Hail Mary Camping Trip at Waldo Lake

It's always a fine line between going late enough in the season to avoid the mosquitoes and still getting decent weather but we made it.  We just got home from three days of camping at Waldo Lake with Don and Laura and a bunch of other folks.  It turned out to be pretty decent weather, got two days of kayaking in, and very few mosquitoes. 

You, however, have decided you have a mind of your own.  Imagine that!  We really should have gotten a pack and play for you but you slept with me for so long and we didn't really go anywhere we would need it that I put it off; boy do I wish we had one on this trip.  I think you and the rest of us would have slept better.  Oh well, guess it's all about growing up.  I'm not ready for you to be so grown up but I don't really have much of a say do I!

Oregon Coast Aquarium

Today was my first furlough for this biennium.  While I'm grateful for a job, it really sucks!  I decided to try and make the best of it.  You and I took Rebecca and Destiny to the Oregon Coast Aquarium using a Groupon.  Rebecca treated us to lunch at a Thai restaurant.  We stopped at Central Park in Corvallis on our way home and you ate half of an avocado all by yourself! 

Things Don't Always Go As Planned...Or Your First Haircut

Sometimes Mommy and Daddy don't communicate as well as we wish we did.  Your first haircut was definitely one of those times. 

Your Dad had mentioned in passing that your hair was getting a little long.  I said something about you not needing a haircut.  To be honest, I've had a hard time with how quickly you are growing.  You look like a little person already rather than a baby.  I know that's how it works but as your Mommy, it takes a little getting used to. 

I came home from work last Thursday and instantly knew something was off.  Your Dad had given you a haircut and I missed it.  That's how I viewed it...he saw it a little differently.  Like that I'm a control freak and wanted to control your haircut.  He probably has a grain of truth there but I honestly just want to be involved.  I'm also a bit jealous that he gets to be home with you.  Since I was a little kid, I've always been afraid of missing out on something. 

It's humorous now but wasn't so humorous at the time.  He did do a good job. And, no we decided not to stage a photo session just so we could have photos of your first haircut!

State Fair

We went to the State Fair tonight.  We took you to the petting zoo and the 4-H/FFA animal exhibits and then went to watch the Chinese acrobats and a hypnotist.  You loved the acrobats and feel asleep during the hypnotist.  I didn't take my camera so these pictures from my cell are not good but give you an idea of how it was.

 

My Thoughts on Our Year Together

For some reason, I've had a really hard time putting into words what I feel.  Perhaps, I feel like I'm supposed to have some great words to share with you now that you are a year old.  But, words just seem so insignificant compared to how I feel.  


As Grandma Colleen said in her letter, you have brought so much joy into everyone's lives.  But it's so much more than that for me.  You have been an amazing teacher as well.  I have learned so much from you about myself, about how to interact with the world, and about life.  


Life is much simpler than we try and make it out to be. Thank you for showing that to me.  Thank you for showing me to slow down, to appreciate the highs and the lows.  Thank you for bringing your joy into my life.  


I realized today as your Grandma Bonnie and I were walking in the Tri-Your-Best triathlon, regardless of what you choose to do with your life, I know that you are meant to continue to bring great joy into the lives of those around you.  Thank you.


And, my great words to you?  I LOVE YOU!

Twelve Month Check-up

I can't believe it was already time for your twelve month check-up...stop growing so quickly!  Your Dad and I rode with you on our bikes to your check-up this morning.  I really enjoy having Kim as your pediatrician.  And, she enjoys having you as her patient.  Your stats are as follows: 24.2 lbs (75th percentile), 31 inches long (75 percentile) and a 47.8 cm head circumference (90th percentile).  The worst part was you had to get five shots.  I hate watching the nurse do this; so much so that your Dad is the one that helps hold you still.  You seemed surprised by the first shot but after the second one you really started screaming.  Luckily, you pretty much stopped as soon as we let you sit up and I walked around with you.  By the time we got out to the bikes, you were doing pretty well.

Birthday Letter from Grandma Colleen

Dear Dylan
Your Mom has asked us to write you a letter for your first birthday. I'm not much of a writer, but here goes.
 

You have brought so much joy and fun to all the lives you have touched this year. I have been honored to get to watch you grow, learn and explore the world. You have explored it so much at our house, I had to put up a few road blocks. Like putting a mattress in front of the food shelves, or putting the shoe basket in the way so you couldn't get stuck behind a chair. Just little things like that. Even put a few fragile things up out of reach.
 

Some of the things we have enjoyed doing together includes rocking, snuggling, trying to roll a ball and banging on things with your very own set of measuring cups and spoons. Kristy gave them to you and me when we found out you were on your way. Soon enough we will be using them to make some sugar cookies. Grandpa Bud really likes them. He especially likes them with frosting on them. Hopefully you will too.
 

This year has gone by so fast, especially compared to last year. Seemed like forever, from the time your mom and dad told us they were expecting you and your arrival. I had been wanting a grandchild for a long time. To know there was one in the works was almost torture. But Honey, you were well worth the wait. You have exceeded any expectations I might have had.
 

We've had a few conversations about some of the things we can do together. I know you aren't talking yet. They were a bit one-sided, but you appeared to enjoy them. Things like baking cookies and decorating them, collecting eggs, picking fruit, making cider, going clamming and fishing. Just to name a few of them.
 

Hope you are looking forward to our time together as much as I am.
 

Lots of Love,
Grandma Colleen