A Great Relaxing (well sort of) Weekend

This was our first weekend where we did not have a million things planned. Just a few things. And let me tell you it felt great!!! Our first Saturday in forever that we were kind of home well not really but it felt more like it than it has in a while. Jacob went to Charlotte for the morning to do his Nascar Experience Crawford and I gave him for Christmas. He loved it and I am so glad! Crawford and I went to Gymboree Gym and Learn and had a blast! Ok. I know it sounds like we were really not even home but we were in the afternoon. I have been wanting to do something with Crawford on Saturday's so that I can see how he interacts with other children and have some Mommy time with him. Since I work, sometimes it's hard to squeeze fun time in with him after dinner and before bath and bedtime. Being able to take him to Gymboree was so much fun and worth it! He did so good and I am proud to report that he did not steal one toy or push any kids. :-) Sometimes when I pick him up from school he is taking a kids toy away or bopping them on the head! I am thinking he is paying them back for something they did earlier in the day and that my child is not a bully! Saturday was Ryan's 30th birthday, so we made him a sign and went to visit him at the fire station.
I hope to finish Crawford's 1 Year post this week.

Below are some pictures from the weekend!

Crawford playing with his Leap Frog Fridge Toy that we all love. This gives us time to fix dinner.

These pictures are not that clear. It was hard trying to take pictures and make sure he didn't fall. He loved this thing. They would all line up together and push. It would roll and they would have to walk be hind it.

Crawford was pushing so hard all of the kids were falling but he was keeping up with it. After we had moved on the next activity he was screaming to go back to this. So I took him b/c everyone was looking at me. We will have to work on this!

Notice how he is the only one playing with it. Crawford loves balls. So he was amazed by these. Once again the rest of the class was at another activity!

Puppet Time
This picture is very dark but I had to share. I was so shocked that Crawford crawled up and sat with the instructor. I was again a little nervous of what he would do. I was picturing him grabbing the puppet from her hand but he just sat and watched.

Happy 30th Birthday Uncle Ryan! We hope it was a great one!!

Open Mouth Kisses

These days it's hard to turn down any kiss from our sweet little boy! Crawford has learned to kiss and it is adorable. If you tell him to give a kiss, sometimes he will blow you a kiss and other times its an open mouth kiss right on the cheek. I am not sure how and why he decides which one he will give but I will take it any way I can get it.

Pictures from Monday Night.

Bath time consist of me getting soaking wet trying to chase Crawford all over the tub washing him!

He looks so grown up!

Drinking Milk in his Chair.

Pete and Mildred Hinkle

Saturday was the Memorial Service for Pete and Mildred Hinkle. They were Crawford's Great Great Aunt and Uncle! They were the cutest and sweetest couple and I know are loved and missed by many. I could not choose a better time to go than together as they did. They were married 67 years and both died on the same day! Mildred passed away that morning and then Pete. It was like Pete was holding on just for Mildred. It is such a sweet ending to a long life together. We are so glad that they are no longer in pain and we know they are in a better place.

I heard this once at a funeral and loved it.

I wish you enough by Bob Perks

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."

For the full story
http://www.bobperks.com/wish.htm

Lessons Learned

I know I have not finished his 1 Year update below but thought I should update you on how we are all doing. We went to Hickory this past weekend and had a great visit. On Friday we met my mom for dinner. While we were there i ordered a fruit cup for Crawford. I cut the fruit up really small like I always do. However, I guess I should not have given him a little piece of apple. He had never had it raw before. Always baked apples. I thought it would be fine however I guess it was not slick enough to slide down his throat. He started gasping for air. I immediately stuck my finger down his throat to get it out. I thought this was the first and right thing to do, however it only made matters worse. I guess I pushed it down further. By this point I was really panicking. I am so glad I was not alone! Mimi came to the rescue and was able to do the heimlich and get it out. The sound of his cry never sounded so good. All I could do was cry! I have never felt so helpless! Lesson Learned! Uncle Ryan needs to give me a refresher in CPR and First Aid.

Here is a good website I found: http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/emergencies/choking.html

1 Year Checkup

Today Crawford had his 1 year checkup! He did great! I went to school to pick him up and they were celebrating Jamison's birthday. She has the same birthday as Crawford. She had pink and brown cupcakes that were precious. Guess what color Crawford got? Brown! Guess what color shirt he was wearing? White! I wish I would have taken a picture b/c he looked so cute but so grown up! Blue Jeans/White Polo and his new keds! Well, when I picked him up he had managed to get the Brown Icing everywhere the bib did not cover! He was covered! I guess that is what I get for sending him to school in a white polo. :-) Once we get to the doctors office the sugar had kicked in. He had everyone's attention that was in the waiting room. He was throwing his ball at them and climbing all over everything. Everyone seemed to think he was so funny, I was personally worn out from following him all over the place! Dr. Erickson said Crawford looked great and his ears were great, which was a big relief!

Crawford's Stats at 1 Year old

20lbs 6oz

29 1/2 Inches long

Head 19 Inches

He is between the 15th and 20 Percentile for Weight and 50th for Length and Head

Teeth

5 Teeth and 1 Coming in

Gets around

Speed Crawler, he is testing the walking thing but has not mastered it.

Climber - We learned tonight that he can climb to the top of our stairs with no help! Yes we turned our heads for 1 second and he was gone. We found him 3 steps up. Guess it's time for the gate!

Words

Uh-oh

Dada

Mama

Dog

Duck

Bye

Hey

He waves bye bye...usually he waves to himself but occasionally to the person leaving

Gives High Five and Low Five :-)

He can blow kisses

Dances to any music that comes on

He loves to throw his ball. He can actually through it really good. Daddy is really proud.

His Favorite Things to Do:

Ride in his Wagon

Play Ball
Ride in his Red Car at Grammy and Papa's

Climb the Stairs

Watch Molly

How our lives have Changed in 1 Year

It's amazing how much a child will change your life. Crawford has changed our lives in so many ways. Here are just a few.

Crawford has brought so much happiness to us. There is not a day that goes by that we do not laugh at him. He brings a smile to every ones face! Even when we are upset with him for doing something we so kindly said NO to. He just looks at us and grins and we have to bit our lip to keep from smiling.

It's amazing how much we worry about our little ones. Calling the doctors office for the littlest things. I think every nurse knows us by our voice.

I don't really sing, and if I do, I know it sounds horrible, but it seems to soothe Crawford so I do it. In the car it's no big deal to me. It keeps him quiet and makes him laugh but at night time, I make Jacob turn the monitors off so he doesn't here me throughout the house.

We dance for Crawford, Jacob did tonight. It was horrible but Crawford loved him and it kept him entertained until I could get his dinner ready. I am going to have to get it on video. It's hilarious.

I never thought I would wipe a runny nose with my hand and then wipe it on my pants but when your in public with nothing to wipe with, a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do!

Crying kids in restaurants have never really bothered me. But I now have greater respect for parents with kids in a restaurant and how stressful it can be trying to keep your child happy and have a good meal while letting everyone else enjoy their meal as well.

Germs - It's amazing how in the beginning you are so paranoid of germs. Or at least I was and Jacob still is. It's amazing what a screaming baby in public will make you do. The first few visits to the doctors office I held Crawford in my lap and would not let him even touch the chair for fear that he would get germs. The last few times he wanted nothing to do with sitting in my lap and it about killed me as I watched him touch chairs and the kids table. Luckily he did not leave with an illness.

It is so truly amazing to watch our little boy grow and learn each day. He is truly a gift from God. We are so blessed to have him and very Thankful!

Someone told Jacob and I after Crawford was born "The Days go by slow and the Years go by Fast"!

How true. I cannot believe 1 Year has already passed.

Here's to the next Year. We can't wait to see what it brings!

Happy Birthday Crawford!

I remember this time last year like it was yesterday. I can't believe a year has already gone by. I can hardly remember Crawford being a tiny baby! Someone once told me the days go by slow and the years go by fast! How true! Things sure have changed from 1 year ago. It is amazing how much they learn and it is so much fun to watch their personality form. I have learned so much this past year and I have learned recently that these kids know more than we think they do! :-) Crawford is the joy of our life and many others! He always makes me smile, even when he has made me mad and I really don't want to smile, I usually end up smiling..which in the end makes him think it is ok to do what he is doing and so the cycle repeats!

I am not done with this post but I need to get to sleep! I will update soon. But for now here are some pictures of Crawford's Birthday! Sorry these are not in order!

Uncle Adam
More Presents!
Birthday Breakfast!

Playing with my new toy from Mimi

Riding with Grammy and Papa


Mimi


Drinking Milk while Driving!

Crawford's 1st Birthday Party

The Big Party. Crawford was overwhelmed but he had so much fun. Everything turned out great. It was really really hot!!!

I will update this post with more details of the party but for now I have to go to sleep! I just knew everyone would want to see pictures and last week I was such a slacker b/c I had party stuff to do at night! I will update with all the details this week along with pictures from his actual birthday (Sunday the 14th) and our Beach Pictures!

Below are some party pictures!

Crawford with his presents

Sweet Taylor
Miss Ella
The Smash Cake
Crawford Digging In


Josh, Julie, Lauryn and Crawford
Josh did a Cannon Ball into the ball pit

Skylar

Mommy and Crawford
Crawford and Lauryn Hugging
Taylor's Little Sister Caroline (3 Weeks Old)
Caleb and Ella
Lauryn and Crawford. I can tell they are going to be good friends.

Jayne - Lauryn's mom and I have been friends since elementry school and Crawford and Lauryn are now at the same daycare!

Crawford's Birthday Poster
Gifts for the Kids
(Balls b/c that is Crawford most favorite toy)

Party Decorations

Birthday Party at School

Friday we had a little birthday party at school with Crawford's Class! It was so cute to see them all sitting at the table together! They loved the cake and all made a big mess!

Visiting Uncle Ryan with the Fire Truck

On Saturday we went to visit Uncle Ryan. He showed Crawford the fire truck. Below are a few of my favorite pictures.

Beach Pictures

Ok, I plan on updating all about our last minute trip to the beach sometime this week but here are a few pictures until I have time. I took so many as usual!