I Love Candy!!!!

So Sunday the town of Haverhill did trick or treating. They usually do it the Saturday night before Halloween, but due to the nasty weather they postponed it. So Colin dressed up like Superman again and helped give out the candy for a little while. Then we bundled him up in the new wagon and headed out to hit a couple of houses (of course the houses where the dogs live!). We got home and waited for some more trick or treaters...Colin thought the candy bowl was for him and he loved to shake the boxes of Milk Duds (mommy's favorite!)...Happy Halloween! BOO!

The Monster Mash!

So Saturday afternoon Colin celebrated his first birthday with all of his family and friends. Despite the whipping winds and rain, it managed to turn out great! Ryan and Colin and I can't thank everyone enough for coming to celebrate with us...it means so much knowing he has so many people in his life that care for him and love him! It was a Halloween themed party, costumes and all! The kids and adults looked so cute! The only problem was that Ryan and I realized we didn't take a whole lot of pictures, not even a family picture of me, Ryan, and Colin - oh well...Thank you again everyone for all you did and especially for coming out in that horrible weather...we appreciate it tons!!!!

Walking Man!

So today, one day after he turned 1, Colin decided it was time to start walking. This morning Ryan happened to be videotaping with our digital camera Colin pushing a heavy wooden activity cube around the living room. As he got close to the dining room table he realized that his walking push toy was there, so he decided to let go of the cube and take four steps to the walking toy...and Ryan got it all on camera, his first official purposeful steps! Pretty soon he'll be asking for the keys to the car! Michael how do you upload videos???

Happy Birthday!

So Colin had a very exciting day. He woke up to Elmo balloons tied to his high chair and a dog-dog (stuffed of course) sitting on the tray. He came downstairs pointed immediately at the balloons and said "dog-dog"...it's very funny how he knows what dogs are - won't say mama, but will say dog! Anyhow, he had a party at school, very cute, and then cupcakes at home too! All of his cousins called and sang Happy Birthday and even Uncle Rob Matthews called on his way to work and sang too! I swear Colin knew something was up -he was very, very happy today and I think of course loved the attention! He is so cute! He actually took some steps alone today too...nothing big, maybe three quick steps before falling into my arms...what a day for Mommy and Daddy! What a day for Colin too, he opened some presents (well Mommy and Daddy opened them) and then was so ready for his "ba-ba" and blankie and especially his cribbie! He used to love snuggling with Mommy at bed time, but now it's his crib! Suprisingly Mommy did OK today, not too many tears, just thoughts of absolute amazement at how truly blessed we are to have him in our lives and how his smile melts my heart each and every time I see it!

One Day Left Until the Big 1!

So at this time last year I think I was throwing up the hospital lunch I ate...not to be gross or anything, but it feels like it was yesterday. I was in the middle of being induced, having contractions,and just focusing on the 12 on the clock and the tip of the sail on the painting of the sailboat in our hospital room -those were the two things I focused on while in the middle of contractions. What a long day that was - just about 17 hours! We made it through, thank god, and had a beautiful and healthy son, but my gosh it feels like yesterday! So tonight the plan is to make some cupcakes for school tomorrow. Patty our wonderful daycare provider throws him a party with all his friends and mommy put together goody bags for the older kids. He won't know what is going on, but I am sure he'll have fun! I am going to try and upload pics tonight...thanks for the help Michael R.!

Our blog continued...

So we had some trouble with our original blog, the blogger thought it was a spam blog! After a week I got fed up and decided to just create a new one. Since then, things have been busy. We have been getting ready for Colin's birthday, we participated in the Walk FAR for NAAR (Autism Research Fund Walk) which is always such a remarkable event, and we enjoyed a wonderful night at our friend Kelly and Dave's house. It was the annual bonfire - the Christmas tree is torched and we all sit around and watch it...all the kids went to bed so nicely and the mom's and dad's got to relax...it was such a nice night! Thanks for having us Kelly! Anyhow, we are counting down the days until Wednesday - the big day! Colin will be 1!!!!!! Oh yeah, how could I forget to post this...so I was just about to get into the shower and Ryan was downstairs and Colin was sleeping (or so we thought). When all of a sudden we heard a loud thud followed by screaming coming from Colin's room - yup, he fell out of the crib. I ran in, opened the door and didn't see him. I can't even tell you what that felt like. He was lying on his belly behind the rocking chair which is next to his crib. We think that he was trying to reach the edge of the chair and leaned over and fell out. I was shaking (and still am!), Ryan took him from me and he quieted down pretty quickly. We took his clothes off and looked for any bumps and bruises and didn't find any. We then immediately lowered the crib to its lowest setting and he is now fast asleep...What a scary moment, we are so lucky he is OK! I am going to try and upload pics tonight!