I've updated the blog but somehow gotten backed up on pictures! I can't figure out how to get a song to play automatically, so you can hit play down at the bottom of the page to hear one of my newest favorites. Even though this has been such a challenging eleven months, I wouldn't trade it for anything, and we are so grateful to God for the life we are living. This song describes it perfectly.
So here are some pictures from the last few months. You can really see how much Anderson is changing and growing! These are from around Christmas time...
Anderson's girlfriend, Dakota Denae, born in November to my childhood friends, Shonna and Grant!
Anderson's friend, Kaleb. He is a big boy, especially for only being 3 1/2. He is my girl, Ashley's son.
We went out to eat and he kept talking to Anderson, saying, "Anderson! Hey, Anderson!" "Mom, why won't he talk to me?" Ashley explained to him that Anderson didn't know how to talk yet. Then later, before Kaleb went to the bathroom, he looked at Anderson and ever so seriously said, "I'll be right back, okay?"
Here he is getting rocked to sleep by Great Grandma Hays (yes, she's the one who just turned 85 and is the bomb.com!) She's singing her specialty "Beautiful, Beautiful Blue Eyes" (of course, she changes the words for every grandchild, but growing up, we didn't know that!)
One of his first stands! And in his new pants. I bought him 12 month pants (he was 8 months in this photo)but this shows you how long his pants are, just to get them to fit around his belly!
One of his favorite toys! An empty Swiss Miss container!
This is another favorite from his Great Grandma Reed. It is a standing and dancing tower that he loves! The little bear on top dances, and there is a microphone he "talks" into!
Anderson has been getting to enjoy some quality time with his Grandpa Mike since Daddy has been coming down for his follow up appointments with Dr. Martin. Anderson woke up REALLY early one morning, and since my dad is an early riser, he gladly entertained Anderson. He later told me they were playing and all of a sudden, Anderson "got real quiet." Well, he had fallen asleep!
Over spring break, Adam got to keep Anderson and spend more time with him. One day after work, I walked in to Adam pulling Anderson around the living room in a circle, just like this:
He said they'd been doing it for 35 minutes straight and Anderson loved it!
Anderson hearts avocado! I pick them up at Kroger and they are the best texture and so healthy.
He is so silly. Food gets stuck everywhere and he doesn't even know it. Sometimes, a huge glob or chunk will be on his cheek and he doesn't even know it! Here, a piece is stuck on his neck.
We always think he is eating so much, then when we take him out of the highchair, all this food falls out! Here, Adam is grabbing chunks of avocado that has fallen down in the seat.
He looks like a leprechaun with it in his eyebrows!
Bubba loves to run into the kitchen after Anderson is finished eating!
Family picture at Kristy's wedding. Her colors were gold and black, so of course Anderson was festive! He couldn't run with the big dogs too long, though. He crashed at the reception.
Anderson loves to be in the middle of whatever we're doing these days, and that includes helping Adam trim Bubba's toenails!
Playing in his "toy box"
Several "firsts" have happened this month, and this is one of them. It scared me so much when I walked in to get him from his nap to see this!
Standing in the crib!
He is so much fun! Getting into everything now!
I still can't believe he is just pulling up on everything, and even cruising. I am terrified something will fall over on him or he will hit his head (which he does all the time now!)
Here he is in the big boy bathtub. Adam got out every single bath toy Anderson had (regardless of whether it was age appropriate or not!) and just dumped them all in! He still mainly prefers the Tummy Tub, but here is a picture to commemorate the moment:
Happy St. Patrick's Day from Anderson Reed!
Anderson provides a workout in more ways than one.
Here he is getting rocked to sleep by Daddy. So sweet.
Anderson's Sunday School teachers don't call him the "best dressed" for nothing! He always has on his Sunday best, and this day was no exception! I think we got stopped at least 20 times by people we didn't even know at church to meet Anderson!
You can't really tell from the pictures, but he has SIX teeth! They came in in twos; two on bottom and four on top. He is just now getting to where you can see his top teeth when he smiles. His facial expressions are hilarious, and I wish so badly I could upload a video or two onto this blog so you could see it!
Anderson wallers so much anymore he doesn't usually end up in bed with us, but I think this might have been a day I went into work and had to leave Adam and Anderson sleeping in. :(
Anderson, I'm apologizing in advance for this, but it is so hilarious! I even have a video of him dancing like this with the cabinets (to be shown at his birthday party!)
And finally, I leave you with this. Anderson's future wife (praying for her already!) is so lucky!
He helps out with the laundry...
He even loads the dishwasher (and unloads!)
His first birthday is fast approaching, and I will be making this blog into a book for him, so please make sure you leave a comment for Baby Anderson! If you receive this in your email, make sure you go to the website and actually leave a comment instead of "replying." That way, it will end up on the blog and into Anderson's book! He needs to see his fan mail! :)
