ONE

The past week has been such a whirlwind... trying to get the house ready and all that goes with planning a 1 year old's birthday party, that it did not fully hit me until yesterday that my baby is no longer a baby. He is and will always be my baby, but he is a little boy. It is with tears in my eyes and a huge smile on my face I think back on all of the wonderful, beautiful, trying, exhausting, precious memories and moments from the past year. I had no idea when I found out that I was pregnant how my world would turn completely upside-down with one little cry and how marvelous each and every second would be after that. Crockett has never been an easy baby and there were nights when I thought I was going to lose it.... but I realize now that each of those times were so special and they only lasted a couple of nights. Nothing that I would not do all over again... as many times as Chris would let me :)

Crockett is the light of my life. He now has 5 teeth, 3 on the bottom and 2 on top. He is not really walking on his own, but can do it with minor assistance and has taken 2 small steps. We have gotten his haircut once and it already needs it again. He is able to say more, please, all done, and thank you in sign language. He can say even more if you are bribing him with ice cream :) He sleeps until about 1:30 or 2:00 a.m. in his bed and then wants in bed with me... and yes, he gets his way the majority of the time. He hates getting his diaper changed, but loves it when his diaper is off. He always talks to every little kid he sees. He is one friendly little guy. He just jabbers all day long. I am never sure what he is saying, but he is saying something... sometimes screaming, happy screams. He is my own little monkey. He climbs on top of the toilet, his chair, up stairs, out of the bathtub (he tries anyways and almost made it!), on the fireplace... really there is almost no where this kid will not climb. He does not like big dogs or horses (up close, anyways), but he loves saydi and she loves him as long as he is feeding her or throwing her ball. He gives his hugs and kisses the same way... by resting his head on you and going "Mmmmmm". It is the best hug and kiss EVER!

There are SO many things I absolutely love about this little guy. Each day I watch him do something new and my list just grows. The past year has been filled with so many great accomplishments for him and Chris and I. We have grown so much closer and we are able to look at Crockett and see what we have made. It is such a miracle. A special bond. A gift from God. This year has FLOWN by way too fast, but it has been the best year of my life so far. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Crockett, Chris and I and our family.

Crockett, you are so precious to me. I am honored to be your mom. You bring me so much happiness and joy. My cup runeth over.

Happy 1st Birthday!

Happy 1st Birthday, Crockett!!

After weeks and weeks of planning and preparation, Crockett's big 1st birthday party has come and gone!! It was SO much fun, despite the SNOW and freezing temperatures. It was a lot of people squeezed into our home, but each person has a special place in our hearts and will play a part in Crockett's life, so we were so blessed to have each and every person there! We had cowboy hats and badges for the kids and just let them play and have fun together. They were all SO good and got along really well! Crockett was a little fussy as he would NOT take a nap that morning, so he was not quite his friendly self, but he had a great time! We all ate fajitas (which we will still be eating months from now...), queso, chips, salsa (Rachy's AWESOME salsa) and the really yummy cake. It was delicious, and I must say, would not have been ready without my mom and sisters who saved me this weekend. I love you all SO much and am so grateful for your help. I cannot tell you enough! Crockett got lots of fun toys and hopefully the weather will get nice so we can put his new sandbox outside with all his cool trucks! He is going to have so much fun stuff to play with! By the time we did the cake, he was about done. He did manage to get black icing all over himself, before he lost it. About 15 minutes later.... he was sound asleep... It was a lot of excitement for a little guy and I guess it was his birthday party and he can do whatever he wants! We had a good time and I can't wait to celebrate again, although next year, it may be somewhere else :) Crockett is so lucky to have so many wonderful people in his life! Thanks to everyone for celebrating with us!

(By the way, I will post pictures tomorrow! I just need to download them first!)

MDA Stride and Ride

This year we decided to participate in the MDA's Stride and Ride. Trisha, Crockett's MiMi, was diagnosed with PLS several years ago. PLS (Primary Lateral Sclerosis) and so many other diseases are supported by the MDA. They help fund research, provide equipment, pay medical bills and so much more. It is such a wonderful organization and is very close to our family's heart. The kids (Crockett, Kayleigh, Emily and Nathalie... AKA Mimi's Marchers) raised some money and we all walked in the "Victory Lap" at the mall. We will continue to work with the MDA in the future and are so thankful for the help and support they have given our MiMi! Also, THANK YOU SO MUCH to those of you that donated money. We are so appreciative!

The BIG 3-0!

January 23, 2010 was a day that I dreaded for atleast the last 365 days, if not longer. In my mind, 30 sounded SO old. And to top it off, Chris won't be 30 until September, so he was full of "old lady" jokes. I had said from the beginning that I did NOT want a party... so when Chris, my mom and sisters kept telling me they would see me at my party, I had a couple of minor meltdowns (sorry, Mom :) So when the day finally arrived, I was pleasantly surprised at what a wonderful day it was. My mom had come in for the weekend, which is always wonderful. She and Chris told me the night before, over margaritas, that LuLu and Rachy would be keeping Crockett on Saturday night, and Chris and I were getting our 1st night away from him at a secret location to be disclosed the next day. I was so excited :) So when we arrived at our destination, I discovered we were staying at The Cliffs at Possum Kingdom, where I was getting a massage, we had dinner reservations and it was ALL BY OURSELVES!! Now, it was rather difficult to leave Crockett for the 1st time, and I texted my mom and sister several times... maybe more.... but this was so great. We had such a fabulous time! We had a little champagne, watched a thunderstorm pass over the lake, talked to each other, got dressed up for dinner... all things that are special and don't happen very often. I was so excited about sleeping through the night, with out having to get up with Crockett... we were both awake at 2:30 am. Ha! I guess after a year of it, we are just used to it! It was a wonderful get-away and I am so lucky to have a husband who loves me so much! After the day had come and gone, I realized that 30 isn't that bad. This is such a fun, wonderful time in my life and I have such special people around me. That is so much more important that a number!!

GOOD MORNING :)

How can you not LOVE waking up to this face (and hair :)?!? Crockett can be such a ham sometimes! There is NOTHING better!!!

10 MoNtHS oLd!!!!!

Another month has quickly come and gone... now the countdown to my baby's 1st birthday is officially ON! This month seemed to have gone by even faster than the others. Maybe it was due to me chasing Crockett all over the house pretty much 24/7. I always thought that my nephew, Braidy, was the busiest kid I had ever met. I think Crockett is giving him a run for his $money$. Not only that, but he is SUCH a mommy's boy! If I am in the room, he wants me to hold him and if I am not in the room, he is screaming. I do LOVE the way he LOVES me :) Everyone told me that little boys love their mommy... boy, do they ever! At the beginning of January, those two top teeth FINALLY came through. They were sure stubborn. Now everytime I see them, I no longer see my baby, but a growing little boy. They have a slight gap, but are the 2 cutest teeth I have ever seen. He is now walking around the fireplace, coffee table and couches and he has even stood by himself, but only for a few seconds at a time. Walking will happen soon, but probably not too soon. (Which is fine with me :) Crockett is such a happy boy. Especially when we are out with friends or running errands, he never fusses or makes a scene. I am always SO proud of him on those afternoons when we miss a nap and he acts like such a big boy. Naptime and bedtime at home are SUCH a different story. I have never heard a kid put up such a fight to go to sleep.... but Crockett does. I hope it is just a phase. In fact, I know it is just a phase, I just hope it ends quickly. Daddy is the only one that can get him to sleep in his bed without a knock-down, drag-out screamfest... Thank goodness for Daddy!! Dinner time is very interesting these days! Crockett eats pretty much whatever mommy and daddy eat (so does Saydi since he loves to throw it on the floor or at her :) He really likes big people food and does not want to be fed by ANYONE! Unless it is pudding or yogurt... he likes those so much, he doesn't care how he gets them! It is quite messy, though, and he always ends mealtime by spitting out whatever he is eating... he is DONE! Finally, I think it is just about time for a haircut. His hair is out of control. When it is wet, it goes onto his back. I have just kept putting it off, knowing what a little boy he will look like when it is all done, but it is really time. It MUST. BE. DONE.

I know the next two months will go by just as quickly as the last 10... I remember this time last year; all the anticipation and excitement that we were experiencing. This year, I am feeling the same way, just for my almost one year old baby boy and all that the future holds.

Crockett, Watching you grow and learn and become a little boy instead of a baby takes my breath away. You are such a fun little man to wake up to in the mornings and such a blessing to thank God for each night when I go to sleep. When your daddy and I dreamt of what our son would be like, there is no way we could have hoped for someone, something as wonderful and precious as you. You have enriched our lives in everyway and made us become better people. We love you so much, baby boy, and cannot wait to see what you will surprise us with next.

FLORIDA!!!

Blue Moon

Weary Travelers... BUT we made it!!

Sand between his toes

Kathryn's Bridal Breakfast with her family


With the Bride-to-be!

The Stone Family

The camera man

Walking down the aisle

Giving his baby girl away :)

Mr. & Mrs Keenan Taylor!!!

Hanging out on the beach

The proud parents of the Bride

1st dance as husband and wife

My sleeping man

Dancin' with my 2 favorite guys!

YUM-O!!

90 miles to Cuba! Key West, FL

I really want one of these!

He found himself in the mirror!

It was swimming toward us! Ahhhhh!

This is Rosy :)

Right after Christmas, we re-packed our bags and headed south for Florida for Kathryn and Keenan's wedding! We met mom and Les in Dallas on Dec. 30 and flew out of Love Field the next morning! It was Crockett's 1st BIG trip... so I was a little nervous to see what kind of traveler I had on my hands. (We all know how much he loves the car! HA!) He was AWESOME! AND, we ended up being in the air for about 2 hours longer than expected due to lots and lots of fog in Houston and the runway lights had gone out. So after circling Houston for about an hour, we were diverted to San Antonio to re-fuel THEN sent back to Houston! From there we flew on to Ft. Lauderdale. Another two hours later and we were in Islamorada, FL... FINALLY! Due to the delay, we were a little late to the rehearsal dinner. It was so great to finally be there and see everyone! We all celebrated New Year (a little early... maybe 9:00 p.m. :) and caught up with everyone under the Blue Moon... it was beautiful! On the morning of the 1st, mom and I had a bridal breakfast for Kathryn and her special people. It was very nice and we all had a great time celebrating her big day. The wedding began at 3 p.m. on the beach at the resort we stayed at. It was so nice and such a sweet, touching ceremony. The weather was beautiful for the wedding but about two hours later the rain came.... it poured! Luckily, we were all under the patio. But after it stopped there was the most beautiful rainbow (and awesome photo op!). It must have been a sign from up above :) We had such a nice dinner and we danced and chatted the night away... Crockett had a great time, but was pooped by the end! He took a short nap during the reception, but woke up for cake!! It was such a wonderful, beautiful, fun, lovely wedding and we were so glad we were able to be a part of it!!! Congrats to Keenan and Kathryn Taylor :)

The next day, we headed even further South to Key West. It was about a 2 hour drive, but a very pretty, scenic one! We had a great lunch of salad, pina coladas, lobster and key lime pie... mmmmm! Then we walked around and shopped a little bit. It was a little chilly for Crockett so we didn't stay a REAL long time. Before we left Key West, I wanted to take a family picture of the 'Southern Most Point of the U.S.' Little did I know that so did everyone else, and there would be a LONG line.... But we waited and made it to the front :) We even saw a lady there walking her miniature horse... just like it was a dog. It was funny and SO SO cute!!

The next day, we drove back to Ft. Lauderdale, but first, we stopped at the Everglades. Chris and I got to take a ride on an airboat and look for some alligators!! It was so much fun (not to mention cold!)!! We saw some really cool birds (blue heron, vultures... I forget what the other ones were called, but they were cute! Our guide even had 2 that knew their names :), some raccoons, and an alligator that got VERY close to us! I wanted to see more, but he said it was a little too cold that day for many of the animals to be out and about. It was so neat!

We had such a great time in Florida! It was nice to get away for a while to a place with no snow :) Crockett was such a trooper... It was great to have LuLu and Les there to help us with him and he loved getting to hang out with them too! Where are we going next?!?! :)