Friday Fun!

Reading with Aunt Tatiana.

One of James' favorite spots!

Aunt Tatiana and Uncle Shawn loved feeding James his oatmeal.

We went on a walk through the neighborhood with Jami and Morgan.

Later in the afternoon we went to the park and James loved the swings.

1 year pictures

click here to view James' 1 year pictures from last Saturday. The password is wilson. I'm really pleased with how they turned out and I absolutely adore the cake pictures!!!!

What FINALLY put me into labor!

So, a year ago today I was nearly a week overdue and wondering, "when am I going to have this baby?" It is funny because it is very much James' personality. It makes so much sense now that he is here. He is very laid back and in no rush to do things. Such as, walking. Why walk when you can get around crawling just fine? He can practically run with his push toy, but take it away and he is not budging. Not one step!

A year ago tonight I decided I would go to the store one last time (I think I made 5 "one last time" trips to the store) and get ingredients to make my favorite brownies. The plan was to take them to work the next day for a co-workers birthday. I made the brownies, enjoyed one, and went to bed. I woke up at 5am in labor. Needless to say, the brownies or me didn't make it to work that day. Since I missed my co-worker Cheryl's birthday last year and she didn't get the infamous brownies I made them today to bring to her. They are so good! Here is the recipe:
Caramel Fudge Brownies
1 1/4 cup flour (divided)
1/4 t baking powder
dash salt
4 squares(1 oz each) unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup butter
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 t vanilla
12 oz jar hot caramel topping
12 oz bag chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease 13 x 9 pan. Place chopped chocolate and butter in a medium bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in sugar, add eggs and vanilla. Add 1 cup flour, baking powder and salt. Spread into pan. Bake 25 minutes. Combine 1/4 cup flour and hot caramel topping. Spread over brownies and sprinkle with chips. Return to oven and bake 20-25 miuntes or until topping is golden brown. Yummy!

Milk

Busy Weekend

We had a busy and fun weekend. Saturday morning we had James' 1 year pictures. He had been congested during the week so I knew it was only a matter of time before he got a runny nose. It was a little runny on Friday, but of course, started really flowing on Saturday during the photo shoot. It is hard to try to blot a runny nose(without making it red) and get a smile all at the same time. James only had 1 meltdown, but I really think he was hungry because it was after 12 by that time. So I didn't get any pictures in the porcelain claw foot tub that I've always admired at the studio. Oh well. After James calmed down we did one last set of pictures with him and a birthday cake. The photographer said that most kids don't do well with the cake and end up crying. I thought James would do well because he loves ALL food. He devoured the cake in a matter of minutes and loved every minute of it. We were concerned that he might get a stomach ache, but he was fine. I think the pictures are going to be so cute. They should be online Thursday so I'll post the link and password.

Once we left the studio we headed to my parents for Papaw's birthday party. The weather went from rain, sleet and then snow in an hour. Here is a clip of the large snowflakes:




James keeping busy with the "big kid" toys!

Sunday afternoon Todd's Grandparents and brother Justin stopped by for the night on their way home from TX. It was great to see them and we were so glad they stopped to see us. Just one year ago they came through KC to visit baby James in the hospital.

Then and Now

It is exactly 1 year ago today that James was supposed to enter the world. I had no idea at the time that the 8 following days would take forever. I couldn't wait for my baby boy/girl to get here! The last year has gone by faster than any other year of my life. I came across some pictures from a year ago when we were anxiously awaiting our new arrival. Wow, how things have changed!
This is the nursery a year ago.

This is the nursery now. James loves to empty all the drawers/cabinets of his changing table.

He has also destroyed his crib.

This is me a year ago and about 50 lbs heavier! Yikes, I can't believe I was that big!`Notice the nice clean family room floor behind me.

And here is me now sitting in our big pile of toys, books, etc. My sweatpants are frequently in my daily wardrobe. Don't stop by without calling or you might catch me in my pj's. And yes, I did cut my hair. I actually cut 9 inches. Since I've been getting over pink eye I haven't posted any pictures but I will soon.

Guys Weekend

Todd had his friends Shawn and Asa in town for the weekend. Aaron was supposed to come down as well, but plans changed when little Maggie arrived 2 months early. All I can say is that these guys can definitely stay up later than me! Whew! It makes me tired just thinking about it. They enjoyed some golf, the Steamboat Arabia Museum, Power and Light District, Melting Pot on the Plaza, the college basketball experience, going to a NCAA tournament game and some good KC Jack Stack BBQ!

James are I are still a little under the weather. Yesterday he ran a fever(103.6 which made me freak out a little. I've read that you need to be concerned over 104) and just wasn't himself for a few hours. Today he still has a low fever, but seems much happier and has napped better. I have my voice back but this morning woke up with some bright pink eyes. I'm not sure if it is officially pink eye, but I've had a cold and I think it is just trying to work its way out of my body. I'm hoping that we will all be healthy soon!