Daily Life....

Getting ready for bed in my BIG BOY pajamas
Going for a walk with mommy-do you like my Froggy Hat?
Playing with daddy after work...I like to stand up on his lap and show what a big boy I am
Hanging with dad after a nice beach hike on a cool, fall Sunday

Dyer Family Came for a Visit

Our good friends from Dallas, the Dyers, came for a visit last weekend. We had a great time getting to meet their little girl Bella, for the first time, and play with her and Oak. It is amazing the difference in a 9-month old and a 2-month old. Oak just kind of sits around, with an occasional smile and drool (although he looks very serious in his picture above:)...Bella loves to crawl around, play with all the toys, play hide and seek....she is lots of fun. She is a precious little girl, who loves to smile and be friendly with everyone. We also enjoyed catching up with Todd and Cat...it had been too long since we had seen them! We laughed at the changes in our lives since the Dallas days...now that we both have kids! Thanks for visiting, Todd, Cat, and Bella...we love you!

Mommy's Birthday Week

(Pictures are out of order, sorry:)

I didn't know that when I was born into this family that we celebrate birthday WEEKS...I guess it is a bit of a tradition that my mommy and daddy started years ago and we give little gifts each day for the week surrounding the person's birthday. I can't wait for my FIRST BIRTHDAY WEEK next year!

So, last week was mommy's 29th Birthday Week. One morning I woke up with this cute, smiling face and gave her this card...pretty cute, huh?

Then, we went to a log cabin lodge on a lake for the weekend. We hiked in the fall leaves, played horseshoes, had a hot-tub bath together, went to a pumpkin patch/petting zoo, drove down the lakeshore, and then came home to a yummy, home-cooked birthday dinner with the rest of the family. It was such a fun weekend with my mommy and daddy. Happy 29th Birthday, Mommy!

A variety...

Don't I look just like my dad in this picture??
Ready to go out for a Friday night date, but with a boy?? Hanging out with my buddy, Asa...he isn't too interested in chatting:)
Morning lounge time in my PJ's
All bundled up to go for a walk with mom on a cold Monday morning
Some dailies from the past few weeks...

Oak is Alive and Moving-#1

I finally figured out how to upload video to the blog (thanks, Erin:) I hope you enjoy these three little clips of Oak over the past few weeks...if you haven't seen him in person, maybe this will make him seem closer to you and more real.

1) Early morning play time with music, he likes to box with his arms (I can't get this one to load....sorry:)
2) Staring at his "starry", a smiling, lighted star, and moving his legs and arms as much as possible
3) Trying to sit up in his "bumbo" chair...his neck is still a bit wobbly, but he is geting stronger every day

#2

#3

One of THOSE moms...

I was always afraid of becoming one of THOSE moms who takes thousands of pictures of their child in every pose and position and thinks that their child is the cutest thing on the planet. But, I guess I have started doing that...as Oak changes on a daily basis, I can't help but laugh at him, smile, and just purely enjoy all of his quirks and antics. I marvel at God's creation of a little human being and how precious he is to Alan and I. SO, I guess if becoming one of THOSE moms means you really love your child, then I am proud to be one of them!

HI Everyone...

I have become so much more social in the last 2 weeks. I love to smile and giggle when anyone smiles or makes a funny face at me...I love to kick my legs and swing my arms to music and lights...and I am trying very hard to hold my head up when I sit upright. My family sure seems to love me a lot, too...they are constantly laughing at me, kissing me, singing to me, and playing with me. As a family, we are really enjoying the change of seasons in Michigan. The trees have begun to change color, and the cool fall temperatures have set in. In my pictures above, I am sitting with Nonna (see how strong my neck is?), entranced by Pops (he has the best voice that I love to listen to), crying and cranky waking up from my nap (just like my dad), and enjoying some after-bath before bedtime snuggles with dad (I like his furry chest). Also, there is one picture of the changing colors along one of the walking paths that I take with mommy.

I hope you are enjoying your October wherever you may be!

Hugs and Kisses,

Oak