Wish We Were There...

The Hentis' left for vacation the day after Austin's birthday party. We missed them and wished we were on the beach with them... especially after we saw these pictures!I should have known they'd come home with souvenirs in hand!
Thanks for always thinking of us!

One Year Old

If I thought the first eleven months went fast, then this last month FLEW BY! It's so hard for us to believe you are already a year old! I know Jill took some great wagon shots, but it wouldn't be the same if we didn't do a few of our own on your birthday...How many times do you think you'll wear a coat on your birthday?!?!

1 Month - 2 Months - 3 Months - 4 Months - 5 Months - 6 Months - 7 Months - 8 Months - 9 Months - 10 Months - 11 Months

So what are you up to now that you're a whole year old?

• You are pulling up on everything!
• You repeat "yeah, yeah, yeah" after Mama
• Everything is a phone -- the remote, a calculator, etc -- and you always tell us Pa is on the other end.
• You can't live with out TV remotes
• The doctor said you could try real milk, but you haven't had any because Mama doesn't want to waste the breast milk in the freezer. Soon, I promise!
• You've pretty much given up on baby food. Bring on the "real" food!
• You went on your first vacation!
• You went swimming for the first time!
• We've turned all of your car seats around.
• You took your first ride in a UTV, Dad's new Ranger.
• You stopped nursing a week before your birthday.
• You went on your first boat ride!
• You've started to think that clinching your fists and holding your breath will get you want you want. Sometimes it works.
• You're working really hard to say Cracker and Thanks!
• You are the sweetest one year old we know!

Here's a picture of you ringing in your very first birthday...One Year Old On July 17, 2009 @ 12:24 am.

Happy Birthday Baby! We love you so much!

A Letter To My Son

Dear Austin,

I carried you for 9 long months wondering what you’d be like. Would I be a good mother? Would we bond instantly? And most importantly, would you be a baldy like Daddy? Then 1 year ago today my life changed forever. After pain that only a mother can know you arrived into this world at 12:24am weighing 8lbs 7oz. You were already such a strong, healthy boy. The whole process of birth is still so amazing to me. I’m still in shock that I was apart of such a wonderful event. I had waited so long to meet you, but it only took a moment to realize what an amazing gift you were. A gift we would never take for granted.

The next few days and weeks were a whirlwind of emotions. We were so happy to have you home, yet so nervous to do everything just right for you. I didn’t want to be away from you for even a moment. You slept next to our bed for seven weeks before moving into your big boy bed. Those thirty steps felt like thirty miles the first time you slept in your own room. I’d be a rich woman if I had a dollar for every time I’ve snuck into your room just to listen to you breathe, feel your heartbeat, or just stroke your hair. Now you’re standing up in your crib when we come to get you in the morning. There’s nothing better then being greeted by your big smile. I know it sounds weird, but sometimes your smile makes me feel like I’ve known you my whole life. I mean how could I love someone this much that I’ve only known for twelve months?

I have watched you grow so fast. I couldn’t wait until I saw your first smile, heard your first laugh, or watched you roll over. You did that and so much more over this past year. You continue to amaze us with new things everyday. Your Daddy often tells me that he just can’t believe how much he loves you. The love you filled our hearts with is something that can never be spoiled and cannot compare to any other love on this earth.

Each day I cherish you more and more and I want you to know that you have changed my life forever. I will always try to be the best person I can be for you. I will always try to protect you and I will always love you more than anything in this world.

I honestly can’t believe you are a year old today. All day I reminisced about what we were doing a year ago. It seems like just yesterday you were in my arms for the first time. In a few hours, I’ll once again sneak into your room and wish you a very happy 1^st birthday.

Happy Birthday Austin! I hope each day of the next year will be just as wonderful as this first year has been. It's a year your Daddy and I will never forget.

I love you with all of my heart,

Mama

One Year Wellness Visit

Sorry about the lack of post the past few days. Vacation makes it hard to blog! This past weekend we took our first family vacation to Branson. Yesterday we went for Austin's One Year Wellness Visit.

Drum roll please...

Height: 31 3/4" - 95%
Weight: 23 lbs 12 oz - 65%
Head: 19" - 90%

He's grown a little bit since his 9 month check up!

The receptionist made our appointment three days early, which means he wasn't able to get his vaccines. Mommy was a little upset about the mix-up, but Austin didn't seem to mind! Dr. Kellow said it's no big deal to take care of the shots at 15 months. They did do the iron test. He didn't even flinch with the nurse pricked, squeezed and smashed his finger!

Branson pictures to follow!

Flashback Friday - Big Boy Chair

September 08 - 3 1/2 months

June 09 - 11 1/2 months