Baby Steps

*VIDEO*
Ford took his first steps tonight....completely out of the blue!! He had yet to really start standing on his own, so we were completely shocked to see him walking! I couldn't grab my phone fast enough! :)  The most he did was maybe 10 steps -- not too shabby for a first-timer. But of course I wasn't able to get that one on video. Here's what I did get:

3rd attempt

4th attempt

6th attempt

One Year Old

*VIDEO*

Our baby isn't a baby anymore — today we officially enter

 

Ford is 31.75 inches (95th percentile) and 21 lbs. 10 oz. (55th percentile). He isn't walking on his own yet, but he sure looks close. He has four teeth, with two more popping through any day now. He's long overdue for a haircut (I've trimmed his bangs 3 times already, but David won't let me touch the rest). And he is ALL boy — climbing, chasing, exploring, and touching everything.....and I do mean EVERYTHING. He's Mr. Independent -- see for yourself:

Likes at 1 Year:

• Ford still loves books. We often catch him by his toy box flipping pages through his book. He studies the pictures, touches them and babbles. Our desire to see him develop the same love for books that David and I share is, so far, coming true.


• Walking (with assistance). He is showing a preference toward walking as opposed to crawling. He isn't walking on his own yet, but if he wants to cross the room, he would rather use a walker than crawl. Take a look:

 

• Toys! He has shown much more interest in toys than he did even a month or two ago. Maybe it's all the new toys he got for Christmas and birthday?? :)  He still has a very short attention span, but he will pick up toys and play with them for a minute, then find something else to play with. He even pulls things out of his toy box until he finds something that really interests him.

 Dislikes at 1 Year:

• I don't think Ford's "dislikes" are any different from most kids at this age — wiping his face and nose, getting dressed, not getting what he wants, being told "no." He's exhibiting more independence, but that comes with a price (i.e., getting in trouble - ha!).

New Discoveries at 1 Year:

• Clapping and high-five on command. We can ask Ford to clap or give us a high-five....and he does it! It's so weird to see this itty bitty person who couldn't do much just a few months ago now responding to verbal cues. Blows my mind. :) Take a peek:

Birthday Party:

 

 

Christmas x 3

*VIDEO*
We had a great Christmas. And another great Christmas. Followed by one more really great Christmas! :)

The Stelsels spread holiday cheer from Kentucky to Indianapolis over the course of 12 delightful days! Nothing says Merry Christmas like 12 days of family fun. Add a blizzard into the mix and you've got a made-for-TV holiday special in the making.

Our first Christmas began on Friday, Dec. 21 with a trip to Kentucky. We expected an uneventful trip; what we got was a slow drive on snow-covered roads. A snow storm inconveniently hit central Indiana the night before our trip, so the roads were icy, slushy, and not well traveled by the time we headed out the door. It made for a longer trip, but Ford slept most of the way so it turned out okay.

We arrived safe and sound and in good spirits — ready for 3 full days of Parker family fun! We didn't leave the house much because of the weather and Dad is still recovering from his knee surgery [doing great by the way, thanks for asking ;)]. Mom, Ford and I ventured out on Friday to buy Ford his first pair of proper-fitting shoes. But most of the weekend was spent watching football, playing with the boys, and catching up with family, including my cousin Craig and his wife Judy (who were almost like second parents to me when I was younger).

"All packed, Mom!"

Opening his first Christmas present, with a little assistance.

"Gimme that present, Ford, I'll take care of it for ya!"

Ford's not so sure about unwrapping presents yet.

New toy!

"Thank you, Aunt Jennifer, for my Zany Zoo."

Ride 'em Cowboy!

Cooper reads a story to Ford.

Da boyz

Snack time on Grandaddy

"I found a present...and it's my size!"

Loving having his own rocking chair :)

Breakfast with Grandaddy. A great way to start the day!

We're a "close" family ;)

Playing with Nonna

Cheeeeeeeeeese

The boys kicking my butt in Sorry! I think I lost every game.

"Nonna, rock with me!"

All dressed up for church!

We returned to Indianapolis in a foggy haze on Christmas Eve. Literally. Once again, our travel time was slightly encumbered by crazy weather. Fortunately, we left early enough that we beat most of the traffic. But still, it was a rather ominous start to Christmas, and was a precursor for what was to come. This video shows how foggy it was the ENTIRE way:

We spent Christmas Eve and Day at home, just the 3.5 of us, in our pajamas. It was perfect. It took maybe a good 10 minutes to open presents — doesn't take long when your kid could care less and has no idea what's going on. I think we spent more time trying to get a good picture of Mr. Wiggle Worm than we did opening gifts. In fact, out of all of us, Chase did more opening than anyone. Ha!

Good moooooooorning

 "Santa came!"

"Chase, look, it snowed!"

 "Okay, Chase, let's do this. I think I remember from Nonna and Grandaddy's, but show me how you do it."

"Find a corner, Ford, and pull it like this."

 "Oh yeah, THAT'S what I do."

 "Thanks, Chase. You're a good older brother."

 "We didn't do it."

 "Thank you, Aunt Jamie, for my pillow pet!"

On Christmas night, the Hughes family trudged through the snow for a visit....in their pajamas....with Chinese takeout! I think we'll have to make this our new Christmas tradition. ;)

The day after Christmas we got a whopping 9 inches of snow! David and I had already taken that day off work, but it turned out we didn't need to. The whole city practically closed down for the day. So we got to extend our family time holed up in our house for another day.

I dare you not to smile when you watch this (even though it's sideways).  :)

Our third Christmas started on Friday, Dec. 28 with the arrival of the Parker and Stelsel caravans. The real reason for everyone being at our house was Ford's birthday party (see One Year Old), but it was also our chance to have Christmas with the Stelsels.

David and Kirk's gift to Connie — a remake of her favorite brotherly photo. HA!

Chase gets cuddle time with Kirk and Laura.

 Opening moooooore presents.

 Grandpa's funny!

 Sleepy puppy

 The grandmas took over the recliners. They must've had a hard day. Hmm....

 "I'll help you, Grandma!"

 Love to read!

 "Don't worry, Mom. I got this."

 Have a beer, Dave! (or 10 at the size)

Whew. If you've stuck with me through this record-breaking lengthy post, I thank you. You lasted longer than Ford: