Little Walker Man

You were cruising along the furniture for months...earlier than I expected which made me think you would  be walking early.  You proved me wrong, again.  December 9 you took you first actual, semi-balanced steps from one chair to another.  Thus begin us trying to show off your new trick of steps.  Much to our enjoyment, you rarely would take steps on command.  Both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we tried to get you to show your skill but you took a few wobbly steps then crawled.  BUT, by Christmas Day's end you were a WALKER!

This little stroll in the yard with Noni sealed the deal.  And, you've been leaving us in your dust ever since. ;)

15 months

Your Great Aunt Dar sent you a Christmas card.  You love to hold it and "tell" me what it says.

Whew!  You are a climber and you have no fear.  That combination has caused me to have many "oh my goodness how did you get there so fast" moments and you many squeals and smiles.  What are we ever going to do?!?

You LOVE hats.  You pat your head anytime you see a hat...you want it on your head!

You are completely proficient with lever door handles. :/

You are still not walking, but taking many more little unassisted step.  Soon, very soon.

Everything still goes in your mouth...you've gotten good at taking whatever it is out and giving it to me when I ask for it.

You do this really cute hands up/shoulders shrugged as if to say "where did it go" or "what happened."

You sign more, milk and all done.

We moved!

You and your PawPaw were great packers! 

Your Daddy and I brought you home from the hospital to the same one bedroom apartment we moved into when we got married.  We thought it would just be for a few months but ended up being a little longer.  You had a little nook in what is the dinning room for other people.  The only problem was that the kitchen, dinning room and living room were all one room...your bedroom.  It was a fine set up for about 4-5 months of your life.  But, we made it last until you were almost 15 months old!  It was a little sad to leave our first home...your first home.  It was super exciting to move to where you would have your own room!!  You won't remember your first home, but  I wanted to share some memories with you.

You loved climbing into the empty cabinets...you are not afraid of the dark!

After our honeymoon, your Daddy and I arrived to our empty apartment full of wedding gifts from generous friends and family and San Pelligrino bottles.  You see, your H side of the family hit Coronado beach after our wedding and dropped off our gifts and such.  We used San Pell bottles as the certerpieces at our reception...I thought they would all be disposed of, but the fam found a better use for them.  I'm told it was your Uncle Cap's idea to stash one of the green bottles in every place he could find...we were finding those bottles for weeks!  (Well, maybe just days since it wasn't that big of a place.)  We laughed every time we located another.

You also love boxes!  And, were helpful in unpacking, too.

Six months later we were expecting you...after nine-ish months carrying you in my belly we brought you home.  To our home.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  Your Grandpa D, Noni and uncle J were here to welcome you.  They brought food and we feasted on Oggi's goodness while holding you. Mostly, you just slept.  I remember going to take a shower and just crying.  Exhaustion, uncertainty and fear set in, well and all those post pregnancy hormones that make women crazy.  As I look back on your life, our time in that apartment, one thing stands out:  God's grace is sufficient, his power is made perfect in weakness.

Zip Line

Two of your big boy cousins had a "Top Shot" birthday party so your Uncle Cap built a zip line.  You enjoyed the test phase...

Giving Thanks round 2

We spent some time up at Edwards for Thanksgiving.  It was cold in the desert!!  You turned into a big kid from watching your big cousins.

You learned how to tell time.

You were spoiled beyond rotten...

You learned to play the piano.

You just thought you were going to sleep with the big boys.

You grew webs...and learned all about Spidey.

What are we going to do with this one?!

You built train tracks...sort of.

Ball.

You didn't much like that one...but it lights up and was my favorite.

Messes right there.

You rode in a nike trailor.

You climbed the rock wall...like you knew what you were doing...

You didn't need me, but I needed to be there.

Whew!  Too big!

Up the wall, down the slide!  What else could you need?!?

Back up...

Al.most.there!

Can we go back out tomorrow?!?

I love you, sweet boy.

Too cute.

Off to church...brr, it was cold!

Thankfully, pools are indoors, too.

This is what happens when you fall asleep in between your 2 big girl cousins...

Uncle Biggs and Aunt Katie came out!

Cousins and Disney

These are pictures I snagged from P&G's camera.  After you turned one we spent some time at Disney with your cousins...they did Disney...we'll catch Mickey later.

Spoke too soon...

Right after I posted about you not yet climbing into dangerous situations I walked in and saw this...

...the face of great joy in learning a new trick,  accompanied by squeals of glee.

2nd Halloween

Your Noni's birthday is October 31...which also happens to be a holiday that is quite popular...people dress up in costumes and ask people for candy.  It's called Trick-or-Treating.  This year, it was on a Monday...we didn't celebrate.  But, on Sunday we did celebrate your Noni!  It was so cold at the park and thankfully we were able to keep you warm in your costume that your cousin Julie gave you.

Happy Little Dinosaur!  You were the hit of the park!  Everyone was watching you crawl all over.

 You love Maggie!

Your Great Aunt Pat took care of you Trick-or-treating.

This was your 1st Halloween.