Mode of Transport

I mentioned about a week ago that Lane was officially walking. But today he decided that it is his new mode of transportation. He is walking everywhere. We rarely see him crawling anymore. While I absolutely love the first steps. I think crawling is the cutest thing and will sure miss it. He is all over our house discovering it like he has never seen it before. Everything must look different from a foot higher?

Energy

Our house is filled with so much energy. I'm sure everyone with children, especially boys would agree with me. Some days I will try anything to have them sit still for just a few minutes. I have been trying to do things with Zackary to keep him entertained with out needing to jump on and off every piece of furniture, climb anything climbable, run like crazy, or torment his brother. He really is a great kid he just has lots of energy. I've asked my mom if the energy level is normal (I know it is for an almost 3 year old boy, but just need confirmation every now and then), her reply "PAYBACKS!" Apparently I was exactly the same way. So today we decided to do some art projects. We made a large snowflake that is hanging in our entryway and looks awesome. We spent almost 2 hours creating this masterpiece gingerbread house. I was so impressed, he sat and decorated it the entire time. I sat with him and ran the frosting construction while he decorated and told me where to put the frosting for him to place the candies. I love the rows of gumdrops.

We had so much fun together. I thought doing a few projects and some very close one on one time together might distract him from the craziness.

NOPE, I was wrong.

This is how our night ended. Notice the couch flipped over. Yes, I flipped the couch over because I was over asking him to stop jumping on the furniture. It did solve the problem. I'm sure everyone that has little kids can understand the house looking like this? Right?

I love him, he brings endless energy and laughter.

Walking

Lane started walking today. Well today I'm officially calling it "walking." He has been taking several steps for the last month or so, but today he was sitting in the middle of the room and stood up and walked across the room to get a toy. That is what we consider officially walking. I was so glad I got to be home to witness it. Or at least if I didn't see it for the first time nobody told me and that is just fine. I love it the beginning steps are so incredibly cute, I just can't get enough. I'm not sure why he insisted on carrying around the fly swatter all day but he did.

Morning Time

This is usually how our mornings have been lately. Aaron or I usually get up around 6:15 with Lane for his morning bottle. No I have not dropped the bottle yet, not sure why, all I can say is that he loves it so much. He usually plays then Zackary joins us about 7:00 for his milk and his 'big boy show' as he calls it. He has several he likes and everyday it is a different one. He keeps us on our toes. I love that they will sit together, I just think it is so cute while it lasts. Lane usually is over it within a few minutes and off playing or bugging his brother. It is sure funny how they already know when and how to push each others buttons.

Family Day at the Zoo

We actually got to spend the day together at the zoo. Aaron usually never gets to go with us because of work of course. We usually don't go on the weekends to avoid the crowds. It was nice to spend the day together, just the 4 of us. It is so nice to see the boys starting to interact with each other and enjoy some of the same things. Of course they both love climbing on the tractors and petting the goats.

Gotta love the brotherly love. No posing, no asking, no bribing... just loving each other.

The Big 1

Well our little baby Lane turned 1 today.

I can't believe how fast this year has gone and what an incredible year it has been. I feel like we just brought him home from the hospital. Now we look at him and he is communicating with us and just about walking. I guess I can say he is walking he is doing 5-6 steps at a time, usually with some bribery. Lane is such a wonderful and fun baby. I have to steal this line from a friend because if fits perfect, "he is one of my obsessions." I just can't seem to get enough. I absolutely love this age.

Here are some fun things we learned about Laner this year.
~he is our little social butterfly-he is as happy as can be as long as someone is around

~he weights in at 22.5 pounds and 30.5 inches tall

~he uses several signs-duck, bird, milk, all done, eat, dog, moon, fan, light
~he will give you a fantastic muscle show
~he has the most beautiful blue eyes and great 70's style hair
~he loves to be outside

~he is sporting 4 chompers ('the hippo teeth'- the bottom two and the top outside 2)

the 2 front chompers will be arriving real soon

~he loves his big brother and already knows when and how to push his buttons

~he could probably take you in an eating contest

These are just a few pictures of Lane's first year. This one above is on his 1st birthday!

A message for Lane...You have been such a blessing to our family. I can't tell you how much we love you and are amazed by you everyday. Your personality is wonderful, cute, funny, and mischievous. We love to watch you grow and discover new things everyday.

We love you so much.

Happy Birthday Lane!

So sleepy

Again with the random place to sleep. Aaron and I really get a kick out of the random sleeping thing. Tonight we found him sleeping right in the middle of the loft and using Monkey as a pillow. Out of all the places in our house to sleep, he chose this.

1st Birthday Party

Tonight we celebrated Lane's 1st birthday. We had a small, duck themed birthday party for him. Why the duck, there are a couple of reasons...
1. At 11 months old he stared signing duck and quacking along with it
2. I asked Zackary several months ago "what kind of party should we have for Lane's 1st birthday" he replied "a duck party"
3. I found the cutest cake and cupcakes with a duck theme
So there you have it, ducks!

He really wasn't into the cake, as you can see on his face. So papa decided to help him with a cupcake and a spoon. He pretty much ate the whole cupcake with his spoon.

We had to take a picture with the big birthday boy.

My sweet baby Lane. He really enjoyed his birthday party, thanks to everyone that helped us celebrate this special day!

Laner

This seems to be what we call him lately...Laner. I'm not sure where it came from but it seems to fit. Everyone has sort of caught on to it also. My favorite is when Zackary asks "Mommy where's Laner?" I'm not sure why, but it always makes me laugh.

A Day With Lane

I thought it would be fun to walk you through a day with Lane.

He amazes us everyday with new tricks.

He starts his day eating of course.

The kid is packing it on right now. We like to call it the pre-crawl chub. Notice the yogurt all over the place, for some reason he insists on feeding it to himself.

He loves to play outside and get incredibly dirty. He is already pushing trucks and tractors like his big brother.

It is always a strait beeline for the open bathroom or staircase
Outside with a sucker.

He loves to play catch.

We like to call him 'the destroyer.' He destroys anything Zackary is trying to play with.

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He is clapping all the time.

And standing on chairs or pushing them all over the house.

And of course attacking his brother. This is just part of our day...

Lane is such a happy, social, and energetic baby. He is signing airplane, duck (he quacks with it), bird, fan, light, milk, all done, eat, and he shows his muscles.

Just wait until he puts on the muscle show for you!

Time

Just look at him, he looks like a boy. Not my sweet baby anymore. How is it that when you look at pictures and videos you realize that time has flown by right before your eyes without you even knowing. They change overnight. Each new stage is wonderful in its own way, it is all so bittersweet...

A term I seem to be using often lately.