One!!

Joseph celebrated his 1st birthday on Saturday! I still don't think its really hit me that he is actually a year old. A year ago today was my first full day at home with Joseph. Being a mother is so much different than I ever imagined and something I love more than I ever thought I would. I was so terrified at first (okay I still am). I wanted Joseph to eat enough, sleep enough, and always be happy (what babies cry???). I know now I had way too many expectations the first few months and I wish I would have relaxed just a tad more. None the less Joseph survived his first year and he does eat enough and most of the time he sleeps enough (although that one is still a struggle) but the best part is, he is a happy baby and everyday when he smiles or laughs or gives me kisses (they are really licks) I realize how lucky we are to have him!

His birthday party was fun and crowded =). I think it was a bit much for him, but it was his first birthday so I had to go all out. He didn't really seem to like his cake, although I think that mainly had to do with his runny nose. He enjoyed opening presents and he especially loves the roller coaster Nana & Grandpa gave him. He also got a new car seat with cow print (it is super cute) from GramGram & Stan. David is supposed to install it soon. I can't wait to see him sitting forward!!

We also had a great time at the farm on Thanksgiving and at Uncle Keith's & Aunt Millie's and at Cindy & Stan's house =). Yes we went to 3 houses for Thanksgiving, but we only ate twice! Joseph especially loved the banana pudding. It was also especially nice to watch the Gators beat the Seminoles, now its Alabama's turn ;)!

There's a Wocket in My Pocket

I love Dr. Suess books...Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?, Are You My Mother?, Put Me in the Zoo, and my absolute favorite, There's a Wocket in My Pocket. If you haven't read any of these you definitely should! Joseph loves to read these too by the way, although he would prefer to read Brown, Brown Bear more. Speaking of Joseph he is turning into such a boy. Forget toys. He loves to wrestle and climb...two potentially dangerous things that I am not quite used to. He is taking a few steps here and there, and then sometimes he takes about 10 at a time, until he realizes its faster to crawl ;). It is hard to believe that in 10 days he will be a year old...it sure went by fast!

Joseph the Giraffe

Joseph was a giraffe for Halloween! David was not a big fan of the costume, and Joseph will probably kill me when he is older for this costume, but I thought he was completely adorable! We went to my parent's church for their Fall Festival. Joseph won two cakes in the cake walk (which David happily ate for him =), and had fun with Nana and Grandpa!

Joseph at Work!

The picture above is Joseph playing in his "play area" in my office. I have been taking Joseph to work with me for the past 6 months. This has been such a blessing for me, and although sometimes its hard to get work done, I have loved every minute of it! I wanted to take a few pictures of him at work so that I could always remember this time with him =). In just a few months he will be starting daycare (which I know will be extremely hard for me).


This is Joseph with Rebecca. He LOVES Rebecca and I would be so lost with out her!
This is Joseph in my office standing at the filing cabinets. He is very close to walking!!

This is Joseph at my dad's desk selling his first insurance policy =).

Last weekend we also visited the pumpkin patch in Alachua. Joseph had his pictures taken by our favorite photographers, Monica and Jacob (http://www.imjphotography.com/) Joseph was just getting over a cold so he wasn't in the best of moods, but we were able to get a few cute ones!

Busy Weekend...

This past weekend was busy, busy (just the way I like it...well most of the time =). Friday night David and I went to Yamatos - yummy! On Saturday we watched Gator football and then visited our friends in Ocala. We went to one of my favorite places to go as a kid, Chuck E Cheese! I have posted pictures of Joseph on some of the rides =). Sunday was church and a baby shower for our friends Liisa and Matt Strang.


The first pictures were taken by David. This is what they do when they are home alone together =). I wish he still had "naturally" spikey hair like he did when he was born! The pictures towards the bottom are from Chuck E Cheese.

Here we go...

So here goes. I have always wanted to start a blog (especially when Joseph was born), but I could never find the time. Actually I had the time, I mainly procrastinated because I am a perfectionist, and the thought of putting my life out there for people to read sort of terrifies me. (Even now I have backspaced and retyped about 3 times). I love the idea of a journal, (in fact I used to have one, but I stopped writing in it because I hate my handwriting),anyways this will be a nice place to put my thoughts, worries, memories, and hopes for the future. As so many of our friends and family have moved to other places, it will also be a nice place to keep everyone up to date. Hope you enjoy my state of mind!