Saturday, January 28, 2012

One year later

Well, folks, we have a one-year-old on our hands:


Talk about a milestone birthday! And not only for our little Deutbug, but for his parents, too. It's hard to believe that this time last year, hitting the one-year mark seemed so very far away.

I'm tempted to use the term "we survived." But that's not accurate, not at all. We didn't just survive. We "thrived." I'm thankful for every bump in the road, for without them, the victories wouldn't be nearly as sweet. And at the end of the day, or the year, our first year of parenthood didn't look like anyone else's. I think for part of the year, that made me unsure, frustrated at times. What I know now is that it was never supposed to. It's our journey as Team Park, and it's what makes our family, well, our family.


I simply cannot imagine life without this little guy!



Those beautiful, curious, spirited blue eyes.



That smile, those dimples and those adorable cheeks.



That laugh and that squeal.



Those arms that reach out for Mama.


One of our friends referred to Levi as our "fiery priest." I love that. It's a pretty literal interpretation of his name, but it's also pretty accurate for his personality so far, at least with the "fiery" part. We believe that the priest part is there, too, being molded day by day.

One year seems like such a milestone, and it is, but it's so much more of a beginning.

January 22, 2011, began a work in me that I couldn't yet understand. With his initial cry, my heart melted, and every day since, it has grown more and more full. My cup overflows.

Levi Blaze, you truly are our little wonder. You made me a mama, and with that title you gave me more satisfaction, more thankfulness and more joy than I ever saw coming. My life will never be the same, and that gives me cause to celebrate!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

ONE YEAR OLD!

Happy, happy, happy first birthday to our little wonder, our precious little dude! We love you so much and continue to be amazed at how you have changed our lives for the better. You are absolute proof that God only gives good gifts. We celebrate you today, Levi Blaze!


Saturday, January 14, 2012

Baby's Second Christmas

Now that Gib's parents have moved back within a few hours' drive from us, we were able to have an evening of Christmas with them this year, too!

It wasn't supposed to just be an evening, but we found out just before Christmas that SURPRISE! Gib would be having surgery to get his pins removed on the very day the Park clan had planned to unite at Gib's sister's house. So, that morning, Gib and I drove an hour for his surgery, then another two hours for the Park family Christmas, and then another hour and a half back to my parents. It was like a mini-road trip!

Gib was feeling pretty energetic going into the procedure:


And here he is in recovery, drinking "the best Sprite of his life." Neither of us realized that they might knock him completely out for such a procedure, but that they did. I find Gib to be pretty funny ordinarily, but coming out of anesthesia, that man is hilarious.


It was so much fun to see Gib's immediate family, even if for a short period of time. Levi received more fun gifts (including his jersey) and lots of welcome attention!


Thursday, January 12, 2012

Baby's First Christmas

Although our baby is looking more and more like a toddler, we thoroughly enjoyed "baby's first Christmas!" He wasn't too impressed with wrapping paper or bows as I'd expected, but the tree captivated him.


This Christmas was so much fun for me. I loved having my sister there. I loved getting to celebrate Leigh's and J.J.'s first Christmas as a married couple. I loved waking up to my main man beside me and my little man bouncing away in the crib across the room. I loved getting to watch Levi Blaze experience the wonder of Christmas. I loved being with my parents. I loved playing Monopoly on an iPad for the first time. I loved spending the holiday all together as a family.

Levi enjoyed being the star of the show, and I love this sequence of him opening his gift from Aunt Leigh and Uncle J.J.


You know what else I love? This guy. In his adult sleeper that his thoughtful son gave him for Christmas. Now they can match!


We had a great time laughing together, playing lots of games and celebrating the Reason for the season. I'm pretty thankful to have such a great family!

Here are some of my favorite shots from Christmas!











Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Thanksgiving

We had a memorable holiday season filled with family and lots of fun… so much so that I'm just now getting around to write about it!

For Thanksgiving, the three of us took a road trip to Kansas to spend the holiday with Gib's family. Gib's parents bought a new place, and Levi thoroughly enjoyed looking out the front door, trying to get the remote from Uncle Brian, hanging with Aunt Kim and his grandparents, watching Wheel of Fortune, climbing the stairs, climbing people and sportin' a new hat!








I love these mischievous expressions!