Monday, December 12, 2005

Birthday Candids of Young Master Thaddeus

Thad actually had TWO birthdays: one in Iowa (piggybacked on Aunt Rae's celebration) and then the one at home in Seattle. Here are a few candids of our SmoochieFace!

Nana gave him his own "smash cake." The waitresses were soooo happy . . . !

Notice the hair frosting.

Thad & Tyler plotting which toy to play with next!


SuperBaby! A Belated Halloween Posting

When Pete was 6, he met Batman. Not THE Batman, or even the Adam West Batman, but to his way of thinking--Batman!! It made an impact on him. In his adult life he has been Batman every year for Halloween. As a matter fact one of the first things we did together as friends was chase all over town for items to fill his utility belt. (As a side note, he didn't invite me to the party to which he was going! He dropped me off after we had dinner and he went on to the party! Pete, Pete . . . )

Anyway, we have talked about what Thad would be for his first Halloween since before we even had him. The thought was Robin. Then we talked about Thad being Batman and Pete being Robin. However, as time got closer we decided Thad should have his own thing, but stay in the SuperHero category. So Thad was Superman this year.

(My mom bought him an adorable Batman outfit, complete with cape, which he loves to wear! It was short-sleeved, so we decided to make that an indoor outfirt.)

Pete and Thad went around the neighborhood with our nextdoor neighbors the Shettlers and the Colinos. They had so much fun! Thad came back with candy (I LOVE having children!!) and very, very heavy eyelids.

Pete then put on his costume in order to hand out candy to others. We had some interesting others:


Schwartzenegger and a nun? Okay.

That same weekend, we went to our local nursery, Swanson's (wonderful!) for fall activities. Here are a few snaps from that little trip. Our extra "son" is our neighbors' son, Stephen Shettler, who came with us to "help us with Thad"!!

Getting ready to go!


Dad & Thad Riding the Great Pumpkin!

Thad muscling another pumpkin around!

Thursday, December 08, 2005

HOW CAN THIS BE?!?? THAD TURNS ONE!!

Dearest Sweet Thad:

You turned one a few weeks back . . . I have written this letter a million times in my head, but I am just getting around to posting it.

How can I begin to tell you all that you mean to your daddy and me? Our lives are richer, more complicated, less rested, more fun, less stable, more exciting, less predictable, more exciting, less hopeless, more joyful than they were one year ago. There may be parents that are as grateful as we are for you, but not more grateful. We are humbled that God gave you to us.

People describe you as the happiest, easiest baby they have been around. Other words used are delightful, charming, funny, a character, amazing, too cute, handsome, huge eyes, delicious, etc., etc., etc.

You are starting to get to know yourself which means you are figuring out what you do and don't like, what you do and don't want to do, and how to assert your new-found self. This particular developmental milestone is thrilling and terrifying for us. The question we ask ourselves constantly is How do we shape and direct his spirit without crushing it? The battles are small right now--skirmishes, really. But how we answer the question will determine how future battles go. What are the skirmishes? "No touch (Daddy's/Mommy's) glasses." "No put your finger in (Daddy's/Mommy's) nose." "No touch the (fill in the blank)."

Mostly, though, you are very little trouble. You really are a very easy baby! Daddy and I love to watch you play. You are a person who focuses on the task at hand and always is doing something. You like to figure things out and will persevere until you have done your best to achieve your goal. Some of your favorite things to do: put on hats

read books

dance to any music that comes on--from cd's we play to plinky little tunes on your toys--it all moves you. You follow your dad around and work on projects (always putting a hat on first!). . .


You are very smart and you learn very quickly. You emulate your dad in every way you can. If he is eating it, that food immediately is your favorite. Whatever he does, you want to do it!


But what everyone comments on, what melts the coldest heart, what heals the achiest hurt, what soothes the savage beast, is your huge-eyed smiles!

You are incredibly generous with those smiles, Thaddeus. They involve your whole face, from your eyes to the bottom of your chin. They light up a room!

You are the joy of our lives, Thaddeus.

So happy birthday, Buddy. You are a gift we could never thank God enough for if we took our whole lives. You are the apple of our eyes and the joy of our hearts.

Happy Birthday, Son!