One Year Pictures

Christian had his 1 year pictures taken just a couple of days before his Big Day. I don't think he was "feeling" the whole picture thing, but the photographer got some good shots regardless. Here are just a few of my favorites.

Of course, he had to make sure to get the "So Big!" in there somehow. :o) I just love our little blue-eyed blondie!

One Year Checkup

Christian had his 1 year well-baby checkup today (only a week and a half late.) He weighs 21 lbs. 7 oz. and is 29 inches tall. Both are just a little above the 25th percentile for boys his age which kind of surprised me because he seems to be such a big, solid boy. Christian now has 10 teeth (2 of which are his first molars) and it looks like there may be 2 more molars cutting soon on the bottom.

Christian is a little love bug. Busy, yes, but he still likes to be held and enjoys sitting in my lap. He loves to be outside, and now that it is finally getting a little cooler around here, he enjoys playing in the yard while I do some much needed weeding. C is not yet walking but is cruising around furniture. Who needs to walk when you can crawl just as fast? His words so far include "Mama," "Dada," and "Ghee-ee" (Kitty.)

Wordless Wednesday *Little Professor*

Sour Lemons

The kiddos eating lemons at "Mellow Mushroom" in CO. Funny how they kept going back for more. (Pics taken by Kim, my sister-in-law)

The Big 0-1!

C's birthday celebration began early September with the arrival of my MIL in South Carolina. We partied and celebrated in Colorado through most of our visit:

~ We had a September birthday party at Steve's Aunt Linda's house (there are 4 birthday's in September on Steve's side.) We enjoyed a delicious dinner, cake, pie, Oreo truffles, and gifts.

Here is Christian playing with a bow. Wish I had more pictures of the evening.

~ On Christian's actual birthday we went to White Fence Farm for dinner and to visit the farm animals. Did I mention that Christian loves animals? He gets really excited, giggling and kicking his legs.

~ Two days later (on Sunday afternoon) we threw a little birthday celebration for Christian and invited our families and a couple of close friends. Christian's First Birthday treat was Oreo cupcakes...I think he liked them, considering he pretty much devoured the entire thing, minus the larger chunks of Oreos. My brother and SIL kindly took videos of everyone singing "Happy Birthday" and Christian eating his cupcake.

Linden is going to be a very good big sister to her little brother that is on his way. Here she is giving Christian his bottle after his party.

Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun

My Dad and Mom

Last Wednesday on our way to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (post to come) we decided to take a detour up the mountain to see the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun built by Spencer Penrose. Such beautiful breathtaking views of Colorado Springs and the mountains.

View after climbing to the top.

Lair o' the Bear

(I am playing a little catch up here on the blog.)

Attempting to get a group shot.

My brother, Ryan and his daughter, Linden took us to Lair o' the Bear a couple of weeks ago. The day was beginning to warm up quickly, but we enjoyed a nice hike in the foothills. You really cannot beat Colorado and its beauty. Have I mentioned that we miss Colorado?

Watching sticks pass under the bridge.

Linden and Christian in the trunk after our hike.

Rockies

Christian attended his first baseball game two weeks ago. We "watched" the Colorado Rockies beat the Cincinnati Reds 4 to 3. Even though it was a later game, Christian enjoyed the excitement of new people, sounds, and bright lights. Christian was up, down, and didn't want to let any one hold him but me (kind of a trend during the Colorado trip.) I am not quite sure if I saw a single pitch, but I am glad that C enjoyed his first ball game.

Christian is One!

Happy Birthday to our sweet baby boy, who was born 1 year ago today! I cannot get over how incredibly fast the time has gone. Is he really One? Was he truly this small? It seems like just yesterday that we were anticipating Christian's arrival (which came as a big surprise) but here we are! And what a busy 12 months it has been with traveling across the country and living in 3 states (CA, CO, SC.) It has been such an adventure and we have enjoyed every part of C's life- we look forward to whatever may lie ahead. We love you buddy! Thank you for the indescribable joy that you have brought into our lives.In a letter I wrote to Steve about a month ago:

"Did you ever dream that you would love him this much? Must be just a glimpse of what our heavenly Father feels for us."

What a gift indeed.

Grandma's Short SC Visit

Grandma (Steve's mom) came to visit us a couple of weeks ago in South Carolina to play with Christian and help us with our flights out to Colorado. We went swimming, ate at "Ward's BBQ," "Baker's Sweets," and enjoyed spending a little time together. Below are a few C pictures from her visit:

Christian enjoys his books...he especially liked to "kiss" the babies in this book. Watching Mommy mow the lawn in the backyard.

Opening an early birthday gift!

SO Big

Christian is such a cutie. Not that I am biased or anything. The past few weeks he has been making a cute gesture when asked "How big is Christian?" He grasps his left wrist with his right hand and reaches his arms up above his head. His arms are too short to go too high above his head, so they only reach his forehead. I love the little expression he makes as we reply, "So big!"

My mother-in-law caught a quick shot of C in his highchair back at our home in South Carolina:

To my son, whom I love...

Christian,

From the moment you were born I knew that my life would never be the same. My heart has grown in ways I could not have imagined, and just the thought of you causes my heart to overflow with joy. The whole world lights up when you smile, and it is easy to see God's handiwork in you. I picked this song because it is a song that makes me long for home, long to see you and Erin again, and most of all a song that echoes the love I have for you and the love that is shared with our Father in heaven.

I dream of the day that I get to hold you in my arms again, when I can tell you just how much I love you, and how much it pleases me just to be with you. I also dream of the day when we "finally make it home" and wrap our arms around the God who gives us life and love. Son, because of you I have experienced the full cycle of unconditional love, and I can now better understand the infinite love that God has for us.

I pray that God blesses you and keeps you sensitive to His spirit so that your light will shine and you can bring love, peace, and joy to the world.

Wordless Wednesday *Smiles*

To my darling wife

I have been missing you so very much. You are always on my mind, and when I think of you it brings joy to my heart, lightening my burdens and brightening my day. I wanted to share this joy and love, and I know that this song is one that we both enjoy so very much. It gives us a glimpse of the love that God has for us and the love we have been given to share with each other. I do hope this touches your heart as you hear it and know that though we are so far apart, God keeps us connected through His love. A love that has eternal roots, bridging the greatest of divides, and which connects on a level of more than just the love between a man and a woman, but rather the love shared through the joining of two souls.

I love you.

Wordless Wednesday *Staying Cool*