One Year Old!

Gretchen's 1st birthday has arrived! On Saturday she turned one and we had a small family party. Ben's parents drove over from Portland, and my parents and Chelsea and Callia were all there to celebrate. The birthday girl had a cold so she wasn't in the best of moods (she wouldn't smile much for the camera). But we still had a fun time.

It's my birthday!

Poppy got her to smile with a game of peek-a-boo.

Looking sullen between the bars.

Sweet sick girl.

Family photo - plus Loki.

Birthday girl with all her presents.

Gretchen and Callia (color coordinating outfits totally unplanned).

Look at all these gifts!

I'll take this big one please.

Watching Mom with scissors.

Standing in box that was full of tissue paper.

What a fun shape fitter box.

Watching something.

I like this toy (it's a clapper that lights up).

Playing with (a.k.a. licking) another toy.

The cake matched the plates.

Reaching out to grab the candle.

Swiped a butterfly off the cake instead.

Where's my cake?

Aha! A big cupcake just for me!

Hmm...it's a little messy.

Big bite!

The dog knows where to hang out at.

That was good. Can I have another piece?

All cleaned up after a bath.

Hopefully I'll get a birthday video posted in a couple days with a bunch of video clips put together from her birthday party. Today Gretchen had her 1-year wellness checkup with the doctor. Everything looks good. She weighs 18 lbs, 4 oz. (15%) and measures 30.25" (90%). So she's still a long and skinny kid. The doctor isn't concerned about her low weight. We just need to let her eat as much as she wants when she's hungry. It's amazing to think a year ago she was in the NICU hooked up to machines and feeding tubes. She's changed so much and we're thankful God has allowed us to be her parents. Happy birthday, precious Gretchen!

Funny Kid

Gretchen has done some funny things that I have captured on film. She likes to giggle at us or the dogs and of course we love to make her giggle! But first let's start with a sweet picture of G with her cousin Callia.

Gretchen loves the stairs and will climb them every opportunity she has. When I have time to watch her, I'll let her climb as much as she wants. Otherwise, the gate is up.

She's also taking an interest in the camera.

G is imitating actions well and this video shows how she "blows" after someone does it first.

She's getting fast at walking with the toy car. This has become a favorite toy.


In the past there have been many times she goes over to the dog kennel and bangs on it or opens and closes the door. But today she finally decided to go in.

After all that activity, she's wiped out.

Busy Kid

On a visit to Poppy and Nana's house, Gretchen liked sitting under the "tree" and touching the dried poppy stems. So Nana gave Gretchen one stem to hold. She broke it in 2 places, chewed on it, and banged it on the other stems, but what else is a kid supposed to do with it?

When the dogs go outside, Gretchen pulls herself up on the window ledge to watch them. And Loki likes to peer back at Gretchen.

On Labor Day we hiked the local foothills. Gretchen enjoyed the ride in the backpack.

As I was putting baby stuff away in a bin for storage, Gretchen wanted to be in the bin. So I lifted her in and she was content playing in the bin for 30 minutes. She found a lotion bottle which she carried in her mouth since her hands were busy holding onto the sides of the bin.