Happy Birthday Sawyer!!

Since Sawyer was having tubes put in his ears, and his adenoids removed on his actual birthday (poor guy), we waited until the following Saturday to celebrate!  He had so much fun with his little cousins, aunts, and uncles on his big day!  He wasn't however, a big fan of everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to him.  Too much attention I suppose.

Since it's been a few weeks after Sawyer's big surgery I will give an update on his new tricks:)  I suppose that because he couldn't hear very well before the tubes, it may have been delaying his speech a bit.  Now that he can hear he is talking up a storm! I would say that a week post surgery he was already saying 8-10 words, and is now up to 15+ and learning new words every day!! Some of his favorites are: Uh-oh, no-no, night-night, bye-bye, Momma, Dada, thank you, Duke, ball, and a few others that I can't think of right off hand. I just can't get over how well he pays attention to detail, and just when you think he isn't paying you any attention, he repeats something you say.  It's amazing.
Also, just within the past week or so he has been showing signs of walking.  He walks great when he going back and forth between Josh and I, but has just recently showed interest in initiating walking on his own! Such a big boy:)

Goodbye To Our Toomer's Oaks

In mid-April we went down to Auburn to cheer on the Tigers in their pre season "A-Day" game.  This was also the last time that anyone would have a chance to roll the Toomer's oak trees.  Since this all happened to fall right on mine and Josh's anniversary weekend, we made a nice little weekend trip out of it.

It was so much fun being back on campus, and showing our son around the ropes for the first time.  Sawyer loved Auburn, and even did fairly well durning the game (we only stayed for the first half).

The tree's looked pretty rough once we finally made to the corner to roll them.  And we didn't stand a chance getting close enough to actually  make it to the tree with our toilet paper because the crowd was intense!  But we had a blast being there and getting to see it all!

Baby's Turning 1!!

I just can not believe that a year has passed since our first child was born!  People really aren't joking when they say that life goes by SO much faster when you have children!  This year with Sawyer has been amazing.  He has brought so many wonderful emotions to our home, I really don't even know where to begin.  He is a blessing, that I know for certain.
     Sawyer is now crawling like a little charger (no joke, I think he could beat me in a race)!  He is also jabbering up a storm, with a few "real" words thrown in there (Dada, mama, uh-oh, NO!, and his own cute little version of "Duke").  He is also so so so close to walking, but just won't let himself take a step! I think he is just too content with crawling:)
     On May the 8th (his actual first birthday) he is going to have tubes put in his ears, as well as have his adenoids taken out.  What a birthday present, huh?  He has had chronic ear infections for the past 3 or 4 months and just hasn't been able the shake them.  The Doctor said that this was his only option for healing, so although we are sad for him, Josh and I are also so ready for our little guy to be feeling better.

     Within the first year of Sawyer's little life, our family's life has changed so much!  In mid-March, Josh  accepted a job with Alabama Power.  He has been working very hard towards this position for a few years now, and we are so thankful that the Lord found him fit to fill it!  Along with the new job comes relocation.  We have our house on the market for sale, and just as soon as it sells we will be packing up and moving back to Auburn (our ole' Alma mater)!  Josh is commuting right now, and the long hours away from home are becoming quite a drain on all of us, so we are praying the house sells quickly!  Also, on the very same day that Josh accepted his new job, we found out that we are expecting our second child!!  Boy what an exciting and frightening day that was! We were both a little shocked from the news, but very very excited about the new addition at the same time!  Baby should arrive the end of October!

So, A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our main man, Sawyer!!  We love love love that little boy, and are so very thankful that we were blessed to be his parents!  Can't wait to see what our next year holds!!

A Visit From Paw Paw

Josh's dad, Larry came down for a visit yesterday and Sawyer had a blast hanging out with his PawPaw! He was such a little show-out all day, it was hilarious to watch!

Baby Boy is Growin' Up!

This has become Sawyer's ALL TIME favorite thing to do around the house. Walking behind his push-along. Can't believe he's even old enough to do this!

Nursery Pals

This is a picture a friend from church sent me of Sawyer and his little pal, Jack in nursery. They're two little peas in a pod, although it kinda looks like Sawyer might be thinking about punching Jack's lights out in this pic! Had to share...

Wagon-ing Around

Yesterday we had a glimpse of really nice weather in the midst of a terrible weather week, so Saws and I jumped on the opportunity to spend as much of it as we could outside! Sawyer loves riding around the lake in his little wagon and looking out in the water at the ducks and geese. Thankful for surprise "spring-like" days that pop up every now and then in the middle of winter!

Sawyer's First Snow!!

Sawyer got a little glimpse of snow for a few hours last Thursday! It wasn't much but I had to get him out in it for a few minutes to capture it all. He was very interested in the white stuff and just sat there studying it, then looking at me, then back at the snow. So cute!

Christmas Video

Sawyer Video Collaboration seven and a half months from Allison Smalley on Vimeo.

A little video collaboration of Sawyer's first Christmas.

First Christmas as a Trio!!

So Christmas was wonderful this year.  It's amazing how much joy having a little one brings you during this holiday, and every holiday!  It was so much fun watching Sawyer open his presents and seeing that little smile on his face as his toys started to peep through the wrapping paper.  As soon as we walked Sawyer out into the living room once he had woken up, he immediately saw his little toys and completely lit up!   Josh had the camera on him all day and I think he captured these very special moments very well!  Just look at that little boy smiling, isn't he just too cute for words?!  Best Christmas yet for sure:)

ExerSaucer Expert

file://localhost/Users/allisoncsmalley/Desktop/exersaucer.mp4

This is only a small glimpse of what Sawyer can do in an ExerSaucer.  He is now able to completely walk the thing across the living room until he runs into the coffee table, which is his favorite part.  He loves banging into the table over and over and over again.  He is a mess!

Once In Royal David's City

Once in royal David's city,
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.

He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall;
With the poor and meek and lowly,
Lived on earth our Savior holy.

And through all
His wondrous childhood,
He would honor and obey,
Love and watch the lowly mother,
In whose gentle arms He lay.
Christian children all should be,
Mild, obedient, good as He.

For He is our child-hood's pattern,
Day by day like us He grew,
He was little, weak, and helpless,
Tears and smiles like us He knew,
And He feeleth for our sadness,
And He shareth in our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love;
For that child so dear and gentle,
Is our Lord in heaven above,
And He leads His children on,
To the place where He is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him, but in heaven,
Set at God's right hand on high;
When like stars
His children crowned,
All in white shall be around.

I love the lyrics to this song, and the melody too.  Christmas Hymns were definitely all written with Christ in mind.  Almost every single one is the telling story of Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection.  The Gospel in and of itself.  These songs are some of the main reasons I love Christmas so much, and this one tops them all in my book.  Never ever forget that the story in this song is why we celebrate this holiday after all! 

Here's a video if you'd care to listen:)

Baby-Zilla!!!

Baby-zilla/helicopter from Allison Smalley on Vimeo.





Sawyer watching Josh fly his mini helicopter around the house. He wasn't a fan.  Sawyer is 7 months old today!!

Oldie But Goodie

Sawyer's First Taste of Real Food from Allison Smalley on Vimeo.

You're Parading On My Christmas!

Can I just say that our little guy is such
a little trooper! He's always up for anything and
everything that his crazy parents throw at him. He
just takes it all in, and goes along for the ride. I just love him :)

(Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer?)

It's that time of year again! Christmas parade time.
Josh and I have been going to this parade every
year that we've lived in Alabaster (that would be 3), and were excited to bring Sawyer to his very first Christmas parade.  He had a blast watching the bands, dancers, cars, floats, and horses go by.  We were even able to collect some candy while we were there.  But only the top notch, good quality candy.  None of that cheep  stuff.  It has taken Josh a few years to finally understand which candy is worth bending down to pick up, and which is the kind you just kick to the side. But he definitely got it this year ;-)
It was a fun day! Always hits that little spot inside of you to jump-start you into the Christmas spirit!  Well, for Josh anyway.  My Christmas spirit normally starts around the first day after Halloween :).  Anyway, now we're ready!

Enjoying The Great Outdoors!

Josh and I have been talking about and planning a little hiking trip out to the state park for this past weekend.  We had even found and purchased a little backpack carrier to carry Sawyer in while we hiked the trails.  Of course we were eager to try it out.  We went for a few hours to Oak Mountain (a local state park in Birmingham) and hiked hiked hiked!  The backpack was amazing! Sawyer loved to kick back and ride while taking in all of the beautiful fall scenery.  Josh said it was very comfortable to wear too, so score for the backpack carrier:)

We had so much fun.  It was so good to get back outside and out in the woods as a family.  Something I have missed immensely ever since I was too big pregnant to even want leave the house. So it's been a while. :)  Josh and I were also happy to see that our little boy enjoyed the outdoors every bit as much as we do!  I guess we can add hiking to the list of family outings now:)