I'm ONE Year Old!

Mommy's computer is on the blinky so this is going to be a pictureless update.  Sad times, I know.  She's got posts from my party and from our great weekend at the Gaylord to come so hopefully you can get your T-man photo fix then.  :)

Well, last week was a big, big week for me.  Last Saturday, I had my "par-tay".  Loved it!  My allergist appointment was on Tuesday, and I turned a whopping "1" on Wednesday.  A busy week indeed.

My allergist appointment went great.  I was so brave even when mommy and daddy wanted to cry because they knew it hurt me.  I started off with the skin prick test for Penicillin, dairy, soy, and cinnamon.  They have to do a couple control pricks, so I had about 7 little spots on my back.  Everything came back negative.  Yippee!  That means that I could start having cheese and yogurt immediately and should be able to be on whole milk by 14 months.  Great great news.  Unfortunately, the Penicillin test is a two-part test and the second part was 4 injections on my back right below the skin.  These definitely stung, but the pain didn't last long.  We found a TV with some Garfield on and that helped me feel better.  This test showed that I continue to be allergic to Penicillin.  Definitely more expensive for the folks (since all the penicillin antiobiotics are the cheapest), but at least I'm free to eat ice cream, etc.  We go back to see Dr. Bailey in a year.  I have enjoyed my new food groups.  Mom has a whole post dedicated to my first yogurt experience.  So yummy, but so messy.

On my actual birthday, I ran errands with Mom and Grandpa and got to sample my first mac n cheese at Spring Creek.  Spring Creek is one of my favorite restaurants because it is buffet (makes it speedy), I love to eat the turkey, green beans, rolls, and mac n cheese.  Just yesterday they brought me and Dad some ice cream FOR FREE.  Now it is Dad's favorite place too!!

I go to the doctor on Wednesday for my 1 year checkup.  Mom will have to post all of my stats after that.

Here is what I'm up to these days:  I wave bye bye, dance, do touchdown, give high fives, and wink and stare at the pretty ladies.  I love facial hair.  I can sign "all done" when I'm ready to get down from my high chair.  I say mama, dada, and a 2 syllable word for "Angel".  I know ball, down, milk, and night-night.  I am really digging yogurt melts and pancakes right now and my love for peas and avocados is a bit hit or miss.  I am wearing size 12-18 month clothes, size 3 diapers, and generally snooze from 7pm-5:30am with 2 naps during the day.  I like to walk around barefoot with my Mom holding my hands and cruise easily from furniture to furniture.  I'm a pretty-easy going guy and a joy to be around (so my peeps tell me).

Peace out,
T-dizzle 

Happy 1 Year Birthday!

Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him.

Psalms 127:3

12 Month Picture

Travis,

One year ago today our world as we knew it ended and in its place is a world filled with you! The last year has taken us on an amazing journey. We are so proud of the little boy that you are becoming, and it is so fun to start seeing your little boy features and your little boy attitude (well, not always so fun to see this part). We can see each of us in the faces you make and in your mannerisms, but you look a lot like your daddy (except for mama’s ears). We thought that you might have maxed out your cuteness a few months back, but you just get cuter every day. You love exploring and testing all the boundaries. It looks like you are going to be "all boy" in that respect. You warm up to people quickly, but we love how you shyly snuggle into our chests when we go to a new place with lots of new people.

Every day our love for you grows as does our love for: God whom has truly entrusted us with our highest calling; our family as we see the love that went into our raising and as we see the love they have for you; and each other as we watch you, a true symbol of the love we have for each other, grow as well. We love you so much and we look forward to the years to come. We are so excited to see how you will grow and who you will become.

May God bless and keep you always

May your wishes all come true

May you always do for others

And let others do for you

May you build a ladder to the stars

And climb on every rung

May you grow up to be righteous

May you grow up to be true

May you always know the truth

And see the lights surrounding you

May you always be courageous

Stand upright and be strong

May your hands always be busy

May your feet always be swift

May you have a strong foundation

When the winds of changes shift

May your heart always be joyful

And may your song always be sung

May you stay forever young

Love,
Ma-ma and Da-da

A Special Day for a Special Boy

Words cannot express the gratitude that Brandon and I have for all of the 60 or so guests that joined us for Travis's 1st Birthday Party.  It takes a village to raise a kiddo, and we truly have the best "village" around. 

Additionally, thanks to each of you who contributed to our donation for Mission Arlington.  Your contribution touched our hearts and will undoubtedly touch the lives of those in our community less fortunate than each of us.  Your love for Travis (and us) is an amazing blessing from God!

A million or so more pics will come later including some of the best smash cake pics EVER!

Xoxo,
Gara

Messy Kid

Some people don't like messy kid pics.  I don't care.  This is my blog and my messy kid, and I think they are adorable.  :)

Xoxo,

Gara

Hippie Chic!

I would like to start off by saying that my NRA and RNC memberships remain intact no matter how crunchy the rest of this post is gonna sound.  :)

For our Friday outing, we met Krista and Noah at Potager Cafe, a restaurant in Arlington that specializes in home-style cooking using only locally-grown organic produce, meats, etc.  The real interesting part about Potager is that you just pay what you think your meal was worth.  I'd like to see their business plan.  The food was pretty good, and I'd probably go back again because the menu is different everyday.  I'll get less actual food and more dessert next time because the peach tart-thingy was bueno.  The downsides were that there was no central A/C and NO HIGH CHAIRS!  Krista has a high chair contraption that just hooks to the table, but I had no such device.  So I used a scarf and tied Travis in a chair.  It actually worked quite well, and I'm leaving the scarf in the bag just in case we have to do it again.

His cheeks are pink because it was so hot!

In case that adventure wasn't granola enough, on Saturday morning at 7:30 I met 11 or 12 other individuals in a parking lot for my very first Produce Co-op Pick-up.  Krista and I are sharing a unit which is $30 every 2 weeks.  This was our haul from today!

I turned broccoli into purees for Travis.

I roasted the tomatillos and "bulletized" them into a sauce which I then poured on chicken breasts for dinner.

I processed the cantaloupe and then proceeded to eat almost my entire half (less this one last piece that I saved for Travis's lunch).

Fun stuff, huh??  I'm embracing my inner-hippie.  Another granola friend, Amanda, gave me my baby food making book that I've used and loved, and so far, I'm super happy about the veggie co-op.  I draw the line at hemp skirts and growing my own yogurt though.

Xoxo,
Gara

Ready for Fall

Me too buddy!

Xoxo,

Gara

Short Fuse

I'm Happy.

I'm Mad.

I'm Happy.

I'm Mad.

 I'll let you guess which parental he gets that from?!?!?  A scary sneak peek into toddler-dom.  :)

Xoxo,
Gara

Port Aransas (in Pictures)

I just got through unpacking from Port A (yes, we've been home over a week - don't judge).  Sadly (and very unlike me), my camera was the last thing to get unpacked.  I've been busy editing pictures of my paying clients so my poor kid and family just had to wait!  We had a great time in Port A - our little guy is definitely the cutest little beach bum around.  So here is Port Aransas Family Vacay 2010 ... in PICTURES!

Here is a link to some more!

Xoxo,
Gara

10.5 Month Photo Shoot

Here are some pics I took a few weeks ago.  If you are attending T's birthday party in a few weeks, you will get to see some up close and personal!  I've been so busy with life (photography business, prepping for T's bday party, vacation, etc.) that the blog has been a little neglected!  :(  I have lots to catch up on including our week in Port Aransas and a few other random posts.  Bear with me - life is good!!

Xoxo,
Gara