Happy Birthday Bubba!

My Bubba has turned one. Where has the year gone? I've been telling people that this has been the fastest year of my life. I can't believe I have a one year old. It is definitely bittersweet. We're leaving the "infant" days behind and embracing the "toddler" days.

Going back through my blog, you're able to not only read about and see Kellen grow, but you're able to read about how we've grown as parents. Being a parent is not only a challenge, but it is so rewarding. Each day I'm greeted with the best smile in the world. The smile of my little boy. I see that smile first thing in the morning and each time I get home during the day. He is filled with so much joy, and watching him view the world is like reliving as if everything is new again. He has developed into his own person. His curiosity, his discovery, and his learning process is absolutely fascinating. He is so quick to pick up on new things.

I can't wait to see how Kellen will continue to grow. Will he love football & hockey like his dad, or will he love reading and being outdoors like his mom? Will his mild demeanor continue, or will he get swallowed up by the terrible twos? I am looking forward to what lies ahead of us as I know some of the best years are to come. Yet, I know I'll be missing my precious, tiny newborn little boy at times.

Happy birthday Sweet Boy. You have taught me so many things. I am thankful for every moment with you. Life is an amazing, crazy, and at times, unpredictable thing. You think of all the possibilities in life, and how everything had to all align for you to be my son. For that, I am so thankful. I love you.

One of my Favorite Things

Everyday when I come home from work, this is how I'm greeted. It's one of my absolute favorite things. I had to capture it on video:

Easter 2011

We had fun watching Kellen discover his first Easter basket. The Easter Bunny put fruit puffs in his Easter Eggs. He loved shaking them and trying to figure out how to put the eggs back together. The Easter Bunny also brought him a tooth brush with tooth paste, a book, a teether, and a toy elephant.

Kellen playing with Cousin Dyllanie (cousin Rochelle's daughter) in her Easter best:

Happy Birthday Gia Bug!

One of Kellen's dearest friends is just two days older than him. In fact, her mom gave birth to her in the same hospital as I did, and we were in the hospital for a day together!! Happy birthday precious Gia!! Kellen has had lots of fun being your buddy.

Gia's beautiful cake:

Close friends Makayla with her daddy, Lafo:

The Zoo

"I love to go to the zoo. To see the animals and the things that they do." This is the first line out of a poem that Kellen learns on his Baby Can Read DVDs. As such, the Oakland Zoo was SOOO much fun!! Kellen especially loves elephants, and we stayed at the elephant exhibit a very long time & watched them eat. He was pointing and making elephant trumpeting noises. He loved the meerkats, the gibbon, the sun bear, and the chimps too. Here are some great pictures of our day. The weather could not have been more perfect, and it was a great get-a-way with just the three of us.
click photo to view album

Oakland Zoo

Loving the Laughs!

Oh my goodness, listen to this laugh! Grandmo (Lane) had been working with Kellen on how to say "Grandmo." Eventually, Grandmo shortened her efforts to just "Mo," and Kellen thought it was the funniest thing he ever heard!! Apparently, Grandma Sue (Jacobson) had gotten him to laugh when she would say "Moo" to him when teaching him what a cow says. We don't know what it is, but for some reason, "Mo" really got him going. It's so funny to watch and listen to him try to say "Mo" then squeal with laughter! We have watched this video over & over! Can't get enough of it. Enjoy!!

Here's another video that Jeremy caught a few minutes later as Kellen just started busting up on his own...still laughing to "Mo!" Too funny!

Playing Chase

Kellen loves to bat objects with his hands then go chase it. He does this with balls, water bottles, blocks, wooden spoons, you name it! Do we see a future in sports? He does this for a very long time. It's quite funny, and he gets great exercise in the process!