For a few weeks now, Jack has spent his days "reviewing" words that he knows.
He points to various objects and we tell him what they are called. His favorites are:
door
computer
clock
piano
plant
Mama
stove
Every once in a while, we think he might be repeating us. We say, "Did you hear that? " "Am I just making this up?"
But yesterday, August 28th, there was no mistaking.
I was laying on the couch with Jack. He was lifting up my shirt and playing with my belly, a normal daily occurrence. He was chatting away when I finally tuned in to what he was saying.
BEH-BUH
BEH-BUH
Yep...belly button.
Jack's first word....er...words: belly button
Usually, he won't repeat great acheivements on cue for Dave to see too, but when he got home from work, right on cue Jack said it again...and then again and again. We even got to share it with Grandma on the phone.
The video is a bit long but I knew his family would love to see his quirky self.
Dear Jack,
Emotions run high today as I recall hour by hour your first day of life one year ago today. I look back on your birth as my most proud moment. It was such hard work but totally worth it because it gave me you. I don't think you'll be able to realize how much you changed my life until you have a baby of your own someday.
This year has been the single most challenging and joyful year of my life. From all those middle of the night rendezvous we shared to the joys of teething. From watching you take your first steps to the joys of solid foods, we have loved "growing up" with you.
It was easy to imagine what it would be like to have a newborn (although nothing could have prepared us for what it is ACTUALLY like), but I had no idea what fun could be had as you grew into a one year old. You are incredibly affectionate and funny. One of our favorite games is called, "tackle Mama and lay on her face". The object of the game is clear but a victory is only achieved by balancing your entire body weight right on my face and bonus points are scored if you cut off my air supply. We both laugh and laugh and play it again and again. One of my first memories is wrestling with my Mom, your Grammy, and I wonder when you'll start remembering these fun times too.
This month you headed to the church nursery for the first time. You literally pushed off of me, scrambling to get to these new found toys. You didn't even know I was gone and loved every minute of it. I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am for the people who are watching you and giving me the opportunity to sit in the service and actually pay attention to the sermon. You and I are both big fans!
This month has been a hard one for Daddy. He has worked 70-80 hours a week and has done such a tremendous job. The only downside is that we hardly see him and when we do, you've struggled to connect very much just because we aren't used to having him around. We can't wait for this rotation to be over so we can get back to normal. Remember the photo of our internal medicine rotation paper chain? Check it out now! The end is in sight.
This year has been so amazing that it blows my mind to think of all the fun that is to be had in every year to follow. I am so glad that I get to be your Mama!
Love you always,
Mama
JACK'S FIRST BIRTHDAY IN PICTURES
Is it time to take pictures?
Special birthday breakfast picnic while watching the Olympics
Look up my nose
What? It's MY birthday?
Ooooo
After breakfast and pictures, we went to the grocery store to gather things for his birthday party.
Then...
Jack said, "Happy birthday to myself" by taking a 2 1/2 hour nap.
Bam!
After nap and lunch, DADDY got off work early.
Yip yip cha!
We made our way down to Riverside to go to a birthday party for our friend Hudson.
Hudson is the son of friends from church and was born two days after Jack.
We had so much fun in the pool...
... and don't look now
Mountaineering is in this boy's DNA
Oh. Dear.
The birthday boy, Hudson
With his big brother, Caden
And his awesome parents Brad and Melissa
Car ride home from the party
When we got home, it was time to open his awesome package from Uncle Sandy, Aunt Nicole, and cousins Addi and Josie
Awesome ball
Talking card from Grammy and Grandad
BEST toy on earth...a spoon he found in the diaper bag
Coolest helicopter toy
How does this thing work?
We had Olive Garden take out complete with a little chocolate cake.
The day ended with lots of play and a wrestling match.
At the end of an excellent week with family, we got to head to the Tri-Cities to spend some time with our Panther Family. It was so sad to, once again, get to see family without Dave. We all missed him terribly, but still managed to have a great visit without him.
I didn't take ANY pictures during our visit because I was so busy keeping Jack from sticking his fingers in outlets, taking a header down the stairs, and getting clawed by the cats he was chasing. Whew...what a workout! I will say that the highlight of our time was getting to be there for a bit of Jenny's wedding planning. We got to see her try on her dress (have mercy, it's gorgeous) and we got to help brainstorm everything from place settings to hairdos.
On Saturday, Virginia arranged for the Panther and Goff family's to celebrate Jack's 1st birthday a few weeks early. It was a great excuse to get together at Aunt Susan's house. Jack did great and put on quite the show while eating his ice cream cake. Luckily, his Aunt Jenny took our camera and captured all of the sweet moments.
The "almost" birthday boy
Jack thought his cards were pretty amazing
Just like his Daddy on his first birthday, he went straight for the flame.
Luckily he didn't quite make it.
So this is what you call...ice cream.
Baby's first brain freeze
Oooo...that was awesome
Playing with Great Aunt Barb, Grandpa, and Great Grandma Panther
Post party coma
Grandma shared a toy that belonged to her grandmother.
It was a big hit.
We can't wait to go back in October for Jenny's wedding... and this time bring Dave with us!
While Dave slaved away on his Internal Medicine rotation (keep up the good work, honey!), Jack and I took our yearly escape up to the Northwest. There is really no where I'd rather be during the summer and So Cal is the place where I would rather NOT be. :)
On Friday, July 13th, we flew up to Portland for our annual Snavely Family Reunion. Jack did well on our early morning flight and we were so thrilled to see our family again. Unfortunately, only two of my Mom's four siblings could make it but we still had a great time. We have lots of shared interests (hiking, singing, board and card games, and hanging out). This time, we were in Corbett, OR on the Columbia River Gorge. Jack loved meeting all of his cousins and I enjoyed meeting my newest niece, Josie!
The Legacy of Harold and Rowena Snavely
I have such wonderful memories of playing with my cousins when we were growing up. It was so fun to watch the next generation of cousins have so much fun.
It filled my soul to the brim to be back in the Northwest and especially in the Gorge. Dave and I hiked here the week after we got engaged and it is simply one of the most beautiful places. The kids did great on this hike to Elowah Falls. Also note, my cousin Jill in black. She carried her youngest, Chase, the entire way there and back with no carrier. Oh yeah...she's pregnant with her FIFTH babe. Go girl!
After a wonderful time with family, we made our way back to Walla Walla.
Nicole and I hopped in the Highlander with two babies and a little girl to attempt the drive together. Of course, we stopped at the Troutdale outlets on our way out. I can't begin to tell you all of the mishaps that happened on this drive but I will tell you that we laughed our heads off practically the whole way. The last straw was when Addi opened her car door on the freeway. We immediately took the next exit and Nicole said, "Go fast, go fast". I, being the obedient little sister, hauled it around a corner as the door swung open. Uff da. Luckily we all survived in one piece.
My parents bought and remodeled a house right up the street from the place where I grew up. I can't begin to tell you how incredible everything turned out. There new place is so tremendous that there is really nothing to be missed about my childhood home. If you know me well, you know that is a BIG deal statement to make.
I have no many ideas about how I'd like to spend my Walla Walla "vacation" but I learned something right off the bat. As a Mom, you don't get vacation... you just do your job somewhere else. Once I got over this fact, I settled in to do my job around some really fun people. We did, however, manage to take the kids to the pool one day, have a nice breakfast out on the town, and do a little shopping. I also got to have lunch with two of my favorite people, my former choir teacher, Paul Dennis, and his wonderful wife, Karyl. They have been close friends for a long time and I was so thrilled to introduce them to my boy.
Playtime with Grandad
Jack, our Engineer, figures out the sprinkler
Davis Cousins
Jack - 11 months, Adalie - 4 years, Josie - 2 months
It's no secret that I LOVE being an Auntie. Aside from my own son, Addi has been my most special little one. I really just love her to death. You can imagine my excitement when my sister and brother in law announced they were going to have another little girl and the torture in having to wait until now to meet her. Josie Grace Miller is such a sweet little munchkin. She has lots of sweet little grunty noises and is so content to just hang out.
I can't wait to get to know her more (especially when she knows I exist) and to love on her her whole life long.
This picture kills me.
Are.
You.
Kidding.
Me.
Nicole had a great time playing around with our camera and, no joke, took 400 pictures. In one miracle moment when I got the camera, I caught this beautiful one of Nicole with her oldest babe. Aren't they so incredibly beautiful!?! I can't get over it!
I love you, Addi Girl!
Jack says, "Hmmm.... this diaper bag makes an excellent chair"
