Who needs FAO Schwarz?

When you've got Aunt Chelle's piano ;)

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Happy Dancing on Christmas morning

Our boy was really in the spirit this morning! Merry Christmas to all!

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48 hour playdates are awesome!

Our good friends, the Banks, moved to San Marcos earlier this year and we miss them so much! Matt has a busy week with work this week, so we got to host Brandi and Atticus from Monday to this morning. I HIGHLY recommend extended playdates. The boys had fun, but I think we moms really enjoyed it!

Brandi and I worked together while we were pregnant with the boys and Atticus is only 6 weeks older than Weston. It was so fun getting to spend some quality and quantity time with both of them!!

Although the boys are on completely opposite nap schedules, we finally got the chance to take them on a wagon ride to the neighborhood park. I tried documenting it, but I was doing a little playing myself! I introduced Weston to the playground and the slides... Oh boy, he thought it was AWESOME!! It was getting cold so we couldn't play too long but I can't wait to take him back :)

Sorry if you get a little motion sick ;)

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Down

As you've seen from previous posts, Weston loves to climb and crawl over things. It makes me both so proud and petrified. But instead of telling him no, I've been encouraging his conquests and trying to teach him how to safely get down. It seems that today, something clicked. This mama's heart is so proud :) Let's hope it sticks!

He also shows off his ever present clapping & excitement a well as his drumming and waving bye bye. Such a fun age watching his communication skills developing so fast!

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One year check-up

Just a quick recording of the stats ;)

Weight: 24 lbs 1 ounce (69%ile)
Height: 31.5 inches (lower 90%ile)
Head: upper 90%ile (i don't remember the measurement)

The doctor thought he looked great! She was impressed with his gross motor skills and pleased with his development. We need to work on weening off the bottle to Sippy cups more fully and onto 100% table food in the next three months.

The best news though was that his heart sounds perfect! At his 6 and 9 month appointments, she heard a "clicking" sound when listening to his heart. She assured us that it wasn't anything to worry about, that it was probably a tiny hole that would repair itself and that she would keep an eye on it and if it was still present at his 12 month checkup, that we would need to get it checked further. But no clicking today :) Praise the Lord!! Even though she wasn't overly concerned, it's hard not to worry when something isn't right with your baby's heart. I am so relieved and thankful!!

He got three more of his immunizations and part 1 of 2 of his flu shots. He definitely cried, but was pretty brave about it and recovered quickly. I hate watching him get those shots :(

All in all, a great visit!

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Do what you love ...

We've all heard people say this or something like it.  Well, I just wanted to share with you how an unexpected opportunity is allowing me to do just that!

I discovered a wonderful company last year called Danielson Designs that creates beautiful home decor and frames, many that you can customize.  I was immediately in love and became a loyal customer … I bought a precious plaque for Weston's room and we were able to customize a frame for Tim's uncle in the middle of a week-long vacation visiting them in Arizona, which was delivered before we left, so we printed a picture of his uncle and Weston from a few days earlier and gave it to him before we left.  Incredible.  Memorable.  So classy!  I was beyond impressed.  Even scouring their entire website and dreaming of moving to Colorado so that I could work for them.

Well, in mid-September, I got an invitation from them to become one of the first Independent Stylists for a new company they were launching on October 1 … Rendi.  I've never wanted to be a direct seller before.  But I could not stop thinking about Rendi.  One look at the new products and I was hooked.  I want them all.  Seriously.  And I was already spreading the word to others … it felt like a perfect fit.

And it has been!

I've been "in business" as a Rendi Independent Stylist for a little over 2 months now, and I have yet to find something about the company that I don't like.  Well, there was one glitch with the website that was frustrating … but they've fixed that … so yeah, literally, nothing!  As someone who passionately loves beautiful design and meaningful gifts … its like a little dream come true!

You've got to check it out for yourself … visit my website: www.DaniK.RendiStyle.com

You can customize over 90 products and see your personalization instantly!  It's really so easy and fun!  Here are a few other things I love about Rendi:

• Everything is priced from $24.95 - $49.95.  An incredible value for such a high-quality, custom product.
• Products ship within 48 hours!  And they really do … like in my story above … incredible turn-around!  So … there is still at least a week to order Christmas gifts :)
• Rendi supports the digging of fresh water wells in Africa through Charity Water.  Really, the whole story of the company is inspiring.
• The quality is outstanding.  Everything is made from earth-friendly materials and made right here in the USA!  I would describe the material as a wood-like product … think MDF.  And the "printing" of the image is stunning.
• The value … I already mentioned the price I know … but pay attention to the sizes … they range from 4" x 8" for adorable bud vases to 11" x 22" for unique pennants.
• Through the end of the year, you can upload your pictures for free and Rendi will print and place them in your frame for you!
• And personally, it allows me to still be involved with design even though I'm not working full-time.  I get to be home with Weston and still have a creative outlet.  I'm loving it! (I know, I already said that too!)

Here are a few more sneak peeks of some of my favorite products:

Hope you enjoy as much as I do!  Let me know if I can help you find the perfect gift for someone you love … or yourself!  

www.DaniK.RendiStyle.com

Only one more week …

I think my heart is going to explode with excitement.  Its 7:35 am and I've been up for an hour already, thanks to my hungry baby boy, but what's unusual about today is that I can't go back to sleep.  If you know me well at all, you probably know that going back to bed in the mornings is in my top ten favorite things ever, maybe 5.  But seriously, can't do it this morning (although I'm betting on needing a nap sometime today) because I am so excited about next Thursday, November  25.

Not only is it Thanksgiving and I'll be celebrating with so many of my favorite people, but our baby boy is turning 1.  How fitting is that?  So much to be thankful for in that little 25ish pound sweetheart.  I'm just overwhelmed!  I literally can't wait for next week to be here … yes, it means that he's officially a toddler and our baby baby days are gone … which is a little sad … but more than that, we get to celebrate the most memorable year yet.

The longest, shortest, sweetest, most precious, heart-wrenching, life-changing 12 months of our lives.

The computer screen is getting a little fuzzy ;) guess I should add tear-filled to that list too! Pulling it together …

So here goes my list of thankfulness for this incredible year.  I'm thankful for:

• Our faithful Heavenly Father.
• A safe delivery of our healthy baby boy.
• Our family, and friends who are family, that were there at the hospital to support and celebrate with us during our rather long labor and early morning delivery. I'll never be able to thank you enough.
• Hearing his sweet, deep voice for the first time.  Not what I was expecting, but such a glimpse of things to come in getting to know our big little miracle and his very own personality.
• The moment they told us how much he weighed … 10 pounds, 10 ounces … WHAT? … I know this sounds crazy to most, but it was such a gift to me … to know that God knows me and would be so thoughtful to give me a baby weighing my favorite number … after such a long, difficult pregnancy and labor that was so much harder than anything I expected and wasn't always sure I could endure … it was such a sweet gift and one that gave me so much new confidence that he loves me and cares about me uniquely, sweetly.  Such a small thing, I know, but not to me. It has honestly brought me great peace in this year, knowing that in the midst of suffering (physical & emotional) and the best of times that he is with me and totally in control … and good … and trustworthy … and personal.
• Our jam-packed-hospital-room-taco-eating-football-watching Thanksgiving 2009. You guys are the best ever!

• The first six weeks at home and having Tim able to be home with us. He took such good care of us and was so patient with me and so willing to help, even with middle of the night snack cravings and dirty diapers.  A huge gift to have that time together to bond with our son and depend on each other as we learn how to be parents.
• And watching Tim love and care for and protect Weston.  I seriously fall in love with him all over again.  I am so deeply grateful for my partner.  I love you honey!  You are such a sweet daddy. 

• Our families and their incredible support, especially in those early days.  Thank you for helping to take care of all of us in so many ways!

• Our out of town visitors who couldn't get here fast enough to meet our little guy.  And who have continued to make intentional efforts to love and support us … we love and miss you!
• Our home. Its just a place, but its our place and I am so thankful to have a home and to be safe and surrounded by the things I love.  
• And being able to stay home.  I wasn't sure how I would handle it having loved my job and being not so domestically inclined … I have been shocked by how much I enjoy staying home.  I am still learning so much about managing my days and our home, but I am enjoying it so much more than I thought I would.  I have even started to enjoy cooking … some ;)
• Tim's job.  Saying its been hard to have him gone traveling so much is an understatement, but we are so thankful that he has a good job that provides well for us, especially in this economic climate. 
• Our adventures to Seaside, Tallahassee and Arizona.  Such great memories vacationing as a family of three. And our road trips visiting family … just wish we were closer!

• Our last months with Charlie.  It was heart-breaking saying goodbye to our sweet kitty in July.  I got him two days before Tim proposed, so he's been a part of our family since the beginning.  I am still so sad that he got sick and had such a short life, but I am so thankful that we had him and for all the joy and antics and laughter he brought to our lives.  And I'm so grateful that he got to be a big brother.  Even though Weston will never remember him, he was so sweet and loving and protective of him.  I'll cherish those mornings when he joined us in bed, me on one side of Weston and him on the other.  I loved my Charlie Jones, the great cat crusader, and I am thankful that he's not suffering anymore.

• Our 5th Anniversary in July!  So much has changed since that day and its so apparent that we are really we … and that we are better together … and that God has grown us so much since then!
• Playing Sarah and Isaac at Grace's Youth Summer Camp.  I'm no actress, but it was a great privilege to help bring this incredible story of God's plan and faithfulness to life.  My favorite moment was in the scene with Weston as baby Isaac … after Abraham asked me what I thought of his name and I responded with, "Oh, it's perfect!  He has brought me great laughter and everyone who hears of this miracle will laugh with me." and he clapped!  It was precious … and memorable … and I pray that the lessons stick with the kids for years to come. (Thank you Chelle for coming with me and making it possible!)
• Unexpectedly getting to hear Kendall's Vespers speech at Camp Champions with Weston. So thankful for that place and the continuity and character and community it has provided for our family.  Being so proud watching her stand where I stood 13 years ago … she was just 2 then … and where Michelle stood 9 years before that … realizing how fast time goes and how moments are really just that.  But how powerful such a moment can be.  I am sure I will remember this one for a lifetime.
• Our small group for continuing to journey with us, especially in the midst of so much change!  Looking forward to what God has in store for us!
• Our new "nieces" and "nephews" … Atticus, Contessa, Madigan and Anjali … what a joy to celebrate alongside their moms and dads as they entered the world.  And what a joy to walk through this first year of parenthood with them.
• Play-dates and the wonderful moms to hang out with.  I'm so thankful to have so many friends who are first-time parents too.  Thank you for all the encouragement, both in person and through your blogs ;) so many of you have no idea how much I have learned from you!!
• Our new DSLR camera and iPhones that have helped us document this year and keep in touch with family.  Now to try to manage and organize it all!

Wow!  So many things and I could keep going! But I realized I have been writing this now for over two hours, that's ridiculous … reminiscing apparently makes for slow typing ;)  If you've made it this far … I am thankful for you taking the time and am impressed! 

There will probably be more Thanksgiving and first birthday posts to come, but this has been so good for me to spend this time reflecting on the blessings of this past year.  I encourage you to do the same!