To my baby

 Devin,

One year ago at 5:40 p.m. on December 30, 2009 you joined our family.

You came with bruises on your head and healthy lungs.

I loved you from the moment I saw you.

Your daddy was so proud.

I just wanted to hold you forever.

There was such a peace in the room the first time we were alone together as a family.

Your safe arrival changed everything.

And we wouldn't have it any other way.

We love you more than we could have imagined possible.

Love, Mother

First Haircut

Rich had some serious problems with the bits of hair that hung over Devin's ears. Admittedly, that hair was pretty long, but you could just sweep it behind his ears and then you never knew it was there. Plus the top was getting longish to spike.

 

Anyway, I was adamant that we not cut Devin's hair till he was one. Rich was fine with this. The problem was that we were having pictures taken the day before Devin's first birthday. So I caved. But I insisted that Rich not touch the back hair, which curls slightly and is beyond adorable. He can still be my little boy in that regard.

Rich did the cutting. Devin was pretty good through the whole process. 

Toward the end Grandma did have to distract him with the baby wash bottle.

Here he's saying, "Oh, you want to take pictures of this attractive baby?"

The final result. So handsome.

Ward Christmas Party, Check!

So, the Young Men/Young Women were in charge of the ward Christmas party this year. I am not good at these types of things. I get all anxious and stressed and worrisome. I am not crafty and therefore make comments like, "Let's do it the easiest way possible," instead of, "Let's make it the most magical party ever." Thankfully Kathy took over the decorations, and it's a good thing because she had great ideas! Even on our small decoration budget. She's definitely inspired, that one.

After we figured out the food, we decided that I would go price it out and buy it all since she had to work during the day. You wouldn't believe how many phone calls I had to make to my mother about the ham. How many? How much? Do you think this will be enough? What if I can't find that kind of ham? Do you think this ham will be okay? What do you think I should do if I can't get that ham? Cooking times? Temperature? Am I over thinking this? Am I stressing out A LOT over ham? 

In the end the party happened, people came, they ate, there was enough ham, and the program went beautifully. And Santa was there. 

Devin was grasping onto me begging me not to hand him to that man in the red suit, but I gave him away nonetheless, and you can see him thinking, "Something has gone terribly awry. This man has a beard and he's touching me and I do not much like beards and I just want my mom to take me away from this man. So I will whine and she will save me. Genius plan, self, genius." 

Those were his exact thoughts. I know.

Even better thing that the Christmas party is over? I can go back to being a more attentive mother. Devin may have eaten a piece of chalk the night we were setting up for the party because I wasn't really watching him. Don't worry. It was small. And maybe on the night of the party I just walked away and left him all by his lonesome in the kitchen to sort through drawers of knives and open cupboards full of glass things. Good thing Erin was paying attention to him and was his lookout till I remembered that I had a child and that I'd left him all alone.

So, Happy Holidays!

Bread!

I made bread. That was good. That was not like the first attempt. That was not full of giant air holes. That was not slightly crumbly. That was exactly how I wanted it to be.

Devin and I huddled around the oven door. Watching as it baked. I was so nervous.

But the first cut revealed bread goodness.

And there was much rejoicing.

Because, pretty much, all I talk about is Devin.

Two things I'm lovin' right now:

#1-This boy and his cars. He digs through the toy basket just to get to the cars. Then he crawls around driving the cars, saying "vroom, vroom." Already making car sounds, boy much? Him and his daddy are going to get along just fine, says I.

He drives them down the hall, 

and up the wall. 

And sometimes it doesn't need to be a car; if you can "drive" it, it still makes the same sounds.

#2-This boy's first steps. We knew last night was going to be special when Devin heard Rich come home, immediately crawled to greet him, gave him a mischievous grin, and then hightailed it in the other direction, begging to be chased. When he got to the couch he pulled himself up, smiled at us, let go of the couch, took a step or two and fell down. We were so proud, of course. Later in the evening, I set the wee one down to walk to his daddy, and he did just that. He took 6, Frakenstein-y, unsteady, wonderful, big boy steps! Right into Daddy's open arms. Then we congratulated him heartily, and I used my most high-pitched voice, which all served to scare the kid a little bit.

Our monkey is just getting all big on us!

Holiday Fun

So it was 65 degrees and sunny at our house on Saturday. And what do you do on a December afternoon that's so very much not like the holiday weather you are used to? You mow the lawn. Rich spent the morning doing odd jobs outside and loved it. You should see the garage. The cabinets are SPOTLESS. Cleaner than the kitchen, even.

And after our precursor of lawn mowing, we had some friends over for some holiday fun. We decided nothing says Christmas more than nachos, so we ate some yummy food then got down to business making graham cracker gingerbread houses. 

 

I was really nervous about the frosting since I'd never made it before, but it turned out well enough to cement our houses together.

While we were being crafty, the kids were left to fend for themselves. 

  

Devin showed Allyson all the good walking places.

(I'm not sure why Devin is smiling like this in both pictures. I think he was just so excited to have playmates in Marion and Ally.)

It was great to have friends over for some good times, and everyone was really creative. 

 

Rich was the mastermind behind the construction of our house, and dreamed big by building us a walk-out porch--complete with lawn chairs--and a pond, that when it's cold enough outside freezes over so we can ice skate on it.

 Jake and Kathy's house is fancy; they even have dormer windows! Jake really lived up to his profession of working in construction.

Steve and Erin had the cutest cottage, and I was thoroughly impressed by Steve's shingle job.

Michaela and Frankie's house was decorated super cute, and they had a real chimney with smoke and all.

We're glad that everyone agreed to have some holiday fun with us so I didn't have to convince Rich to make houses all by ourselves!

Open Letter

Dear Man on the Automatic Cart at Grocery Outlet,

I really appreciate that you think my child is cute. Because he is. Very cute. I know this. I spawned him. I am certain that the wee one also very much enjoyed your staring at him for nearly three minutes and getting so very close that my mama bear claws almost came out. I know I was pretending to be very interested in the cereal while you talked to my child and husband, but I was watching you like a hawk. Like a hawk. Also, in case you were not aware, the aisles are not wide enough for you to sidle alongside our cart for more than a few seconds. But thank you for trying to be included in our life.

I also appreciate your trying to be generous with your money, that was very kind of you, but my child is 11 months old and does not know the value of a dollar. Therefore, you do not need to try to hand him the dollar that was previously crumpled in your pants' pocket, because he will just try to put it in his mouth. And his mouth is certainly the last place on earth I would like that dollar to be. And your insisting that he take it so "his dad can buy him something nice," becomes awkward when we refuse more than one time.

So, I hope you have a Merry Christmas, but please do not ever touch my child.

Sincerely,
me

Ringing in the Season 2010

Christmastime is here! Hooray! On the first of December we got to start our advent calendar, and of course we ushered in the holiday season with the ringing of our bell. It took it's rightful place at the beginning of the season, and then we sparkled up the house.

We even get to have a tree this year! It was free. We love free stuff. The Redfords were getting rid of it at their yard sale, but gave us the friend discount, so we got it for the cheapest price possible. It is even pre-lit, which I love. After getting some strands to replace some burned out ones, it was ready for the decorating. And we stepped right up and bedazzled the heck out of that tree. (Can you tell which strand was a replacement? Don't tell us if you can.)

Friday night was a light parade in Kelseyville, so we bundled the family up and went out for some Christmastime goodness. 

 I've never been to a holiday parade before, and it was a lot of fun. People had all sorts of light arrangements and there were a lot of different types of floats.

 

Flame on the front of the car. There is really nothing more to say.

 

Devin just took it all in, and as long as he had a cracker in hand, he was cool with watching all the lights. He didn't get bothered about all the sirens and loud engines. Just kept eating his crackers.

Saturday found us outside hanging up Christmas lights. I helped when Devin was taking his naps. But Rich can take 99% of the credit. And even when Rich's extreme man strength broke one of the light wires, disaster was avoided because that man of mine is so very handy. 

 

The final product looks great and brings us all sorts of Christmas cheer. 

Here's some random Devin for you. 

(To tie this into the Christmas post: This is what he looked like while his dad was putting up the lights.)

On Sunday we tried our hand at some Christmas dinner preview by making up a ham and eating on the fancy china.

 

Clearly we also used the fancy casserole dish that was once my grandmother's.

Then I made us a coconut cream pie. I'm enjoying making pies right now because the crust is turning out (not so great at getting the fluting even). It must be that magic pie crust recipe I got at a Relief Society activity one time. At any rate, I'll be needing a cute pie pan, because the leftover Marie Callendar ones are just not cute enough.

And while Rich did the dishes, Devin demonstrated his excellent squinting skills. He gets extra points for the perfectly pursed lips.

Rich decided to inform me this year that he does not like celebrating all things Christmas until the 23rd of December. To which I replied, "We have been married for 3 years and you are choosing to mention this now?" And then I turned up the Christmas music really loud and sang to him, which of course filled him with all sorts of wondering awe. 

Day 30

#30-Knowing my Heavenly Father loves me. This has been a very thoughtful month as I've contemplated all that I'm grateful for. I am truly blessed. And though some days I was more thoughtful than others, I know that I have a lot to be thankful for--more than can be listed in 30 days. But all of these things that I'm thankful for come because of a loving Heavenly Father. I am His child and He has created all of these things for me. I am thankful for my blessings, for my life, and for all the wonderful things in my life that make it full and testify, to me, that Heavenly Father is there and mindful of me and my needs.

My Heavenly Father Loves Me

Words and Music by Clara W. McMaster, b. 1904

Whenever I hear the song of a bird
Or look at the blue, blue sky,
Whenever I feel the rain on my face
Or the wind as it rushes by,
Whenever I touch a velvet rose
Or walk by a lilac tree,
I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world
Heavenly Father created for me.

He gave me my eyes that I might see
The color of butterfly wings.
He gave me my ears that I might hear
The magical sound of things.
He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:
I thank him reverently
For all his creations, of which I'm a part.
Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.

Thanksgiving 2010

For our day of giving thanks we decided we should head up to Oregon to see Grandma and Grandpa Downing. 

Devin was down with the idea, and was pretty excited about the whole driving thing. This road trip to see Grandma and Grandpa did not take 18 hours, so it was a success! The wee one was great in the car, except for about 45 minutes where the sun was IN. HIS. EYES. PEOPLE. And he cannot handle that. So there was thrashing and squinting and freaking out and screeching while I tried to erect a fort of solitude around him, and as this was right about the time we were getting to many turns, it was harder than it sounds. But the wee one finally got his shade, and the rest of the morning went on without incident.

We borrowed the Redford's portable DVD player, and this especially helped the wee one focus on things other than being strapped in the car. Rich also did really well on the road trip, until the last hour, when we were stuck in traffic. Then Rich's patience was worn out, but he relieved his stress, and mine, by unwinding the enormous knot that I somehow tied into my ball of yarn. Good times. 

But after the driving we got to see Grandma! And Devin was thrilled! 

Thanksgiving dinner was excellent. 

This picture is pretending that I helped a lot, but I didn't really. 

 

I just made Dixie Salad and Liz did the rest of the cooking. Though I did made an apple pie, with a crust I made from scratch, in a pan from Marie Callender's, and if I didn't tell you I made it, you might have thought I bought it, because it was good. :) There is no picture from Thanksgiving dinner because I forgot to take a picture, but we enjoyed eating all the yummy food. Devin was not present though, as it was his nap time. So we just snapped this precious family picture later. 

 

Happy first Thanksgiving Devin!

Devin had so much fun playing with Grandma and Grandpa and all their new toys. 

 

Rich and I were able to get some shopping done, go to a movie, and go to the temple since Devin had such great playmates.

After the temple we ate in an actual restaurant (!), and then went to visit one of Rich's old Young Men leaders and had a great time catching up.

Our drive home was really uneventful and we were grateful for good weather on both trips. Thanksgiving 2010 was great! Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Downing for hosting us!

11 Months Already

The wee one has accomplished another milestone in life. That's right. He grew another whole month. And it's been a busy month for him. He pretty much rocks at growing up.

*He is a water baby. Rich is mean when giving him his bath and just pours water over his head and the wee one just gasps and then keeps playing around. It's really hilarious to watch him. 

*His favorite toys right now are his teddy bear, the balls, which he can "play ball" with and roll or throw back to me, and his books.

 

*He gags himself all the time. And is nonchalant about it. Like, "Hey it's no big deal that I can touch the back of my throat." Please, someone, make him stop.

*He likes to growl.

*He is still really good at the seriousness, though he will cheese it up for people in the store. He knows that they will fawn over him if he will smile. He likes it when strangers tell him he is the cutest and has the prettiest eyes. But here he's saying, "I'm wearing a colored sweater. That is all."

*The biting. Oh the biting. He mostly just bites me (I'm the lucky one), and though sometimes he's just biting my clothes, it hurts a lot when he gets some skin. Those seven teeth are getting a workout.

But who can stay mad at this kid? Not me. Not even when he's into everything. Which is also a favorite thing right now. He's in his "I want to open all the drawers and doors and pull everything all out!" phase.

*He learned how to suck from a straw! I'm excited about this. Perhaps he's behind the times, but I'm happy about it nonetheless.

*He turns the pages in the book and actually know what he's doing. I think this is beyond adorable and love it.

*Rich taught him how to give high-fives.

*He can say "uh-oh" or can at least mimic me somewhat when I say it. I believe he's saying it. It comes out more like "uh-uh," but you know, it's beyond cute.

And he knows he's cute. See him being coy?

*He loves to walk along everything and has even reached out and tried to take a few steps. Busy, busy boy.

*He loves his teddy bear and wrestles around with him. He puts his cheek down on him and gives him loves, and it's adorable.

*He likes to watch The Wiggles and KidSongs. He dances to the music and starts clapping. I feel bad putting the TV on for him, but he does get pretty entranced with it, so it's great for when I need him to not pull the glass bottle of vinegar out of the lazy Susan cupboard while I'm cooking.

*He gets so wiggly and excited when seeing dogs, it's like his own wiggly-puppyness is coming out when he sees them. But do not try to have him pet them.

*His favorite game includes us saying "I'm gonna get you," and then him crawling away in hopes that we'll follow. He also will start wiggling his fingers when we say, "I'm gonna get you," since he's mimicking what we're doing. Super cute.

 

*We also like to play "Where's Mommy?" I admit I scare him a lot. But he laughs. So it's alright. And then he chases me around the couch. That's like 30 minutes of our day.

 *He likes to hang from the pack and play and smash his face against the mesh. We find this hilarious, of course, which makes him do it more so we will laugh.

He is a cutie cute cute. And we love him.

And we are thankful for the past 11 months with this kid.