Meghan's 1st Birthday!

On January 16th, Meghan turned 1!!! The year went by way too fast. I remember back to the day of her arrival. I was laying in a room waiting to go in for my c-section. Shane had given me his ipod to listen to music & try to relax, as I was very nervous. I layed there crying for a few reasons...I was sad that it was my last few moments being pregnant. I loved being pregnant & feeling Meghan move inside of me. Another reason for the tears was fear. I was nervous about the giant needle going in my back & was praying that Meghan and I would be okay.

At 2:05pm I heard the most beautiful cry. My daughter was here!

She cried a lot while they cleaned her up. Then they brought her to me so I could see her for a few minutes. As soon as my lips touched her cheek when I gave her her first kiss, she stopped crying. She knew me already :).

Then about an hour later, she was placed in my arms. Tears began again as I held my baby girl. She was beautiful!

I'd always wanted a daughter but really wasn't sure if God would choose to give me one. I had set my heart to being fine with all boys. Then, the ultrasound day arrived & much to my surprise (and extreme happiness), the ultrasound technician said 'It's a Girl'!

And now, that girl celebrated her 1st Birthday!

Her Birthday was a lot of fun. Shane, Josiah & I went into her room when she woke up that morning & sang her 'Happy Birthday'. We gave her the presents we got her & the started getting ready for her party.

We had our families over & a few friends for teh big day. Our home was filled with pink, purple & green balloons, flowers & banners. Josiah loved it!

The guests arrived & we got started with a few games for the kids...pin the cupcake in the little girl's hand, baby bottle bowling & beanbag toss. Trying to get around 10 kids to patiently await their turn was very challenging :).

Then came Meghan's first taste of cake. She gently stuck her fingers in the icing & tasted it. I could tell she liked it. I then put some of the chocolate cake on her hand & let her eat that. She definitely likes cake :). She was pretty dainty about the whole thing; didn't go crazy, although she still managed to get very messy.

A few minutes later, Meghan opened her presents. She had fun opening her toys and began playing with them right away.

It was a very memorable day.

Some things I love about her:

*how she darts for the stairs as soon as she sees the gate is not up

*that she lights up when Daddy comes home

*she wants whatever we're eating

*her smile & cute laugh

*how she stands up whenever I put her in a cart or high-chair

*how she plays so independantly with toys

*that she gives her babies kisses & feeds them a bottle

*her beautiful blue eyes & gorgeous blonde hair

*how she likes to help me push the shopping cart

*she recognizes her big brother & says 'Bubba'

*when I say, 'Can I have a kiss?', she leans in & lets me kiss her

*how she knows how to hold her bottle but would rather me do it for her

*her way of playing is dumping things out & putting them back into a bucket

*she laughs so hard when you chase her

*she can give high-five's (that of course, Daddy taught her)

What a wonderful 1st year we've had with Meghan. We're so grateful for her & the joy she has brought to our lives.

Happy 1st Birthday, Meghan Joy! Shane and Meghan when she was born!Shane and Meghan on her 1st Birthday!Meghan and I when she was born!Meghan and I on her 1st Birthday!Getting ready to eat her first cake ever!She definitely liked it!She was such a cutie!

Josiah enjoying helping Meghan with her presents!

She loves this toy!

Meghan at 11 months old...

Though Meghan is turning one tomorrow!!!...I thought I'd share pictures of her at 11 months. She's had a month full of great times, which included her First Christmas and her first steps (on Christmas Day even)! We celebrated Christmas 3 different times with wonderful family. She did great at all of them & liked opening the gifts. On Christmas Day at Shane's parents house, Meghan took her first steps! It was so exciting watching her do that. Since then she will walk a little if I stand her up, but she gets lazy & sits down after 4 or 5 steps. I think it will be soon that she'll walk more. Josiah's doing great with her. He's a big help. He loves to help put her pajamas in the hamper & her diaper in the trash. He likes making her laugh by singing songs & making funny noises. He likes bath time with her...although I have to work on him not pouring water in her face. We're pretty sure that whole milk is not doing good in her system. It seemed to clog her up. So, for now, she's just getting formula. I'll check with her Dr. at her 1 year appointment to see what I can do. Here are some pictures from this past month... Josiah giving her a bottle.

Josiah feeding her yogurt.

First steps! So glad I had the camera ready.

Good job, Meghan!

Mommy & Meghan in Christmas pajamas.

Meghan's first stocking!

Playing with Josiah' light saber.

She has a lot of fun with it. You can't tell in the picture, but the light is on it & she loves that.

She thinks she's so big when she climbs up on Josiah's bed!

Micah & Kelly's Wedding!

My brother-in-law, Micah married his best friend, Kelly Bass on Saturday, December 26th at 1pm. The wedding was beautiful! It was at the same church that Shane and I were married in 6 years earlier, and also Shane's sister, Bethany almost 10 years ago.

I loved watching Micah's face when his bride came down the isle. He kept taking deep breaths & saying, 'wow' :). They both held it together while they said their vows, though I must say I did cry! I've known Micah for about 9 years now. He was only 14 when I started coming around The Washam Family. He was 17 when he was Shane's Best Man in our wedding. So, as I sat there watching him say his vows to his bride, I couldn't help but get emotional. I can't believe he's old enough to be a husband! What a great husband he will be!

The reception was a blast! Kelly taught us all a line-dance which was a lot of fun. I got the shock of my life when Shane jumped up there to learn the dance with us...'who is this guy, & what happened to my husband?' It was one of the highlights of my day as my introverted husband was dancing beside me! I loved it!

Ever since Josiah danced with his Aunt Pammy at her wedding in May '09, he has been counting down the weeks until dancing with his Auntie Kelly in her wedding dress. He almost didn't let Kelly breathe! He kept running up to her asking her to dance. She was wonderful & had fun dancing with him.

I wish I had more pictures, but I'll post more when I get some from theiri photographer.

Congrats, Micah & Kelly! Kelly, welcome to the family; we love you!!!

It's been a while!

I haven't blogged in a while. I guess life has been busy (as well as for most people).

Here's a little of great time we've been having...

*We made a Gingerbread House with Josiah again this year. Last year we bought a kit, but this year we decided to give it a try on our own. The house tried caving in a few times, but it held up! Shane started a frosting fight with us, so that was a lot of fun. Josiah of course, was too busy eating the candy to help decorate.

*Visit with Santa Clause. Josiah was uneasy about sitting on his lap, but finally did it when he realized he was giving out lolly pops. Meghan cried :(.

*Meghan is 11 months old now. I can't believe her first birthday is just around the corner. She is precious. I love watching her play so independantely. I love holding her right before I lay her down for her nap. She only allowed me to do so for a few seconds, as she really likes her bed.

*Shane surprised me and took me to Lake Arrowhead for a couple of days. It was so nice to get away, just the two of us. We drove to Big Bear one day & walked around some shops. I had a great time & am so thankful for Shane taking us away!

Just stop...

Yesterday was one of my many 'One of those days' as well. I too stayed up way too late the evening before. My son, due to this awesome (sarcasm) time change, woke up at 5am and would not go back to sleep. When this happens, he ends up being cranky all morning because he is so tired. It begins a battle with him...

As the battle began, I realized what I needed to do...I just stopped. I stopped the list going on in my head of all the things I needed to do...laundry, dishes, etc. I spent time with my son. We threw the football around, read books, and colored. I could tell he was too tired to be a good listener for the time being & that I couldn't ask too much of him the hour before naptime. So, we spent it together instead of me just putting on a show for him to watch while I caught up on cleaning the floors.

What a difference that made. I loved him crawling up on my lap & listening to the stories I was reading him. I loved the questions he asked about the characters even pointing out letters he is learning.

And the football playing...that is always a blast! He has us put on our pretend helmets, then he even throws a few 'fake-outs' to me :). With the ball in his hand, he zig-zags around, as if to be dodging other players, and then throws me an surprisingly very spiral ball for a 3 year old. I catch it, and then he runs to me for me to tackle him. Yes, those times are priceless!

If I would rely on God to help me think through situations instead of trying to tackle it myself, then that would probably happen! I am so glad that I did that yesterday. It ended up being a wonderful day!

I wish more often that I would 'just stop' because this is how fast it goes...

Josiah & I the day he was born..........and Josiah & I 3 years later!

Trick or Treating

Tonight was a lot of fun. My parents came out to spend the evening with us. We started out at a shopping center going to stores. Then we took a break & grabbed some good 'ol In-N-Out Burger :). Then it was off to some neighborhoods to do door-to-door trick-or-treating.

Josiah didn't remember anything from last year's Treat or Treating so it was neat to watch his reaction to things. It took him a while to get into the whole idea of knocking on people's doors. Once he got the hang of it, though he had a great time. After he got the candy from each house, he'd just look into his bucket for about 5-10 seconds, just starring at what he got as if thinking, 'whoa, that's some good candy...can I please eat it all now?' It was quite funny.

Josiah was Buzz Lightyear. He pushed a fake button on his costume & would say, 'To infinity & beyond' and then run! He told us several times through the night that he was having fun & he thanked us for taking him; very sweet! We're glad he got a couple of his favorite candies: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. That brightened his eyes.

Meghan was a strawberry for her first Halloween. She did great at keeping the hat on. I must admit taking her up to the doors to get candy felt weird, but what can I say...I wanted candy :). She did great out with us...being in her stroller or being held. It looked like she enjoyed the time. Next year will be fun when she'll be walking.

I think my favorite out of the shops vs. neighborhoods is the neighborhoods...for now. We ran into a couple scary houses that we passed by. We didn't encounter any scary people who were out to just be creepy & scare kids. We'll see as the years go on if the kids get scared or not. There was just something about being in a neighborhood that felt more like real trick-or-treating. Plus it was quieter & the candy was way better :).

Hope you all had an enjoyable evening!

Sleep...or the lack of...

I do not react well when my kids wake up early (in the morning, or from naps). Something about feeling like I 'deserve' more sleep, or more time alone :). Shane reminded me this morning that they don't do it on purpose. They don't know it's early & are certainly not doing it to irritate me. I really have to watch my attitude when it happens, though. I get so frustrated & feel ripped off. What is true: They are watching how I respond to them, especially Josiah. He knows that God wants him to make the right choice. He knows that God wants him to be kind to others & treat them with love. So, when I react wrong to him, it is not a good example. I want to respond the way God wants me too! More than anything, I want them to see the kindness & love God shows me, through the way I relate to them. Oh boy, is it hard at 5:45 in the morning to just be ok with getting up for the day & entertaining a 9 month old. What to do with her at that time...I have no idea :). But, the more important thing is how I treat her. I can't get frustrated with her when she has not done anything wrong. The heart issue: I want what I want! But if I can't choose the right response in a little circumstance, such as being woken up when I don't want to be, then how am I going to respond in a real issue that happens that I don't like? I should respond right! So, ideas for what to do when the baby won't go back to sleep that early? *First and foremost for me: Pray for the right attitude...for God to be pleased by the response I've chosen. *Read scripture *Read a book *Watch a movie Any other ideas?