{ A Very Happy Birthday }

On October 24, our baby turned 1 year old.  I still can't quite believe that we have crossed over into saying "year" and not just "months".  In the past week or so it has been amazing to me how much more like a little boy he is than a baby.  It is a very bittersweet transition as I cherish this increased interaction and development and really begin to see him taking on his world, but also see that baby stage passing away.  There have been several times where I've found myself not wanting to put him in any of his clothes that make him look more grown up.  I just want to hold on to the baby look a little bit longer.  Everyone always says kids grow up way too fast.  I thought I was prepared for it, but it's so true.  Cherish each moment or they pass by and are gone!

On that note, birthday party pictures are further on, but I just have to include a few reminders of those precious few hours and days when Oliver Forest entered our lives one year ago.

{ A few minutes after he was born. }

We began the happy birthday celebration with the arrival of my sister Bethany, now Auntie B, the Saturday before the party. It was so very special to have her here and to see her and Oliver bond in a very special way.  We hadn't spent good, quantity time with her since Oliver was 6 months old, so it was well overdue.  I appreciated having her help in the last-minute party preparations, and of course having her tremendous artistic abilities available was an added blessing!  She added lovely details to the appetizers, candy dishes, made the cake and hung streamers.  I miss doing things with her more often!

We had a wonderful amount of guests to help us celebrate.  The guest list ended up being small, and I was concerned there wouldn't be enough people, but it was perfect.  God blessed me so much in that capacity.  Everyone was able to visit, I was able to keep the food simple, and Oliver had a wonderful time and wasn't overwhelmed by any of it.  Unfortunately, I didn't end up with many pictures of our guests, but they are remembered in our hearts.

I was so excited, I started planning and preparing for the party at least two months ahead of time.  I didn't exactly have a theme.  I knew I wanted animals, puppets and lots of color.  It all came together wonderfully and Oliver was so happy when he got up from his nap and saw the room transformed.  Seeing his eyes light up was exactly the effect I was going for!

 

We had a cake, but also an ice cream bar with waffle cones and all the toppings.  That was so much fun.  I think everyone had the child inside come out because there were many happy trips back to add more toppings made by everyone!

{ The happy Auntie B and Grandma Linda }

 

Then of course there were presents.  He enjoyed opening the first couple of boxes and then once he got to a new toy, he was ready to put the rest aside and play with it.  (I finished them for him!)

Because his birthday was on Monday, we celebrated with his party on Sunday.  I wanted to make his real birthday special, though, so we all enjoyed Monkey Pancakes, which I had found over here.  We call him our little monkey, so it was perfect.  Yum, yum!

He snuggled so sweetly with his grandpa that morning. 

Tim and I are so blessed to be the parents entrusted with this precious boy.  My heart is very full as I consider the ways Oliver has enriched our lives and how we have grown as individuals and as a couple because of him.

Happy birthday, Oliver.  May you have a wonderful and happy 2nd year of life!

{ Celebration }

{Our Little Monkey }

Easter weekend was beautiful

Sunshine
Warm
Time spent outside
.... and
Our little boy
Turned 6 months old
Oliver, how did that happen?
Half a year seems so big!
6 months on your very first Easter
So special!

Saturday morning we went to the big Easter egg hunt at a nearby park.

{ Walking home with friends }

{ Happy Family }

{ My goodness, you're handsome! }

{ First Easter Basket }

{ You're all about toys right now }

{ We LOVE you so much }

{ You're not much of a snuggler when you're awake, ... too busy, so we soak it up while you sleep }

{ Easter morning at church }

Hope your Easter was beautiful!
He is risen INDEED!

{ A Special Visit }

April has flown by, but before it goes away completely I'm throwing down the anchor to capture a little of the story this month has told, to return soon, I hope, with more.

Last week my mom and I were able to take a few days and steal away for some girls time to Western Washington to visit my sister and Oliver's Auntie B and my aunt and her family.

Two days before we were supposed to leave, I came down with mastitis again, which left me unsure I would even be able to go. I had to lay down my ability to prepare, pack or clean everything up the way I wanted before heading out, but I see that now as a blessing. I am slowly learning the art of sloooowing down! Miracle healing late Sunday night and I was ready to go Monday morning. Thank you Jesus!!

My mom came up the night before. Tim and I were grateful to take the opportunity to go out by ourselves for a quiet evening. We took a little drive on the country-est of country roads, and admired the emerald grass, and bright spring sun going down in gold. At one point I spotted a mallard and his mate, far from any pond happily heading across a green field, alone together, on a date, just like us. We ended the evening in a quiet bar sharing nachos and chatting happily.

It was my mom's birthday while we were there, so Bethany and I had put a little surprise party together for her. She was very blessed, as were we. Mat and Bethany also cooked us amazing meals. Seriously delicious!