New Pictures

Our friend and photographer came over the morning of Ramsey's Birthday party to snap some photos for our Christmas card. She did what is called a "mini" session and was only taking pictures for like 30 minutes. When she left I wasn't sure we had gotten any good ones due to Ramsey being very active these days. She had the pictures back to me in about 5 days and I was totally thrilled with them. I just love her work and how she captures things just right. Check out her work if you are interested http://www.bshirleyphotography.com/. Also, she is doing my sisters destination wedding in the spring. I've added some new pictures to our blog page and here are a few more of my favorites from this past shoot:

He looks a little stiff in this one but is so handsome:Having a slight meltdown:Getting sleepy:I love his smile in this one but I am not sure what is going on with his hair on that one side?:Family Rowell:

Little Man:Humm?:Wild Child:This is my favorite one! It captures his personality perfectly:

1 Year Check Up

Ramsey had his 1 year well check appointment today and all went just fine. She said he looks great and was impressed with his words so far. He only weighed in at 19lbs 4oz today which she wasn't too concerned about because he is slowly but surely gaining weight and his length is now 30 inches. He has taken 4-5 steps on his own and I'm thinking by the New Year he'll be EVERYWHERE! The doc and I talked about his eating habits (or lack there of) and she agreed that he does know how to eat but he just doesn't want to. She said he knows if he doesn't eat he'll still get a bottle. So she said to switch him to whole milk this week and take him off the bottle completely. Oh Jeez. So I'm formulating my plan of attack for the week, saying lots of prayers already, and hoping for the best??? He had to get 2 shots and we'll get some more at his 15 month check up. He was wild in the appointment so in order for me to pay attention I let him cruise the exam room which was fine because we were the first ones in there and they had just cleaned. This WAS fine until he smashed his face on the step stool. He cried and cried and had a nice bloody mark to show for his exploration of the new space. Good times. I can't believe we are already at the 1 year mark. I'm excited and nervous to see what year #2 holds for us. Really though he is doing great and I am so very thankful for that.

Nice bloody spot buddy. Also that look on his face says exactly what his little personality is like at times lately:

ummm Cookies!!!

Well, not really. I am having a hard time these past 2 weeks getting Ramsey to eat much other than Cheerios, Goldfish, and Gerber Puffs, and cheese. I lay out a fresh fruit option, another new item, and something I know he'll go for like a Cheerio. He'll try the other things but once he realizes it is unfamiliar he spits it out. He is so funny (not really funny but what else can I do?) if I put a tray of peas and carrots down he can find the one single Cheerio in the middle of it all. I get so frustrated when I see other kiddos eating everything in site and I'm hopeful we'll get there and hopeful my persistence will pay off??? He is done with baby food because I tried to at least give him some bananas list night but he swatted that away faster then you can imagine.

I did bake some chocolate chip cookies yesterday to see if he was interested but once he got past the cookie and tasted the chocolate chips he proceeded to spit it out everywhere. I am secretly proud of my child for knowing his own mind so well already but I'm not sure Cheerios and a little juice will sustain him much longer (he is quickly decided on his own he is done with his bottle)? Any of you other Mommy's out there had a picky eater? Any advice for a first time Mom who is slightly frustrated would be much appreciated.

Silly Boy

It's Begining To Look A Lot Like Christmas

I am totally in the Christmas spirit this year. I have so much to be grateful for and having a child makes the magic of Christmas 100 times more exciting. Since we now have our very own home I wanted to make it vomit Christmas right when you walk through the front door. I asked my friend who does holiday decor for homes to help me with garland and such. She did an awesome job and I am so excited every morning when I walk through the house. I also listen to Christmas tunes every chance I get. What a an exciting time of year!

View from our front door:Our lovely Chritstmas tree:

Yep, that is our dog Sage in that picture. I also LOVE my bulldog tree:Dining Room decor:We have to represent for the Dawgs:

He's An Official Toddler... Yikes!

I get these once a week emails from http://www.babycenter.com/ about what your baby might be doing each week and such. Well, today I got my first official "Your Toddler-Week 1" email. No more baby days for Ramsey. I realized this earlier today when I turned around to look at him in the car and there he sat in his front facing car seat with his sippy cup and Cheerios in hand. I am a little sentimental about the baby days but am enjoying watching him grow into the person he is meant to become. With each day he brings me new challenges and more joy than you can possibly imagine.

We went to Monkey Joe's today for his birthday. My friend Katie and her family met Ramsey and I there. We had lots of fun and Ramsey seemed to love all the climbing and slides. We've had a fun day!

We didn't really have the party room but I posed him in this chair anyway:

He got his first race car track from the Smith family:He also got this awesome microwave that he has been in love with since opening it:Keith, Katie's husband, helped Ramsey go down the BIG slide:Ramsey taking off on his own:

A Year Ago Today

So a year ago today I found myself in full blown labor. I was fully dilated by 7am and it took over 2 hours of pushing to get this kid out. At 9:19 am Ramsey entered the world screaming and perfect! I remember the Midwife laying him on my chest there were simply no words and I could barley see our little boy through the tears streaming down my cheeks. I could hardly believe he was ours and we got to to keep him. I remember being wheeled to the recovery room and they let me hold Ramsey on the way there and I was so happy. I seriously have never had a more proud moment in my whole life. We had just put a person on the planet.

I had no idea what to expect as a new Mom but the one thing that continues to shock me is how much I love this little boy. I would do anything for him. He has made me a better person and I can only hope to give him back as much as he has given me. He is the greatest gift I have ever known. Happy Birthday Ramsey! You have made your Daddy and I more happy than you can possibly imagine.

Ramsey- Age 1!!!