You're turning one!

It's hard to believe that in just a couple weeks you're going to be ONE! This year has really flown by! I can't wait to do a follow up post with all kinds of fun pictures and stories from your party!

Don't want to forget...

- when you crawl it looks like you're in fast forward because you're moving so fast.

- you yell while you're on your way to go grab something that you want, kind of like a warrior would running into battle about to attack.

- when you want to crawl faster you put your head down and charge full steam ahead. It's like you know what aerodynamics are already...

- when you "snuggle" you just go up and put your head on something for a couple seconds, and then crawl away.

- you have a polite laugh, and a belly laugh. Your polite laugh usually comes out when other people are laughing and you feel like you need to join in. The funny thing is you look very serious while you're "laughing". You're belly laugh comes out at the funniest most unexpected times.

- lately you have been refusing to eat off your high chair tray and have been moving all your food to the table before you start to eat it.

Qualities

When I made this blog I never wanted to put anything negative on it, because I don't want to remember the rough days that we have. However, I do feel like I need to document your recent "attitude adjustment". I'm not going to say if it's good or bad, I'm just going to say it's a change from what I have been used to for a while. You're finding your will... and I'm glad. I really am. My days are not always easy, but I want you to know who you are in this world and I want you to be confident in that. Which means that you need to start figuring that out now.

I don't want you to feel like you need to follow a crowd, a person, or a trend. I want you to always be YOU. I want your identity to be in Christ, and for that to be enough. I also want you to be courageous enough to stand up for what you believe in and be sure that you're always "good enough" to chase after your dreams and passions. You can do whatever you set your mind to, and you're showing me that already.

So, if that means rough days here and there... that's fine with me. I'm glad that you're developing qualities now that will one day possibly save you from being hurt or swayed in a direction that's not right. I'm glad that you're voicing your opinions (even though sometimes your opinions get you spanked). And I'm glad that you're developing such a thick skin already. Because as much as I wish everyone would, not everyone is going to love you like your family does, or accept you for who you are.

With that said, here are some words that I found that describe you but are on the positive side of what some people might consider negative.

- wily
- determined
- steadfast
- tough
- inquisitive
- persistent
- interested
- playful

I love who you are, and these words make me smile. I love that as much as you are a piece of me and your Dad... you are very much your own little person. I can't wait to see who you become.

Our trip to Colorado

Nana and Papa have been really busy for a while planning a huge conference called Freedom Congress. We were so lucky to be able to go and be a part of it, and although you and I spent some of our time away from everyone (because of your naps) we really had a great time! It had been about 5 months since the last time that you got to see Nana and Papa... so you just LOVED every minute of it-and so did we. You were such a great little traveler. Here was our weekend in pictures:

You were the official greeting crew, smiling at everyone who walked down the isle.

Daddy and you playing games waiting for the plane to take off.

Watching all the big trucks and machines outside while we start to take off.

Playing outside with Daddy while Uncle Stu signed books
inside the Focus on the Family book store.

You and me playing back at the GOV house while Daddy, Nana, and Papa
set up for Freedom Congress the next day. You were super tired, but you
smiled great for a few pictures!

Outside the GOV house getting ready to take a walk. We got
all bundled up becasue the mornings were so cold.

Eating some O's while I put my shoes on for our walk. Normally I wouldn't put a picture up of you eating cheerio's... but I love your focused face in this picture.

So Handsome! And look at those TEETH!

Getting ready for our day down at La Junta. You were curious watching
Daddy put stuff in his hair, so we put some in yours :)

Playing at the Hotel while everyone went to the BBQ at La Junta park.

 

Swimming with Daddy at the hotel.

 

Having fun with Papa and Daddy, you're such a big boy!

Sleeping on our way to the airport to go home. You did SO awesome.

You and Daddy playing at the airport while we waited for our flight.

We didn't think that you would fall asleep... but you did. Daddy held you the whole plane ride from Chicago to Louisville. His legs and arm fell asleep... but he kept holding you because he didn't want you to wake up. He sure loves you.

Daddy is your Hero

You think everything your Dad does is amazing. Ev-ery-thing, and I love it. You guys are such pals. When he's home and not with you, you are always trying to find him, peeking around a corner to see what he's doing, or in today's case... watching him mow the lawn from your window. He's definitely your hero (and mine, too)!

Saturday mornings

Every Saturday morning you and Daddy make breakfast together. And, he definitely couldn't do it without your help. You're so good at shutting the refrigerator, pulling dirty things out of the dishwasher, and testing utensils on the floor to make sure that they're sturdy enough to pour pancake batter. I love this picture of you two.

Trip to the Aquarium

We all went up to Cincinnati for a fun little vacation since your Dad had an extra long weekend. We had bought Aquarium passes last year, when you were still in my belly, thinking that it would be fun to take you. And since our passes were about to expire we figured that it was finally time! Here are some pictures and a video from our trip:

You love playing on beds. We don't know what it is, but you get SO excited!

Watching the cars go by 13 stories below us... you thought they were pretty cool.

You rode around in this awesome back-pack because strollers weren't allowed inside it was so crowded. You loved it though, and were more than happy to piggy back Daddy all day.

I took this video as we were walking through a glass tunnel where there were fish all around you. It sounds like you're doing a fake laugh, but that's the sound you make when you're super excited and overwhelmed with whatever is going on. 

Waving to the otters. They are my favorite, and I think you liked them, too. 

You were getting sleepy, but I really wanted to get a picture of you next 

to the shark to show how tall you are!

And then it would have been tragic if this guy hadn't come home with us. 

You can't tell by your face... but you thought this guy was the coolest.