats—not so much)

• dealing with some major separation anxiety

• learning to walk (he’s taken 7-8 steps, but is still practicing)

• drinking whole milk

• ditched the baby food

• OK without the bottle. Sippy cup is just fine (and faster!)

• not loving shopping like he used to. (Dang it!)

• still sleeping great, but a later bedtime might actually be helping him “sleep in” a little later (and sleeping in means 6:30 a.m.)

I’m sure there is so much more, but that is what I can remember during this whirlwind of a time.

Like a lot of my life lately, April was one of the best and worst months I’ve had in a while. My Grandma passed away on April 15, but luckily her family was all there with her. Unfortunately she took a turn for the worse right before Andrew and I could get there. I really think she knew we were there though and she knew it was OK to go. She went peacefully and with her daughters and granddaughters by her side. Things were tough for a while with everyone in the family getting sick all at once and traveling just wearing Andrew and I out. Doesn’t it suck that stress can make you physically ill?

Ugh, but May means springtime and a time for new beginnings. Speaking of...May already started out better because I attended my friend Melissa's baby shower over Mother's Day weekend. Photos to come soon in another post.

Once again, we pick up and move on. (as shown by the list above!) There’s no stopping our sweet Andrew, so he really and truly keeps me going in more ways than one! Jeff always says “when you’re feeling down, just give our angel a kiss.” Always works!

Our Baby is ONE!

Today our little angel turned ONE!

Click here to view all the 1st birthday party photos!

The day was a complete whirlwind and so much fun, and I only wish Andrew somehow understood that today was for him. That it was such a special day for his Mama and Daddy as we honored him and thought about how special he is to us and how lucky we are to have him. Here’s a link to Andrew’s Birth Story. :-) And click here to see a video from the day he came into the world.

One year ago today, we were amazed that he was here with us, in awe of how we could be so lucky to get such a beautiful, wonderful baby. We brought him home and ever since he has been the BEST baby and has made our lives overflow with complete joy every single day. I can say we are truly blessed. I was blessed by a wonderful and enjoyable pregnancy, blessed by an easy labor and delivery and finally the biggest gift arrived and he is simply amazing.

We’ve had a number of big challenges to face since Andrew arrived, but we really believe that’s why he’s here right now. He is our rock, he keeps us moving forward in the right direction, he helps his family find joy in some of our hardest times. With Andrew here, it’s really hard for me to look at the struggles I’m facing and not see the cup as half full. I find that completely remarkable—God has placed this person here with me in my life when I need him the most.

It’s such a mix of emotions today too with Jeff not here to celebrate with us and the rest of the family that couldn’t be here (but wanted to so bad!). We took lots of photos for daddy and for everyone back home in Illinois. I think Andrew really did have fun, even if he didn’t understand all of the excitement was for him.

Andrew, you will always be my little baby. Today I thank you for everything you have already given me in only the first year of your little life. I love you more than I can ever put into words.

Love, Mama.

April 9 - The Due Date

This time last year, we were waiting for Andrew to arrive and hoping we would meet him over the weekend. Here's my April 9, 2009 post. Looks like Andrew agreed with me that it was time to come meet his mama. I went into labor that night and he arrived on Good Friday, April 10!

Party planning, decorating, cleaning, etc, etc...continues tonight. Thanks to my wonderful friends Rachel and Jess for coming over and helping me get organized, decorate and watch Andrew while I ran the last few errands. We had 3 mamas, 4 babies, 3 cats and a dog in this house and we still got all this party stuff done PLUS Jess highlighted and cut my hair. Thank you babies for your cooperation! :-)

My baby is ONE tomorrow! Still so happy, but still a little sad.

Happy Easter

In case you forgot, this is actually Andrew's second Easter :-) I cannot believe this time last year, we were bringing him home from the hospital. He came into the world on Good Friday, April 10 and Grandma May and Aunt Beth welcomed the family home on Easter, April 12. It's so fun having a spring baby. We've had a great weekend and miss daddy even more around this time of year.

At 8 months Andrew visited Santa and did NOT enjoy it. However, at almost 1 year old, he thought the Easter bunny was just great! We also took lots of photos outside later that day and he dug through his Easter basket a little early. Then we went to church with Rachel and her family and took some more photos in his cute little tie and khakis.

 

I had a lot of fun enjoying all of this and I can tell he did too. ;-) BUT Saturday is his first birthday and it makes me a little sad. I think everyone else sees it more than me, but our little baby is more of a little boy now. Sniff, sniff....

Soon, no more bottles (not that he can sit still anymore for me to feed him) which means less cuddling for me :-( Someone stop him please! Oh this is so hard, but so fun at the same time and I can't think of anything else that can compare to this experience. The good news is, he can hug and is trying to learn to blow kisses, so I have more to look forward to, right? But I will mourn anyway and miss my baby so much. I think you might have seen the last of your "baby" daddy, so be prepared to meet your toddler!

Petting Zoo Party

Andrew had his first petting zoo experience and he was loving it. His little friend from swim class turned two and they invited us to her party because they knew Andrew would love the petting zoo. This guy had everything--goats, bunnies, llama, chickens, rooster, pig, sheep...it was pretty amusing. I had fun! Watching the kids is hilarious. Check out this little girl trying to comb the rooster. These animals must have extra stores of patience!

Looks pretty interesting in there...

"Come over here animals!"

Nice Mr. Sheep

"I'm ready to go in now!"

Watch out duck. He pulls hard!

Goat kisses

"Take me back to the petting zoo!"

11 Months - The Countdown Begins

I say this every time, but seriously?!?! Is it really only ONE MONTH until our little angel is eating cake at his first birthday party?

The planning of the party needs to get started ASAP, but we've been a little preoccupied with right now because we got to have Daddy home for two whole weeks!! (and I rarely use two exclamation points so you know it's special.)

Jeff arrived February 25 and just left this morning. It already feels like forever ago when we saw him last. It was hard to say goodbye again, but it was well worth it to have him here with us even for a short time. We got to just enjoy being a family and relax together. We did our share of eating out and doing other fun stuff, but the best part was having a partner to shop with at Wal-Mart, someone else to drive for a change, seeing daddy and son together and so happy, etc. etc....that was what I was looking forward to.

Even though I always set my expectations too high, I think this time they were actually met. Jeff knows I expect everything to go perfectly and knows I get a little crazy, but even though he thinks he can't please me, he did. He does.

Our time together was ended perfectly by creating some wonderful family photos. Thanks Kristin!! (See... two there again).

First Day at Swim Lessons

I thought this would be the perfect age to start Andrew with swim lessons so we signed up with a local company (same company that also does Fitness Fest that I attend every year) and today was his first day.

He did great, but was a little apprehensive. He didn’t cry, but seemed a little scared at first. It was a small group of four and Andrew was the youngest. The instructor seemed really nice and fun and we had a great time! He practiced floating on his back, “swimming” for a toy, climbing out of the pool, jumping in and blowing bubbles—all with my help of course! The instructor dunked him under one time at the end of class and he seemed OK with it :-) Way to go Andrew! Daddy’s dreams of you becoming a Coast Guardsmen are already in the works.

He got to wear his new Snoopy swim trunks I bought on clearance this summer. I didn’t think they would already fit, so good thing I bought 18 months. No pictures this time, but next time I will because Jeff will be with us. Yay!