One year down!

It's hard to believe that it was already a year ago that I went in for my 34 week appointment (alone since Andy was climbing in Vegas) only to discover that I was going to have a baby that very same day! I can't believe how fast our little man has grown, but it's also hard to imagine life without him. It's been such a great year and we are so lucky to have such an awesome, funny, well-behaved (most of the time), and adventurous dude in our lives. It's more and different that I could've ever imagined and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Nick's birthDAY was actually more of a birthWEEK, which, given how he came into the world, seemed appropriate. It been with the arrival of my parents, Mimi & Papa, a week before the big day. Nick was lucky to be able to spend a whole day with them while we were at work. They took him to a toy store where he got to pick out his birthday present. According to Papa, Nick insisted that Papa also get a new harmonica and accompanying song book as an early Father's Day gift. Needless to say, Papa perfected Taps over the weekend! We spent the weekend in Manzanita where the weather was, well, typical for the Oregon Coast. I'm not sure why I ever expect anything but. We stayed right on the beach though and had a great time.

Being the popular boy that Nick is, he drew quite a crowd for his first birthday party. His girlfriend, Malia, was the only other baby he wanted to invite (except Brady who wasn't able to get a flight in for the party). He got lots of great gifts - new toys, clothes, and a cool photo album from Mimi & Papa.

I was actually out of town for Nick's REAL birthday (which makes me a terrible mom, I know). I'm pretty sure he didn't know the difference but have a feeling his dad will be sure to remind him once he's older! Luckily, Andy's mom came into town for the big day and Nick got to spend the whole day with her. She bought him a new car (lucky boy!) which he can't get enough of.

Big kid party

Cade, our friends Matt & Sally's son, turned three a few weeks ago and Nick (and parents) were invited to his party at kid's play gym. We weren't quite sure what to expect or how Nick would do with all the "big" kids, but we quickly realized we had nothing to worry about. I've never seen him play so hard in his short little life. He was the proverbial kid in the candy store and crashed equally as hard once it was all over. Andy and I had a pretty good time too!

Smith Rock

Andy on a multi-pitch trad route with Ben & Sean*

Me starting out on a 5'8 sport route - I actually finished it!*

Future rock climber observes from the base*

Katie & Wyatt*

Last weekend we took our second annual camping trip out to Smith Rock in central Oregon with some of our Portland crew. Smith is a well-known rock climbing destination not far from Bend.

We started off the trip by locking the keys in our brand new (to us) Dodge Dakota and had to break the window to rescue the screaming baby (Nick) inside. We hadn't even had the truck for 12 hours. NOTE TO SELF: if ever breaking a window in your car, don't break the small window in the rear door. Although small, it's actually the most expensive to replace! Luckily for us, our insurance is covering the replacement.

The weekend improved immesely from there. Andy, Nick and I slept well in our new family-sized tent, dubbed the "Mondo Condo," complete with separate rooms for parents and children. We've got room to grow with this one! Next item on the list - the deluxe camp kitchen (kidding).

We had great weather (it was HOT!), great food (as usual) and fun activities. We did some hiking, climbing and biking. I even finished a route - the first in several years! Nick was great and only ate a few handfuls of dirt and rocks. Our friend Katie Fifer, a Glenwood native who now lives in Bend, joined us with her dog Wyatt. Wyatt helped keep Nick entertained.

*Pictures courtesy of Jen Gardiner.

My First Mother's Day

We spent my first Mother's Day in Spokane visiting Andy's mom, Mary Ann. She hadn't seen Nick since January so was quite impressed with all his new skills. He kept us all on our toes, crawling all over the place and getting into things he shouldn't. He couldn't get enough of Max and Rosie, Mary Ann's two dogs, although I'm sure they were ready to have the house back to themselves!

The weather was great so we spent some time at the park and Andy and I even got out for a round of golf while Mary Ann babysat. On Mother's Day we had brunch in downtown Spokane and I took Nick on his first carousel ride. I think he liked it?! Nick even got me a new bag from our friend Stacy's store (www.shopredsail.com) that I've been eyeing. How did he know?? It was a fabulous Mother's Day and great that Andy could be with his mom and Nick could be with me. I'm so lucky to be a mom of such an awesome little boy! I couldn't ask for more.

Here are some pictures from the weekend.

A few of my favorite things...

I've been meaning to write this post forever, but time seems to evade me these days. Nick has received some really awesome handmade gifts in the short time he's been in the world and I wanted to make a tribute to the crafty people in his (and my) life.

Long before Nick was even a twinkle in anyone's eye, Grandma Corkey was busy crocheting baby blankets for him and any babies that may come after him. The two blankets she gave to him are his favorite and he sleeps with them every night.



One of the first gifts Nick received after his abrupt entrace into the world was an adorable hand-knit hat from our friend Stacy. It is hard to believe it is one of her first knitting projects! Nick wore it regularly for the first six months of his life. His head is a bit large for it now, but it will make a reappearance with the next baby!

Our friend Sarah, among many other things, is an extremely talented knitter and Nick has been the recipient of several of her works of art. The first, and my personal favorite, is a red Norwegian-style ski hat. He's been wearing it all winter and I'm hoping his head doesn't grow too much so he can wear it next year! Sarah also knit him an adorable hedgehog that we affectionately named Hernie because of his resemblance to Nick's herniated belly button. The latest gift is a cute pair of Swedish mittens complete with a string to attach them (just like I wanted).

Nick's grandmother (Andy's mom), Mary Ann (Nana), is a great seamstress and has sewed and monogrammed all sorts of great gifts for Nick. Before he was born, she made a great fleece jacket with matching blanket and booties. She's also monogrammed him his own bathrobe, towel and overalls. Her showcase piece, however, is Nick's baptismal gown. It fit perfectly, and she didn't even have him around to measure!


The last gift I want to mention, while not technically handmade, fits into this "favorite things" category. For Nick's baptism, his godparents (and our dear friends) Becky & Daren gave him a beautiful engraved compass. The inscription reads:

Nick,
You can always count on God, Family and Friends to help you find your way.
Love, Becky & Daren

(I couldn't get a good picture with my camera, so the website one will have to do)

We are taking care of this until Nick is old enough to appreciate it, but we know it is something that he will treasure for his whole life.