Joey - 1 year old

Joey is 1 year old!  Woo hoo!  Here's all about our last month:

- The day he turned 11 months old, we went outside in his snow suit to play.  We were both so tired of being cooped up inside that we braved the cold.  We had quite a bit of fun.

- He started the worst round of teething that we've had so far.  Two have come in so far, and we're still waiting on the other two.  He's been a drool monster for the last month.

- We went to the Family FunPlex in Greeley.  They have an awesome pool that's pirate themed.  It's freaked Joey out before, but he really seemed to like it this time.

- Joey has started figuring out how to maneuver balls, so he and Neal went outside to play soccer while I made dinner.

- We celebrated St. Patrick's Day by having corned beef and cabbage with potatoes.

- We went to the zoo with Neal's brother's wife, Robin, and their kiddos.  It was really fun!  Joey got to meet bears.  We also got to meet a possum named Walker.  (I was probably more excited than Joey was about that one).

- Great-Grandma Psuik and Papa Joe came out for lunch and brought him a fire truck.

- We discovered rocks.  They are now his favorite thing to discover outside.

- We went to the park.  A lot.  I'm pretty sure that's Joey's favorite place right now.  Actually, he pretty much just wants to be outside, constantly.

- We had his birthday party!  Read about that here.

 - He's gotten so big.  I can't believe it.    Here's a great picture that shows it.

It's so wonderful and amazing that we've been parents for a year.  It's been one of the most rewarding a joyful experiences of our life!

Baseball Birthday Bash

Before Joey was born, we started talking about his 1st birthday party.  We decided to do a baseball themed birthday party - first, because we love baseball, and second, because his birthday would be right around opening day.

So about a month ago I started planning.  Can I just say I'm grateful for Etsy?  We found the cutest decorations, and it was SUPER easy to get them done.

This was the cutest thing.  It was a "Rookie Year" banner, with pictures of Joey each month of his life so far 

Before everyone got here, we blew up some balloons and Joey thought they were the best thing ever.

We had hot dogs, salads, and funnel cakes for dinner. Then we opened presents.  Joey is so blessed to have so many people that love him so much.  He finally realized that it was fun to open the presents and figure out what was inside of them, so he started helping me a few presents into his stack.

My mom made a super cute smash-cake and cupcakes decorated like baseballs.  Joey started off by just picking at the frosting, but ended by digging his hands in and squeezing the cake between his hands and giggling.  It was SO cute.  I couldn't sing "Happy Birthday" to him because I can't cry and sing at the same time.  I still can't believe my baby is 1.

We ended the day by having a fire in our new fire ring while Joey and his cousins played outside.  One of his favorite toys is a bat and some "baseballs."  While we were outside, Neal or I would help Joey hold onto the bat and the other would throw a ball and then Joey would hit the a ball.  It made him so happy and excited every time he hit the ball.  Then he and his cousin Daniel crawled around the yard.

It's so funny how much Joey is like us.  He started the party by being very quiet and observant.  Once he warmed up to people being in his house, he became more himself by talking, playing, and just running around in general.  We had so much fun and enjoyed watching everyone love on Joey.  It makes me so excited for birthday parties to come!

I'm Having A Hard Time

My baby is going to be a year old in five days.

A year ago I was so nervous, excited, and scared all at the same time.

I was officially on maternity leave.

I was spending my days walking to try and get labor going.

For the last couple of days, I've been tearing up at the drop of a hat.

Like when I realize how big he is.

And how much he's learned.

And how much he's capable of doing on his own.

Or when we sit and read books about little boys growing up.

I am really grateful that I have made a serious effort to enjoy him being little, so I don't have any regrets about him growing up.

Dear Angela

Dear Angela,

Today marks one year since you didn't wake up.

Today was a day I didn't necessarily want to talk about...just move on and know you were happy.

But as I was cleaning my bathtub, and listening to my "Country" playlist on Spotify, the song "What Hurts the Most" by Rascal Flatts came on, and I was a goner.

I came to the conclusion that posting a blog to you was appropriate.  You enjoyed posting on yours, no matter who actually read it.

As much as it has sucked, you being gone from this life has caused some pretty incredible things to happen.

-Your family has drawn close together.  Yes, even closer than they were before (which I wouldn't have thought was possible).  We started a book club among some of the Milligan clan. The conversations that have happened during that time have been incredible.  Watching strength flow from one person to another during those conversations was miraculous.

-On several occasions the one of little ones in the family has looked at a specific spot in the room, and pointed and said "Angela."  You can bet we fell apart each time.

-A door was opened for your family to adopt a new member.  Sami gets to experience how wonderful your family is now.

-Jenn and Karla had the idea to start a scholarship in your name for kids wanting to go to theater camps.  They both found and contacted Up In Lights, not knowing how involved you were with that company.  We held a benefit concert in your name, and the turn-out was incredible.  There were so many people that loved you...I don't think you knew that.  Watching some of your good friends sing for you was heart wrenching and healing all at the same time.  It was something I think you would have been proud of.

-Neal and I have drawn closer together.  Sometimes, there are moments when one of us is overcome with missing you, and for a moment we are more vulnerable.  It gives one the opportunity to feel, the other an opportunity to comfort and strengthen - something I think every marriage needs.  Something we didn't always have in our marriage before.

Just know that we miss you, ok?  Stop by every once in a while.  Sometimes we'll figure out that you're there :)