1 Year older and wiser too

Blaze had a birthday, shout hooray!
We decided to celebrate for a whole week and included a trip to Pennsylvania as part of the festivities, as well as a party here at home. Here are some of the highlights:


Thanksgiving
A holiday all about food? Blaze couldn't ask for a better way to kick things off.

Parties

We had 3! All full of presents, cake, and people that love Blaze. One even included a free tractor ride.

Presents
Blaze had such good manners, he read the cards carefully and said thank you with each gift!

Cakes
Each time the situation was similar. Blaze started out cautious, only picking at the sprinkles or frosting. But once he realized that the stuff was good (or once he was sitting properly at a table, again manners!) he went to town eating as much as was put in front of him or anyone sitting next to him.

 

I think overall he likes the whole birthday thing. We are just amazed that the year went by so quickly! It's been incredible. We like the little guy a lot and can't wait to see what the next year brings.

Let the Wild Rumpus Start

On the day Blaze wore his monster pajamas

and made mischief of one kind

and another

His mother called him "Wild Thing"

 

 

I'll eat you up, I love you so.

Thankful for November

A lot of people are dedicating their social media posts this month to gratitude. That's all fine and good, but let's not let overlook what else November brings us:

Playing in the leaves 

 

Appreciating the details of nature

Finding time to just sit back and relax

 

 

And of course....

TURKEY!!!

Don't mind the extra gravy on this turkey's face, he had a tooth coming in.

I guess since gratitude was already mentioned, we'll say that there is one thing we are most grateful for this year. Our little turkey sure is great to have around.

 

 HAPPY NOVEMBER EVERYONE!

Pictures and Pranks

Reasons why it is so cool to hang out with Blaze:




He can get you in at the best splash pads around.



He's up with the latest fashions - Gnome hats are IN people!



He supports local wildlife, like this worm he pulled out of grass.



He's always up to date on his Social Media.


And he has a great sense of humor. Like the other day when Mike was finishing up Blaze's bath time. He had turned on the faucet to rinse Blaze off, and was picking him up to pull him out of the tub. At just the right moment Blaze reached out and pulled the pin on the faucet that turns the shower on and refused to let go. In the end both boys got soaked, but only Blaze was laughing.

Pics

Enjoying the sunshine at a summer wedding

Mom and Blaze in stripes

Dad helped Blaze build his first pillow fort

Hi Mom!

Happy Summer!

Summer "officially" begins today. We're ready.

Are you?

Summer Vacation - Second Part

We didn't pick the warmest weekend to take our trip, which meant less beach/pool time than we had thought. Instead, we spent an entire morning exploring the USS Midway, a decomissioned Aircraft Carrier that is now a museum. Way Cool.
It was a huge ship. I guess it had to be since, you know, it carried airplanes along with thousands of people.

Blaze and I got in trouble and had to spend time in the Brig.

Mike said these pictures are for his brothers. Whatever.

Chopper

Machine Gun

Maverick is cleared for take off.

Summer Vacation - First Part

For our  first family vacation we decided to go to beautiful San Diego. Blaze of course experienced many firsts of his life during this trip, some went better than others.

First airplane ride: Success! He was happy the whole time and his flirting with the airline staff got us moved to the front of the check in line.

First time on a boat: Success! He loved watching the water and feeling the breeze on his face.

First time on a beach: Success! He could not get enough of that sand-between-the-toes feeling.

First time touching the ocean: Success? I think he liked the water but didn't like how cold it was.

First baseball game: Fail. Unfortunately, the cannons, fireworks, and cheering from the crowd when runs were scored were too much for Blaze. This was the happiest got during the 8 innings we saw.

First pool hang out: Success! Ahh, easy living in So.Cal.

Growing

I like to think that I'm at a point in my life where I can be ok with admitting when I am wrong about something. I need to make one of those admissions now. See, way back when, I would read the blogs of friends of mine who were new moms and while I enjoyed all the pictures of their little ones and stories about super-major-diaper-blowouts I would also think to myself "C'mon! This is the 21st century, there has got to be more going on in your life than your kids! Share some of that once in awhile too!"

And now I see I was wrong.

As a new mom, my energy focus is like this:

99 %  - on my baby
1% - on everyhing else including my husband, my hobbies, my neighbors, my church calling, and making sure I get around to brushing my teeth at least twice a day.

I'm sure eventually I will be able to still give Blaze everything he needs and find more time to do the grown up things I once did (and witty blogs I once wrote). But until then, here are more pictures of our stinkin' cute kid doing some of his new favorite things.

Sitting! Those chubby thighs provide a solid base to keep him steady!

Toes!

Holding his own bottle.

Sleeping! He has to have a blanket and prefers to pull it all the way over his head and face. At least with an afgan there are enough little holes that I don't spend all of nap time paranoid. I still check on him often though.

Media

Blaze is too young to watch any tv or participate in media in anyway, but that's not say that it has not been an influence in his life already.

For example, the song that his mom sings to him when he is fussy or sleepy

And the song that she sings to him when he needs a diaper change;

the clothes that he wears;

And how his dad puts him down for naps on the weekends.

 

Top Pics

Blaze loves hanging out with Mike when he comes home from work.

Fun in the tub

All clean!

Tuckered out and ready for bed.

Also, we found the perfect game day ball for SuperBowl LXVI

But the NFL said it was too leaky.

Introductions

Blaze has met a lot of new people lately. Here are some pictures of just a few of those introductions. So far he has been adored by all. And why wouldn't he be? Have you seen how cute he is?



Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Dodge and 2nd cousin Karen.



Aunt Annie

Cousin Leah - she loves to hold him!

2nd cousin Ty - he was disappointed that Blaze couldn't play catch with him yet and even more disappointed that his mom didn't let him throw the ball at the baby anyway.