Patrick's New Room

Patrick slept in his own room for the first time last night. He only woke up once around 3:30am and I think it was because his teeth started bothering him (or maybe he just missed me?). Still, once in the night is a huge improvement over 3 or 4 times in the night! I feel so very well rested!

I am very excited about finally having his room set up! There are still a few things to do in there, but it is already a lovely little room, and he loves being in there. We played in there for over 2 hours this morning.

I did miss him though. My room looks very large and empty right now. Time to rearrange and decorate!

Who takes care of mommy?

Well, I have done it again. I have neglected myself so thoroughly that the anemia has returned with a vengeance, on top of a never ending cold...cold number two in 2 months.

I have done a fantastic job of keeping Patrick happy and healthy. I fail at doing the same for myself. The awful thing is that in not taking proper care of myself, I have a difficult time taking awesome care of Patrick. Hard to chase a baby around and laugh and play all day long when you are on the verge of falling over.

I really need to get with the program because no one is going to take care of me, but me. I deserve it. And really, so does Patrick!

Hopefully, I have learned my lesson this time!

Have Baby, Will Travel

I think Patrick has handled all the traveling way better than I have! That baby is just amazing (yes, I am sure I've mentioned something like that before)

He just enjoys almost every experience. And he stays pretty chill, even when he's not exactly having the time of his life. This last road trip to Kentucky was no exception. He was wonderful, calm, and happy 90% of the time. He got a teeny bit cranky once we were there, and had one day where he refused to take a nap. Well, can't really blame the poor little guy - he is cutting 4 teeth at once.

We had a wonderful time visiting with family, and he of course enjoyed the new people to smile at. His GiGi taught him to high-five too.

I feel as if we have been traveling almost nonstop since Germany. I am exhausted! But at least I know that if I were to take another trip somewhere soon, Patrick would be ready and willing to tag along. And we would, of course, have a blast!
I just can't believe how easy and fun it is to travel with him!

Patrick's Party!

This past Sunday was Patrick's birthday party. It was so much fun! Just the right number of people came, and Patrick had a wonderful time! It almost seemed as if he new the party was just for him. He enjoyed his cupcake too!

It was so fun having Zaky P. and Aethan help us unwrap the gifts, and then help put some of the toys together.

The party went even better than I could have imagined. I am so thankful to have such wonderful friends and family - and really, such an amazing little boy.

I just still can't believe he's 1...

Patrick is 1 Year Old Today!!!

Today we went to the Build-A-Bear Workshop and Patrick chose an owl to stuff and take home. The owl's name is "Owl". He has a little blue scarf that is apparently also named "Owl". What are the odds?

I cannot believe how fast it all went by. One day I am in labor, walking around a lake with Drew helping me, feeling a bit afraid and telling him that if this gets any worse I just don't know if I can do it...and then I am holding this wiggly little thing in my arms, and I don't even care that he's kinda gross and slimy, I think he's amazing.
And then he's rolling, crawling, talking, almost walking...eating real food...
saying his first words...

So much has happened in a year. So much has changed. And now my teeny little baby is growing into a funny little toddler complete with a mind of his own...it is crazy!

I love this. I love all of it. While it does make me sad that as he grows, he leaves another little phase of babyhood behind, watching him grow and change is just incredible.

I love motherhood. The tears, the sweat, the messes, the long nights, the temper tantrums, the laughter, the cuteness, the sweet moments...all of it (ok, I could do without the poo)
It is just an amazing experience. And I can't believe it has been a year already...but there is no time to be sad about how fast it went, there are many years, milestones, and moments coming...how exciting!

Happy Birthday Patrick Josef Dambrell! You are my Sunshine!

Mommy is Sick

Uhg. I feel like I have been such an awful mother today. Usually I have no problem chasing the baby around until he is completely worn out. But today, I feel so sick and so very weak. Chasing him around has been next to impossible. I am sluggish and a bit on the unstable side. He's spent most of the day either in his walker (which doesn't really move much on the carpet) or in his activity bouncy thing. I even put him down for a nap about an hour earlier than I normally would have...twice...Both times he played and babbled for a bit, then took a good nap. He's only now getting a teeny bit frustrated with me. Sweet little guy, he's been easy going as usual, letting his mommy be a slug for the day.

I can't even imagine being sick like this when he's older and much more active, but still too young to understand that mommy doesn't feel good. I better start taking better care of myself so I don't get sick. Seriously!

Adventures in Michigan

Patrick and I just got home from a little trip to Michigan. We went there to surprise a good friend of mine and her hubby for their baby shower. It was a really fun time! Patrick loved meeting all the new people, the doggy Boomer (who really inspired Patrick to say "woof" every time he sees or hears a dog now) and of course he loved seeing Jenn & Chris!

It was cold! We both loved it! I bought Patrick two very adorable hat & mitten sets. So what if he'll only get the chance to wear them a couple of times...they are THAT adorable!

He was wonderful on both the flight there and the flight back, he was a trooper with the crazy non-sleep schedule we were on and all the nonstop parties and gatherings.

I love adventures with the plumpkin!
<3

Patrick's First Halloween

Mom, Patrick, and I had a whole theme going for Halloween this year. Mom was a bat cave, I was a vampire, and Patrick was the cutest little bat there ever was!
We went to a kid friendly Halloween party in Port Orange. Oh the adorable children and babies in costume! Crickette's little guy, Adrian, was dressed up like a sushi roll...and he was happily nibbling his own costume! So cute!

I was not sure if Patrick would make it to the Trick-or-Treating. He was on toy and baby overload at the party, and having a blast! But he caught his second wind and took to Trick-or-Treating with great excitement! He screeched and laughed happily much of the time. It was so much fun!



The only downside...I think the entire population of mosquitoes devoured me. Not Patrick though. Lucky little boy takes after his daddy, if the mosquitoes even touch him, the bite lasts no more than 24 hours.

Since Patrick is too young to eat candy, I took it upon myself to munch on some of his loot. I can't eat candy like I used to, that's for sure!
I am already plotting ways to keep him from getting sugar crazed on Halloween when he is older. I witnessed little children on a sugar high, and it was a bit scary! I have a feeling though, there is no way to stop it. Halloween = Sugar High, it is as inevitable as the rising of the sun.