Happy 1st Birthday, Kellen!!

On February 13th, 2009 our lil' monkey officially turned into a toddler!  We cannot believe he is one year old!  This has been an incredible year watching the love of our lives grow into such an amazing little boy.  We had his one year old check-up at the doctor and the nurse had to measure his length twice because she couldn't believe what she measured.  Kellen had grown almost 3 inches in less than 3 months shooting up to the 95th percentile in height!! Hmmmm...wonder who he gets that from??  He is still a little peanut in the weight department, only a little over 22 pounds (45th percentile) which surprises me because this kid can put down a good amount of food!  I guess it's all that walking and playing that's burning all the calories! ;)

On Kellen's actual birth date, Colin and I took Kellen to the toy store so he can pick out a couple of new toys (he picked a play lawn mower and a toy gumball machine).  Uncle Brendan and aunt Heather joined us that night for cupcakes.  On Sunday we had a small party for Kellen. Immediate family and Kellen's closest friends joined us at our house to celebrate.  It was a sports themed party and everyone wore their favorite sports jerseys.  Kellen was a bit overwhelmed by all of the people in our not-so-big house, but that quickly disappeared as soon as we sang "Happy Birthday" to him and he saw his big boy cake!  I have never seen a one year old devour a cake and enjoy it as much as Kellen did.  I ended up having to take the cake away from him fearful that he was going to get sick.  He definitely has a sweet tooth (apple doesn't fall far from the tree!!).  It was a wonderful party and are very thankful for all the thoughtful gifts that were given to Kellen.  We are truly blessed.

Look Mommy, No Hands!!

I knew this day would come, but I never thought it would be before Kellen's first birthday.  Yup, our lil' boy is walking!!!  It all started with 9 steps at Nana's beach house a couple of weekends ago and we were lucky enough to catch it on video.  This week he has really taken off!  Even though he is the spitting image of a drunken sailor when he's walking, he still cruises with his head held high and is ever-so proud of himself!  Of course with walking now checked off the milestone list, climbing has now been discovered.  We've had to fence off our entire fireplace because our monkey decided to climb on top of the base and start rattling the fireplace doors.  He has also realized how much easier it is to climb up on the couch when he pushes his mobile train up against it using it as a step.  I have heard that this is only the beginning of this type of curiosity....FANTASTIC!  ;-)  I'm going to attempt to figure out how to download a video clip of Kellen walking onto this blog.  Stay tuned...

Weekend Get-Away

The three of us decided we needed to escape for the weekend after the new year craziness and what better place to go than to Nana's beach house?!  The weather was absolutely gorgeous! Comfortable evening walks on the beach with only a sweatshirt is unheard of in January.  We definitely lucked out.  Kellen also managed to take 9 steps, yup, NINE STEPS towards Nana that weekend!!  Thank goodness we brought the video camera to capture it!  I have a feeling it'll be no time before he's sprinting through the house!  GRRRREEAAAAAT!  ;-)

Nana and Papa Harreesies

Us

Kellen

Bath Time and showing us his High-Five skills

Whatcha lookin' at?

Nana, Kellen, and I

Us again

Colin, Pippen, Papa H, Pancho, and Oliver

Pancho and Oliver....Bestest Friends!

Kellen is 11 months old!

ELEVEN MONTHS????!!  REALLY??!  It's hard for me to believe that in a mere 4 weeks Kellen will be an official toddler!  It just seems like yesterday he was learning how to crawl!  Our big boy turned 11 months old today and this last month was quite the memorable one.  We survived the biggest snow storm yet and managed to scare away the stomach flu after it tormented us for a week.  Kellen now has 5 teeth (3 on top and 2 on the bottom) and is taking 3-4 steps!!  Yup, this lil' guy will be walking in NO time!!  He is so determined that he sometimes forgets that his body hasn't quite figured out the whole walking thing yet.  He'll let go of a piece of furniture and his legs will take off and then, boom, he crashes.  Colin and I are convinced that one day everything will just click and he'll take off without turning back.  That will definitely be the day our lives change forever!  HA!  Kellen has grown up so much this month.  His personality has a little "edge" to it.  I'm thinking he is going to be a little spitfire just like his daddy was when he was little.  He has learned how to say "dog" (sounds more like "daw").  It has become the word he says repeatedly after waking up in the morning as he looks around the room for Pippen.  Kellen has also become quite the dancer.  This kid bobs his head and rocks back and forth to the beat of any song.  Definitely gets his rhythm from his mommy (hee hee).  Kellen is also the best cuddle bug in the whole world!  He is going through the "I want my mommy only" stage right now, which can be a bit exhausting, but I'm enjoying every minute of him wanting to be in my arms because I know it's not going to last forever.  The day will come when he will only want daddy.  Until then, each snuggle, each arm reaching out for me, each "momma!" is being forever cherished in my heart.  ;-)   

Cruisin' by Daddy and Pippen

Kellen LOVES books!  Such a good reader! ;-)

Our big boy

CHEEEEEEESE!

New Years 2009!

We quickly learned how difficult it is to find a babysitter on New Years Eve.  Colin and I were convinced it was just going to be us three ringing in the New Year here at home, until I got a call from my great friend, Katie Meredith from Canby.  Turns out they too were having difficulty finding a sitter.  She invited the three of us over to stay the night and we gladly accepted.  The Lillies, Quintanas and the Pankeys also joined us.  After the babies were soundly asleep upstairs, the adults were able to play a great game of Poker (I, the rookie, came in 3rd!!) and toast in the New Year.  It was simply perfect!  ;-)

John Meredith and Colin (with John's version of a bluetooth)

John and Jeff 

Best Friends from Canby

Luke and Kellen

I think I can, I think I can...

Watch out world, here I come!!