One Year Old!

Happy Birthday to Brock! We have done a lot of reflecting over the last several days. Playing the "A year ago at this time....my water broke, Grandparents got THE call, we were admiring our new baby boy, etc" game. We thought we couldn't be more blessed on the day of his birth, but as it turns out the blessings keep coming! We are so thankful for this happy, healthy, and growing baby - oops toddler! Brock had a wonderful birthday - love, cards, and presents have been arriving all week from neighbors, California, Alaska, Michigan, and even Guam. Nana J and Aunt Nikki are here and smothering Brock with love! I think it will be hard to get them on the plane home. Thank you everyone - Brock is so loved!

An update on Brock - he is happy and healthy, walking a lot, but has not given up crawling - talking a TON - in addition to many, many words he now makes sounds that go with dog, crash, airplane and a couple others. Oh and the cutest thing - when he drops something (which is usually on purpose), he says "Uh Oh". He loves to read books. It is really fun to read with him now because he points out and says all the words and sounds he knows. He is growing fast. I'll have his stats in a week when we go to his one year appointment, but I'm sure he is approaching 20lbs. He is a busy, goofy, funny boy! Still NO teeth! Do they make baby dentures?



A new car! Brock kept saying car, car! We had to park it next to him while we ate dinner. Thanks Grandma and Pa C.

Brock opened each gift and had to play with each gift before moving on to the next. Uncle Chad got him the General Lee car from Dukes of Hazard. Cory and Chad loved that show. Cory told me it was becuase of the car crashes, but didn't Daisy wear really short shorts...hmmm.

Brock loves his fun toys from Nana J and Nikki - they make lots of noise!

Smashing, I mean snuggling with his new doggy.


Brock started by putting one finger in his cake and tasting it, and then...

it went in by the handfuls until it was all gone. I was so glad it didn't make him sick!




Brock would dance and clap everytime we sang him Happy Birthday. He also clapped when he finished his cake!

Walking

Brock has officially gone from stepping to walking! He has been getting more and more confident as the days go by. Today he walked right out of his room, into the hallway, made a sharp turn into our room, then went all the way across our room to a wall, took a short break and then made a beeline for a nearby laundry basket (which he loves to unload). He also has a little walking toy he likes to push around. Today he got it stuck under our dining chair, so he just abandoned ship and walked into the living room. He's also been carrying toys with him on some of these little journeys...so cute!

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving with family and friends. My brother is here from DC (actually SF now), along with my Aunt and we are gearing up for more company next week for Brock's Birthday! We were remembering how, at last year's Thanksgiving meal, I was about ready to pop. I was pretty uncomfortable at that point and went into labor just a few days later! Wow, how can it have been a year ago? Time flies when you are having FUN!

Working up an appetite!

I love my Grandpa!

Time for dessert.

The after dinner entertainment was Grandpa jugling oranges! He had the total attention of 4 kids all at once.

Peas!

I come from a long line of pea-haters, so it is against all odds that I have a son who loves peas! If they are in a dish he will pick them out and eat them. Or, like last night, in the form of baby food they just can't be shoveled in fast enough. He would open his mouth in anticipation, swallow with his eyes closed and head back (as if it was the best thing in the whole world) and then grin from ear to ear - Such a performer!

Stepping

I figured first steps were a good reason to learn how to post video. It took me a few days to figure it out, but I'm hoping this works. Brock is catching on quick...more and more steps every day!

First Steps!

Grandma reported a couple steps last week, but of course we couldn't spread the word until we saw for ourselves. Brock is STEPPING (not really walking)! This weekend he took a number of steps from my arms to Cory's. He was just doing a couple at a time and then yesterday he broke his own record...taking about 5 steps. To be honest, he doesn't seem to be that interested in walking. He is REALLY good at crawling and so his first reaction when we let go of him is to squat and then crawl. But he is definately considering walking, at least when he is encouraged!

We also had a fun weekend visiting family and friends. We went to my second cousin's First Birthday party - she is already an expert walker! And we visited my best friend from college Michelle, her boyfriend Dave, and her new family member Roxy. My heart just ached when I met Roxy - as you can see she looks exactly like our dog Rowdy and she acts just like he did in his youth. She is just the sweetest dog. We finally got her to leave Brock alone (she wanted to lick him), but as soon as she did, Brock had to crawl over and put his hand right in her mouth for more licks. So cute! We still think of Rowdy and how we wish he could have met Brock.

Video

Sorry Art, I had to post this. I'm just so proud!

Power Shift 2007

An update on Arthur (In case I haven't already bragged to you about him): My brother started his work in climate change and activism as the co-founder of Energy Action Coalition, this group is now the driving force behind major national movements for climate change. Art is the digital organizer for Energy Action Coalition, Campus Climate Change and Power Shift 2007. Check out the latest monster - Power Shift 2007!

http://powershift07.org/

And in spirit of his efforts make some small change at your local level - change a lightbulb, replace your old windows, use a reusable shopping bag, reduce and recycle, write your legislature, educate your neighbors, etc.

Happy Halloween

Brock had a great first Halloween! First we went to his friend Emily's Birthday Party and then all of our neighbors were ready and waiting for Brock to come trick or treating. Instead of candy they had toys, books, crackers, and raisins for him...so cute. He didn't get to eat any candy but he had his first taste of Birthday cake. We figured it would be good practice for the real thing at the end this month....ahhh! Needless to say, he loved it.

Look at that scary dinosaur!


Nana J sent this super cute outfit to wear on Halloween.



Even though Brock got lots of fun treats he still wanted the real thing.