Photos/video from Atticus's previously mentioned birthday celebration

The amazing, adorable cake made by Aunt Kim.

The singing of "Happy Birthday" and presentation of the cake.

The little birthday boy (who happened to be sick and feverish at the time).  

We're so glad to have this little one year-old in our family.

We love good weather!

We've really been enjoying the beginning of Spring.  

Atticus has taken advantage of the good weather by:

visiting chickens (one of his favorite activities)

picnicking in the park

riding his tricycle

and going on lots of walks

Dear Mother Nature,

I'm sorry.  I've tried to practice good environmental habits: to conserve, to recycle, and to turn the lights off when we don't need them.  Having a child has changed things.  

It started with all the disposable items.  We still go through diapers and wipes  like crazy.  Then came the food waste.  Ever since Atticus started to learn how to feed himself, he's found great joy in playing with and tossing off the high chair (but not actually eating) many a meal.

And now, Atticus has learned how to flush the toilets.  I think he's wasted about 50 gallons of water today.  I'm trying to teach him, I promise, but in the mean time, I'm sorry.  

Sincerely, 

Kirsten 

Once we went to California...

In February Atticus visited Uncle Jared, Aunt Katrina, and Cousin Kalliandra in California.  We all had a great time.  We went to the park, the Children's Discovery Center, and of course, the beach.  It was a welcome break from our Utah winter.

Atty on the slide at the park

Enjoying the swing

Learning about vapor at the Discovery Center

Daddy laying on a bed of nails at the Discovery Center

Playing in the sand

Looking for wildlife in the tidepools

Our little family

In case you were wondering...

We are 18 (and a half) weeks along now in our pregnancy and today we had an ultrasound.  The fetus is, according to the doctor, "completely average looking", which is a good thing.  We were also thrilled to find out she is a girl!  Both she and I are healthy and progressing through the pregnancy normally.  Our due date remains August 2nd--we'll see what she thinks about that come summertime. ; )  

Happy Birthday Dear Atticus

Our little Atticus is one year old.  He's grown and changed so much in the last year that it is hard to believe he's the same tiny little guy we held in our arms for the first time last February.  Being parents has changed our lives dramatically.  We see the world so differently and we feel so much joy in our family.  

Atticus is very bright, curious, loving, and eager to please.  He is a special little guy and we are grateful we have him.

On his birthday Atticus got to help us make dinner and cupcakes

(well, take all of the towels out of the drawer),

eat some birthday pasta and drink some birthday juice,

 

open fun birthday presents,

play with his new toys, 

and get a cupcake all over himself (including in his tummy).  

We're looking forward to a birthday lunch for Atticus with our families on Saturday.  I'll post pictures of that party, and of our fun trip to California (just last weekend) soon.  

He's Walking!

Atticus has made the transition from just walking while holding on to the furniture to taking more and more steps on his own.  This video shows some of those adorable first steps.  Although the footage is only a week old, he's made huge progress since then.  He's getting so brave and daring and pretty much tries to walk everywhere.