Grandpa Butcher has a farm.... E-I-E-I-O

The subject line of this post represents Drew's favorite NEW SONG!  In preparation for Grandpa Butcher and Connie to arrive, we started practicing.  It was kick-started using the little John Deere toy that Cousin Beau sent for Drew's birthday.  It plays 'Old McDonald'...of course we modified the lyrics to 'Grandpa Butcher'... 

 

I have a video of it -- but my blogging skills just aren't advanced (and patient) enough to post video so you'll have to trust me that Drew singes 'E-I-E-I-O' every time he either a.) Hears the intro 'Grandpa Butcher has a farm....' or when he sees a green tractor. 

 

March 20-23, dad and Connie came down to visit.  We had an AWESOME trip.  Dad loves March Madness so they decided to jet set down to celebrate a belated birthday with Drew and cheer on the Cyclones in their NCAA appearance. 

 

They got in on Thursday afternoon and Drew I scooped them up and we all headed straight to the SandPearl.  Considering the brutal winter they have had in Iowa, the 75 degree weather, sunshine, sand and a fun beach bar was a perfect first stop!

 

 

Bob pushing the Bob.  We were trying to get Drew to take a nap, but there was WAY too much going on!

These two... there are no words.

He looks so grown up here - I can't take it!

 On Friday morning Drew opened up his birthday presents - he got an awesome John Deere tractor bath towel, some bath tub duckies and a really fun new book!  The book is called 'Cupig Shuffle' and Grandpa couldn't wait to share it with Drew.

 

Let's just say this book has music and the lyrics include "to the right to the right, to the let to the left, now OINK now OINK, now come on share the love, now come on  share the love"  It is so cute and Drew loves it.  Grandpa Butcher is so fun and silly!  (this picture is before they started dancing...)

 

"NOW what happens to Cupig?'

 

He gets around quick in this tractor towel - this thing has wheels!

 

 

They booked their tickets back in January, not knowing if the Cylones would make it the tourney (well -- let's be honest - we all knew they would!) and if so, where they would play.  It was announced that Orlando was going to be one of the host cities so we all crossed our fingers on selection Sunday that we would be sent there.  Not so much, but oh well.  We decided to go to Orlando for a little getaway  and possibly scalp some tickets and watch a game of the tourney.

 

Ronnie found us this awesome resort outside of Disney -- it had a SWEET pool for kids (water slides too...sorry Drew, maybe next year) and a HUGE SPORTS BAR!  So it was a win for all.  We watched b-ball games, swam in the pool and just relaxed.   

 

 

Mom - let's go!  I'm ready to cheer on the Cyclones but first we need to go swimming!

 

 

 

Thanks Aunt Wendy for my adorable crabby swim outfit - I got lots of compliments at the pool!

It has been said by my family the Deandre Kane #50 for the Cyclones reminds everyone of Ronnie...I thought it was strange at first, but then after watching this guy play I think they are right!  We had adjoining rooms so we watched the game (10pm start!) in one room while Drew slept in the other.

 

Ronnie's best 'Kane'

Kane - what are you doing in Orlando?  You're supposed to be in San Antonio!

We drove back to Tampa on Saturday afternoon (we skipped all the traffic and crowds associated with going to see a game at Amway).  We ended up doing an impromptu dinner and drinks with Ron, Cathy, Steph and Jimmy.  It was a blast!  We met at the club, where Drew entertained us all!

Walking and playing with Aunt Steph!

 

Grandpa and Connie had an early flight on Sunday morning.  It was so sad to see them go - we had such an awesome time and sure had some great memories from this trip!  Visits from family are never long enough.  We miss you guys!

Batter up - time to celebrate a birthday!

When planning Drew's first birthday party, Ronnie and I decided just to keep to a small family event... baseball themed, of course!

Grandma Lori came in town - which was very exciting! She just loves to play and snuggle with drew - we love her SOOO much!

Oh, and I forgot to mention Drew's obsession with the fly swatter.  I bought it at the dollar store a week ago and it had never been used to swat an actual fly...but he loves it.  Don't even think about taking it away from him.  We even had it with us in the car for a couple days. 

Big hugs and kisses from Grandma Lori!

Just cleanin' up for the big party!

A Grandma Sandwitch!

Fun times at the park -- Grandma Lori and I go down the slides together!

Looking back on each photo from month 1-12 really made me realize how much this boy has changed PHYSICALLY.  He looks so different now!

Getting ready for the big 'Game'... of course, with our broom.

Opening presents!  We got so many nice things from our family and friends.  We are so very blessed.

'Do it like 'dis mom!'

Hmmm.  This one could be fun.  And loud.

Team Merrill!  Soo.. you will notice that the shirts are NOT perfect.  Crafts are not my strenght...I ironed these on myself at about 12am after ironing a blouse for a business trip.  Apparently my built-in mental 'ruler' was crooked when I ironed my own on!  I realized after I did them that I could have made it much easier and just did 'MA' and 'DA' since that is what he sorta calls us.  #impressingnoonenotevenmysleft

 

'GIMME THAT BALL, MOMMY!'

 So the smash cake was shaped like a half of a baseball.  He pretty much dug right in, but I'll never forget two things about this moment:

1. The way he looked and smiled at me when we all started singing happy birthday.  It was like he knew it was is special day. 

2. The way he looked at that cake when he thought for a minute it was actually a ball! 

Grandma and Grandpa Merrill supplied a yummy DQ Icecream Cake for everyone to share!

We had to cut him off....

So handsome.

Ronnie's cousin Toni made it down for the party from Jax.  So great to see her!

First time in flip flops -- no bad!

 The party was a noon, but had to take mom back to the airport at about 4pm.  When I got back, I was sad and bummed.  I miss my mom and it was sad to see her leave.  Ronnie and I had lots of picking up to do but a few minutes after I got back we got a text from our neighbors with this picture!

Lyla, Mia and Rosalie (Drew's neighborhood girlfriends, who are 3, 3 and 5 yrs old) couldn't wait to see 'baby drew' on his birthday!  We went over and spent the rest of the evening doing our usual Sunday Night "HOG" driveway get together.  It was a great way to end a wonderful weekend and a VERY special day! 

Drew Robert Merrill turns One Year Old!

Stats 'n' Stuff:

Weight:  24lbs (Based on the bathroom scale - our official appointment is on the 18th)

Height:  30 1/2 inches (based on me and Ronnie's attempt to measure this squirmy little guy)

Hair: BLONDE AS EVER and getting thicker!

The Schedule:  

We are up at about 7, nap in the morning for sometimes almost 2 hours, then nap in the afternoon for about 90 min.  Bedtime is 8pm.  He has a good routine down!

new stuff:

About 6 days before his birthday he walked to me when I got home from work!  I would say that was the first 'official day' that he really walked as a means of getting around (March 3rd).  It was awesome!

Favorite things to do: 
Hands down, his favorite thing to do is chase a ball around.  It can be a soccer ball, volleyball or a little ball the size of a golf ball.  He also is in to THE MOP!  It kept him busy the day before his birthday for about 45 min. while mom and I prepped stuff for the party.  Perhaps I have a little Mr. Clean on my hands????  

He also recently started to become very interested in books.  Turning them, opening them and just looking at them from every angle.  This activity might be our saving grace at church :-)

Things he does NOT like to do: 
Don't take away that MOP!

Things he has learned
Big Milestones this month was WALKING!
 
Things mommy has learned:

This category deserves two answers.  One, what I have learned from month 11 to month 12, and the other what i have learned in the past year. 

From month 11 to month 12 I've learned that when people have told me how quickly babies start walking after they have taken a few steps, is no joke!  He is all over the place.  

As far as lessons from this past year go, well, I could write an entire book about that, but mostly I have learnedwhat it feels like to put someone else's needs infront of your own all the time.  I've learned (still learning) how to deal with the guilt of leaving him to go to work and getting home with just a couple hours to be with him in the evening.  I've learned how to operate on little to no sleep.  I eat last.  I shop for things for him first.  What might be considered a 'bad day' is instantaniously made a great day as soon as I get home and see him smiling at me.  He is my #1.   I do everything I can for him while wearing a shiny motherhood badge of honor.  I am proud.  I am happy.  I wouldn't change a thing.  Life is good because this special little guy came into the world. 

We love you Drew Robert!