Stop to smell the garden.

We've had 270 days here in the Pacific Northwest that it did not get up to 75 degrees. In fact, its been the most gray of a June that I can remember for a long time. You don't realize how much you long for the blue sky and sun until you've been in gray for months. I heard on the radio that last Sunday, June 20th, was the darkest day in Western Washington of 2010.

Now that you have a little background, you can imagine my and Kate's excitement when we woke up on Wednesday and there was sun! Blue sky and sun. In fact at 7:30 am, we went out in the back yard and had a good swing. That is when I looked around and realized that my garden was in full bloom. Birds were out, the grass was fresh and the flowers were gorgeous.

That is also when I realized that sometimes you really have to just stop and look around and enjoy! I find myself so busy with everything. Checking things off the never ending to-do-lists, moving from one appointment to the next and so on. And there in the back yard, Kate giggling in her swing, my bare feet in the grass I stopped and took it in.

Of course, it only lasted a few minutes, because there were bottles to fill and a day to be started. But, we had that brief moment in our day when we enjoyed ourselves. It also left me thinking, if you aren't enjoying your life what are you doing? If you don't take the time to look around and enjoy it all, is there really a point to it all? I don't have the answer to that, but it did ring with me yesterday. And I will continue to try and stop to smell the garden.

More Trouble: and 9 month photo shoot

Well the best part of having a preemie is we get to experience things over and over. This winter I even said it was similar to ground hog day the movie. Yes, she had her 1st birthday but we are still taking pictures of each month adjusted. We couldn't exactly stick month stickers on a baby we couldn't touch so on we go. Anyhow, from these pictures you can see how life has been going...

First she looks sweet and innocent, then she spots something else to grab on to or play with. Great, that will keep her busy for a bit of time... how about a mila-second. Because before you know it she has spotted something else.

And now she has to have that new thing. Maybe it is a extension cord, your necklace, or the shower curtain. Trust me, she will get it. It doesn't matter that she only crawls and has poor balance and the object is on the top shelf. She will get it.

Or at least she will have a good laugh at trying!
And as you'll notice mom or dad's hands will be pulling her back in the whole time!

Trouble has a new name: Kate

I don't have a lot of time lately because, Katie has learned how to crawl. Each day she gets faster and faster, which seems to equal more and more trouble. Of course up have gone the baby gates, and in have gone the plug covers but still she finds more to explore. Today it was turning on and off the t.v. as well as munching on a DVD.

When we aren't scrambling after her, or scooping her up to soothe the latest bonk it can be pretty fun to see her in action. She has the determination of a small ninja, but unfortunately doesn't always have all the skills needed for her latest stunt.

Enjoy the film, sorry about the cheezy mom talk in the back ground.

Ladybugs and a one year old!

I apologize in advance, we've got a lot going on around here with work, a busy baby and a minor surgery for Eddie. That being said this post will be picture heavy and few on the words.

Some of the fun points of the recent birthday was:

• I love doing this stuff! From pictures slide shows, to working on cupcakes. I am not afraid to admit that I wouldn't not mind being a little Martha Stewart, minus the attitude and the jail time.
• Children birthdays are a bit exhausting. I should have known this one as everything with a kiddo is exhausting. All the same when the weekend was over, I looked around at new toys, clothes and bows and paper everywhere not to mention the red frosting and just smiled.
• I need to remember in the future that the frosting I make, I better really like it because it most likely will be staining carpet, clothes and other objects (writing that made me laugh, because when I was growing up I was always doing crafty projects and ruining my mother's house, glue, glitter, nail polish... he-he!)
• And lastly, I agree with so many others that say that life is really about the small moments. But sometimes its these big milestones that really rock too!
  

The crazy journey through the 1st year!

Holy Cow! We made it!!!! I just can't believe that we have come to the year mark, and I also can't believe how fast it all went. Honestly, I am somewhat speechless in the whole thing. This was such a crazy, hard, delightful, scary and life changing experience that it is unreal.

Beyond that I just couldn't put into words all the amazing family, friends and strangers that made this year possible. Our journey has just been made up of some of the most memorable and fantastic characters along the way. From doctors, nurses, friends of friends, old friends, parents of friends, co-workers, and the list just keeps going. Our little family, was supported by an entire village of people and prayers.

So if you have a few minutes, enjoy a little video of Kate's first year. And celebrate with us on this great day, because you probably had a role in it all happening too!