a message from Liam

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Happy Birthday Liam

Our internet has had issues lately. Here's the post I started on his birthday...sorry for the delay.


Today has been a day of simple delights for our little man. While the blueberry muffins were in the oven this morning, he opened the present from Grandma and Grandpa Hall. He got pretty excited about ripping the paper off, but then he wanted to try and put it back on.

He was excited to pull things out from the inside:

a fantastic quilt made just for him by Grandma

and a stack of her famous bibs

The quilt is made of a variety of textures (corduroy, flannel, velour...) and Gabriel recognizes some of the fabrics from the quilt he made as a boy. It's really special and I'm sure it will be treasured forever. Thank you, Grandma.

Breakfast

Liam loves breakfast. It's always his biggest and favorite meal of the day. Does this remind you of anybody?

To make it exra special for him, I made scrambled eggs with cheese and sausage (yes, real sausage... free range, organic, of course). He also had orange juice in his sippy cup. He ate the entire plate full and showed off his fork skills in the process.

And then we pulled out the blueberry muffins. These are probably his favorite food ever.

Mmm...

Lunch

I grilled some veggie dogs to dip in ketchup and made a simple apple and raisin yogurt salad. He devoured it.

After lunch, Liam played in the dirt pile in the backyard while Gabriel and I did some much needed spring yard work. He happily played for several hours!

After a much needed bath and an afternoon nap, Liam played with some of the birthday presents Grammie brought out last week.

The finger puppets can be tricky to keep in sight. You never really know just where they'll turn up.

After a jaunt on the moose it was time for dinner.

Dinner

Hamburgers, french fries, and more ketchup. What more could a boy want?

Goodnight

It's a bit strange to think that this was us one year ago today. So much has happened since then. Thank you for one incredible year. Thank you for our little boy.

I can eat with a fork!

Grammie brought Liam a new dish set from Ikea. He definitely approves and has been putting the fork to good use. He may not be crawling yet (although he is super close now), but he is working extra hard on those fine motor skills. See for yourself:

Spring, is that really you?

The last week has been filled with balmy 60-70 degrees days. In early March. We've definitely enjoyed the unseasonable weather and the chance to wear shorts and go barefoot. Things are beginning to turn green in the garden, too.

Liam had to check things out.

Cozy in the lamb's ear patch.

Our peach tree is already covered in blossoms.

It's supposed to freeze tonight, just in time for our seasons-deprived family to fly in from San Diego.

Draw with me, Linda

Auntie Linda was kind enough to share her notebook and oil pastels with Liam this morning. He thought it was great, and he figured out what to do with the pastels pretty quickly.

His first masterpiece.

11 months and counting

Liam is seeming so much older every day. Now, when people ask how old he is, I tell them he'll turn one later this month. I can hardly believe it. But the most amazing thing is how much he is starting to look like a one year old!

Even though he doesn't really look like a baby anymore, he still makes some pretty great faces.

Laundry is calling my name

The tummy slide

Liam has discovered a new way to scoot about. He can't really direct where he goes just yet, but -hey- it's better than sitting in one place!

Guatemala style

That is how Gabriel describes his improvised scaffolding he built to roof the shed's steep slopes.
It's a bit rickety but it's getting the job done.

Just mobile enough

Liam has started inching around on our hardwood floors by scooting his legs in and out. He also reaches really far by getting on all fours while still keeping one leg folded underneath him so he can easily get back to sitting. It seems he'll go to any length to avoid actually getting on his stomach and crawling!

He managed to make his way over to my knitting basket. This has happened a few times now...and even though it's a mess to clean up, I remind myself of all the motor skills this feat involves and all of that fantastic sensory information he gains from handling the different yarns and knitting needles.

But it sure is a mess!

Little Miss Grace

I just had to share this picture of my niece, Grace. She is just so cute. I have to say I'm thrilled to see her in the onesie I painted for her. Ben and Carolyn have some great genes.

Shed update

Despite the freezing temperature and the snow continuing to fall, Gabriel still got a lot done on the shed over the weekend. He had planned to attach the shingles, but seeing the thick layer of the snow on the roof, he opted to do the electrical instead.

Here he is, digging a trench to run power out to the shed. Keep in mind, it's not even 20 degrees...

I ended up still being really sick on Saturday and Sunday, and needed help with Mr. Cranky. He bundled Liam up and set up a blanket on the shed for him to play on so I could take a nap. I came out later to find Liam happily playing with a box of nails. Yes, nails! Aah! Gabriel was watching him, of course, but still says he doen't see the harm in it. They're only nails. But even with these interruptions, Gabriel still managed to get the electrical all hooked up, complete with power outlets and interior lights. In addition, the shed now sports a door and interior shelving (more pictures soon, I promise).

Booties - Round 2

Rather than trying to rework the ruffle pattern mishap, I decided to try another pattern altogether. These ones turned out super cute, but also super huge.

So, Liam gets a new pair of slippers and it's back to the knitting needles...
I actually already finished another pair, which turned out to be just what I was hoping for in a baby bootie. Apparently, the third try is indeed the charm. They're going in the mail today!

Mr. Cranky

The last few days have not been Liam's best in the mood department.

Good thing I know a secret trick that makes him happy every time:

spatula licking!