Charlie's First Christmas

We had a great first Christmas with Charlie! His present to us was letting us sleep in until almost 10 o'clock! When we woke up, Dennis went downstairs to "set everything up" for Charlie. He definitely got spoiled by the grandparents this year when it came to toys!

Charlie gives his seal of approval.

Charlie loved opening his own presents!

He never ceases to entertain us with all of his crazy facial expressions.

One year ago today...

December 14th 2009, exactly one year ago, Dennis and I were anxiously awaiting our doctors appointment where Dennis would see our tiny little baby for the first time. At that appointment, we were given the devastating news that it was 99% likely that we would miscarry because the fetal heart rate was incredibly low. It was in that moment I realized that it was possible to completely love someone I had never met and the idea of losing him tore me to pieces. We were told to come back a few days later for a follow-up ultrasound. During that time we prayed, our friends and family prayed, even people I had never met were praying for us. I have never been "surrounded" by so much love and support as we were during that time. I was preparing for the worst and had already started dealing with the potential loss of our first child.

Three days later God proved me (and the doctor!) wrong.

God showed me that he had EVERYTHING under control and we saw a healthy, strong little baby with a perfect heart rate.

Our lives were changed forever and so began our crazy, wonderful, exhausting, amazing ride on the Charlie roller coaster.

Daddy takes the camera

It's not often that I have so many pictures of Charlie and I. I'm usually the one behind the camera taking pictures of Charlie and Dennis but yesterday Dennis took over the camera duties. I still can't believe how fast Charlie is growing. It seems like just yesterday he was this tiny little benjamin button looking newborn:

Now he's a crazy little fatty who has more personality than one baby should be allowed to. Yesterday we went over to Ford Island to see the Utah Memorial. Next to the memorial, there was a nice open field of grass so we took advantage of the beautiful day and spent some time outside.

Charlie monster is gonna get you!

As we were leaving, the sun was setting and I thought these 3 palm trees were so perfect and symbolic of our little family in Hawaii.

Grandma Visits!

My mom has been in town the last week and we've had so much fun! I was able to take some pictures of her and Charlie together.

While she was here we took Charlie to see Santa! I was so worried that we wouldn't find an authentic Santa in Hawaii but we found a perfect one at the mall downtown!

I also took some Christmas pictures of Charlie in front of our tree.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!