12 Months :)

Lots to update on!  I've been trying to do some posts for a few days now.  Hopefully I'll get through Halloween within the next few days! 

First though...the life of my Blaker at the age of 1.

Blake at 12 months is lots of sugar and a little bit of spice :)  He is still such a cuddler and has the sweetest smile and giggles.  He loves to be held, so sometimes we work on him learning he doesn't always have to be held.  When he's tired or not feeling the best - he wants to be held.  Of course, you'd love to just sit and hold your little one --- but it isn't feasible!  He's funny though...he doesn't want to be "cradled" at bed or anything, but likes to be held during the day!

He hasn't increased his vocabulary any more since 11 months in regards to the words that he says...but he definitely understands more of what we say to him.  For example, the other day I was in the hall and said "Blaker, want to come take a bath" and he crawled as fast as his little legs would let him from the living room to the bathroom with big smiles (the kid loves bath time!). 

He is taking about 10+ steps at a time...(usually less than that - but he has taken much more).  He is so close to just walking EVERYWHERE - and you can see it in his eyes that he wants to so bad!  He will stand there and smile and just stare at the ground and his look says "I can do this!"...too cute!  And when he does walk, he giggles like he's so proud of himself.  :)

Blake HATES HATES HATES to be changed.  Seriously gets mad and rolls around - he doesn't want to be restricted I think.  It is hard to change his diaper or get clothes on because he gets so mad.  Aaron jokingly said to him one day, that if he continues to move like that - he might be quite the wrestler when he's older...which is in the Anderson blood so it'll be interesting to see how that plays out :)  Within the last week or so, he has gotten a little better...but it has been a bit ridiculous!


Blake has 5 (almost 6) teeth.  He had quite the rough week that followed his birthday, he had the SOREST gums I've seen...literally, really swollen, had white sores around his teeth...looked pretty nasty.  He started to come around about a week later and then we discovered his third tooth on top.  Poor kid...I hope all of his "teething" episodes from here out aren't like that!

My hunting hat from Papa Lowell!

Blake keeps this hat on for sometimes about 30-40 minutes before he discovers it.  It's too cute!  On the weekends when we go out to run errands, we always put this on him and he usually doesn't even try to take it off!

He still loves his food and baths.  And he is pretty good about going to bed.  He takes 2 naps a day and for the most part, doesn't fight sleeping - but lately he has discovered that Addy sleeps in his room with him, so at night he talks to her and stands up and shakes his crib.  Most nights Addy giggles back, but some nights you here her through the monitor saying "Blaker I'm tired"...too funny!

12 Month Stats:
Length - 29.5 inches (42%)
Weight - 21 pounds 14 ounces (36%)

Lots of people say how big he is...but as you can see he is on the smaller side for his age.  But he is built solid, so I think that is why people say that about him.

He is such a lover...I just love the kid :)

Where's Blake........????

Peek-a-boo!!!

1/2 Marathon and First Birthday!!!!

On Blake's actual birthday (10/22) we had an eventful day.  I ran my 3rd half marathon :)  I had a goal to do another one on/around my 30th birthday...which occurred in September.  I convinced my sister Angela to do it with me - and also was happy to put a bug into Tammy and Ed's ear (Aaron's sister/brother-in-law) and they joined us too. 

It was sooooo good to have them here for the weekend.  The time always goes too fast, and we never get to see everyone from Michigan often enough.  We are so glad you guys made the trip!

My sister and I before we left the hotel in the morning.  I tried to get Tammy and Ed in this but they weren't feeling it :)  I thought I'd grab a group one afterwards, but we were so focused on getting warmed up and food, etc that it never even occurred to me that we didn't get another one until I was looking at my camera later.  Bummer!

The race itself went good.  Not my best half...not my worst.  I was a little over 2 hours officially (2:02 to be exact).  However - I've mapped the course a few times now and every time I've looked at it...the total mileage says 13.5 miles instead of 13.1...and if that was the case, than I did actually run the distance of a half marathon (13.1) in less than 2 hours.  So whoo hoo to that if it's the case!  Who knows!

My "sisters" rocked it!  Ang was around 1:54 and Tammy around 1:45.  Ed wasn't far after me but I don't remember his exact time. 

Of course...we all kicked butt because we had THE CUTEST CHEERLEADERS EVER!!!! 



Who wouldn't be motived by this sweetness? 

 Funny story about our little cheerleader though...after getting in and out of the car a few times, they went to get out and watch us run again and Addy, who was all "Go Go Go!" at the beginning said, "I don't wanna watch mommy run anymore".  The poor girl was over it and ready to be home, she probably wanted to watch Dora or something :) 



None of us are in this picture...but I didnt' think anyone would like the pictures I have of them running, so just sharing one of the runners in general from my camera!

Blake's Sign...and my bib - I had to do a shout out to my little buddy!

After the race was over, we went to Applebee's before we headed out of Mankato to our house for the remainder of the weekend.  Blake got the "Applebee's Birthday Song" sung to him....which he wasn't so sure what to think about all this clapping and cheering going on around him...but Addy loved it!  Then he got his first treat of the day!

Loving his birthday Sundae

Forget the spoon, just give me that thing!!!  (we took it away after we got the shot with our camera!)

We spent the rest of the weekend relaxing with Tammy and Ed and having our first celebration for Blake's birthday. 

Blake's new toy...he loves his "boy toys!" that he got for his birthday

Part of Grandpa Lowell's gift...he has an adorable camo shirt/overalls to match the hat.  At first Blake would always take his hat off, but now he wears it around for a good amount of time.  He's so cute in it...I have to upload more pics with his hat!

Addy loves giggling with auntie Tammy and uncle Eddie.  I love this moment I captured...Ed was just laying there relaxing, and Tammy went to lay with him, so of course Addy had to join too :)

  Blake LOVED it when we sang Happy Birthday to him...and he LOVED his cake too :)

Just about to really dig in..........

The end result - I think that look says "sugar coma" --- ha ha!

I think Blake had a wonderful first birthday.  We had his official birthday party the following weekend also -- more to come on that! 

I can't believe one year has come and gone since we were blessed with Mr. Blake.  He is such a wonderful little man. 

To my Blaker Boy - I love you so much and can not wait to see what life has in store for you.  You're hugs and cuddles melt my heart on a daily basis.  I hope you always want to cuddle w/ your mama! ......love you forever....Mommy <3

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

And..................the next day I discovered I have a future track star on my hands :)

Go Addy Go!

Field Trip!

In mid-October Aaron went with our daycare to an Apple Orchard in Rochester.  I'm not sure why Addy was crying so hard above, I think she wanted to be have her daddy at that moment...silly girl.

The kids had been learning about apples and pumpkins for preschool the month of October so Julie planned the field trip to go along with the month!  This was a different place than the one that we went to earlier in October.  It had a lot of the same things though.

Swinging :)

The best little pumpkin in the patch!



Addy and her friends trying to pull the wagons

The kids had a good morning at the orchard.  And then in the afternoon, they baked some apple crisp with the apples they bought.  They each brought home their own little pie tin of apple crisp...it was DELICIOUS!  I had asked Addy if she helped put the ingredients in there and she started listing all of the items she helped pour in.  Too cute, she was listing them off in a little sing-song tone.

"Cin-a-nin" --- "Oat-ma-meal" --- "Flowers" (instead of flour!) --- "Bwown Sugar"

I was impressed in what she remembered from the afternoon.  What a smarty-pants!

What a fun time of year!

Pumpkin Patch!

Addy has been really into pumpkins this fall.  She has been talking about then pretty much all through September and so as soon as it was "the season" we decided to head out to the pumpkin patch. 

It was a fun entertaining Sunday!  We had gone to church in the morning, had lunch at my mom & dad's and then headed out to Northwoods Apple Orchard.  I was very impressed with the place...there was no entry fee, they had a petting zoo, lots of little places set up for pictures, some bon-fires going on if you just wanted to sit and relax & of course pumpkins and apples!!! 

The only thing we missed out on is the tractor ride - we didn't want to spend the time standing in line and had hoped to make it back before the season was over...but, I don't think that is going to happen anymore...

I took a bunch of pictures - hard to narrow them down but even though there are a lot in this post...I actually did not share very many :)

The Apples of our Eyes:

Picking out the perfect pumpkins :)

Taking the pumpkins up to get paid for :)

Heading to the car!

 It was a fun Sunday afternoon at the pumkin patch!!

Oh the places a conversation can go....

You gotta love conversations with a 2 year old!  Here's a little bit of our daily life...constant questions and "why's" :)  I love how one topic can turn into about 5 different ones by the end of a simple conversation!

Addy: Where are we going?

Me: We are going to get family pictures taken.

Addy: Why?

Aaron: Because we are a big happy family

Addy: Why?

Me: Because, we love each other and that is what we do.

Addy:  Why?

Me: Ummm....because we are going to take pictures to capture moments in time and maybe use them for a Christmas card...

Addy: Why?  (for the zillionth time!)

Me: Well, because that is what we do in America

Addy: I want to go to America's house!!!!

Me: You want to go to America's house??  Well, it's hard to explain, but you are sort've already in America's house.

Addy: I want to go to America!!!

Aaron: Which America do you want to go to?....North America?....South America?....

Addy: South America

Me: Hmmmm, well then you aren't there yet, that might be a problem.

Aaron:  What about Latin America?  I think Dora's house might be in Latin America

Addy:  (Huge gasp of excitement and claps/cheers)  Yeah!  Dora's house, I want to go to Dora's house....!!!!

....and the conversation drags on....

What a goof ball...

Slumber Party!

We started this little "swap" with my sister Shannon's family.  Once a month we choose a weekend to take each other's kids for either a night or something so that we can get things done around the house and/or go enjoy ourselves...whatever we want to do!

In September Shannon had Addy and Blake.  October was our turn to have the Kelley Kids! 

They came over (Brynne, Brooklynn and Drew) not far before bed on Friday and we had them all day Saturday.  Addy had her first slumber party in a sleeping bag that night!  We started out with some popcorn and a movie.  Addy had so much fun with her cousins...she wanted to do everything the "big kids" did.  We were going to have her sleep in her bed that night, but she said "I want to sleep with the big kids" - and so we thought we may as well give it a try.  Pretty soon she'll have to up-grade to sleeping with the rest of the kiddos at my parent's cabin, so having a sleepover at our house was a good trial run! 

Thankfully she has a pillow pet - because the 3 came with theirs so of course she wanted hers to sleep with too (which she hadn't been doing  before, but it is now part of the million other things she throws in her bed.  Most days, there is barely room for her little body in that bed!)

Ready for Bed!

It was too cute watching them get all lined up for bed.  Brought back some childhood memories.  We actually have 2 rooms that the kids could have slept in, but they all wanted to sleep this way!  (Brynne isn't in the picture, because she slept in the pink tent we have in our play area...which, for the record...next time it is Brooklynn's turn to sleep there!)

My big girl at her first slumber party! 

Sleeping Babe!

I couldn't help but take a picture of her when she was sleeping :)  She actually did really good.  She started crying at like 4 in the morning so we brought her upstairs...but she REALLY wanted to stay down.  We just didn't want her to keep the others awake so brought her up.  Which made her more sad at 4 in the morning, but we made it through!
I had gone and checked on them once, and had noticed Addy was basically on Drew's pillow, and his head was where his feet should be...I think that he woke up and went to get back to "normal" and grabbed his pillow which is what woke/scared Addy at 4 in the morning.  Because he said "I was just grabbing my pillow" when we came down to get her. 

"Aunt Marissa" with Drew, Blake, Brynne, Brookie and Addy

We went to the park the next day for a while (thank goodness it was nice - we would've gone a little stir crazy otherwise!).  All the kids got to run and let off some steam (and so did Aaron and I!).  Blake had fun in his swing - Addy loves parks.  Slides...Swings...etc.  She did the monkey bars for the first time at the park this time.  The others did a bunch of climbing and running around.

Aaron said "Tackle aunt Marissa" - I love Drew's big grin in this picture.  Blake is actually with me below Brynne and Brookie.  He handled the tackle like a true Tough Guy!!

We took a ton of fun pictures at the park...so many to choose from.  I wanted to share more - but decided to do just one of each of the kiddos having some fun!

 

Monkey Girl!!

 "When I grow up I want to be a little boy."

(or girl!)

My Handsome 11 Month old Man



 Another month came and went...it has flown by.  Blake is getting too big - eleven months!  He stands on his own now sometimes, and tries to walk from one thing to the next.  It's just a matter of time before his legs get a little stronger and he gets a little bigger --- he's going to be walking. 


Standing for a brief time - he has stood for about 10 seconds at a time.  So fun!  Side Note: I love this sweatshirt!  I actually found it when I was in the hospital with him right after he was born!  I was by myself with my laptop and a sleepy newborn...and decided to investigate all the cute boy clothes I could buy for my little man. 

The style of this sweatshirt has Aaron written all over it...and the fact that it has a 7 on it makes it even better!

 Blake finally got 2 more teeth.  He has only had 2 teeth that he had gotten in May until recently.  He now has 2 top teeth and 2 bottom...and I think that more will start coming through.

This guy also loves his food still...and he also loves baths.  Which is a good combination, because he gets REALLY messy when he eats.  He is 100% boy.  I know I have said that in other posts...and I have also posted pictures of messy-faced Blake almost every month, but they don't get old!


Messy Boy!



Gettin' Clean!

 Blaker's vocab is increasing too, but I don't know that he has increased words since my 10-month post.

Blake is happy boy a good amount of the time...but he also has a "monster" side.  I say monster because of the way he expresses himself...literally with a little "roar" so I like to call him a monster when he does it.  Most of the time it actually makes me laugh, but it is interesting to see that little personality come through.  I hope I can identify ways for him to learn to control that crazy temper before he gets too old!  At the same time though - he is such a little cuddler that he can be "sugar and spice" within a matter of minutes...and I love my little man's cuddles!

I'm starting to get sad that he is already going to be a year old.  My kids' birthday are always bittersweet for me.  I love that we get to celebrate them being a year bigger, but I get sad about the fact that they are growing up so quickly.  I love my little tiny babies and totaly wish that they could stay tiny for longer. 



Goofy Guy --- what's not to love??!!!!