The Season of Christmas

Last year, we didn't have the ability to send out Christmas cards, due to our finances and such, but there were so many that I loved and wanted to put your cute little face on!

This year, I've been looking at cards on my favorite site, shutterfly.com. It's where I've printing our family photo book (http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books), ordered your birthday invitations (http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/birthday-invitations), and the mugs for nana and grandpa (http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts/photo-mugs Shutterfly is so great, that they are offering christmas cards to bloggers- if you blog, sign up here!

I love everything on shutterfly, and I love that anytime I want to make a project with a theme in mind, there is always a kit to match! Like the thomas the train birthday, they had choo choo train invites! Or the photo book, they had beautiful scrapbook kits for baby boys.

This year, being that we have had an emotionally tough year, I have found our little family has so much to be thankful for, and I would like to share what joy we have found in family with our friends and family alike.

What I like about a Christmas card, and these cards in particular, is that they are classy, yet simple and personal. The joy you see on our faces is mimicked in the cards and writing itself. I love the sophisticated, yet simple designs and colors that you can choose from.

Some of my favorites:







This year, I am looking forward to sending out our christmas cards, because we have a lot to smile about.

Holidays

Dear Bubba,
My sweet boy is a wriggly, giggly, 14 tooth toddler! You are "talking" but we still can't always make out what you say. You love to talk to your toys, and babble at mommy and daddy when we play with you in your room. Sometimes, I'll catch a "mama", but you mostly ask for "dada", and get so excited when you see his face come around the corner, your face just lights up into a gorgeous grin!

We found out yesterday that you are definitely having a baby sister! Daddy and I just picked out a name, too. Your little sister will be Sophie Brianne, and we're naming her after your grandpa. I know you don't remember him, and sadly, mama never took a picture of the two of you together, but Grandpa Brian loved you SO much. He was so happy to be a grandpa, and talked about you non-stop when he was back home in Tillamook.

Tomorrow is your first REAL Thanksgiving! Nana and Grandpa Kirkpatrick are coming for the weekend, and you'll be able to eat all the yummy food at the table.

Thanksgiving, for me, is a time to reflect on all the people and things that I am grateful for in the past year. There is so much, so many faces that I just hold near in my heart, that have been so special to our little family. Most of all, I am just so thankful that my father got to meet you, and see you grow for 6 short months. I am so thankful that I knew him for four short years. I am thankful for the many blessings God has given us this year in the form of earthbound angels. All of our Living Streams family, your daddy's family, and a few key friends and family of mine. We wouldn't have been able to make it through all the disasters and pain this year without them. We wouldn't be as strong as we are without them.

I am happy to say, little one, that I am SO thankful you are a part of such an amazing, loving family. They cherish you in such a way that is so special and so unique. You will always be loved by us, dearest Ian.

Happy Thanksgiving, sweet boy.

Hello Again, Darling.

It's been a while since I last wrote you. Mommy has been busy since she got a job! I'm working in the field I've been dreaming of, and it's amazing! Mommy misses you though, during the day. When I come home, there's only three precious hours until your bedtime, then it's off to sleepyland for you.

You've been a pretty happy boy this past month or so. You have four new teeth (molars) that have cut through, and one more on the way. That makes 12 teeth! You've also learned how to spin in circles and dance! You love to dance, whenever there's music you start to boogie.

We announced to most of the world last week that you are going to have a baby brother or sister in March. Mommy and Daddy are very excited, and we know you will be a great big brother.

I love you, sweet boy.

Hello sunshine, we've got a cloudy forecast...

My dear boy, my guilt has been eating away ever since July 27th...when we wrecked our car. A woman ran a red light, and I ran right into her. It happened so fast, and I was shaken up and crying. As soon as our car stopped spinning, I rushed to get you out of the car and check on you. You were shaken up and crying too, but the minute I picked you up, and you saw mommy and daddy, you smiled and calmed down. This was the scariest day of my life- I wish I had never put you in the car.

We were all fine, thank goodness, but our car did not survive. Shortly after, the day after, in fact, we flew to Wisconsin for a family reunion. You got to meet all your Moyer cousins and aunts and uncles. They all thought you were so adorable, and we threw you, Grant and Alex a huge birthday bash, you had a blast eating cake, opening your presents and playing duck, duck goose with all your buddies.

The last two weeks have been hectic, and it's nice to finally have some downtime with just you and your daddy. Even in my darkest of days, all it takes is a smile from you and I feel better immediately. Love you, bubbie.

Time to Cool Down...

It's been so hot here lately, and it's starting to get to you. Poor thing, you've been cranky for two days straight, and cool baths make you even crankier- if possible.

I am very much looking forward to hopping on a plane in two days so we can meet the other half of your extended family- The Moyers. They are SO excited to meet you, and very excited that they get to celebrate your birthday, along with Grant's and Alex's! Wow, it's going to be so much fun!

Daddy and I are thinking about buying you a kiddie pool, I bet you'd love it! We decided to cut your hair too. I was sad to see the curling locks go, but I know you were overheating a bit.

On the note of milestones, I think your molars are coming through- or something is because you've started drooling again.

Sweet boy, I love you to bits.

Family is Love

You and your baby cousin, Alina.

In a matter of days, we will be hopping on a plane ( your second!) and flying to Wisconsin to meet the rest of your father's entire family. They have been anxiously waiting to meet you since the moment you were born. I have gotten to know a lot of them, either through quick visits to Portland or through Facebook. I can tell already, darling boy, you have an AMAZING family. They care deeply about you even though most of them live on the other side of the country and haven't met you. They are close knit, and love each other so much.

Now, the meaning behind your name will be even more special, because you will have the opportunity to grow up around the people who knew Forest. Your auntie in particular. She loved her father so much, and I think having that connection with you has fostered a special bond. She adores you, and it has made me so happy to know that you will have a special person besides your mommy and daddy who will love you unconditionally. I feel so grateful to have been accepted into this family, and eternally thankful that they are here to be of support and love to you.

In so many ways, you are the luckiest little boy alive. I hope to learn from these people, so that you have some of the experiences they had as children.

Pure Joy.

You love a new smiling face. At this age, most infants are shy, and often scared of strangers, but you, tentative at first, give them your biggest grin, hoping for one back. When you get it, you turn your head, smirking and acting coy. It is so adorable watching you "flirt" and interact with others, I can tell that having a big family has had a positive effect on you.

You are starting to mimic me now. When I clap, you clap. When I wave, you wave. You're also starting to obey when I say "no", even though you pout tremendously. You're sneaky though, you know grinning at me will make me melt. Smart, like your father.

When I am driving home from school, I can't wait to get through the door and see you, because you always give me a huge grin, and look at me as if to say, " Hey mama, where have you been all day?" Sometimes I am sad to come home and see you are still sleeping.

On to more exciting things. Your first birthday party was Friday, and while it got started a little late, it was a blast! Your Omi was there, along with your tia anastasia, Aunt Marissa, Aunt Emily and cousin Alina, your friend Emma, and her mommy Olivia. Barry and my friend Erin were there, and my friends Kaela and Jem. One special guest was my dear friend Kalia. She was excited to come, but nervous, and I was thankful you gave her your flirt grin, because I think she relaxed a little. She was SO excited to meet your cousin Alina though, because she really wanted to hold a baby. She held Alina almost the entire time!

Anywhoo, back to the festivities. We had a pinata, cake, and barbeque. You had SO much fun, it was so neat to see you so full of pure joy. I think we need that more often ;-)

Here are some pictures. Love you, baby boy.