The Birthday Party

Rhys had a sweet birthday party on Saturday with some great friends, who are very much family. We all enjoyed watching his reaction to the cake...First, we sang "Happy Birthday!" Then, I sliced a piece of the cake for Rhys, and he really didn't know what to think of it. It did get messy quickly with cake and icing on the floor and on his clothes, so note the change in my hair... :)He took a few bites. He was more interested in the ice cream. Our sweet friends, and Sarah and Audrey were unfortunately not in any of the pics, but they were there! "Sarah, thank you for taking the pictures." :) {My hair was up in a ponytail before Rhys could get his first bite! I knew it was gonna get messy, and I was not about to get that sticky icing in my hair! :)}

It was a fun birthday weekend and party!

I'll leave you with this cute picture...Rhys' favorite way to bathe is now on his tummy, and I don't mind. What a cute little hiney to pinch and pat. :)

We are so in love with this little guy, and we're excited to share that God is allowing for him to be a big brother soon! We are 10 weeks along and feeling very healthy and blessed!

Happy Birthday, Rhys!!!

I rolled over in bed around 4:00 this morning and whispered to Russell, "Honey, we were in the hospital this time last year with Rhys. Do you remember what time we had him?" He was obviously tired, so he was sweet to even 'participate' in this EARLY 'conversation.' He groggily said, "Around 2:00," to which I {corrected} responded, "2:19!"

Today, we celebrate an entire year of joy with our son, with thankful hearts to our Lord!!

Rhys is sporting and enjoying the new 'ride,' as he graduates to the forward-facing car seat. I LOVE to simply turn and see him face-to-face! It's sweet, fun and a lot easier to pass toys and gold fish to him! :)Oh, and the fun doesn't stop there...this boy is trying new, yummy treats! He sees Daddy and Mommy eating, and he wants some!

Here, Daddy is sweet to share his vanilla pudding. Does the boy look like he enjoyed it? {He cried when it was all gone.}He eats ice cream and other fun sweets with us, too. Rhys absolutely has a sweet tooth...just like BOTH Mommy and Daddy!

So, the big boys turns 1 today!

{I love the BIG smile on Daddy's face...he's such a thankful father!}Rhys got to spend the morning with Mimi {b/c Mommy had a Dr's aptmt}, so we had a sweet little birthday celebration over him there. Mimi gave Rhys a cute, barking puppy on a leash {cute because it's plastic, and I don't have to clean up after it :)} that he'll be able to pull along once he's walking. While at Mimi's, Rhys climbed up and sat in this little rocker...Mr. Independent, already?

And Mimi has been teaching him {very effectively! :)} how to climb steps...
I don't mind...we have stairs at home, which he is now climbing, and it's got to be great exercise for him! I love to wear him out so that he plays hard, then rests hard {and looooooong}! :)

Since the weather's been SO gorgeous {sunnier and warmer!!!} this week, we pulled out this swing, which could easily relax and entertain Rhys for hours! Look at our boy...growing up so much! Already in 12-18 month clothes!
Can you tell he's teething?

This child will gnaw on ANYthing! He's ruining his crib, so I'm going to have to buy a plastic or rubber cover to protect the wood. I am, however, thankful that he's gotten his 3rd {yes, only his 3rd} tooth in! Maybe he'll eat more solids, now??? He just needs more variety, but I can't force him. Maybe in time he'll develop a taste for something other than strawberry yogurt, applesauce and goldfish. :)

Rhys had his one-year pediatrician visit, and he's grown over 3 inches in height! His dr. measured him a second time to confirm the length, then, he laughed and said, "Wow! This boy's had a growth spurt!" I could tell he had outgrown his 9-month clothes SUPER FAST! So, that was encouraging news. He weighs in at 21 lbs, 9 oz! So, he's growing and developing nice and steadily. We praise the Lord!

So, happy FIRST birthday to you, Rhys! Daddy & Mommy love you!

More birthday fun to come!

Family Tradition

Where's that "wascally wabbit," Daddy?

Here's how you work the bolt, Daddy!

Russell got his first rifle at three days old, when his parents brought him home from the hospital. Daddy figured it was time to bring Rhys into the firearms tradition. No worries...he'll need several years before Daddy trains him on using it. It is LOCKED up and unavailable to little curious hands!

A Memorable Visit

Poppa & Grandmom came from Louisiana to visit us this weekend...just because. :) It was not planned, but they just wanted to see us, and we had a fun time and are thankful for the time we had together! We got to eat at one of our very favorites, Jim 'n Nicks, got to spend some fun hours at Bass Pro Shop (talk about "outdoor stuff" overload! WOW!), got to play HOURS of Joker (the women RULED, winning about 7 out of 10 games!!!), and scan below for what else we got ourselves into...

Daddy's been telling Mommy, "Either brush it or cut it." Daddy finally got the scissors out, and Poppa helped. Grandmom and I stood by to watch and take pictures. Latched in his high chair, Daddy clipped away!
...and away...

Rhys tried to eat the comb...

Tada!

I wasn't so sure about all this. I loved Rhys' naturally curly and thick hair, but I knew it was getting long. In the end, he looks great. Rhys is no longer a baby. He is looking more like a little boy, now. So handsome!

Fun play time with Grandmom...

Sweet father-son time...

We had a delightful visit with Poppa & Grandmom, and it was great that they didn't particularly care about 'ringing in' the new year. I'd much rather be in bed and asleep, as the new year rolls in! :) And we definitely were!

Happy 2010!!

Christmas Surprises

Christmas Day was so sweet for us. We just layed low, rested a lot, and we got to visit Rhys' Mimi. :) Mimi is a dear friend of mine, who I met years ago at the gym. We clicked and have been friends since. She's been WAITING for me to get married and have babies so that she could put her knitting into practice for my little ones. She knitted this beautiful sweater for Rhys, and we got to spend a good part of our Christmas day visiting with Mimi. Thank you for the sweater and for spending your Christmas with us, Jan! We love you!Rhys loves his Mimi...he'll stay at her house some mornings, and when I pick him up and take him home for his afternoon nap, he's out for 2.5 to 3 hours! She wears him out with lots of fun, and I am thankful! :) I catch me a nap a lot of those afternoons!
Can anyone resist that sweet face???? :)
The evening after Christmas, we visited with Rhys' Poppa & Yaya Wright, and they gave him this wicker rocking chair, which he is already enjoying!! Thank you, Poppa & Yaya!!

Christmas brought us some sweet surprises, and we are thankful. Most of all, we are truly thankful for the gift of Jesus Christ, who we celebrate and praise as the reason for life.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10