Gideon is One!

My baby turned one on Friday! It's so hard to believe that a year ago I snuggled a tiny infant in my arms. Now I'm lucky if I can catch the wiggly guy long enough for a quick hug and kiss.

5 things about Gideon that we love

1. He is utterly unpredictable. He'll laugh with you or just screech. You never quite know what he'll do. He often greets people with these awful grumpy eyes but just as easily he'll give a big nearly toothless grin.


2. He wakes up incredibly happy. When his eyes open his mouth turns up in a smile and he is ready to play.


3. He adores his big sister. If he wakes up from his nap first, he'll go wake her up too so they can play. When they shared a bed they would often end up just giggling together.


4. He is fascinated by things that move and can be manipulated. With amazing focus, he will sit and watch something move or attempt to manipulate something into action.


5. He is a sensitive boy who lets us know when he's had enough. He helps keep me focused on the simple (often quiet) things that bring happiness.

I know this next year will bring many changes as he totters on two feet for the first time, utters his first words and begins the process of emerging into a little boy. I'm so grateful for this little one in our home.

Gideon devoured his first chocolate cupcake. It was love at first taste.

He (and Sierra) have had so much fun playing with his new Little People Fire Truck.
Sierra and Elia (a Thunderbird friend that is now a fellow Texan), having too much fun!

Mighty Ike

The forces of nature are humbling to say the least. From business as usual last week to survival this week, I'm in awe at how quickly this city has changed. I've seen enough since Ike wielded it's fury to reevaluate my 72 hour kit and move food storage at the top of my to do list. We are very very fortunate in that our power wasn't out for even 24 hours (our milk was still fresh). I think that is because we are right across the street from Reliant Center which is the FEMA headquarters. What a blessing to have air conditioning, cold food, lights and a zillion other things we take for granted. We ventured out today and witnessed first hand the empty grocery shelves, the long long lines at gas stations and the devastation of the wind and rain. A scripture has come to my mind throughout this, "O how great is the nothingness of the children of men"

Ike

When you live near the gulf coast you can expect for some excitement in the fall and it's not typically the back to school kind of excitement. It seems like tropical storms and hurricanes have been in abundance this fall. We lived in Houston during 2005 when Katrina and Rita hit the coasts. When Rita threatened Houston, we took advantage of the unexpected time off work and headed to Disneyworld. We had such a great time we always said we'd do it again for the next one. Well the next one is here and we are in Hutto, Texas, a suburb of Austin. We were planning on coming here anyway this weekend to pick up our furniture Craig's brother has been storing for us. Now we get to stay an extra day. Guess we'll do Disneyworld for the next one. Hopefully the storm isn't as bad as they say but if not, we are here safe and sound.