Nicholas is a bad influence...

With Miss Judy's daughter sick again today, Brandi was our hero and watched Nicholas when Mommy went to work - thanks sooooo much Brand!

In the afternoon, the 2 little monsters came over to our house - where Nicholas proceeded to show Olivia how to get into all kinds of trouble.

"Yeeeesssss - I made it to the top rack!"
"Ummmm, Livi, I'm not sure if this is something you should be doing!"
"Okay, if you insist, but please be careful - this is really dangerous for dainty little girls, like yourself!"
"Mommy, don't we get some credit on the cuteness scale - we have matching doggie outfits on!"
After the daredevil feats, the two munchkins dined together.

Nicholas was such an independent little guy and fed himself his bottle while lounging on the couch - of course keeping a close eye on Olivia....
...while she chomped on, what else, the vitamin bottle!

See Anything New On Me?

okay, so you might have to look carefully (alright, extra carefully)...but this is my first picture that you can see my top teeth coming in....all 4 of them!

Maybe the drool factory will close down soon (fingers crossed!).

What A Celebration!

We had a great time celebrating Nicholas' first birthday - thanks everyone for joining in our excitement!

All Giggles At the Park

With the beautiful weather, we had a blast at the neighborhood park!

Nicholas found a new position in the swing - leaning all the way back so he could look up at the sky. He thought it was hysterical!

Good holding on buddy with your mittens!
"Mommy, when will I get to ride the school bus like those kids?"
With the park to ourselves, Nicholas got to explore the playset. He loved crawling through the tunnel...and got plenty of practice (like over 2 dozen times!).

Front view -
back view
"Gee Mommy, its awfully tough to press the buttons with my mittens on - I need to send these pictures to Daddy!"

Fun at the Grandparents

Sunday we spent the day at Grandpa and Grandma's to hang out with Dillon - but Dillon had other plans....a long nap!

In the meantime, Nicholas got to experience leaves for the first time (since we don't have any in our yard)

and got the infamous wagon all to himself for countless laps around the house!

A Real Tractor Ride

Grandpa had a little assistant for the annual "plowing of the leaves"

(Round 1 - there's still many more to fall).

Nicholas loved it!
"Wow, look how many leaves we can push with this!"
Rumor has it, Grandma thinks the old Wheel Horse should be sold, since Grandpa has a beautiful John Deer...but Nicholas thinks they need to keep it for him and Dillon in a few years!
"Let me at that wheel Grandpa!"

Grandpa - doing double duty!

Grandpa's work may have given him the day off today, but his grandsons kept him busy!

He successfully babysat for both boys while the mommies went shopping.

Who looks the most tired here to you?

This Day Last Year...

Nicholas came home from the hospital - and the real fun began!

Future Dozer Operator

Check out my new dozer from Great Aunt Elaine and Uncle John!

I'm able to go all the way across the family room by myself!
Of course I took along my vitamins for the ride.
Beep Beep Zoey...coming through!
Seriously Zoe - do I need to use the horn!
Yes, I got past her - I'm outta here!
Thanks Aunt Elaine & Uncle John!!!

I awoke from my nap to a cute visitor...

...Livi came over!

I showed her my hilarious waddling duck...

Brandi read us my favorite book

(to Zoey too - see the nose snooping in)
...and we shared spit!
( No, no first kiss yet, but I learned that Livi loves my vitamin bottle as much as I do! Thankfully, she's not carrying a purse yet, so she didn't have a way to sneak it out of the house!)

A New Independence

Now as a big 1-year-old, Nicholas was able to feed himself his entire dinner last night! He had carrots, corn, cheese and crackers.... and oh so proud of himself!

Soon we'll introduce spoon-feeding, but I think I'll have a couple more meals where I can sit-back and enjoy my own meal before attempting that feat!

Officially 1!

Look who's officially 1!

Nicholas came down this morning and checked out all his great new gifts.

At breakfast, he was all about shredding every napkin he could get to with his extra-long reach. Where were these skills last night for opening presents!
Becoming 1 didn't make him loose his trouble-seeking side.
Later, Grandma & Grandpa came over to see the Birthday Boy!
Nicholas loves his flapping duckie and its all the best when Grandma made it walk.

Then Grandma got to swing the infamous hammer

(we're still wondering how she got it out of his hand!)

Grandpa had the best birthday gift of all - sharing of his sucker!

"I know just what to do..I have experience with these yummy things!"

"I hope we leave up these decorations for a while! Now I have decorations and Zoey's crate to play with all within reach at my favorite spot."

...off with the hammer

Nicholas celebrated with a special drink - whole milk for the first time!
He seemed to enjoy it...but we all know there are few things he refuses!

Out little man is so special, we arranged an extra hour to this day, just for him!

We love you, our little Peanut!

Oh, What A Celebration!

Tonight we celebrated Nicholas' first birthday with a house FULL of family! Nicholas was all about getting to the cake part of the party. He finally put down his new hammer when it was time to eat - definitely a favorite gift!

He sure made a mess, including an ear full of frosting!
We'll have more pictures to share tomorrow.

For now, we need to recover!

This day last year...

Mommy looked like this

(at the beginning of the 27 hours - but who's counting...)

and Daddy like this!