Bauer's almost ONE!!!

I can't believe it. Really, I can't. I still remember how it felt to be anticipating his arrival. I still remember being in labor for such a ridiculously long time. I still remember the pain of delivery almost like it was yesterday. A YEAR AGO??? It's amazing. And I have such a sweet baby boy, that I've been able to cuddle and kiss and watch grow up for an entire year! Thank you, Jesus!

I think I'm more excited for Bauer's birthday than he is. Is this what every birthday will be like? It takes everything in me to not give him all his presents immediately, I'm counting down the days until his little family party, and I've had the whole thing planned for months!

Bauer's grown into such a big boy. And so tender-hearted! I know he gets that from his dad. I tell Tim often how thankful I am that Tim is Bauer's example of a man. I pray constantly that Bauer will learn Tim's soft heart, gentle spirit, and love for other people. He's showing signs of it already. Often, when I'm sitting on the couch, B will walk up to me and put his head on my knee, just for a little cuddle. Or he'll just lean in and give me a kiss for no reason. It melts my heart. He's sweet to his stuffed animals too...gives them kisses and hugs them. Of course, then he throws them across the room, but I'm sure it's done in love...

We officially have a "walker!" He started taking steps around 10.5-11 months but didn't really start walking until last week or so. He's so determined too! No matter how often he falls down, he gets back up and bravely keeps going. He LOVES to walk from the house to the car, where his big-boy carseat now waits for him. He follows Mommy everywhere, which is adorable...although I might have stepped on him once or twice. He's also very curious. I've caught him splashing in the toilet more than once (a clean toilet at least!), and he is constantly trying to figure out the buckles on his stroller, carseat, and highchair. He loves to spin the toilet paper rolls and opens every drawer and door that he can reach. Baby proofing time, anyone? Ha!

Things have been busy for Mommy too. I've recently launched my photography website (check it out here) I'm so excited to see where God will take this new adventure and it's been so fun to feel creative and enjoy a hobby!

I decided to actually decorate our home for fall this year, and am loving it. We're usually such Christmas people (we put our tree up at the beginning of November!) that I end up skipping fall altogether. But I LOVE fall....pumpkin spice coffee, and cinnamon cider candles, and dorky little scarecrow men wishing me "Happy Harvest." I can't wait until the weather catches up to the season!

Things are pretty happy around the Smith home lately...we're counting our blessings and thanking God for our favorite little one year old. Happy (almost) birthday Bauer!!

Updates!!!

I have no excuse. It has been almost 8 months since I have updated my blog!! I actually don't even know how that happened...time has been such a blur since I last posted. Here are the big things you've missed:

~ Bauer's first Christmas was awesome. We spent Christmas day with Tim's family and then drove to Arkansas to be with my family at my grandparents house. It was a 21 hour drive and Bauer actually did a great job in the car. He was very patient for such a little guy! More patient than his dad and I...






~Bauer got his first two teeth in February at 4 months old. He drooled constantly for a month and a half before they actually popped through, and hardly fussed. He is currently up to 7 teeth, with 2 more "buds" in sight!



~ We moved from Gilbert, AZ to Phoenix (Ahwatukee area) in March. It has been a great move for us although it was sad to leave our first home. But our new home has been such a blessing...a backyard facing South Mountain, no stairs, and a fireplace are perks that have made it extra special for us.

~ In May we visited my family in South Carolina, which was so much fun. It was Bauer's first plane trip. I was of course very nervous, but he traveled like a pro. We drove to Florida to my mom's beach condo for a few days and got to visit Universal Studios. We missed the Harry Potter ride by only a few weeks! :( Bauer had a great time at the park though- especially on the Cat in the Hat ride. It really is so much more fun to visit those places with your child...watching him enjoy it all- even at only 7 months old- is so incredible. We love that kid. :)



~ Bauer has gotten so big! He is still a happy baby, and it's so much fun to learn more and more about his personality. He absolutely loves to eat, and so far will eat just about anything we give him. His favorite "real foods" now are cheerios, goldfish, cheese, and yogurt. He refuses to drink water in anything but a glass or water bottle "like a big boy." He is crawling everywhere, pulls himself up on anything he can (even the toilet....gross) and loves to laugh. He gives adorable open-mouthed kisses, but is pretty picky about when he'll give them. Other than Mommy, his little friend Aiden is the only one lucky enough to receive one so far! He says Mama and Dada now and will even yell at us directly if he gets REALLY mad! His other favorite sounds are growling and squealing, and he can be very loud if he wants to be!



All in all, we are very content and blessed in our lives right now. God has been faithful to provide our needs and we are so thankful. :)