Stella's 1st Birthday

Catching up a bit on the old blog... 

Stella's first birthday fell on Thanksgiving day this year, so we officially celebrated a few days later. Both sides of the families gathered at our favorite local pizza joint. Stella definitely has no problem being the center of attention, she absolutely loved her special afternoon.

 

Loose rainbow theme. She wore her rainbow leggings and we had rainbow cupcakes.

All eyes on Stella. And she loves it.

No surprise, she ate the whole thing.

Cute shot of cousin Berkley

She got lots of cute new outfits!

Showing off her balancing skills

Both kids have these cool puzzle stools with their names on them from Oma and G-Pa.

 

We love our sweet Stelly Belly!

 

Classic.

Thanksgiving

We hosted Thanksgiving this year, and it was a full house. We were blessed to have both sides of our family here and we had a wonderful day. I am still loyal to my apple cider-brined turkey - wicked good.

In the photo we are holding up our Gratitude Garland, I found the idea over at Somewhat Simple. We are wrote down things we were grateful for and put it up on the mantle. Here's what people said...

I am grateful for:

• the challenge and JOY of relationships
• family, health and knowing God
• creative thoughts
• Family. Luckiest guy in the world for my family and extended family
• My two wonderful children and my wife that I couldn't imagine life without
• Sunsets - an amazing creation by God
• Teachability through experience
• My dog
• God
• Freedom and balance of life
• Freedom of speech and religion
• Joy, hope and love
• for a very loving Lord, who guides and protects me. I am grateful for the support of family and friends and to live in a free country.
• new opportunities to pursue in fulfilling God's purpose for my life
• new job opportunity and this point in my life

I am one year old today

The truth is, I don't like writing this post. I may have cried a little in the checkout line yesterday when I bought a "1" candle for Stella's cake. It's just going way.too.fast. I feel like I will blink and we will be dropping her off at college bawling our eyes out.

To say we have enjoyed our little Stelly Belly just doesn't suffice. I cannot imagine a bigger blessing to our family and have had many moments this year where I pause and just stare up to the heavens in gratitude. It's awfully fitting that our baby girl celebrates her first birthday on Thanksgiving, because we couldn't be more thankful for our little miracle. It has been quite the year for us as we adjust to having a family of four, but all the more joyful to our everyday lives. Happy Birthday baby girl. We love you, adore you and can't imagine our lives without you.

I am saying "doggie" all day long
I give kisses
I can book it up the stairs
I am very close to walking and stand on my own now
I love taking baths with my brother
I am enamored with my Daddy
I love being in my stroller
If I don't want something, I am quick to chuck it across the room
I find great pleasure in emptying out drawers
I like to spoon feed myself

I am 11 months old

I like to hold on to chairs and walk around
I point to things and say "what's this?"
I think it's funny to shake my head from side to side and say no, no, no
I am trying to figure out how to climb up stairs
I love music and having dance parties
I love to be held by my Dad
I will drop anything I'm doing and make every possible effort to get to a laptop so I can pound on the keys
I hate wearing socks and would rather chew on them
I am starting to love my dog Dee

We love you baby girl and can't believe in just a month we will celebrating your first birthday!

Thank you Aunt Jean!

My sweet Aunt Jean heard that I was having a baby last year and showed up with a huge box of gorgeous hand knitted things she had made for both Cole and Stella. Sweaters, hats, mittens and all sorts of cuteness.

She recently just finished this sweater and hat for Cole. After he opened the package, he immediately put them both on and insisted on wearing them while riding his bike around the neighborhood. Even though it was 90 degrees out! Adorable. Thank you Jean!

I am 10 months old today

 

 

I am crawling

I am pulling up to standing

I can take a few steps when I'm holding on to something

I can say Daddy, Mama, Dee (our dog) and Yes

I love to dance

I sleep 7 to 7

I have two teeth

I like to nod

I have a lot of hair that is getting lighter