Dylan is 1!!!

Look who turned 1 today!

My baby turned one today! He had a great birthday despite the fact that he woke up last night with a fever of 102. No other symptoms, but I'll probably call the doc tomorrow if it doesn't resolve itself overnight. I'm sure I'll be up every 6 hours to dose him up on some baby Motrin. So his birthday video, he's a little sluggish and not quite his smiley self, but he had fun nonetheless.

We did just a low key party for his 1st birthday, much like we did with Zach. We just had the local relatives over and did a quick cake and ice cream. I figure there will be plenty of time for the huge festivities with multiple children in the future. Dylan got a couple of cute PSU Gorillas t-shirts, a new swing for our swingset we got for Christmas and a fun little push truck that also teaches you things and sings songs. Now if he can just keep his big brother away from it, I'm sure he'll enjoy it. Our present to Dylan is coming on Monday because I can't even get my own kids gifts here on time. Blah! Amazon, I will not pay your ridiculous shipping prices! He is getting a neat little car track set and some matching egg game from us too.

You would have never guessed he was running a fever. Bring on the cake!

The cake was from Sweet Designs Cakery and I just loved it.
She does such great work and it tastes good too!

I just asked her to do a whale since we did some whales in Dylan's room.

Here's his "smash cake".

You can see why they call it that.

The new swing and playing with cousin Lilli

What is Dylan like these days?
(For Dylan to read when he is Zach's age and wants to know, "did I do that when I was a baby?")

Let's see. He's not walking yet. I thought he'd be early, but he seems just fine crawling everywhere and is quite fast too. He stands really solid and then slow and controlled he lowers himself to the floor. Today he started saying, "Uh, oh" and I think it's adorable. He also says "ba" every time we go into a room where there is a ball or any other round object that might be considered ball like. Even at the top of the basement stairs because he knows the two big exercise balls are down there. When you say, "ta-da" he throws his arms in the air and smiles really big. He just got a new carseat and is thrilled he can see out. Even though he's rear facing still (and probably will be until preschool at this rate) he loves the new seat and actually was making himself laugh on the way home. Dylan can climb stairs like it's no one's business and absolutely loves bath time. He's the first one in the water and can not get enough of splashing his brother even though we've said "stop" a hundred times. He has 8 teeth and is working on his one year molars. He's really a great teether just like Zach was. A little grumpy at times, but never miserable with the teeth. He loves to be outside and ride the Little Tikes car or his little push toy/ride on car he has. The swing will be a great addition to the backyard since I can now have my hands free with him contained within the seat! YEAH! Dylan is really into his big brother and doing anything he can to be near him and doing what he's doing. It's great to see and I hope they keep it up! I can't believe I almost forgot Dylan's dancing skills. He is a mover and a shaker. One morning I looked over at the high chair and we had the song Pokerface playing by Lady Gaga and Dylan's hands were literally in the air and he was bouncing in his seat to the beat like it was Disco night at Club 616! HA! I've never laughed so hard. Anytime there's music on, he's bopping. We went to Grand Lake with Craig's parents and ate at a little outdoor restaurant. They were playing that Mambo #5 by Lou Vega and Dylan immediately starting dancing in his high chair. He had the whole deck watching him and laughing. Later we were told that they had a little camera on in the kitchen and they were all laughing too! He's just a riot with the dancing.
What a great 1st year it has been with our little guy! Craig, Zach and I just love watching him learn new things and become his own person. A year ago I would have said you were just being nice or optimistic if you would have described life a year later like it is today. Here we are with a "perfect" child as if nothing ever happened. Something I prayed for continuously has come to fruition. Wow, God is good and miracles can happen!

Happy 1st Birthday, Dylan! Here's to many more birthdays ahead of you!

More Birthday Pics:

Lilli checking out our slide

Dylan just chillin' in his new swing!

The family

First, First Day of School

Monday was the big day for Zach. He had his first day of preschool. He is a Little Gorilla at PSU. After playing with Grant in the afternoon on Saturday, he was all ready to see his new friend and go to his new class. (unfortunately, Grant doesn't go on Mondays...oops, forgot to tell him that) Another oops, I had a massive migraine (the worst I've ever had) to the point I was getting sick every 10 mins. I managed to stumble downstairs to find his backpack, the camera, a change of clothes to throw in the backpack and his clothes for his first day. I tried to ask Craig nicely to take a pic of him outside with his backpack on. I'm not sure if it came across nicely or just pathetically. I think he did a great job capturing the moment that I missed. Maybe it was a good thing, since I couldn't get emotional, I had other things to worry about.

I don't know why, but I think the backpack makes him look so old!

He loved his new school and three days later he's still liking it a lot. He has made new friends and has already made a beaded necklace for his Mom. I'm so relieved that the transition has gone so smoothly.

Paint the Town Red Week

Last week was a busy week in Pittsburg. We had Paint the Town Red week. Now, to be honest, I don't remember much about Paint the Town Red week last year. I was a little too focused on having getting my house ready to have a baby and getting my contractions to start kicking in. So this year was like the first year for me!
The Ward house did not get into the act until Friday (although there were many other things going on in town prior to Friday). Zach, Dylan and I enjoyed a nice lunch at Ron's in the Cafe with our friends who all wore red and I didn't have one PSU t-shirt to wear. So sad. I wore a worn out old t-shirt that looked more pink than red, but oh well. After lunch, we decided to stop over at the stadium and watch the 3rd graders from all the schools have a balloon release. It was pretty neat to watch and Zach and Dylan liked watching the Jungletron (get it, Jungle, Gorillas, Jumbotron). My little dancing baby started bopping up and down and I didn't even notice the music playing - it was Bon Jovi. He's not particular about what he dances to. It still cracks me up.

Friday night we went to see the movie, Up on the Jungletron with some of our friends. Before the movie, we were able to have pizza and ice cream at our friend Leah's house. It was nice to get to meet up and then carpool over to the movie. We got to sit our blankets out on the field and watch the movie while it turned dark. A great perk to living in a college town. Zach and I were the only ones to go. Craig stayed home with Dylan since he would have been a handful to walk around the stadium with. Also, Craig had his fantasy football draft to pay attention to on Friday. :)

Zach with his new friend, Braeden.

The crowd before the movie - it filled up a lot more.Leah and her little one, Logan

The movie on the Jungletron

I was excited to see the end of Up since we had to leave early from the theater when I took Zach. He got too scared at the end chase scenes. It is such a sweet movie. I believe I will have to own it when it comes out on DVD. I love the talking dogs! I'm easily amused. :)

Saturday we went to the game. It was the first home football game for the Gorillas. We played Central Oklahoma and the Gorillas won. The Ward family went to Jock's Nitch on Saturday morning to get a new t-shirt for Zach and a new t-shirt for me. It was a zoo. Gorillaspirit was in the air!
The whole family went to tailgate. Zach ran around like a crazy man playing football with his friends for about 2 hours before the game. Craig and Zach went in the game and lasted almost to half time. I'd say that's pretty good for a 3 1/2 year old. Dylan and I hung out around the food and tent and people watched. He did really well considering he was tired and I never let him crawl further than about 15 feet. One of the neat tradition that they do here is have the team walk through the tailgating area on their way to the stadium. The kids and adults line up on the path and get high fives from the players as they pass through. Zach thought that was pretty cool and again Dylan started clapping when everyone started to cheer. I didn't get any pictures, but maybe next time I'll be better prepared with my camera.
All in all, it was a fun weekend to be a Gorilla (although we all know I'm still a Hoosier at heart!). :)