Some of his ONE year photoshoot...

I still have a few more in the plans, but we'll see if I can get those done this weekend!

Here are just a few to enjoy! You can also view them on my photoblog.

Snow today...and a couple randoms!

first the random pics...the boys in the playroom this morning!




Then we went outside to play in the snow...

Celebrating a year today...

A year ago today, I was blessed to give birth to our third child, Oliver. It was a Monday. I had a regular appointment with the doctor, but knew that I could be sent to the hospital for induction. The ultrasound was great, I was about 2 or 3 cm dilated, and everything was great. BUT the doctor was going out of town, and my desire was to to birth this child the natural way, not via C-Section. My doctor was going to allow me to labor and have a VBAC, given there were no complications. So, we had to weigh the pros and cons. If I went home, and baby decided to come in the next few days, WHILE my doctor was out of town, it was for sure a C-Section. The doctor on call, would NOT allow me to try for a VBAC. If I agreed to go into the hospital, I would be put on a low dose of pitocin to augment my labor, and have a baby that day. We opted to do that latter. We checked into the hospital. I was hooked up to the pitocin at about 2:30pm. Very gradually the nurse increased the pitocin dose to the highest "lowest" dose that could be administered (if that makes sense). My contractions increased. I was in control. At about 8pm a dear friend of ours came to help with labor, and we were truly blessed that she could attend. The rest is a bit of a blur. I think it was about 9pm when the doctor broke my water, and proceeded to bump the pitocin just a bit, something I was unaware of until after the delivery. I expected my contractions to get worse after my water broke, but the little bit of pitocin they increased sent me over the top. At about 9:55 I was ready to push. At 9:59pm we heard his first cry. It was amazing...just as amazing as it was with the birth of our first, and our second.

standing and learning to walk...

He's not quite walking on his own yet, but he runs lap around the house with his push toy. It will be any day now...just waiting for it to get really fuN!

cuter and cuter each day...

Such peaceful sleep....

He's already three, but in the midst of the excitement and all his energy, there is still a 2 hour window in the day where he rests just like this! Such peaceful sleep...

being helpful, being silly and just plain cuddling :)

My almost ONE year old...

Urgh, where does the time go. Really?? the first year seems like a blink of an eye. Granted, we do lose a lot of sleep in the beginning, and days blur together, but really...a year already?? WOW!! Yep, my baby is going to be one in just a few days. I got the urge to take just a few snapshots of my little man. He's grown up so fast. He's standing on his own now, only for just a few seconds, and no steps quite yet but that's an accomplishment in itself. He's got 4 teeth, with two more coming in on the top. He's all smiles all the time, and he's got his mommy's dimple, although it looks much much cuter on him than on me (I'm just sayin!) Here is my little guy, or can I say that anymore...he's not so little anymore. We go for his one year dr's appointment next week, at which time I'll know exactly how big he is. For now though, let's just say he's big enough to turn around in the car seat. No more rear facing seat for him, he's got center seat and LOVES looking out the front window.

Music is in their soul...

Our kids all love music, and dance. Oliver got these fun maracas from cousins for Christmas this year, and he loves playing with them. Can you tell?

First Snow of the year. First Leg of Lamb.

Happy New Year

Our Christmas was nice. It was quiet, it was relaxing, it was fun...well, you've seen the pictures. We spent a few days home after Christmas as a family, and then I started getting ansy to see my parents and siblings for New Year's. So, very last minute decision, and we were headed down to H-town to welcome the New Year with the rest of the gang.

We had a wonderful few days with my family. The cousins played, laughed, fought, cried, and got sick...yes, we all got sick together, but we still enjoyed each other's company. Turns out we got the stomach bug. You know the one that lasts a fun 24 hrs, or less if you are lucky. It started with the little ones, and seems to be getting to the adults now. Nevertheless we enjoyed our visit home, and were sad to turn around and drive home so soon.

2010 was good to us. We have plenty of fond memories of our year! In Jan we welcomed our youngest son, Oliver. In April, Katherine completed her chemotherapy treatment. In May we traveled to FL to fulfill Katherine's wish with the Make-a-Wish foundation. In July we traveled to Houston and spent two weeks with my family, while hubby installed brand new wood floors throughout most of our downstairs. In August we traveled with friends to the beach in Michigan. In November we traveled to H-town for thanksgiving, but also to meet our new niece, Mikaela. Each one of us has celebrated another birthday this year, and for that and all of this we are so thankful. We look forward to the new year and what it will bring our way. May your year be filled with happiness and may you make lots of new memories in 2011.

Here are a few pictures from our New Year's celebration this year...