13 Month Baby!

I'm a little late posting your 13 month post! I thought about stopping the monthly posts since you're one now, but because you change and grow so much each day, I wanted to keep up with everything as best I can. I looked through your baby book the other day and the monthly updates are sparse but since I've got it all here, I'm ok with that.

There are so many things that I could brag and brag about. Aren't mamas suppose to brag on their children? Ok, here goes:

*You are smart. You have excellent receptive language. If we ask you to find a certain book, you will go find it- on the other side of the house and bring it to us. You know what things are and when we ask you to find them (your gas tank on your car, your shoes, your hat, keys, bowl, spoons, etc.), you know exactly what we're talking about. You can clap when we tell you to and you can do patty cake! It completely amazes me that you understand so much at such a young age.

*You talk a lot! (Like me!) You say "Ida" for apple and "Aga" for water. You also say something like "at at" and I'm thinking that means "What's that?" You are still saying dada (no mama yet), uh-oh, and shoes. You love when we make animal noises and you often imitate them. You love your See and Say and demand that we spend a good 30 minutes listening to the recordings of the animals over and over!

*You love- absolutely love this book- The Three Billy Goats Gruff. I bet while we were home over the break, daddy and I read it a hundred times to you. It's one you can find when we say "Go find the goats." I have the whole thing memorized. Although mommy and daddy grow a little weary of it, you sure don't! :)

*You love pots and spoons. You love tupperware containers you can "stir." You enjoy letting us "taste" what you're cooking. You don't get this love of cooking from me, for sure. But I'm glad you got it from dad.

*You give kisses and hugs to us and to your stuffed animals. It is precious.

*You still love your Cozy Coupe. It's your favorite hangout where you talk to yourself and your toys. You also eat O's (Cheerios) from the cup holder.

*You adore animals. You love rubbing Scotch, pouncing and laying all over her. She's a good girl and tolerates you most of the time. You also love wollering and rolling around on soft things like the couch, blankets, pillows, etc.

*You love to be read to. You will sit and listen for 10 minutes if you enjoy the book. You will often bring us your favorites and have us read them to you. Aside from the Billy Goats, you love The Night You Were Born, Good Night Moon, Sounds, Fuzzy, Fuzzy, Fuzzy, and Jay-Jay the Jet Plane.

Rollin' in my diaper . . . (geez . . . you look like a mini line backer!)

Happy Punka

I could eat you up!

Early morning ride in the Coupe.

You are the most fun, most enjoyable, lovable, huggable, squeezable baby in the world. My heart swells with love and utter joy for you. You bring so much happiness into the world of those around you. I hope your light will shine brightly always and that you'll take those big brown eyes and huge smile into the world and make it a better place.

"My love will fly to you each night on angel's wings . . . Godspeed, Sweet Dreams, Little Man."

Dixie Chicks

Christmas and Picture Overload . . .

This Christmas was absolutely wonderful! We had a wonderful time being with family and friends and creating our own memories here at home as a family of three! On Christmas Eve, we went to Mams' and opened presents. You loved your penguin the best of all. And of course, playing with pots and pans . . .



Where ever you go, so does the spoon.

After we came home, we read you "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and finished the Advent story of the Nutcracker. You were fast asleep in no time.

On Christmas morning, you woke up about 7:15 and we opened presents and watched you play with your new toys!

The loot the night before!

Not too sure about this . . .

Lovin' from Nancy and playing with your Webbles

Attempt at a family picture . . .

Ok, ok . . .

Reading with Nancy

You then took a quick nap and we headed to Mimi and Pawpaw's house. They got you a beautiful wooden rocking horse and some other nice goodies.

Kissing baby Jesus

Forget about toys, a pot and spoon will do . . .

And just for kicks, here you are LAST Christmas!

You were so much fun and did well through all the visiting and company.

I love you Punker and had the best Christmas ever with you and daddy!

Candy Canes and Silver Lanes Aglow

Things are looking mighty Merry around here! We are so excited about sharing our second Christmas with our Little Webster.

Best wishes for a Merry Merry Christmas!

Dish soap

There once was this girl who married a boy. The girl loved the boy and was so happy with the boy and when he asked her to be his bride, she obligingly said yes. The girl always knew there was something special about the boy. He was a sweet boy, a thoughtful boy, a handsome, precious boy. Fast forward almost eight years and the boy and girl have grown into husband and wife and eventually into mommy and daddy. They have a sweet little boy who is just one year old. The mommy and daddy work full time and raise their child together in a loving home. They read to their baby, play outside with him, teach him new words, and take him to fun places. And while the mommy finds balancing work and motherhood trying at times, the daddy always seems to pick up the slack. The mommy knows there is something so special about the daddy- he is a sweet daddy, a thoughtful daddy, a handsome, hardworking, devoted daddy. In the mornings, the daddy cooks the mommy and baby breakfast while mommy gets ready for work and in the evenings, the daddy grocery shops, cooks dinner, cleans up, folds laundry, tidies up, and helps put the dishes away.

Tonight as the mommy was loading the dishwasher, she commented that they needed more dish soap and just then, the daddy pulls out a brand new bottle from under the sink. The daddy helped the mommy finish the dishes and then he went and sat down to relax for the evening. The two sat and admired the Christmas tree while the classical music played quietly in the background. And mommy felt whole, complete, happy, and so so thankful for her many blessings.

And as the mommy finishes her blog post, she is greeted by the sounds of the vacuum cleaner from upstairs. Gosh, this boy is a gooooooood boy.

Makes for a handsome date too. :)

I love you Chris. Thank you for being an amazing husband and daddy. You are a gift from God and I love you and our Little to the moon and back.

Sick Day

I can't tell you how happy it made me to see you smile today. You had a rough night and daddy and I are over the moon that you are feeling better. You really scared us last night. I enjoyed being home with you today and cuddling with you.

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."

Here we are!

Man, these December days are flying by so quickly! We are in full Christmas mode around here- getting all ready for Santa's big appearance and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. The last few weekends have included lots of playing, decorating, and play dates. Here are a few recent snapshots!

Fun in the cozy coupe!

Garland and wreath- courtesy of MOI! :)

Just a little something I threw together . . .

Play date with Liza and Will (Carrie, this would be Nantucket . . .  :) 

Trying to poke my eyeball out . . . your new favorite game.

You were ready for a nap . . . and nap you did- 2 hours!

Mama's little candy cane after church

I love you, Webster!

One year

Today we celebrated your first birthday with a few of our closet friends and family. It was a cozy little party and you enjoyed every minute of the attention. Daddy and I still can't believe you are one! Here are some pictures from your first birthday party.

Thanks Mimi for the awesome giraffe cake. It was yummy!

Birthday kisses from Head

Your Lifetime Sportsman's License . . . just like daddy's!

A soft and fuzzy blanket from Aunt Carrie and Uncle Scott! Love you guys!

Cozy Coupe!

This sums up how much fun you had!

Your one year picture

You are walking, saying a few words (ight, shoes, home, uh-oh), you still love to read, especially touch and feel books, you love pots and pans, spoons, tupperware containers, blocks, your new car, and helping with laundry. You are wearing size 12-18 month clothes and size 4 shoes. You love bath time, brushing your teeth, climbing the stairs, turning lights on and off, riding in the shopping cart, going for rides in the stroller and wrestling with daddy. You are slowly getting away from two naps a day opting for a longer morning nap instead. You still love your bottle but we're getting ready to slowly try to kick that habit soon. You are happy 99% of the time and have more personality than anyone I've ever known. You light up a room for sure!

Happy First Birthday to our sweet Webster!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year we count our blessings for all we have and for our family and friends. We especially remember this year those who've gone before us- Pawpaw and Grandmother H. May they rest in peace.

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours . . .