Birthday Fun!

Wanted to share some pictures from Champs' birthday weekend!  I will post all the party pics separately when I get them, but here are some of the other fun things we did to celebrate his birthday!

On Friday, the day before his birthday, Barrett and I started the day with breakfast with him at the Original House of Pancakes!  He had fun and loved seeing the candle on his pancake!  As you can see, he's not wild about his birthday hat though.

That afternoon, we celebrated with Sara, James and Pat.  This was also Champs' last day with Nanny Pat so we gave her a little gift too.  This was a special afternoon! Both boys loved the balloons!

Pat and the Ellison's gave Champs this awesome Y bike!  It's so cool - know he's going to love it!!

We had to get one more pic of Pat with her boys!!  They love her so!!!

Sara brought a mini cupcake for the boys!  YUMMY!!

What a fun little birthday celebration it was for Champs! 

When we got home my Mom, Barrett and I gave Champs his birthday gifts from all of us!  My mom was thankfully in town to help with the party!!  One of the things Barrett and I gave Champs was the Cozy Coupe car.  To say he is OBSESSED does not even begin to cover it.  He was SO excited and did not want to get out of the car.  I thought he might have to sleep in it that night!!

 

What a great day!!  His birthday party pics coming next!

One week down

We survived the first week of school! As most of you know, Champs started at Eastminster Day School on Monday.  This is the pre-school at our church, and one of the great programs in town.  We were really excited for him to get in this year, but very nervous and anxious too, since he had such a great year with Pat.  

I want to write this post now b/c I hope it's not too far away, that I go back and look at this and laugh b/c things are so easy breezy at school then! :)

The first week was kinda tough!  Champs has really never cried when I left him b/c it's always been with either Pat, grandparents or a babysitter at his house.  So that was hard on me this week, but I know he didn't cry long, b/c luckily I have friends who drop off after me!  Aside from that, the number one challenge is Champs is so tired by mid morning and I know he is super fussy, and then is falling asleep through lunch at noon.  Once he got his nap, they said he had great afternoons! So he will do much better when he's adjusted to not napping until 12:30!

I felt so much better by the end of the week b/c we had Parents Night at the school on Thurs night and then on Friday I took snack to the class in honor of Champs' birthday (a little late since his bday was last weekend).

I loved getting to know the teachers better.  They are so so sweet.  I know it's going to be a great year and it makes me really happy to hear all that he will learn and see all the friends he will make.  It is funny that his class is predominately GIRLS!!  So he will have lots of girlfriends!  I should mention his cousin Julia (Joan's younger daughter) is in his class part-time so that of course makes me happy!

The teachers said Friday was his best day all week, so I'm optimistic things will keep going this way!  Here are a few pics from Friday when I visited his class!

We're ready for ya Week 2!!

12 Months Old!

At last, here is Champs' 12 months post!  I think maybe I thought if I didn't write it, it wouldn't happen ;)  In all seriousness, I could not be more excited about my sweet one year old and all that he (and his parents) has accomplished, learned and figured out in the past year.  When I think back to bringing him home from the hospital and how tiny he was as I laid him in his bassinet for the first time, it's truly incredible to think of all the milestones he's met, how BIG he is, and just how funny a little one year old can be!  Though I am a little emotional about no longer having a BABY baby, I am really looking forward to this year with Champs.  He is learning new things every single day.  Which brings me to......Champs is walking!!!  He's been taking steps here and there for a few weeks, and has gotten better and better, but I will say as of yesterday I think we can say he's walking!

Here we are again, Sammy!  She says this is the last time.

BORED!

Ok, I'm looking.

Ahhhhhhh!

Haha, that was a good one, Mama!

Okay, I'm outta here.

Mid yawn.

Yawn/Cheese!

Ok, we're done!

Champs had a great 1 year well check this week.  The doctor said he had not gotten any taller since his 9 month checkup but had gotten more solid.  Think that's the first time he had ever not gotten longer!

Weight: 23lbs on the dot
Height: 31 inches - though he has not gotten any taller since 9 months.
LOVES: Raffi & Monk - his loveys.  Following Mama everywhere she goes.  Riding in his new car.  Pretend driving Mama & Daddy's car.  Reading his books and playing with all his toys.  Clapping!  
NEW THINGS: Walking!, High-fives, Pointing at birds and saying bird (bir), Saying a lot of Mama, blowing kisses and going to school!
EATS: 3 meals a day now consisting of all table food.  He is officially on regular milk- no more formula!!  Still has his nighttime bottle though - our pediatrician says don't rush this.  As long as he's dropped that last bottle by 15 months, it's fine.  I don't think Champs really cares, but I like holding him at the end of his night and giving it to him :)
SLEEP: We are trying to get him adjusted to his new schedule at school where he doesn't get to take his nap until 12;30.  That's been hard on him, but he'll get it.  Still sleeping great at night. 
TEETH: The 2 teeth beside his front 2 teeth have come in!  So that makes 6 total.
WORDS: Dada, Mama, Bird and occasionally a ball but not really!


What a wonderful year this has been.  We love you oh so much, Champs!!!! 

1st Day of School

So yes, he's only one, and not sure it can really be called SCHOOL, but Champs started at Eastminster Day School on Monday, which is the preschool at the church where we are members.  I was pretty nervous about it, considering how comfortable he has been with Pat and James for months and months, and knew there would be many adjustments.  We are two days in and I'm feeling okay!  The main challenge for him is getting all the way through the morning to have his lunch at noon and then finally down for a nap at 12:30.  We did work on dropping his morning nap this summer, but he was eating lunch about 11:15 and down for nap no later than 12:00.  But I think once he get adjusted to the new schedule, he'll do great.  He is surrounded by girls in his class.  There are 15 total students, including the part-timers, and only 4 are boys!  He may want a baby doll to play with soon :)  I'll give another update on how things are going once we've gotten a week or so under out belt, but for now, here are some pics before I took him on his first day!

Checking out the toys at school!

After picking him up we went to 32 Degrees for frozen yogurt!!

Louise Cruea was so sweet when she came in and saw us - said she had to get a pic b/c Champs was so excited!

Ummmmmmm!!!!

He loved it!!

BLOG NOTE: LOTS OF BIRTHDAY UPDATES ARE COMING!!  JUST WAITING TO GET SOME PICS THAT A FRIEND TOOK FOR ME AT THE PARTY!!