Andrej, Jessica, Kaiya, Tobi and Eli

On Memorial Day our little Tobi turned 2! It’s hard to believe, but my baby boy has become quite a big boy. He recently transitioned seamlessly from his crib into a big boy bed, will gladly use the potty if “geen” (green) M&Ms are the reward and he thinks he can do anything Kaiya can do (or any other older kid). He also just got his first big boy haircut as his red curls had gotten out of control in the heat and humidity. He is such a crazy two year old and we are so thankful he is ours.  (Read more …)

This post is a continuation of an account of our recent trip to SC/GA. Part One is found here.

Sunday, was not just any ol’ Sunday, it was Father’s Day. Unfortunately, I forgot that and as I heard my dad bumping around the kitchen that morning (Andrej and I were sleeping on an air mattress in the family room next to the kitchen), I called out, “Dad? Do you have any coffee ready over there?” It wasn’t until a little later when my mom was busy getting us to sign the Father’s Day cards that I realized it should have been me serving my father coffee on this particular morning rather than the other way around. (Read more …)

It happened! No matter how badly I wanted to slow down time and enjoy my little baby boy as a baby, he just kept on growing and growing and on May 25, Tobias Daniel turned one. We were planning to throw him a big first birthday party during our trip to South Carolina a few weeks later, but I just couldn’t imagine Tobi’s special day coming and going without some type of celebration. As I started asking around among our friends who would be in town during Memorial Day weekend, I was reminded of a conversation I had with one of our postpartum nurses in the hospital shortly after Tobi was born.  (Read more …)

I cannot believe it, but in one month our sweet boy will celebrate his first birthday! His. First. Birthday. I’ve asked this question before, and I’ll ask it again, where does the time go? Tobi at 11 months is one active little boy. He took his first unassisted steps on April 15, five consecutive steps before he dove into my arms in a fit of laughter. Each time I would stand him back up and cheer for him to try again, he would laugh even harder as he wobbled towards me. Since then he has taken more and more steps each day. He looks like a little tin man as he moves his stiff legs one foot at a time. It is amazing to watch him learn to balance and navigate upright. I didn’t think I would be so excited since I’ve already experienced one child’s first steps, and I knew Tobi would walk eventually, but it seems that no matter how many children you have it is truly amazing to witness each one take their first steps.  (Read more …)

When I finished Tobi’s 8 month post, I thought that there wouldn’t be a need for a nine month post. How much could change in one month that would be blog worthy? Well, I had forgotten that these months leading up to the first birthday are jam packed with developmental leaps.  (Read more …)

About two weeks ago, I went in to get Tobi up from his morning nap and I found him standing up in his crib leaning over the top rail with a huge proud smile spread across his face. My heart dropped at the sight because he could have easily fallen out of the crib. I immediately scooped up Tobi and called Andrej to tell him about Tobi’s latest accomplishment. We agreed that Andrej should come home for lunch and lower the crib mattress to keep our little man safely contained. I then recreated the scenario and snapped the cute picture to the left. What a proud boy he is! (Read more …)