Happy Birthday Jonathan

A year ago, my life was changed
I never realized how I would never be the same
The powers you hold and never realize
Are the same ones that keep those around you mesmerized
Your smile lifts the spirits of all around you
Your tears melt their hearts when you are blue
My beautiful son, you have brightened my world
And given more than enough reasons to twirl


Happy birthday Jonathan Brian Piper
Your mommy loves you!

1 year photos - by Shandy Vogt Photography!

As promised - here are the photos taken to celebrate Jonathan turning 1 year old! Thank you Shandy for a wonderful session - and thank you Matt for a gorgeous location!

Catching up...

I will try to catch up with my blogging over the next couple of days - so stay tuned...

A couple of weeks ago, I was able to get off of work a little early and meet up with Hollie and the boys while they were out on a little walk when the weather was so delightful! I'm so thankful for her and her family, and all of the love and support that they give both Jonathan and myself. We, of course, took the photo opp and captured a few shots - even though LJ was a bit off on his smiling - he's still cute!






We went back to Hollie's house - and allowed the kids to play in the driveway - and here is LJ riding one of Caleb's old toys. Isn't he such a big boy!!! This toy only gave him further ideas for one of his christmas presents from grandma and grandpa.



Look at this incredible smile!!! How could this just not make your heart melt!



A couple of weekends ago, we were able to go up with a friend to his cabin in McCall and take LJ's 1 year pictures! It was so beautiful! Shandy, John, and the 4 boys were able to join along with my friend Matt and his daughter, Samantha, and her boyfriend, Steven. There was so much going on Saturday morning - that LJ completely wore himself out and crashed for almost a 3 hour nap! (side note: yes, I will be posting some of the 1 year photos by Shandy Vogt Photography!)






When we returned back home, Sunday afternoon/evening we went over to Hollie and TJ's so that TJ could help me with some of my homework. Well - when I went to pick up LJ and head over, I found this little munchkin had found a tub of red vines.... My friend, Matt, had forgotten his tub at my house, and LJ had found a new treat! He was covered.... and very, VERY happy... So I just wrapped him in a blanket and off we went! We stuck him in his chair at Hollie's and took a few snapshots of his mess...






What's even better is listening to him as he eats them.... he gets so excited over them! Too funny.

Oh how time flies...

To start on a funny note.... While at work last week - I had just returned from lunch when I sat back down at my desk. For the past 6-7 months, I have been sitting on an exercise ball instead of a chair. I've loved it - and didn't even mind all the comments about it. Well - after sitting back down from lunch and started working - all of the sudden "BOOM!" followed by "~SPLAT~" - Fletcher (who sits across the room from me) turned around to ask me if I had heard that noise that sounded like something heavy had hit, but since he didn't see me - he turned back around to his computer to go back to work. Just then... he heard me laughing... when he came to investigate... here is what he found!



Yup! I had popped my own exercise ball! And let me tell you what... even though I can laugh about (cause let's face it - it's freakin' hilarious!) it did hurt like no other!!! So yeah.... I now have the jokes about me being heavy enough to pop an exercise ball! Good way to start out the new year... :)

My little kitchen helper (whether I want the help or not...) Look at my little handsome man...



Such innocence... And let me tell you what - LJ really enjoys playing the game of opening the drawers and cupboards. It's all part of this continual learning process - and quite awesome to see how much he has developed.

As most of you know, I work the majority of my days. So spending time with my son can be challenging and a struggle. With so little time, I find myself needing to just be near him. He is my strength, my sanity, my motivation, my meditation (at selective times). It isn't very often that I can take the opportunity to just hold him. After picking him up from some friends who watched him while I played in a volleyball game, I decided to take the opportunity to just sit down and rock him back to sleep. I had to be careful that I didn't fall asleep either... but it was just so nice and peaceful to just sit their holding my wonderful son. And of course, before putting him down in his bed - I had to use the photo opp! - And yes - I caught myself with my own eyes closed... go figure.








A special Thank You goes to one of my volleyball girls from Mnt. View. Her and her family have become quite close to my little family - and they have helped me out in so many ways! Megan has become an awesome babysitter - and LJ just adores her. Last night when I got home from my basketball game, I found this sight on my couch...



Yes... that's right! She's wearing footy pj's!!! And she's curled up on the couch. I just couldn't help myself from capturing this picture.


How the year has flown by. My son is getting ready to celebrate being a year old at the end of this month. I will get ready to write another post... but look at this picture... So sweet - the morning after his birth - here he is sleeping in my arms.

Christmas and more!

The first Christmas of my little family has come and gone... We had a wonderful time with family and friends. Before heading up to my parents house for Christmas, Megan came over to watch LJ while I ran off to play basketball or volleyball (I know - crazy me!). I'm so thankful to have her and her family so helpful and involved in our lives - they have been a blessing and Jonathan just loves them!



Here we are shopping for my little sister and her family (between my siblings, we draw one of the others instead of buying presents for everyone... and I was blessed to draw my little sister!) LJ got a little excited about some of the little things I was looking at for his cousins... Isn't he just hilarious!



And wouldn't you know it - this kid loves to be naked?! He loves to play around in the bath... which is probably why I got him one of the christmas presents that I did - but we'll come to that later...



Christmas morning up in Cambridge with my family.... LJ has been having quite the hard time as he continues to get more mobile and adventurous. After the hurricane of wrapping paper and whatnot - LJ had a big crash into a end table... Check out the protruding bump on the side of his noggin...



In the attempts of helping my mom clean out her cupboards, my oldest sister and I went through and tried to use up all the candy chocolate making stuff she had - and we made some fun little candies... See I am becoming more domesticated!!! I'm making candy!!!



Before Christmas dinner with the family - I had to take a little photo opp and catch a quick shot of my beautiful son and me. Merry Christmas my sweet son!



As being the 5th generation John Piper, here is LJ with his Great Grandpa - the 2nd John Piper... How I love my heritage and that my son has the opportunity to be named after some really amazing men in my life.



Of course Grandma couldn't help but be proud and show us off at our home ward in Cambridge... Having the majority of her grandchildren... Quite the posterity... Anyhow - a little mister decided that he didn't want to be confined in a classroom - and instead of fighting a fit - I let him roam the halls for a while till his nap. Here he is showing that he is quite the handsome little man - look how big he's getting!!! And I'm sure he's not too far away from just walking, especially since he loves to be standing up now as it is....



When we got back to our house in Boise, LJ went straight into the bath to get ready for bed. For a present from me - I got him some more bath toys - since he really does enjoy his bathtime... Isn't he just a cutie!!!!



While running some errands on New Year's Eve, I couldn't help but try this hat on him while we were at the store... I had to be quick because he kept pulling it off - so I couldn't get a straight on shot... but it was the cutest little cowboy hat... Maybe I'll have a little country boy?! Only time will tell...



This boy is the light of my life. And even though I get frustrated at times, his smile can bring me right back down to where I need to be. He sweet spirit and smile is so incredible. I have been truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to be his mother.

First Thanksgiving (yes - posting a little late)

Time continues to fly with staying busy with work, getting a master's degree, being a single mom, and playing city league volleyball and basketball. The night before heading up to grandma and grandpa's for LJ and I's first Thanksgiving! Can't you just see his excitement as he's lounging with his bottle?! Such a big and growing boy...



LJ was not hesitant about trying everything with Thanksgiving dinner. He loved, loved, loved the sweet potatoes (OH YEAH!!! That's my boy!). He ate pumpkin pie w/whip cream!, mashed taters, lima beans and corn, stuffing, turkey - what can I say - he enjoyed all that I did. And he slept like a champ!!! Here we are getting ready for bed after a fun day of eating and family!!!



Happy 1st Thanksgiving, my handsome son!



The remainder of the weekend was spent just hanging out with the family. My oldest sister, her family, and my brother were up at my parents. Here was a moment that I just couldn't pass up catching on camera. Can you tell that she is a proud grandma?! Owynn sitting in between grandma and grandpa, Bry Bry relaxing with his shirt up for whatever reason in between grandma legs, and Skylar just passed out sleeping up next to grandma. Who wouldn't be happy and loving this moment!






My sister and I took an opportunity before I left to catch our own moment on camera. Oh how I love my family - and yes - that is my brother adding his own little "moment" to our picture in the background. What can I say - we really are Pipers!



And just a little added note - Kien celebrated his 7th birthday at Chuck E Cheese - here is LJ taking a ride with Chuck E.... It was fun to be there and celebrate with Kien and his mom and family. I'm glad that my son has the opportunity to know his brother and celebrate these moments with him. I pray for continual acceptance as they grow older that they can turn to each other as brothers and support the other. Happy Birthday Kien! Thanks for such a fun party!

My handsome growing boy!

The joys of being a mother can be seen in the little growth areas of their children. My joy is this handsome little man. I love to dress him in his Sunday Best! And here he is - pin stripe pants and vest to go with his long sleeve white shirt. Such a stud...










On Friday night, Kim's boys came over and watched LJ for a little while. And even though we got called for help in changing a diaper :), and about every 10 minutes because "he's not going to sleep, he's just standing up in his crib." - it was a good experience for the boys. When we got back to my house, here is what we found. Taylor had given up and decided to hold him. And LJ was quick to pass out! Aren't they both just so cute!!! It's awesome to see Taylor and Will help out so much. Thank you boys!







Now, I'm sure all mother's have experience this - but LJ was so tired a couple of nights ago that he couldn't sit up straight - and he kept putting his head to the side, but he didn't want me to take his food away... Go figure.







On the mornings when LJ wakes up while I'm getting ready for work, he typically tries his best to follow me around the house - which I purposely walk around like when I'm brushing my teeth - so that he can get faster!!! And if I stop somewhere, he pulls himself up on my legs. Isn't this the best sight EVER!




AND WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT!!!!!! CINDI MORGAN HAS COME OUT OF THE CLOSET!!!



She was wondering what I was taking a picture of her for - but I just couldn't help myself! She went "under the stairs" (which I think is the most AWESOME idea ever) to get a toy that Emmett no longer really uses. She gave it to LJ to help him on his journey of learning to walk. Which by the way, he loves to pull this ontop of him... I think he has it a bit backwards... But he will push it up against a wall (as it has wheels) and then push all the buttons and whatnot that make music and various noises.... Thanks Cindi!!! And way to go for coming out of the closet! (And thank you for being such an amazing friend. I will never be able to put into words how much you've helped me, and continue to help me. Thank you for your wisdom and guidance).