WEA turns 1 Year Old!

Well, here it is.....the one year post.  I've been dreading writing this post for the past 363 days.  I know it's just another day but I always feel like it's the end of my baby days.  As long as he's still 11 months, he's still my little baby.  As soon as he becomes one year old, he's a big boy toddler.  I'm sure that's just me being over dramatic.  I mean really he is still the same little boy that he was yesterday but now with an all new title--The Big 1 Year Old!     

Walker's 12 month milestones/achievements/new tidbits:
~he now has 8 teeth: 4 on top and 4 on bottom
~he is regularly drinking vanilla soy milk and occasionally some cow's milk but he doesn't seem to like it.
~he's still willing to eat anything as long as I'm eating it, too.  I find myself now ordering things off a menu that I don't particularly want but I want him to eat it so that's what we're having.  His favorites include: spaghetti with meat sauce, chicken pot pie, grilled cheese, pizza, spaghettios, waffles, yogurt, cheese sticks.  Notice that I didn't say any baby food :)
~he took his first unassisted steps two days after his birthday.  By the next day he is trying to walk all over the place.  He can get about 4 paces away before falling over.  I'm soooo not ready for this stage.
~he is saying all sorts of syllables but he doesn't seem to be saying any particular sounds for any specific things.  
~he is so very active.  He is always getting into things and he leaves a path of destruction in his wake.
~his naps are becoming very irregular.  Some days he will take his normal morning and afternoon nap and other days he will take one very late morning nap that rolls into the afternoon.  Either way, on average he is napping for 2-3 hours every day.
~he is fully capable of sleeping through the night as long as he is in his own bed.  If we are away in hotels then he will still need comforting about twice a night.  At home, he can comfort himself back to sleep.  He typically goes to sleep around 8:00 pm and sleeps until 6:30-7:00 am.
~this month he has been his healthiest yet.  A whole month without a cold, no diaper rash, no skin irritations, no runny nose, etc.  Although he did get his first black eye by slipping in the bath tub.    
~he was left alone with a babysitter for the first time this month while Oscar, Savannah, and I attended a show at DPAC.  He did wonderful and the babysitter even managed to put him down for a nap.
~his favorite toys currently include: anything that Savannah is currently touching, anything that can be dumped out and scattered all of the house, Max's dog food, the pink mini coupe, drums and xylophones, and mini board books.
~he is now pointing towards things and/or people that he wants.
~he is such a little flirt.  He loves to play peek-a-boo and pretend to be shy around the ladies.

showing off his black eye

driving mommy's car

riding in sister's car seat

helping to open presents

12 Month Doctor's visit stats:
Weight: 27 lbs 9.8 oz (amazingly that is almost a pound less than at his 9 month visit)
Height: 30.25 inches (only 0.25 inches taller than 3 months ago)
Head circumference: 48.4 cm (1.4 cm bigger)

Here are some pictures from his actual birthday.

the birthday loot

he loves his new little wagon

getting a little help from Sis opening presents

his very own pirate ship

cake time

he always pulls the icing off first

such a happy boy

his one and only bite---he actually didn't like the texture

I sure do love this little man.....more and more every day.  He has become so loving and cuddly.  He is always giving me hugs and kisses.  My favorite is when he crawls into my arms, lays his little head on my shoulder, and just stay that way for a few brief moments.....be still my heart!!  I always heard baby boys were more likely to be affectionate compared to girls and it's proving to be true with my two.  And he doesn't reserve his hugs and kisses for just me.  Savannah gets quite a few as well and so do all his little friends.
It has been such a wonderful, amazing, challenging, special, and emotional first year.  The hours have been long but the days have passed by so quickly.  I miss those first newborn days so much but at the same time I'm looking forward to the fun-filled toddler days ahead of us.  Happy first birthday my sweet Walker man!!!

Walker's Winter wONEderland

We celebrated Walker's first birthday on Tuesday, December 17 with a winter wONEderland theme and offered hot chocolate and an assortment of cookies to our guests.  With a birthday so close to Christmas I'll be incorporating my Christmas decorations into all of his birthday parties.  Get prepared to see a lot of winter themed parties over the years.

My goal with this party was to have a masculine, rugged, woodsy, winter theme.  The reindeer was my main focal piece and I just worked around it with tartan, burlap, and wood.  Overall, I think it turned out really nice.  There were definitely no complaints out of the five babies and their big siblings.

the birthday banners

the party room

hot chocolate bar

the cookie spread

Walker's smash cake

the goodie bags

the birthday boy!

cake time

the proud big sis

Walker with Owen

little Eli

the big kids decorating gingerbread cookies

play time

sweet Jane, the only girl :)

What a fun and special time celebrating our sweet little man!  I still can't believe he's turning one!  It's turning out to be quite an emotional week for me.  Oh and did I mention that my birthday is also this week?  With all this going on who has time to think about my birthday?!  

The Adventures of Wink

This year our little scout elf, Wink, got into quite a lot of mischief every night.  I was hoping to remember to take a picture of all of her shenanigans each morning but of course I forgot.  Instead I only took 5 pictures out of 25 days......oh well, there's always next year.   

Wink's first morning back with us

she made blueberry muffins and while they were baking she decided to make a snow angel in the flour

playing Don't Break the Ice with Abby

taking a marshmallow bath

playing doctor with Abby

riding the reindeer on her final morning and she left a goodbye note for S and W

A few of her other places included: hanging upside down from the light pendants, inside of Tinkerbelle's house, swinging from a makeshift swing in the doorway, sitting a top of the easel with a special birthday note to Walker, reading Christmas cards beside the card tree, sitting at Savannah's table cutting out snowflakes, looking out from atop the kitchen cabinets, and laying on the counter drawing a self-portrait.  Savannah had sooooo much fun looking for Wink every morning and seeing what kind of adventures she had overnight.  We sure are going to miss our little elf friend and we hope she has a nice break at the North Pole before she returns back to us next Thanksgiving.

Christmas in the City

Christmastime in New York City is my absolute favorite time to visit the city.  Last year we weren't able to travel since Little Man was due any day so this year I was even more excited to go since it had been so long.  There was snow in the forecast which made Savannah super excited to hurry and get there.

We arrived on Thursday, December 12 when temps were in the 20s.  Although traveling with two small children is quite a workout so I welcomed the cold weather.  I even didn't mind the extremely long taxi line; however, the other travelers in line most have thought we were freezing because the most amazing thing happened.  First, two gentleman offered to switch places with me so that we were bumped up a couple of spots.  I tried to decline but they insisted.  They said it was too cold for me and my babies to be standing out in the frigid weather.  Then after moving to their spot the 20 something people still ahead of me all moved aside to allow Savannah, Walker, and I to move to the very front of the line.  I couldn't believe it!!  Never have I seen such generosity in NYC!  Either everyone in line was not a local or the Christmas spirit was in full force.  I like to think the latter.  

After checking into the hotel we headed across the street to stroll through Central Park.  Oscar was busy with work commitments until late so we were on our own for the night.  Not really feeling up for taking the kiddos out to eat on my own, we decided to stay in and order room service.  

making snowballs

watching the iceskaters

checking out the view from our room

Friday morning we lounged around before heading out for a run through the park.  Luckily Walker fell asleep so I got in a good, long run after which we walked through our favorite little zoo.  After a nice hot bath we headed out for a quick lunch where we experienced a little more of that Christmas spirit.  The cafe we went to was packed, of course, so I expected to wait a little while for a table to open up.  We barely had time to wait before not one but two different couples offered to speed up and give us their table.  Never has that happened to me before in this town!  The thoughtfulness continued to come whenever I was out walking and pushing the stroller.  So many people held doors for us, helped me lift the stroller over curbs, and allowed room for us to pass.  I'm starting to think that the city must be trying to convince me to move back :)

feeding the lama at the zoo

playing the piano at Eloise's at the Plaza

Savannah, Walker, and I made our way to the American Girl store to have tea.  This is always a favorite stop for Savannah but I don't think Walker was too impressed.  I'm not sure how much longer he is going to cooperate on these girl stops.  After tea we met Oscar at one of my favorite restaurants, Hillstone, for dinner.  Then it was back to the hotel for Disney movies and bed.

tea time

Walker is not impressed

Savannah with George and Abby

Saturday we woke up to snow flurries and we rushed off to Macy's to visit SantaLand.  This place is still hands down the best Santa spot ever!  Savannah was a big girl and sat beside Santa but poor Walker had a freak out.  So we all sat together for a group picture while Savannah told Santa her wishes.  For lunch we headed further up the east side to go the best grilled cheese and tomato soup spot, EAT.  Also it's the most expensive grilled cheese and tomato soup spot in the city.  It's a good thing it's soooo good.    

heading into Macy's

watching the snow fall

The snow continued for the rest of the day but that definitely didn't deter the crowds.  Because Walker doesn't nap well away from home we all bundled up to go for a late afternoon walk through the park.  Within five minutes both kiddos were passed out.  So Oscar and I decided to get out of the snow and stroll through the Time Warner Center.  After spending over an hour in the running store, Walker woke up and we headed back to the hotel.  The snow was brutal!!  Even Savannah thought it was too much so we decided to stay in and order delivery for dinner.

Sunday cousin Nik rode the train in to the city and we all went out to brunch in the village with the Tellings, Loan and kids, Traci, and Colin.  The beginning of brunch was a little chaotic.  There were only a couple of other tables taken when we arrived and I'm sure once they saw us with our 8 kids, they were quickly reconsidering their brunch spot.  Thankfully the restaurant filled up pretty quickly so our noise was drowned out by the other groups.  It was so nice to see everyone and to finally meet the Telling twins.  It's rare that we can all get together so the few times that we do are really special.       

Walker and Nik

she looks so chic

S with her BFF, Kieran

with Colin

Haley and LoAn

LoAn and sweet Alexis

the whole gang minus Kieran who was running around

tasting the snow

After brunch it was time to say goodbye, head back to the hotel, and get ready to go to the airport.  It was such a fun four days.  The city really is magical at this time of year.  Just another reason to say "it's the most wonderful time of the year!"