More portraits

This is picture heavy because I have the cutest little boy ever. These are his "one year" pictures although he is technically 14 months old. So stinking cute.

The family that eats Cheetos together, stays together

That was Jeremy's wisdom when I questioned him giving some to Blake. In that case, we will be a forever family!

Sunday entertainment

Carolyn has moved up to a sunday school class that incorporates singing time at church. She loves learning new songs. This is the first one she perfected. Watch it here, Grandmas!

Daddy-Daughter time

Jeremy's been working a lot. I remember thinking it was hard the first busy season I went through with him. Carolyn was seven months old when it went in full swing, and by the end he and I were exhausted from putting in 70-80 hour weeks at our respective jobs. I had no idea it would get harder as we went along. Jeremy doesn't work quite the same hours, but the time he misses with Carolyn is a lot harder for both of them.

Many a morning the first sound I hear out of Carolyn's room is a wail and then "Daddy!" She cries at the top of the stairs while I hurriedly get decent to chase Jeremy down outside so he can give her a hug and a kiss. And then she doesn't go back to sleep and is exhausted from waking at 5:30.


Anyway, all this background helps explain why Carolyn and Jeremy had the best weekend last week. I took off for my first night away from Blake. I foolishly thought that meant I would get a good night sleep, but time with friends is not for sleeping.

Carolyn got pop beads for Christmas and has been making jewelry ever since. She and Jeremy spent Blake's nap just making bracelets and necklaces for each other. Of course, this was after the doughnut breakfast. It sure is nice when Daddy is home.

Blakers

I've been having a hard time keeping up with all the different times in a day that my children want to eat. Mostly, it's Carolyn. She is in the fridge at least 5 times a day (that doesn't include meals). It doesn't help that our living area where we play is right next to the fridge. Today was Blake's first foray into stealing leftovers. Carolyn ate a protein bar for breakfast because I just give up (at least for today) on fighting her at meal times. She puts the food in her mouth by herself and doesn't have to sit on my lap? Well, I just might let her have ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if that's the case. Anyway, she had some leftovers she didn't keep a close eye on. Blake did though.


He sure enjoyed his bounty.

Of course, we can't take a picture of one child without the other one jumping in to join the fun!

Blake's best friend

We've been through this before with Carolyn. We thought Blake might attach to something as well, but we never expected it to be the same doll. Luckily, Carolyn has moved on to Bitty Baby, and, for all his bluster, Jeremy doesn't mind Blake carrying around a purple doll.

Christmas recap

Let's end the year with Christmas fun. We're already counting down the days until we can bust out the reindeer antlers again.

Here comes trouble

Snow comes to Oregon

I showed Carolyn the snow falling outside and she asked me if it was Christmas again. It might as well be because she fulfilled her wish of making a snowman.

Birthday boy

Fun facts about Blake:

• Redhead
• Loves his sister's dolly
• Gives great snuggles
• Plays peekaboo
• favorite sound: "ooooh"
• favorite food: clementines
• Likes to laugh

Newest known fact about Blake:

• LOVES cake

Blake is now one. The party day is over, and now I plan on taking a 24-hour break before tackling the rest of the Christmas projects head on.

Carolyn: Mom, can you see my eyes?

From the mouths of babes

I cry when I'm frustrated. I hate it, but I can't control it. Once in awhile, especially in the first year after having a baby, when Jeremy and I can't agree on something, I go upstairs to my room to cry. He knows I just need to cry and get it out, but Carolyn doesn't. She usually follows a minute or two later to tell me not to be mad and snuggle me. I can't remember the last time I did this, but Carolyn must remember it vividly.

Today, Jeremy and I were finishing some forms for our flex spending account. He started tallying the costs for the year for healthcare to show me this other option would be best next time an open enrollment period came. I love my pediatrician, and if we change plans I will have to change doctors. I don't like change. I had some things to put away and started to walk upstairs. Carolyn followed asking what I was doing. I told her I was putting things away. I was halfway up the stairs when I heard her tell Jeremy "her not going upstairs to cry."

Freedom

Blake is finally at the age where I can take him outside to play and actually set him down. Didn't love the hat, but he loved the freedom to move around. This makes Carolyn happier too because we can go outside more often. Just in time for rainy season!!

I love these two

This is going to be all sentimental, but I love these two together. Carolyn and Chandler are only two months apart and they spend a lot of time together. If Carolyn had her way, they would spend practically all their time together. They are best little buddies. It's nice to have Chandler come play Carolyn's games with her. They don't play by the rules, but magically they have the same made-up rules. It just warms my heart to listen to them talking to each other. They tell stories and correct each other's method of playing pretend. Apparently there are only certain ways to pretend you are going to a wedding. I'll be sad when one of our families moves away and it isn't a 3 minute drive to get the two together.

(Please note that Carolyn's hair wasn't always out of control. It's gotten worse with age.)

Wedding finery

Of course, I don't have a picture of the bride and groom from the wedding, but I think this wedding party looks fantastic.