Ice Cream Man

He is officially 1!

We, Dak and I, celebrated by eating some brownies and ice cream.  The above pictures were funny.  Dak has never had ice cream, so we thought we'd let him try some.  I had set the bowl of ice cream down near him while fixing something else.  He dipped his fingers in and decided he liked it.  No...LOVED it.  So then I find him shoving his face into the bottom of the bowl so that he can get it.  Silly boy.

Kyle did take a break so Dexter could open his last present.

Kyle did take another break and take me on a date Friday evening.  We went to pizza.  Fun night out.

Sunday we had a bit of a surprise.  During Sunday School Dak was playing with a few of the other kids who are mobile but not in nursery yet.  All of a sudden...he took 5 steps.  I was so shocked. He'll take steps every now and then.

Well that's pretty much all I've seen of Kyle.  It's the busy final project season.  Working all day and night on them.

Food on face and splattered all over clothes.

Feeding himself some yogurt.

 Spring is wonderful.  When Dak is having some of his "moments" all I have to do is open the back door.  He loves going outside!

Dak playing and me reading outside.

We have had a busy week.  Playing at the park.  Running a couple errands.  And the doctor's office.  Doctor noted he wasn't orange anymore, and that he's definitely a rambunctious boy.  With chapped up knees from crawling everywhere.  Scratches and bumps from exploring everywhere.  Not holding still...ever.  

Here's his 1 year old stats.

Weight: 19 lbs 15.5 oz - 10 %
Height: 29.5" - 38%
Head: 18.25 - 48%

One Year

Well it's creeping towards the end of the semester.  This means that Kyle spends most of his days and weekend working on his final projects.  I'm kind of looking forward to this summer when he goes back to work.  Home by 5, and no homework.
For Monday night FHE we played Yam Slam.  Dak rolled the dice really well, and actually was beating me for reals. We would have him roll one at a time.  He kept getting large straights and four of a kind. Once he won we let him keep playing.  10 minutes passed, 30 minutes passed, we stopped him at like 45 minutes.  He was enjoying the chips and dice so much, it was funny.

Playing a game with Mom.

Playing on his own.

Drop, Cover, and Hold On.  We participated in the Great Utah Shakeout Earthquake Drill.  The table only fit Dak and I, so Kyle was under another table.

Such a happy boy.

We did go for a jog as a family.  I actually went 3 times last week.  I planned on continuing it this week, but it keeps raining and that's not fun to go running in.  Especially when it has hailed a couple times with it.
So yeah, we've been boring people.  But sometimes it's nice that way.  I have been anticipating tomorrow April 19th though.  Why?  It means Dexter has been with us for 1 year!!!!!!  It does go by so fast.

Dad got to hold him minutes after, I didn't get to for many hours after he was born.

First family photo.  Still makes me laugh.  Dak sleeping away.  Me barely conscious hooked up to morphine and in pain.  Kyle said he was bored and had no idea what to do.  Great memorable moment.

So little.

Being a mom has been the biggest learning experience, and challenge for me.  The first many months were really rough.  First off, I had no idea what to do and not any close family (except the first 2 weeks) around to help me out. Nursing was extremely hard, but something I wanted to do.  Many tears were shed for a long time.  He was also such a crying and gassy baby which changed for the better when I started eating Gluten Free.  And that in it's self is a daily challenge.  There are many more challenges that we've gone through.  However, his smile, laugh, cuteness, seeing him learn and explore, and super wet kisses make it worth it.  Way worth it.  I love my little guy so So SO much!

His growing via pictures.

So here's some facts about Dak:
Teeth: 7 (unless the 8th one pops through tonight)
Movement: Super speedy crawling along with going up and down the stairs, and walking with support
          I know most say their kid can crawl fast, but he can.  And not until people see it do they realize how fast.  At church people are surprised because he'll disappear if we even just say "Hi" to someone.
Talking: Just the basic vowel sounds, and a few consonants....but he's always chatting.  His video chats with Nub Nub lately have been hilarious.  He's also the noisiest baby in the ward by a long shot.
Sleeping: takes 2 naps, and sleeps through the night.  All we have to do is lay him down, and he'll go right to sleep.  It's amazing.
Food: Yogurt.  Prefers baby food, but will eat our stuff occasionally.  Loves fruit and snacks.
Clothes: Wears size 18 months, size 3 shoes...doesn't like hats or sunglasses
Other stuff: hyperventilates when he sees an animal.  On TV counts, but in real life he goes crazy.  One day we'll take him to the zoo and see his reaction.  Loves cardboard boxes.  Nuzzles and kisses his stuffed animals.  Loves to try and put things back together.  Loves parks, stairs, and slides.  Loves walks and being outside.  Can't wait for him to be able to walk so he can enjoy playing out there more.

Everyday he is learning and growing so much.

I found photos of Kyle and I from when we were kids.  These were at my baby shower.  Thought I'd put it together to compare who Dexter looks like.  Let me know what you think.  Just in case...I (Whitney) am the one on the left in the dresses.  Kyle's on the right.

Who does he look like?

We do know that Dak takes the open mouthed expression from Kyle.  They both do it a lot.

Well we'll have a special dinner for him, and that will probably be it.  We aren't really party people, and he did get one 2 weeks ago.

Easter Eggs!

Well after a week of entertaining, on Friday I crashed.  We took it slow and I didn't do anything.  It's nice to have a husband who is okay with that....every now and then.  

Downward Dog pose anyone?

Clearfield City had an Easter Egg Hunt at the park early Saturday morning.  Even though Dex only crawls, we thought he still might enjoy it.  He was anxious to start, but once all the other kids started, he froze.  We picked him up and plopped him near 3 eggs.  He eventually grabbed 2...with a lot of convincing and time.  And a staff worker kind of took pity on him, and gave him a 3rd egg.  We wanted Dex to get them himself.  Many parents were just grabbing all the eggs for their kids, and had like 15 or more.  

All ready...

Frozen...

One of his two eggs he got on his own.

Saturday I cleaned up the house again and prepped for some visitors again.  Danielle and Trevor came over.  Danielle helped me make our Easter dinner.  Lots of yummy food.  Trevor and Kyle watched Dak, while playing video games together.  Those guys. Dak wasn't too good, and would just cry for random reasons.  Once dinner was done cooking the last guest, Mariah, arrived.

Uncle Trevor teaching Dak some Super Smash Bros. (picture courtesy of Danielle)

Danielle, Trevor, Dak, and Kyle

Dinner was delicious, and nobody was remotely hungry after it.  There was chicken, dressing, potatoes, gravy, green beans, carrots, salad, and lots of desserts.  After cleaning up and putting Dex to bed we played some games.  A bit of Life, and some YamSlam.  All the guests stayed over, but left early the next morning. We also snagged some Easter/11 month pictures of him.  Here's just a few, the rest of them are on my photo blog.

Looking at Dad, always makes him happy.

Sunday was leftovers, naps, and just spending time with each other.  We didn't have the Easter bunny stop by since Dak doesn't really eat candy yet.  One of the nights for dinner this week I was able to convince Kyle to have a picnic.  We ate our homemade Bobby's....thanksgiving dinner on french bread.  And enjoyed the nice sunset.

The ending of the picnic, I promise it wasn't just chips.

Trying to teach him to feed himself...it's a messy business.

Also, only 8 more days until.................my little guy is 1!

The Tourists

This was quite the week.  Up through Saturday I cleaned and readied the house.  We did get to listen and enjoy the speakers of General Conference.  Having Dexter made it so it was a little hard to give full attention to the speakers.  Dak kind of likes attention.  But that's why they put the talks online and in the Ensign.  To reread, be re-inspired and touched.

Watching conference in the guest bedroom

Saturday evening, my parents drove up.  They had gotten a flat tire on the way, so it took them a lot longer than planned.  We were still so happy they could make it.  Dex didn't care for them at first.  He screamed at the top of his lungs when they held him.  If I disappeared from view he did a little better.  By the end of their stay, he had warmed up to them.

Sunday we got the chance to visit my aunt (my mom's sister) and her family.  Some of her kids and a grandkid of hers were also there to visit with.  My family left Monday morning.

No pictures were taken with my family...I kept forgetting.  But they were there.

Late Monday evening, after Dexter had gone to sleep the next set of visitors came.  The Hansens...Mom and Pop, Audrey and Tyler.  We had them sneak in to see him (hadn't him seen him for 3 months, and had driven 8 hours for it), but he woke up.  Dexter was so happy and cute for them.  He didn't stay up too long.

Kyle had to go to school all the days they were here. On Tuesday I got to go shopping with Mama Hansen.  We stopped off at some kids clothing stores, then Costco.  After getting back we went to the park where the Hansens played tennis.  Dexter and I, watched and cheered them on.  Sunny and warm.  Perfect day.

Watching Pop Pop's great skills

Cheering on Aunt Audrey

Telling the grandparents one of his fascinating stories.

When Kyle got home we went out to dinner.  We wanted to take them to our favorite pizza place...NYPD Pizzeria.  It was like 7:30 pm at this point. The dinner was also kind of to celebrate Dak's upcoming b-day (only 2 more weeks and he'll be 1!!!!).  The hostess was even awesome and brought Dak some free zeppolie's for it.  We got home around 9 and continued his early birthday party.  Opened some presents.  From Kyle and I he got 2 dinosaur books, a play tent with tunnel, and a bunch of new clothes.   Nub Nub and Pop Pop (still working on his name) gave him a book about a kid's birthday.  She gave him gifts that corresponded to the story.  So cute.  Aunt Audrey also got him a Nerds (candy) onesie.

Opening his presents

Reading the book Nub Nub gave to go with the gifts.

Loving the presents.

So now it's like 9:30 pm and the party continues.  We pulled out the chocolate cake and ice cream.  Dexter, with help from me, blew out his candle.  Then he ate his cake.  Very slowly.  Very sleepily.  He would stare off many times.  I guess 10 o'clock was a little late for it, but we all still had fun.

Birthday (in two weeks) boy.

As much of the cake he ate and smashed

Just a tiny slice of the real thing.  Every birthday cake needs a candle.

Getting scrubbed down after making the mess

Playing the piano with Pop Pop.

Uncle Tyler feeding Dak for the first time.

Wednesday we drove into SLC.  Kyle met up with us at Temple Square.  We wandered around and visited the Conference Center roof.  From the top we also saw Danielle and Garrett who we were also meeting up with.

Picture in front of the SLC Temple

Nub Nub could always make him happy.  This is his scrunchy nose smile.

Group picture in front of SLC Temple

Can you see Danielle & Garrett?

Taking a break.

 City Creek is a new mall that opened up.  We checked out the new stores, fountains, creek, and the mass amounts of people.  Most of the stores, okay all, were out of our budget.  However it was fun to look at them. Oh and Dexter LOVED LOVED the kids play area when we let him take a break.  He didn't care that everyone else would walk, run, and jump around him.  He crawled over everything with smiles and giggles the whole time.

The boys at the mall with us...they were excited.

Thursday started with a sick grandpa.  So Dexter just gots lots of loving.  Then they left us.  Dexter loved having so many people around.  He was such a trooper for not being on normal naps.  His play areas taken over.  Being dragged around everywhere.  He was the happiest and giggliest he's been.  I'm so glad my parents and them got to see how much he's grown and changed.

Such a fun week.  Still have more guests coming this coming weekend.