1st Birthday!!!

Allen is one year old! In some ways I can't believe it has already been a year since he was born, but in other ways, it's hard to remember life without my little angel. It has been the best year of our lives and keeps getting better. I am beyond thankful for the blessings and joys we've had this year. My prayer is that all of Allen's years are like this one: full of love, fun, family, friends, good health, joy, and God's blessings! The week of his birthday he really evolved from a baby to a toddler (as hard as that is for me to admit). It's like he knew his birthday was coming and wanted to prove that he's a big boy now. He is walking quite a bit, eating more than I can keep up with, loves to play outside, tries to climb everything (even up the slide), starting to pout when he doesn't get what he wants, has two more teeth (molars) come in, got in trouble for biting his friends, and had his first haircut. During his party on Saturday, he had the time of his life! I think he knew that it was his party. We were overwhelmed with the love and support shown at the party; we never expected so many people to join us in his celebration. It was one of the best days of my life. Thanks to Gigi, Grandad, Aunt Diana, and Daddy everything was ready just in time. Allen loved the balloon decorations, balls in the playpen, personal cake, and all the friends and family. The next day he continued his celebration by opening all of his gifts; he loved pulling the tissue paper out of the bags and ripping the wrapping paper. Generous friends and family showered him with toys, cute winter clothes, and books. We are thankful for everything. A trip to the peditrician was the unfun birthday date with 4 shots and blood drawn - he was a trooper and got a clean bill of health. Yay! I got a lecture about teaching him to sleep better, so that's on the to do list. :) Allen is weighing in at 22.9 lbs (only the 53%) and is 31.3 in tall (the 90%). I promise we're feeding him as much as possible! Our precious boy is one year old, and we couldn't be happier with our life with him. Here are some pictures from his birthday:

Month #12 in Pictures

Allen loves his avocado

On the way home from Asher's 5th birthday party

So cute of Allen and Ms. Devon

He's growing up



Batman!

Superhero Gang

Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch

Our little pumpkin

Allen with his sweet cousins


In the pumpkin house

Allen got his big birthday gift a week early.

Daddy picked it out, and Allen loves it!

Allen's 1st haircut

10/10/10


No tears for him - he was having fun in the firetruck

Proud mama and a clean-cut big boy ready for his 1st birthday

New Diet

I discovered a new diet that really cuts your calories. You can even eat 5 meals a day. Follow the steps below:

1. Prepare enough food for you and a baby.
2. Invite Allen to dine with you.
3. Feed the baby first.
4. Eat what's left.

Don't worry - there's no extra time to get more. Guaranteed to keep you from overeating!

Cute Moment

Allen was sitting on my lap as we were reading his goodnight books. Halfway through "Goodnight Moon" (one of his favorites), he gave me the sign for all done, turned around, and put his head on my shoulder. He was ready for bed! Sweet boy. (He is consistently using the sign for all done and saying "more," "uh-oh," and "out.")

First Step!

Allen took his first step today! I was holding him and then put him down; he steadied himself, stood for a second, smiled, then took a step. It was just one and then he hit the floor crawling, but it was his first step. Our precious boy is going to be walking soon!

It's the 16th again...

and that means that Allen is 11 months old. It would be easy to miss this month because everyone wants to talk about his first birthday next month. But would your response ever be "oh, he's 7 months old, well, he'll be 8 months next month!" No! We're starting to plan for a birthday party, but right now, we're celebrating 11 wonderful months with our angel baby. This last month has been very busy with Christian working extra and me starting my fall semester. Allen had a little adjustment getting back on schedule with going to Ms. Devon's everyday, but now he's doing great. He talks a lot! We've heard him say/mimic: bye-bye, mama, dada, all gone, done, Mocha, more, bubbles, papa, the end, te amo, and car noises. Right now he is using his approximation of "more" consistently. He uses it many times a day because he always wants more food! He is very decisive and will let you know what he wants, especially if given choices. I let him pick out clothes, food, and books. Allen is also standing by himself more and more and taking more steps. He hasn't taken his "first step" without holding on to something yet, but it is coming soon! We have so much fun playing together. We make each other laugh by chasing each other (crawling), tickling under his chin, banging two book blocks together then throwing one, and putting toys on our head and making them fall. Of course, he loves to throw things down on the ground and has recently taken to trying to feed the cats some of his cheerios, which he could eat all day, everyday. We've had lots of fun with friends and family and are extremely grateful for another healthy, happy, love-filled month together. Here are some pictures from the last month and from today to mark his 11 month birthday. Notice some of his new expressions and funny faces :)

Double digit baby

10 month birthday! Buddies

Playing with big kid toys He learned how to rock this time

Happy 40th anniversary! Still loves the bath and books

Storytime with Annabelle & Nathan

Best we could get of all 3 At Diana's engagement party

Gig Em Aggies! Whoop! Playdate with Annabelle

Playdate with Cason Intrigued by cousin Nathan

Being silly


This month I had alot of time to spend with Allen because it was the break between my summer and fall semesters. We had a great time! We got to visit with lots of friends and family and have special baby outings and playdates. I'm sad that it has come to an end, but Allen seems to enjoy being back with his buds and Ms. Devon during the day. We celebrated Diana and Jason's engagement, my parents 40th anniversary, Alyssa and Kayla's drill and cheer showoffs, and Allen's 10 month birthday. Allen said his first word on August 9th during bedtime book reading. He said "bye-bye" clear as day at the end of "Pat the Bunny." He didn't repeat it for several days, but now he says it every once in a while. He also took to waving because of the same book. He's a champ at waving now, and everyone loves it! Besides waving, he points alot. He points to ask for something, to show you something, to ask about something, and they're all very emphatic. So cute! Allen also says "mama" now, but he uses it to talk about me, not to me. For example, there is a fun pic on our frig with my girlfriends, Ashley and Elizabeth; he always points to it when we pass by and says "mama" with a big smile. He might be laughing at me because we're making funny faces in the picture. He is super mobile and can crawl across the room, pull up, and take a couple of steps in a blink. He hasn't tried to walk without holding on to anything yet, so we still have a little time before he takes off. He's eating more and more finger foods like cheese, chicken, pasta, and turkey and can drink from a straw. He can play with more and more toys and likes to choose his bedtime books. I hold out some choices, and he points to the one he wants. I thank God every night for such a beautiful, healthy, happy baby and for the opportunity to be his mom.