We're Moving

Ok, we're not actually physically moving but our blog is. I will now be posting on WordPress.com under our own url! I registered our new blog title so it is it's own .com which should make it easier to remember. You can now find our blog at forbetterorrworse.com. On the new blog there is a spot to enter your e-mail address and they'll send your an e-mail whenever I update the blog, so you don't have to miss out on anything.

I transferred over all of our previous posts so you can still browse through all of our goodness. 

I hope you will keep reading!

For Jimi

To Jimi: Your first year in review

You were a prompt baby and sent Mommy into labor on your due date.

You've taken two trips to the East coast. Once to Virginia at 3months and once to Georgia at 6months.

You have been to four weddings.

You started rolling over (BOTH ways!) when you were 15 weeks old.

You tried your first foods (rice cereal and then peas) at 4 months old.

You began sitting up without support at 5 months old.

You began crawling, pulling yourself up and walking along furniture when you were 6 1/2 months old.

You LOVE to feed yourself but only crackers, pickles, and anything that comes out of Gerber container.

You are an incredibly picky eater when it comes to solid foods. You prefer mush.

You love to smile, "talk" and make people laugh.

You can say Dog, Dada, and Mama.

Hide and seek behind the curtain is your favorite game.

You started clapping your hands at 9 months old.

You began walking at 10 1/2 months old.

You are in love with our dog Penny, although she's not too sure about you. You love to share your food with her.

You are very musical and try to find the beat to every song you hear by tapping your chest.

You only had one tooth on your first birthday (you have two now).

You love being read to and bring books to Mommy and Daddy and demand they read them to you.

You have had 4 colds in 12 months.

You don't like to watch the TV.

You love being tickled by Mommy but think Daddy doesn't do it right.

You give high fives.

You have only slept through the night a handful of times.

You love to give hugs, kisses and snuggle when you're in the mood for it.

You are a well LOVED little boy!

End of 365 Project

Some of you may have noticed that I have not updated our 365 day photo project in quite some time. We got super busy with family in town for two weeks and Jimi's birthday and baptism. I planned on getting caught up with it all once family but then I left my camera in my mom's purse and she flew home with it to Virginia.... thus leading to the end of our photo project.

(Also if the blog posts appear a little out of order it's because I was going through and tagging topics, which blogger randomly decided to reorder)

Pumpkin Patch

It's that time of year again. The leaves are changing, the air is crisp (when it's not raining), and the pumpkins are abundant. Snohomish county has many pumpkin patches and corn mazes to choose from. The Farm in Snohomish/East Everett area is great! Granted this is the only one I've ever gone to, but it has a lot to offer and doesn't seem as crowded as many of the other Snohomish farms. There is a bakery (it was closed when we got there though), a petting zoo, slides and tractors for kids to play on, a pretty accurate corn maze of Washington state, duck races (yes duck races), and reasonable prices. Did I mention the best apple cider I've ever had? I don't usually like apple cider but this was yummy!

Mountain Climber

Shortly after Jimi figured out crawling he discovered he could climb to a standing position on just about any and every surface. And he does on EVERYTHING.... the couch, his crib, his changing table, our bed, boxes of soda, chairs, and even his diaper champ.

Annoyed I distracted him from his mission

Getting into position

And he's up... now he doesn't really know what to do with himself

Got the baby gate up just in time... That's about 15 stairs on the other side of the gate.

We love that Jimi is developing so quickly and is exploring all new areas of the house. Now it would be great if he could figure out how to sit himself back down again when he's ready to move on to the next target. For now though there is a lot of tumbles and a few head bumps while he figures it out.

Jimi had his first trip to the zoo this last Saturday. Jimi and I (James was out of town with 20 Riverside) took the trip with my sister Stephanie, her husband, and son John. Jimi seemed to enjoy himself. Out of all of the great animals they have at the zoo, he pretty much only paid attention to the crows walking around. Thankfully kids under 2 are free because I could have showed him those in our yard.

Our monkey made a new monkey friend

This was the start of a lion fight... not kidding. It was crazy.

For my first Mother's Day, James brought me breakfast in bed, roses, a venti coffee, earrings, and a diaper bag I had asked for. The three of us (James, Jimi, and I) went to Redhook for a brewery tour and dinner. It was a fabulous day. Thank you James!

In other news:

Jimi is now in his big car seat

He seems to enjoy it even though he doesn't have toys to play with anymore. We certainly enjoy not having to carry around the extra weight.

Jimi is eating more and more every day and Penny has figured out the best spot in the house during meal times.



A Baptism and A Birthday Party

As I mentioned in my last post Jimi was baptized and had his sock monkey themed birthday party on the same day, October 2nd. The baptism took place at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Everett. Making the day extra special, my nephew John (my younger sister Stephanie's son) was also baptized at the same service and I just so happen to be his Godmother. Jimi loved watching the water being poured for the baptism and really didn't mind it being dripped on him. I think he thought it was time for a bath in front of all of those people. My Mom threw a small reception after the service. Thanks for all of your hard work Mom!

 (There were some other children being baptized at the later service)

 Jimi with his Godparents, Walker and Melissa

James and I with Jimi and his Godparents

We some how failed to get a picture of Jimi and the Pastor so if anyone who attended the service did and could pass that along it would be greatly appreciated :)

I made sure to set Jimi's birthday party time late enough so that he could get a nap in before his birthday party. It's a good thing I did because he woke up from his nap about 15 minutes into the party starting. The party went great and the rain held off until the clean-up so everyone could enjoy some time outdoors (although it was a little chilly at times). Jimi is a very fortunate little boy and had a lot of friends and family come to his party, including all of his baby friends who were born within two months of each other. It won't be long until they're all running around together! Thank you so much to every one who came to Jimi's party! A special thank you to all of you who drove (and flew) long distances to be there, we really appreciate all of your love and support.

Some party pics:

The balloon wreath I made

Homemade sock monkey smash cake

Banana Chocolate Monkey cupcakes!

Three flavors of cake pops

Baby friends!

Jimi and his awesome pinata

Opening one of the few presents he actually did himself

Carmen and Lindsey

Miles. I have a feeling Miles and Jimi are going to be getting into a lot of mischief together when they're older.

Once again, we some how managed to fail to get a picture of Jimi in his sock monkey birthday t-shirt or a picture of the three of us together... so if anyone who was at the party has those and could pass them along that would be great!

12 Months!

It really is hard to believe but Jimi is 12 Months (and 5 days) old already!

Weight: 22lb 5 oz (42%) Height: 31 inches (85%)

As usual, catching this little boy and getting him to stay still for a picture was quite difficult. It is amazing that in the little over a month he has been walking he has gone from a few steps at a time to full on running. He is still proving to be a picky eater, although his doctor doesn't seem concern since his weight is still maintaining the same percentile even though he's still active. Maybe once he gets more than one tooth he'll be more interested in eating real solid foods. Until then we'll just keep on trying....

Jimi still isn't sleeping through the night but the doctor said at this rate we probably shouldn't expect it until he gets his teeth in. That doesn't give me much hope for sleeping through the night for the next few years considering James got his teeth in late and Jimi only has one thus far. Sigh. I don't think my body would know how to sleep through the night anymore anyway. I haven't been able to do so since I was about 4 months pregnant with Jimi.

Jimi seems like he'll be speaking any day. He is definitely trying to make words and every day they become clearer and clearer. I'm sure some of the words are clearer to us because we see him everyday but even people who don't can understand what he is trying to communicate. Most of his words aren't clear pronunciation though yet. It is amazing to watch him learn and understand more clearly every day. 

This past year has been one of the most amazing of our lives to be able to experience all of the awesomeness that comes with being a parent. There are definitely challenging and frustrating days but overall it is the most positive and rewarding experience. I would sum up parenthood this far as every emotion bundled into raising one little person. There is so much joy, excitement, hopes, fears, frustration (with the occasional tears), and love. 

This once itty bitty baby.....

Is now this fun, crazy, energetic little boy:

The month has been very exciting around here. James start his position at Jackson High School in Everett and has had several shows with the big band MoJo and 20 Riverside. I ran another race with my father. This time one benefiting a local elementary school's PTA. We've also had several visitors from out of state for Jimi's birthday party and baptism (both on the same day). James' grandparents made the long drive from Alabama and my mom and step-dad flew out from Virginia. I'll write another post about Jimi's baptism and birthday party another time but it is late and I'm sure I've only got a few hours before Jimi is awake again...