Amy's First

 

 Amy turned one.  Our girl is one.  I can't believe that it has been a year already.  I have loved watching her grow, how she has started coming into her own.  This year has passed by in a blink and suddenly my 6 pound newborn has become a cruising, crawling one year old. 

 

She is such a joy in our lives.  I can see so much of her personality starting to come out, her quiet determination and curiosity.  I can't wait to see how she will change and come into herself.  Our little red haired girl is one!

It's been a joyful (and absolutely crazy) year.  She has taught me so much and changed me deeply.  Having a second child is so much different than having one and it has been a year of trying to figure out how to do it all. 

We have a special bond, Amy girl and I.  I am so thankful to be her mom, even when she didn't sleep for months. 

We threw a little party to celebrate her first year.  A party makes it feel like a special occasion.  We served waffles, eggs and coconut syrup.  Her cake was topped with raspberry frosting.  She tentatively liked it but didn't go too wild.

Life at Home..

We've been home from the hospital for several days now.  It seems like life is coming back to a new routine.  Heb has been home helping as I've been recovering.  The thing about having a new baby is that it is beautiful and wonderful and then messy and emotional and hard all at the same time.

There is so much change that we are dealing with that it's all kind of a whirlwind.  I've made Heber promise me that we will not move right before having our next baby.  I am putting my foot down at doing it twice. 

And yet in it all, it's so joyful.  I feel so grateful.  Amy is a sweet baby.  She sleeps well.   Leo has been very soft and kind thus far.  We are settling in to life with two.

As a side, did I tell you that Heber surprised me with a new camera for Christmas?  (Of course not, because I haven't gotten around to writing about Christmas).  It was one of the nice DSLR ones with a lens.  I am loving it.  I have not been that surprised in a long time.  I don't think I expected to ever be the owner of such a nice camera. 

Little sister was sad and Leo shared his most beloved puppy to cheer her up.

Um...when did Leo become a little boy.  He seems so grown up.

A pretty accurate picture of our life.  Leo, Amy, messy pantry and Cheezit letter crackers (Leo's favorite thing).

Lots of projects going on at our house.  Leo calls it painting finger.

The Big News

The blog here has been pretty quiet lately.  Ok, so it's never been this quiet.  We have been working hard on a new project. 

Very early next year, we are expecting a baby.  Our family of three will become four.  We are so thrilled.  

I saw the new little one in a sonogram today and they waived. 

I've been very sick.  Like, can't get off the couch sick.  And we've had so many visitors.  Bless them for letting me sit on the couch for much of their visits.  Which is why I haven't written but we're so excited. 

Rolling Boy

 

On Tuesday morning, Leo decided that he knew how to roll from his stomach to back and started doing it.  He is now rolling everywhere.  Oh goodness.

Developing Taste

We tried rice cereal for the second time tonight.  Last time he just sat there with his mouth open, full of rice cereal and a look of "what in the heck are you doing?" He decided it was best to spit it out.  This time though, I think some may have gotten in.

I can't believe it's time for cereal already.  He's growing and changing so fast. Do I say that all the time on the blog?  Well, he is.  He's become more and more coordinated and even getting some chub.

The Daily Leo

Most days, I'll snap a picture of Leo and send it on over to Heber.  It started out when he headed back to work it's hard to be away right there at the beginning.  So now, he gets a daily Leo.  Here are some of my favorites.

 

This was taken right after he had his first melt down in the grocery store.  How could I be mad at that sweet little face?

 

This is how he looks most of the time: every body part completely in motion

This was today's daily.  We were at the hospital to see a specialist.  Everything is looking ok but it sure isn't fun to have Leo being poked and looked at.

I can't believe how he's changed.  Oh my sweet little one.

I am a mother.

 

This little person needs me completely.  It really hit me today as I was out on a walk, enjoying the sunshine. I love when he looks for me across the room, how he'll always smile for me.  I have so much love for this little guy.  I want to teach him everything.

Lately he's been starting to become a person.  You all know that when they're newborns, they just lay there.  Leo is now moving and having expressions and talking.  It is so joyful for me to see his smiling face (even if it's at 2 am).  I don't mind at all that he's my buddy 24-7. 

 In the bumbo. 

 A common expression for Leo.  Eyes bright.

 

Leo discovering his reflection.  

While I have been really enjoying being a mother (I don't even mind the spit up), I am aware of the sacrifices that I've made.  For this season (let's call it) of life, I'm devoting all of my time to helping him grow.

I've been attending a new mom group.  Lots of moms with baby's Leo's age that are going through similar things as me.  The conversation lately has been about heading back to work and finding day cares.  I am the odd man out as I plan to be a full time mom.  I am happy to have that opportunity.  Not all do.  So for now, I think I'll just keep enjoying this whole adventure.

Showers

With all the traveling and being pretty much unplugged for a week (except for my smart phone.  Bless whomever came up with smart phones.), I've had a bit of time to think.  Which can be a good or a bad thing.  It got me thinking about friends.

When I was brand new in the VA, I was pregnant (as you know).  I knew hardly a soul and was trying to adjust to my new life.  A gal I had just met (let's be honest, I'd just met pretty much everyone I knew) offered to throw a baby shower for me.  Do you know what that meant to me?  It was one of the nicest things anyone has done for me.  I need to be a friend like that. 
 
 Ruth threw a beautiful shower. I had such a good time talking to everyone and enjoying the food.  Delish!  Right down to the smallest details, it was so nice.  Here's some pics.  I don't even remember being so pregnant.  Ok, I remember but I'm trying to forget.

Do you see that folks?  That's blue punch.  Awesome.

 I'm sitting by Sho there in the middle.  Now that she up and moved to Tokyo, I miss her.

 What you don't see are the bottles filled with chocolates in the center.  Yum!

Well, Ruth had a baby girl this week (and I found the cutest thing for her).  And I wanted to say, Congrats!  Thank you for being a friend.