He definitely looks so much older now! It's kinda crazy! I'm a little sad because I liked his longer hair, mostly because of the epic bed head he always had, but he is a stud & love this just as much.

I just love the little personality that is developing in Greyson. He's just a tiny person now instead of a baby & I love it!

He is constantly trying to copy everything we do. Sometimes a little better than we imagine he could at his age!

But along with that comes this cute desire to actually want to hang out with us. It's not just him playing with us being around him. He wants to actually engage with us - attempt conversations, share things, & play with us, you know as long as we're doing what he wants to do.

And I must say, it's so much fun!

Ah cloth diapering. One of the best decisions I feel like we've made since becoming parents.

So many perks to it. I'm sure most people who are parents to young kids in diapers have heard them all - great for the environment, super adorable, good for baby [less rashes, fewer blowouts, etc], can save you money, easier to potty train...

All that sounds great, but when you grow up & only know disposables, how do you get to that point?! They're a hard thing to commit to without knowing someone who cloth diapers or at least seeing them in action.

I remember when we were in our OB group while I was pregnant. We talked about all sorts of baby things, starting with pregnancy problems, labor & delivery & post-partum goodness. There were about 10 couples in our group that met once a month. We heard all sorts of things everyone planned on doing - breastfeeding? "Cool! Us too!" Natural birth? "Not for me, but good for you!" Cloth diapering? "What sort of hippies are we in this group with?!"

All I could picture was the old fashion white cloth diapers that you had to safety pin together! Ha, no thanks!

But as I started meeting other moms in the area at various groups, I saw more & more moms using cloth diapers. And whadoyouknow?! They looked just like disposables, except way cute! So easy to use. I was intrigued!

There's a cloth diapering group here in Germany that had an info table that I convinced my skeptical husband to visit with me at a breastfeeding event. We got the same spiel, but still weren't sold on them. Then I was told they have a bag with a hodge-podge of different brands & styles of diapers that people can borrow to check out.

There were pockets, All-in-ones, some hybrid diapers, a fitted and some prefolds with covers. Every type of diaper you could think of basically. I found the pockets to be the best for us at the time - yes they require stuffing, but then they're basically used just like the disposables we were used to already. And they dry faster than All-in-ones or hybrids.

Major selling points for us were saving money & less trash! I hate, hate emptying trash! Especially diaper trash. Ew! But laundry isn't so bad in my book! I already do enough of it, so what's a few extra loads a week. We chose to start our stash with Charlie Banana one-size pocket diapers.

We were late into the game, not starting until our son was already just over 5 months old. But better late than never, right?

I would recommend anyone with a kid or kids in diapers to check into cloth diapers! Such a great investment! We cloth almost exclusively [haven't mastered traveling with them yet & some rashes sent us into disposables because of the cream needed to clear them up!]. And there's so many ways to go about them! Super cheap & economical or a little more expensive & convenient!

Our stash now included the Charlie Bananas, Sunbaby pockets and Best Bottoms All-in-two diapers & I am in the market to expand our stash! Up next - Cloth Diapering Lessons Learned By a Rookie!

What made you choose to cloth diaper? What are your favorite cloth diapers & why?

Our baby boy is officially one year old! 

Weight: 20 lbs [25%] 

Height: 30 inches [50%] 

Favorite foods: bananas, yogurt, chicken & dumplings, pasta

Favorite activities: bath time, being tickled, feeding the dogs [his food], cuddling fuzzy blankets, "reading" books, pulling clothes out of his dresser

I can: say Mama, Dada, Night Night [pronounced "ni ni"], Hi, Yes, wave & say "Bye Bye" 

I LOVE birthdays & doing all sorts of little things to make them as special as possible! And the day for my little guy was no exception! 

First thing he did was walk through his birthday "tunnel!" He was a little skeptical about it at first but quickly realized he loves hitting the balloons! We started off the day bright & early to take daddy for an appointment. Greyson enjoyed eating his banana big boy style while I got some much needed caffeine for the long day ahead! He did great at his doctor's appointment, including going #2 juuuust before the dr walked in. Sweet. 

I made Greyson some Valentine's funfetti pancakes & was super pumped to give them to him - heart-shaped of course! He, however, was less than impressed! 

We followed up his fun snack with some errands & then swimming with some friends! He had such a blast playing in the water, especially stepping in & out of the pool while holding my hand! And finished off the evening by skyping with Nana Deb, eating some pizza & a tiny bit of Valentines Day/Birthday cheesecake! 

I literally dreamt about his birthday for a year & although the whole day didn't go as I imagined it, it was a perfect day! Couldn't ask for a better son to call our own! He is so sweet, funny & loving! The joy in his eyes when he explores the world around him literally melts my heart! I can't wait for the years to come & the many birthdays to plan & make special! <3

Whoa time really does fly! I know I say that a lot, but each month it proves to be even more true! I feel like we were just welcoming this little guy into our lives & now we spend our days chasing him around! 

11 Month Stats: 

Weight: 18 lb 6.5 oz. 

Tooth Count: 6 with one showing through his gums

Favorite Foods: Bananas, Blueberries, Yogurt, Toast, Grilled Cheese, Chicken, Meatballs, Sweet Potato Fries 

Favorite Toys: Basketball Hoop, V-tech Turtle, Mega Bloks, Shape Sorter, Magnet Letters

Favorite Activites: Bath time, Opening & closing doors, Playing with Dexter & his ball, Begging for food, Being a ninja & breaking into things he should be in & pulling things out [examples include the recycling, dog food bin & nightstand drawers], "Coughing" to make us laugh, Being told "Bless you" when he sneezes, Pulling things off of the bookshelves

Least Favorite Things: Being told "no," Getting out of the bath, Not getting to play with things he shouldn't have

He is such an energetic little boy! He always wants to be moving. Always! Diaper changes are an interesting activity now since he for sure never wants to lay still on his back for like 2 minutes. He's like a contortionist when it comes time to get dressed! 

He loves having his picture taken! I'm sure that somehow stems from my constantly taking pictures or videos of him since he was very little. Whenever he sees me snapping pictures, he starts posing & either giving a smile or a creepy, silly face! He does get a little camera shy when I'm trying to take a video of him doing something new, like saying "dada" or making clicking noises with his tongue. 

He also recently started coming up to me every once in awhile, putting his hand on me [usually my shoulder] & giving me a serious look, then trying to eat kiss my face! It's one of the cutest things that he does recently! I could shower him with hugs & kisses all day. & I'm not ashamed to admit that sometimes I do! 

As we quickly approach February, I've been in birthday planning mode like crazy! Gathering a bunch of ideas & spending way too much time on Pinterest looking at parties I could never imagine pulling off! Excited for our little get together we have planned for here in Germany & the second one in the states my mom is planning. It will be a bit belated but it'll still be fun to get to celebrate with friends & family back home who can't be here for his actual birthday! 

Not only am I planning for his party, but I want to make his day extra special! Valentine's Day is no longer one for Greg & I, but instead it's a day for all 3 of us to enjoy! Stay tuned for the cute stuff I planned to fill February 14 with love & birthday fun! 

Yes the thing that strikes fear into most parents & their fellow travelers - there's a baby on board! That's right, flying with a baby can be quite the scary thought. I know I was crazy nervous the first time we flew with Greyson.

Our trip was an 8 hour plane ride from Germany to Baltimore immediately followed by a 6.5 car ride to my parents house. Greyson was about 7.5 months old at the time and already constantly wanting to move around. He easily lost interest in toys at this point & was much  more into anything we had, but he was [& still is] an overall chill baby. We didn't buy new toys for him since he wasn't too into toys still at this point.

Since we were flying Space Available through the military, I was worried about the loadmasters banging up our stroller. Despite hearing the positives of taking the stroller along & checking it, we opted to not bring it at all to avoid damage [last minute-ish trip & no time to order a bag for it]. Since my husband was with me, this didn't end up being a terrible decision. I wore our son in my Moby wrap in the airports while carrying my bag & my husband managed his bag & the car seat. It was nice when the long flight ended to not have to wait around for our stroller to be brought up to us. We just walked on straight to the lovely customs line.

We decided to bring our car seat which I know many choose to not do and just hold the baby on their lap. That may work for short domestic flights, but for our long flight & car ride, our car seat was not only a must, but a good decision. It gave Greyson a space of his own to hang out & play with some toys; not to mention sleep without us needing to hold him for hours without moving.

I was given the best piece of advice before our trip - nurse Greyson on takeoff & landing. We started the take-off with him in his car seat but the pressure [& screaming toddler] quickly bothered him & nursing immediately helped! He was calmed & intrigued by his new surroundings. He loved playing with the movie screen on the back of the headrest in front of us & lifting up the armrests that are between the seats. After some playing & food, he nursed to sleep & was out until we landed. I don't even think anyone around us would've known we had a baby if they didn't see him.

The hardest part honestly of our trip was the following car ride. We were all exhausted from traveling all night & being trapped on a plane for 8 hours. We were literally stuck in the middle of the night - we left Germany around 11 PM and got to Baltimore around 12:30 AM. Since Greyson slept so much on the plane, he wanted to be up and move around when we were finally off. That's when the fun started, because he did not want to be strapped into his car seat again. If he got cranky on the plane, it was okay because we could take him out & play with him or walk the aisles, but that's kind of illegal in a car. Everyone else [except my mom who was driving] was asleep & here I was playing this annoying toy's song over & over again because it was the only thing that kept him calm. And if I let it not play for longer than 10 seconds, you better look out!

All in all I would say it was a successful trip for us! We all made it there in one, big, yet tired, piece! And I may be crazy but I am going to attempt the same trip but solo this time in February. I will have the stroller this time for ease & since it is planned further in advance & will pray I can get a flight into closer to my parents' house than Baltimore!

What are other tips or tricks you have found work great for flying with an older baby? I would love to hear what others have found before I go on my adventure in February!

I've never really been someone who writes New Years resolutions for myself. Yes I start the new year like everyone else - wanting to eat healthier, workout more [especially after holiday sweets]. But those are things I tell myself to do all year round. And they are so much more for myself than anyone else.

But 2013 brought us the greatest joy -- Greyson! He changed our lives so much from the moment we set eyes on him! And I am now finding myself doing things more for him than myself.

The problem is, he doesn't care if we get somewhere on time or if he has toys thrown around the house like a tornado ripped through the house. His day doesn't shatter if there are some dirty dishes waiting while we sit down for breakfast. What he wants is to play with some books & only sometimes try to rip the pages out! He wants to play with his new blocks & show mommy how he can put them in the bucket & take them out. He wants daddy to throw him in the air & pretend to use him like a barbell.

My goal for 2014 is to slow down, take everything in with Greyson & our family, without trying to rush through it. Last year flew by so quickly & it astounds me that Greyson is almost a year old already! I wish I would've soaked so much more of it up!

As he keeps growing, I know he will become more social, curious & want to do so many more things. I want to put off doing the dishes if it means I can spend 10 more minutes playing with little cars. I want to accept being late sometimes if it means adding some extra tickles in during diaper changes. I want to make messes if it means making memories with my family.

There are so many important things in life. And my family is one of the most important things to me! I want to make myself slow down so I can cherish every moment with them & not have regrets in the future that I missed out on things.

How do you plan to make the most of 2014? I would love to hear others' goals! Hope 2014 treats everyone well!

Christmas. Such a magical time of the year!

The lights. The trees. The music. Ah! I love all of it! It is the perfect time of year to eat way to many sweets [better pack them in before those New Years resolutions to "eat healthier" start up] and spend mass amounts of time with family & friends.

But what happens when you live thousands of miles & a giant ocean away from your family? You celebrate the best that you can.

I have been reflecting on how Christmas has changed for us through the years.

We used to wake up at our homes before the crack of dawn, peaking downstairs to see what gifts were awaiting us under the tree. Then we grew up, became less-than-enthused teens who slept in and casually strolled downstairs. Only to wake up one day to realize we're adults who have our own house and can only really by for ourselves.

Even after that, I knew once we had kids, everything would change again! And it did! Greyson brought a new meaning to our Christmas. Obviously I was happy to receive gifts from Greg and our parents, but I was way more excited to watch Greyson try to open his gifts - although that really meant mommy & daddy did it for him. He doesn't yet understand the joys of Christmas and the meanings behind it, but the memories that we are creating and the pictures we've taken will last a lifetime for us.

It's just not the same being so far from family. Skype just isn't the same when it comes to sharing very special, meaningful moments with family. We could see them and they could [kind of] see us. They watched us open the gifts they mailed and we expressed our gratitude and how much we miss them. But something about the internet and a webcam just doesn't capture that brightness of Greyson's eyes; the fascination when he sees a new toy; the obsession he has over the most random things around him. And those things are so much a part of his personality, a part of who he is.

We will never have another first Christmas for our baby. But we can take delight in knowing that there are more Christmases to come, with Greyson's understanding, excitement and joy growing each year. While this Christmas may not have been what I imagined it would be while growing up, it was still a special day for our little family. One day we will no longer be separated by an ocean and will be able to enjoy the most amazing time of the year surrounded by everyone we love.

As I am always trying to find new things to do at home with Greyson, I took advantage of the best time of the year to try some new things. Crafts happened on occasion. Painting with a baby is both messy & incredibly fun. A little difficult at times too! But we got some really adorable keepsakes to remember how small he was this year.

We did some Black Friday shopping, even though it isn't nearly as exciting here as it is stateside, complete with coffee drinks in hand & comfy clothes. And once we commenced, baby nap time went down & the Christmas tree went right up!

We also started the Christmas Eve box tradition already, complete with new PJs, a book and a new movie - contributed by both sets of grandparents & an aunt & uncle.

I wanted to drive around & look at Christmas lights, but not many people decorate outside of their houses here so it would've been a lot of driving and little excitement. Maybe next year?

And the Christmas lover I am - I am already looking forward to next year with toddler Greyson & even more traditions that we can start up!

What are some Christmas traditions you have started with baby that you plan to keep going for years to come?

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="455"] Greyson opening his stocking with daddy[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="455"] More excited about daddy's new Browns cup than his new toys![/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="455"] Helping mommy open his new turtle toy - definitely one of his favorites![/caption]

Ho Ho Ho! 'Tis the season to be merry!

Greyson's first Christmas is one we with cherish forever! And it was certainly an interesting time that we had!

It was so cool to watch Greyson open his gifts! He didn't really understand what was happening, but he was so cute trying! We got him to rip some paper off of gifts & although we did most of the work for him, he liked the end result of all the new toys! I already can't wait until next year when he is older & understands a little more what is happening!

We Skyped with our parents & my sister to open the gifts they sent to us! It was nice to get to see them & chat with them - even if it was through a computer screen. The holidays have always been one of my favorite times of the year & now that Greyson is here, they are even more amazing!

But it is very difficult living in Germany so far from the ones we love most! Christmas was always such a busy time for us - going to multiple houses, having big dinners & being surrounded by lots of people & love. So it was a little weird being home with just the 3 of us. But I love my boys & I wouldn't change having them here to spend my days with! Very blessed to have such an amazing husband & adorably awesome son! Not to mention our loving families!

Just a few more days left of 2013! Ready to round out the rest of the year & bring in the new year soon!

We went to a Christmas party for kids hosted by Greg's unit! Lots of fun games & prizes for the kids. And a visit from Santa! I've been waiting for this since we found out I was pregnant - and Greyson hated Santa! You would have thought the jolly old guy was just murdering him! This is what tired, hungry & stranger danger looks like when it hits a baby all at once! 

 And of course we decorated the house for Christmas! I did most of the decorating while Greyson was sleeping as I could imagine the fun hassle of untangling Christmas lights while also trying to wrangle them away from an infant! So far so good on the decorations front with Greyson - he is interested in the gifts under the tree & has inspected branches a few times, but hasn't tried anything funny... yet! He does like the nutcrackers though! He carries them around & puts them in various places around the living room. & even talks to the fake Santa!