Thank You 2009

We ring in a new year tonight. Goodbye 2009 and hello 2010. For our family, 2009 has been year of amazement, discovery, excitement and then some tearful moments as well. Fortunately, Nico has brought only joy to Ed and I. One year ago we were fumbling around on very little sleep with bottle warmers, boppys, and breast pumps. Today, I still sometimes stumble when I come upon a new gadget or trying to adjust Nico to a new schedule, but there is a bit more grace and confidence involved now.
How quickly this year has gone by. Although expected, Nico has changed so drastically over his first year of life. I love watching our little man grown and learn; however, it is still somewhat heart wrenching knowing he will never be that tiny infant again. I guess it's a good thing I take lots of pictures! Since every year just seems to get better, I am looking forward to what 2010 will bring us.

Our precious miracle baby, one year ago.

Our 1 year old Nico ready to go into 2010.

Enjoy the new look. I decided to give the blog a makeover for the New Year!

Christmas Thoughts

Thousands of years ago the first Christmas came; however, no one who was there knew the magnitude for which the impact that the newborn baby boy would eventually have on all humanity. The first Christmas must have been such a mixture of emotions including joy, love and celebration, but also fear and worry of what the future held for Mary, Joseph and their brand new baby. Many times, the true meaning of the Christmas holiday becomes diluted and less of a priority when compared to the gift buying and receiving, outlandish decorations, holiday parties, and Santa. We get so wrapped up in the secular version of the Christmas holiday that we forget that we have already been given the most incredible gift all-eternal life with our Savior.

For many, including myself this year, December 25th rolls around and Christmas day is not filled with all the perfect joy and fun that you had planned. Instead many are filled with disappointment, sadness or depression and some may even experience anger, none of which celebrate the sacrifice Jesus made for us. The thought of this sacrifice is so hard for me to wrap my head around. Maybe because I am and have been in the midst of the "baby stage" with Nico, but Jesus came to us in a form of a baby. He had to poop in a diaper, spit up on his mother, learn to walk, talk and so many other things in which God himself should not have to endure. But He did. He sacrificed himself for us, and this fact alone should make Christmas fabulous every year. While the holiday this year was not all that I intended for it to be or expected, I am so eternally grateful for God's grace and love, and Ed and I are also so blessed during this holiday season with our little Nico.

Although Nico was breaking in a new tooth and had the beginnings of a very bad cold, he had a good time opening up his presents.

Christmas Eve, we got more snow than I ever seen in Texas!

The little man was not a big fan of the cold snow, but we had to get a picture knowing we were experiencing possibly the only white Texas Christmas we would ever see!

Nico opening his stocking.

This was a great present! Nico now is the owner if his very own ball pit, thanks Aunt Lisa!

A Walden Christmas

This past weekend Mommy and Daddy took Nico on a trip to meet some more family. We flew in to Phoenix, AZ and then drove to Aunt Renee and Uncle Mike's house in Prescott Valley. A total of a 7 hour trip, and Nico was on his very best behavior. Nico was able to meet a lot of his cousins, including Connor, who is the youngest addition to the family, and he was also able to spend some time with his Nana and Aunt Teresa. Saturday after everyone had arrived we had an early Walden Christmas, exchanged presents and ate lots of good food. Admist all of the choatic fun, Nico took his first steps for everyone to see! Overall, we had a great time and hope to see everyone here in Texas next year.

Our first night there; it was just appropriate for this Italian family to want to eat Italian food.

Nico sitting with his Nana.

Nico and Daddy playing around.

Cousins, Ashliegh, Jon and Jocelyn

Daddy with Aunt Renee

Aunt Teresa with her girls.

Nico enjoyed the gifts he received, however, this tissue paper was the best!

Nico is not sure about what to do here! He is attempting to hold his baby cousin Connor.

Can you tell Daddy has handled twins before?

The three youngest kids in the Walden bunch.

Daddy, Mommy, Nico and Nana.

Nico with Aunt Teresa.

Aunt Renee with Baby Connor.

More 1 Year Old Pictures

Here are some more of Nico's 1 year old pictures, this time the pictures were taken by Chunky Monkey Photography. They turned out great, especially considering at the time, and unknown to Mommy or Daddy, Nico had double pink eye and his first ear infection! In addition, it was this particular day in which the weather decided to drop down into the 40s while it had just been in the 70s just the previous day. Poor little Nico suffered through the ordeal, but we certainly got some cute pictures.

First Steps

Nico reached a new milestone today. While out of town visiting some family, Nico decided to show off a little and start walking! Yes, you read this right, he took his first steps! It was just a few months ago that he began crawling, and now he is taking his first steps on becoming a big boy. The great part about this is that Nico is proud of himself for mastering this skill! Take a look at the video and pictures below.

One Year Old Pictures

Nico is one year old! Maybe the more I keep saying it, the easier it will be to believe. Here are some of his cute one year old pictures. I had a hard time narrowing it down, so I included quite a few. This is also just pictures from Nico's first photo shoot, so stay tuned for the upcoming pictures from Chunky Monkey.