Katherine Ann: One Year Old

My Sweet Katherine Ann,

Today you are one year old! There aren't words to describe what a blessing you are to us. I truly can't believe a year has already come and gone. It seems like just yesterday the doctor laid you in my arms and our hearts met for the very first time. As each month passes, the time seems to be moving too quickly. I know I will remember the big things from this past year; like when you sat up for the first time or started crawling. But it is the little, everyday memories that I want to carry in my heart forever.

I want to always remember the way your head rested on my shoulder while you slept.
I want to always remember your first little smile.
I want to always remember the look in your daddy's eyes when he held you the first time.
I want to always remember the way your tiny hands curled around my fingers.
I want to always remember the sound of your first giggle.
I want to always remember the way you smile with your whole face.
I want to always remember the way you bounce in the crib when I come to get you in the morning.
I want to always remember the warmth of your cuddles.
I want to always remember the way you point up to the sky every time you hear an airplane.
I want to always remember the way you sit by the door and wave good-bye to daddy in the morning and the look of pure joy on your face when he comes home.
I want to always remember the way you dance with one finger pointing up while bouncing up and down.
I want to always remember the way your hold books in your little hands and babble through the pages like you are telling the story.
I want to always remember the way your whole face lights up when you are happy.
I want to always remember the times you laugh so hard you snort.
I want to always remember late night family parties.
I want to always remember your cute little scrunch face.

But most importantly I want to always remember the way life changed the moment you were born. Joy was redefined and love knew no boundaries.

My sweet baby girl, I pray Jesus captures your heart at an early age and I pray for your life to be filled with pure joy, pure love, and pure grace.

You are loved today and every day!

Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Glamping Through the Woods

*TBT Blog Post from last November! 

This past weekend we packed up the car and headed to Oklahoma for a glamping adventure. Yep! You read right, we went glamping! If you google glamping, you will find the following:

Glamping:

camping with glamour

Basically this means we had a cabin with King size beds, granite counter tops, a hot tub and cable!! Now don't get me wrong, I love tent camping...but a cabin that had running water was really nice with a 7 month old. We had been planning this trip for months and were bursting with excitement to spend time with our dear friends from church.

The weekend did not disappoint. We ventured back to our favorite hiking trail and played many riveting rounds of Catch Phrase. We filled our bellies with s'mores, smoked meat, and cake balls...cake balls are a must when glamping! The weather was beautiful with cooler temps in the evening making it perfect for late night chats around the fire. 

And now, I will let the pictures do the talking.

"Look mom!! My first hike!"

Katherine Ann: 11 Months

Dearest Katherine Ann,

You are 11 months old!! This month's birthday is really special because it actually fell on March 1st since there wasn't a February 29th. So we will celebrate your 11 month and 12 month birthday's in the month of March. You continue to delight us with your personality and ever changing set of skills. This month has brought some fun new changes for you, as well as your first Valentine's Day, snow storm, and a visit from Grandma Kreger!

This month our favorite thing has been your hugs and kisses. You love to give little hugs...especially after waking up from naps. You are getting so good at using your musical walker to walk all around the apartment. You have found a love for dancing and music! You bend your little legs bouncing up and down while raising one finger waving up in the air. You love to clap and say, "Yay!!" You love crawling and playing "chase me" with daddy. You love love love books. You love carrots, bananas, watermelon, cheese...pretty much anything we feed you, you eat! You love playing peek-a-boo. You love imitating our actions and faces. You love brushing your hair. And you love to take the pillows off the couch...who needs pillows anyway :)

You have also learned so many "fun" things this month. You have learned how fun it is to throw your pacifier out of the crib and cry. You have learned how fun it is to drop things from your highchair. You have learned how fun it is to empty every basket in our house. You have learned how fun it is to use your super loud voice even when we are sitting right next to you...yes, baby, we can hear you and we love your pretty voice :)

Katherine, we love watching you learn and explore. We love dancing with you and folding the clothes a second time because it means we get to be with you! You are a pure delight and joy. We are so excited to celebrate the big ONE at the end of the month!!  

We love you!! 

Katherine Ann: 10 Months

My Dearest Katherine Ann,

Today marks the 2 month countdown until you are the big O-N-E! Another month and another set of adventures. We traveled back to Iowa to see the family and attend my cousin's wedding. We filled our week with lots of play time and dance parties. The rest of the month was spent enjoying the beautiful weather and playing with your baby friends. We took advantage of the 70 degree temps with lots of walks and blanket time. Oh, and of course we watched the Ohio State Buckeyes win the National Championship. We got to go to some fan events before the game and the media loved you. We were interviewed by a local Ohio news station, as well as making it on ESPN!

You love seeing Julia!!

Cornering the cat! The cat didn't stand a chance with you two!!

Who needs toys when ripping paper is so much fun?!

This month you discovered the bathroom and the kitchen. You love to crawl to the bathroom and pull up on the tub...I think you love your bath. You have also discovered your love for dancing. It is one of my new favorite things that you do. You pull yourself up on the music table and shake your head while waving your hand and pointing your finger. After about 2 weeks, you finally learned how to sit down after pulling yourself up in the crib. Now you have a whole new set of skills :) You have done this for months and I keep forgetting to write about it, but you discovered how to twist your pacifier while it is in your mouth. It is so cute and I think you know that it makes us smile!

You love to help me pack!

We love you bunches!!!