One Year

It is hard to believe it has been a year (plus a little) since Liam was born.  This poor kid is the typical 2nd child with him meeting milestones and events, and he is not the center of our focus.  But, I think he is alright with that.  He LOVES his sister, can sit and be cuddled for ever and is a budding athlete like his dad.

Being a second child, we started him eating "adult" food early.  He also started whole milk a little before one (I ran out of formula) and it isn't hurting his growth at all.  He continues to be 50% in weight (24lb) and height (30in), and the brains are still growing at 90%.   He has the body of my dad and head of Wade.  He is also still limited in the hair department, but he does have 6 teeth.

Liam is starting to talk a lot more and loves to wave and say hi/bye and show us how big he is.  One of his favorite games is walking around and throwing stuff and saying "uh-oh".   Just like the dog, he likes hanging outside with his balls.

In honor of Leach coming to WSU, we had a pirate birthday.  It was just family, but perfect.

Happy Birthday Liam!

Happy 1st Birthday Baby Boy.  I cannot believe 12 months have gone by.  You are a true blessing and we all LOVE you more than you will ever know.

We're going on a bear hunt!

When Amelia woke up Sunday morning we asked what she wanted to do that day.
"A bear hunt!" she stated.
So that is what we did.
We put on our best camouflage; she was a bee, I was a blueberry, Wade a strawberry and Liam a football.

We didn't catch any bears, but we did catch some rays while eating our picnic lunch on Clayton Beach. Oh, how I love a sunny day in the Northwest.

We're gonna catch a big one!
We're gonna catch a big one!
I'm not afraid!
I'm not afraid!
Are you?
Are you?
Not me!
Not me

This poor animal was the closest thing to a bear we found.

Looking for bears sure makes you hungry.

Our "protectors"!

Spring Break

Siblings, in birth order.  Looking at this picture, I realize how much taller Derek is to us.

Last week was spring break.  Being the awesome mother and wife that I am, I left my family behind and took a girl's trip with my sister to Palm Springs.  I had full trust that things at home were going to be alright and didn't lose an ounce of (well deserved, Advil PM) sleep.  Being the resourceful women that we were raised to be, ReBecca and I spent a total of $200 for the 4 days.  Our awesome husbands gave us air miles, the witty and smart Broughs let us crash in their home, and our days were spent drinking homemade bloodies by the pool, with a couple games of tennis thrown into the mix.  We did good GREAT!   Derek and Kaitlin were also there to celebrate Kaitlin's dad (60th) which contributed to some enjoyable dinners.

One of our dinners together with Kaitlin's family and ours.

The rest of the week was spent making up the lost time to my children.  We did egg hunts, went to the zoo on probably the busiest day of the year, and celebrated Easter with my family.  I even took Amelia to church to help repent my sins. Lastly, we got to meet and celebrate baby Hailey.  I forgot to take a picture of her, but take my word for it...prettiest baby EVER.

Woodland Park Zoo

Easter fun

You know you live in Bellingham when....

...your 3 year starts a conversation like this:

Amelia: "Mommy, do you eat animals?"
Me: "Yes, I do."
Amelia: "That is gross."
Me: "Why?"
Amelia: "I love to not eat animals."
Me: "Sorry kid, you just had chicken."

I am thinking this came from her vegetarian best preschool friend (damn hippies).  I thought it would be at least until middle school when we faced this political stance.

Brings tears to my eyes

It has been 11 months of booger eyes.  11 months of colds causing eyelids to be sealed shut.  11 months of daily hearing something like, "He looks tired!", "Did he just wake up?".  Well, those 11 months ended today.  We finally got Liam's tear ducts fixed with a minor surgery.  The whole procedure its self was not a big deal or took too much time, but because of his age, he had to go under.  That created for one LONG morning.  But....I am glad it is done.

Watch out ladies, here comes Liam.

Chillin' in the waiting room, waiting to be called back.

Before the surgery the effect of his "juice" start to kick in.  I had a glimpse of his future at WSU.   He reminded me of his father (or maybe me because he got hold of a pole and wouldn't let it go). 

Recovery room (the worse part). 

Home once again.  Puffy, but already on the fast track to recovery.

Walkabout

Liam has been playing with the idea of walking for a couple weeks now.  It's been a fun little party trick that we do for cheap entertainment.  It has involved 1-2-4 steps into a Superman fall right into the person/thing he is aiming for.  Today, he up the anty.

Something has seemed to have clicked and he turned his "wow" factor.  This afternoon, when Wade and I went to pick him up, he stood right up when he saw us at the door and walked effortlessly drunk-like to us.  Wade and I stood dumbfounded, his teachers speechless and Liam had the proudest expression on his sweet little face.  Tonight, he repeated (and repeated, and repeated) his new moves.  Next step...The Moonwalk.

Watch out Amelia, he is out to run you down!