James is One!

Our baby boy turned one yesterday!

I haven't done 12 month pictures yet and we won't have 1 year stats for two more weeks.

But!

James is an active, talkative, always on the go little boy! (I hope the videos work...this is a glimpse of our busy kid)

Super Man!

 (He LOVES his momma!)

Remember this little guy?

 Sigh. My heart has never been so conflicted...I'm so depressed that our baby is officially out of the baby stage and is fastly approaching the toddler stage, yet I'm so completely overwhelmed with how blessed we are.

Happy birthday buddy :)

A year ago today

A year ago today, I had officially retired from teaching.

A year ago today, I was  3 days from my due date.

A year ago today, my calendar read, "Wash sheets, vacuum, dust, take the trash, do the laundry."

A year ago today, I looked like this:

A year ago today, I was peeing every 10 minutes, my feet hurt, I had stretch marks, my fingers hurt from having to prick them, my BACK hurt like crazy, and sleeping was no longer fun.

A year ago today, I had my last appointment at 9:30 where I saw the PA instead of the doctor.  I had to inform her that patients with gestational diabetes didn't go past 40 weeks because she was willing to let me go as long as I could.  She told me she'd have to check that out, left to go talk to a doctor, and then came back with my induction scheduled for 5am the next day.

A year ago today, Grey and I decided to never go back to that OBGYN practice. 

A year ago today, I left my appointment and cried. All the way home.

So many fears and anxieties.  So many unknowns. 

A year ago today, Grey took me out to eat for my last meal before baby.  We went to Red Lobster and for once, I didn't care what I ate.  I had biscuits, Caesar salad, and fried shrimp. Ya know what?  I didn't even bother to test my blood sugar afterwards.  It felt glorious.

A year ago today, we went home after dinner, took showers, and made sure everything was packed in our hospital bags.  I was a nervous wreck.

A year ago today, we went to sleep for the last time as a family of two.  Oh how we had no idea how our lives would change. 

Future

If we EVER decide to try and have another kid some day...they've got some pretty big shoes to fill. :)

A look back

Last year's resolutions:
Grey's:
*Bench 300lbs - CHECK!
*Lose 5lbs (aka...fit into his current jeans without splitting them when he bends over or without having to buy new bigger ones) - CHECK!

Becky's:
*Birth a baby - CHECK!
*Lose the baby weight (hopefully) by next year - CHECK!
*I REALLY want to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon next January (but seeing as I haven't run in 8 months...I don't know that this will be possible) - Nope
*Figure out my new bread machine!  I've made 3 loaves (all different kinds) in the past 24 hours.  The first one didn't rise, the second one was perfect, and the third one was BURNED.  Omph. - Nope (only because we packed it up in order to show the house)
*Cut out all vegetables from my diet! (This one's for you momma!) - Nope

Let's review:
Grey lifted lots of weight last year. He completed his 4th year of teaching.  He became a daddy.
I officially retired from teaching.  I made it a whole year staying at home!  I birthed a human being.
Together, we had our house on the market for 8 months without an offer. We cried a lot and took lots of naps. We developed a love for flavored olive oils.

2015 Resolutions!
Me:
*I'm going to keep a prayer journal where I write down things daily that I'm praying about.  I did it once in college and it was really cool to visually see how the Lord answered prayers.
*I'm doing a fitness goal each month - January's goal is to complete 1500 squats.
*I REALLY want to get back into running.
Grey:
*He wants to deadlift 500lbs
*He is currently studying for his actuary exams and his goal is to pass the first one by this summer.
James:
*He wants to grow some teeth (We now have 3 tiny nuggets that have broken through...3 teeth in 1 1/2 weeks=lots of crankiness)
*He wants to communicate a little better
Ours:
*SELL OUR STINKIN HOUSE.
Happy New Year!!!

Moment of Silence

Well folks.
After 11 months and 1 week,
After 8 months of drooling and unexplained crankiness...
WE HAVE A TOOTH!!!!

Last year's Xmas Box

Last year, we decided to put together a box filled with homemade goodies for Grey's extended family (that we see every Christmas) and for a few of our closer church friends.  They were quite the hit!
This year, we're doing the same thing and I thought I'd include some of the recipes for ya.

Cake Pops made from this cake:
http://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/2014/08/06/best-chocolate-cake/

Cookie Dough Truffles from this cookbook

Mint Oreo Bark:
http://www.wineandglue.com/2012/02/mint-oreo-bark-a-k-a-i-must-win.html

Salted Caramel Bark:
http://www.missinformationblog.com/salted-caramel-bark-christmas-gifts/

Salted Caramel Pretzal Candies:
http://bakerbynature.com/salted-caramel-pretzel-pecan-bon-bons/

Grey's Gingerbread
(I have no idea which recipe he uses)

Whiskey Nuts (I think it's from Southern Living, but I can't find them online)

Christmas is in 9 days! Woo Hoo!

Lately...

We celebrated Thanksgiving!

We visited a Blow Up Santa

 James saw his first decorated Christmas Tree and LOVED it!

 (momentary sensory overload from the christmas tree/lights/music)

 This was the best pictures we could get...he wanted to go go go!

 Like Father, like son...both so photogenic

 James took a few baths

He sword fought with an empty paper roll

And...he celebrated 11 months!

 

 He's eating well, no teeth STILL, sleeping a blessed 12 hours at night, walking/running all over the place, giving high fives, blowing kisses...he's a cute little boy!

(Playing, How Big is James?)