ONE!

I can't believe that our little tiny newborn is already a jabbering, mobile, incredibly active, smiley, giggly ONE YEAR OLD!  Where has the time gone?  An article I read once, said that you only have 940 Saturdays with your child until they are 18, and 260 of them are already gone by the time they are 5.  That had a huge impact on me. I think every parent I've ever met has emphasized how quickly the time passes, and to enjoy every moment - everyone from the cashiers at checkouts, to close friends, to other parents at Target who point out that before you know it they will be teenagers and driving as they indicate their own embarrassed pre-adult next to them.  I have been so blessed, thanks to my amazing hard-working husband, to be able to spend each day with our little guy.  I treasure every day, because I know that the next he will be one day older, and I will never be able to get that day back.  All those people were right though; maybe it is the rapid rate of growth during this time, or the busier days, or a seismic shift in the space-time continuum when you have a child, but time sure does seem to be in fast forward! Each seemingly inconsequential phase is somewhat bittersweet as you reflect on the little details that will no longer be part of your everyday, and revel in the new ones that will.

Ryker continues to be the light of our life.  We constantly get comments about how happy and friendly he is. Always a charmer!  He is sweet and friendly to EVERYONE he meets.

Crazy nap hair!

A winter walk in Texas

 

Giggles

 

Ryker is loving his mobility and is CONSTANTLY on the go.  Most of the time I am just following around behind him cleaning up his messes.

 



Trouble...

TROUBLE...

T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!

 

I knew you were trouble when you crawled in...

Ryker's first Christmas was a success.  He actually got to celebrate Christmas twice!  He got to celebrate in Texas with his Grandma Voorhies, Uncle Reece and girlfriend, Perla, and Uncle Loren.

The best gift Mommy ever received!

Presents galore!

Does this bow make me look fat?

 

 

Additionally, we made the long car drive to celebrate a white Christmas in Minnesota.

 



Bundled up for the Minne-snow-ta Brrrrrr!

Cousins Nate and Annamarie

Grandma Brewer's got the touch!

At the Holidazzle parade... yes, that is a parade in the middle of the freezing cold winter!

 

First visit with Santa - looks to me like he let one rip, and Santa is reacting.  Probably is the case, knowing Ryker!

Rainforest Café fun!

Checking out jellyfish with Grandpa Brewer

Underwater World at the Mall of America

Middle-of-the-night ER visit for bad croup - but still the happiest baby in the waiting room in spite of not being able to breathe properly!

And to wrap up an amazing first year with our little man, we spread out his birthday celebration over a week or so.  Gifts, cake, special dinner, park, etc. 

Our Big Boy is ONE!

We are planning a birthday tradition of doing a random act of kindness for each year of life.  Ryker's one act of kindness for his first birthday is visiting the rabbit rescue organization and giving all the rabbits tasty treats and pets! 

The birthday Boyds - Ryker with his namesake celebrating their birthdays

Birthday prince

Not a fan of the obligatory birthday hat

Otto doesn't mind though...party on Otto!

 

The next Spiderman

 

Cake?  What cake?

A whole cake just for him

YUM!

Do I have something on my face?

 

We can't wait to see what adventures our little miracle takes us on this upcoming year.  Thank you for all the support from our amazing family and friends.