Changes: Part 1 of 2

There's been a lot going on around here lately: sometimes it seems like so much is happening, I don't get a chance to post, sometimes so little is happening, I don't bother. On May 21st, CJ turned one year old! I can't get over how fast it has gone by. For awhile I was very sad and actually contemplated not ruling out a third child, but I got over it. I'm thankful I took the time to really enjoy CJ's time as an infant, and am looking forward to his time as a toddler. :) His birthday party was a small gathering...we didn't even do gifts (family members are constantly giving him clothes, and between Ava's old baby toys and new ones he's received, he has plenty...he's ONE, he doesn't need much), we just celebrated with food and cake. I took a stab at creating a fondant cake with a Very Hungry Caterpillar theme, and if I do say so myself, it was pretty awesome... ;o)

Anyhow, CJ is in the 20th percentile for height (I don't remember the exact number) and in the 25th percentile for weight (a little over 20 lbs) so he's a peanut, at least compared to his sister. ;o) He's been walking since about 10 1/2 months and gets around like a pro, and fearlessly climbs on everything. He's very vocal but none of those vocalizations even remotely resemble words, so no early talking for this one. He's mostly happy and loves to laugh, especially at Ava, although I have seen signs of a temper...I hope it'll just be typical 2-year-old stuff, because I don't think I can take another strong-willed child!

 The cake I made...not bad!

 Mom and big sister with the birthday boy

 Daddy and CJ

 CAKE!!! There was no hesitation...he just grabbed handfuls and started stuffing his face. He's officially my kid.

 Yeahhh...when you buy a giant "1" balloon and attach it to the mailbox with a bunch of other ballons, and all but two of the other balloons pop and the two remaining wrap themselves around the "1" until they're right up next to it, IT DOES NOT LOOK GOOD.


A few days later, we headed to Miami for my brother Mike's wedding. I think this car trip was the final step in my getting over temporarily considering another baby, haha! It'll be so nice when the kids are older and can entertain themselves on car trips...or better yet, we aren't carting a ton of baby junk around and can FLY. Ava and I were both in the wedding and it was a lot of fun...Craig left the reception early with CJ, and Ava and I stayed...the second the music started, that kid hit the dance floor like nobody's business. It was AWESOME. Following the wedding, we spent a few days at a resort on the beach and got to enjoy the ocean and quality time with my family, including a family party for CJ's birthday. We even got in a couple of dates before making the long journey home. I'm including about thirty pictures below of our trip, and that doesn't even begin to cover it! ;o) All pics on this blog were taken on the iPhone, so they aren't spectacular.

 Guess who hates road trips...

 Saved by the DVD player!

 

 Papa and CJ before the rehearsal dinner

My parents...aren't they cute?

 Me and Mom

 The only family picture from the wedding...not great, but here it is!

 Ava, bustin' a move on the dance floor with Uncle Mike

 Kid totally passed out during the reception and didn't wake up until we got back to the hotel. She partied like a rock star.

 Ava with Uncle Mike and Uncle Billy

 My dad and brothers

 Here comes the beautiful bride!

 Ava and the other little flower girl, Bella

 

 Craig LOVES having his picture taken ;o)

 

 Ava with cousin Payton...we got to have lunch with Craig's stepbrother and his family on our trip... they are the one part of FL we truly miss!

 

 The girls

 

 The guys

 Ethan, CJ, Payton, and Ava

 My grandparents and Billy and Lauren, with a Kelli Ranch Dressing photobomb...haha!

 Us

 The Goat Girls! Kelli joined us for the family gatherings...she counts as family without the pesky issue of having to share our DNA. ;o)

 Ava and Mimi at the pool

 CJ exploring at the resort

 Date night!

 Mimi and Ava on the beach

 Gorgeous sunrise, as seen from our balcony

 Chillin' on the balcony

 Ava and I at the beach

 Checking out the view from his room at the resort

 Living room/dining room of our suite...I think it was bigger and nicer than apartments I've lived in!

 View from our balcony

 Ava at the pool

 Ava having fun at the beach with my brothers

 CJ and his great-grandpa...I feel bad that I don't have a picture of my grandparents with Ava, but she went through my phone yesterday and arbitrarily started deleting my photos. Ask me how happy I am about that.