Finnian's First Birthday and other Firsts!

We celebrated Finn's birthday on Sunday, August 19th, so that we could enjoy a family day instead of just a dinner party, which is all that would have happened on his actual birthday, the following Monday.  Colin and I checked out the weather report and chose Sunday as the perfect day to visit the National Zoo. This would be Finn's first trip to a zoo, so we were kind of excited. As you can see by the pictures below, it rained...hard. Finn took it all in stride though, and splashed in the water and perhaps enjoyed the day a little more with the rain. He didn't seem too excited to see the animals. We did see the giant panda exhibit and were sorry to hear that Mei Xiang's baby died last week. It was only one week old, but we did see Mama bear when she was expecting.

The day after Finn's birthday, he had his one year check up. He weighs 21.02 pounds. We were so surprised that he didn't weigh more that the doctor weighed him a second and then a third time. He feels much heavier than he apparently is! He is in the 25th percentile for weight and 30th percentile for height at 29.5 inches long. He had 4 teeth on his birthday, two on the top and two more on the bottom. However, on September 5th, I noticed that he has two more teeth on either side of his top two teeth...so now he has six and is teething further back, perhaps he'll get molars next.  He walks along furniture and will stand for a few seconds by himself, but has no interest in walking just yet. I'm ok with that as I have little interest in chasing him these days!  Along with his usual checks came the vaccinations. I hate seeing him get those darned needles!  Fortunately for me, Colin was there to wipe away Finn's tears and he never really has any serious reactions that cause much disruption.

The next week, Colin and I took Finn for his first haircut. We were nervous to get this done, but his hair was in his eyes, so it needed to get done. We took him to a children's salon (paid twice as much for his trim than Colin does for his buzz), but he really enjoyed the experience. He was full of smiles and there was so much going on, he had difficulty staying still during the cut.

It's hard to believe that Finn has been in this world for an entire year already, though I can't really remember what life was like before his arrival.  What does the next year hold for this little guy? Well, probably the biggest change will be adjusting to having a baby sister, but we are pretty confident that he will take the new addition to our family into stride when she gets here.

 Mama bear holding Finnian at the zoo. He didn't like this very much!

Utterly exhausted after the zoo, metro ride, not to mention all the rain!

First birthday cupcake!

Fingers first, then...

mmm...pure deliciousness!

Finn's first haircut

Loving the entire experience!

Opening his birthday gift from Auntie Katherine that came in the mail. He loves opening presents!

Another first: finally holding his own bottle of milk!

Finn enjoying an afternoon snack. He is getting so big!

Back to my Canadian Prairie Home

After the beach, Finn and I boarded a plane bound for Canada. My parents moved from Saltcoats, Saskatchewan to Medicine Hat, Alberta (to be closer to my sister and her family) and I was anxious to see their new digs. I was surprised to see how settled in my Mom and Dad were, considering that Finn and I arrived only a month after their move.

A highlight of my trip was catching up with my brother Brian and his girlfriend Kate who live in Taiwan. We actually hadn't seen each other for 7 years, so a reunion of sorts was well overdue. It's too bad that Colin had to stay home and work as he still hasn't met Brian and Kate, but Finn did. He and his Auntie Kate became fast friends!

It was great being around family for a month and time passed us by much too quickly. We went to the Medicine Hat Stampede, which included both a parade and a few rodeos. I would walk the golf course while my Dad and brothers Doug and Brian golfed. I even dragged my sister Shelley out one day when she had some free time! I reconnected with some cousins that I hadn't seen in years as well as Aunts and Uncles. It was a great holiday, full of food and good times.

It was so nice to arrive by plane and not have to worry about packing baby stuff. I want to thank my sister Shelley and her daughters Amanda and Carrie-Ann for arranging everything from car seats to toys to high chairs for Finn. It was such an easy way to travel!

Below are pictures documenting our trip (thanks Kate). Finn did great on the plane, and handled the fact that we missed our last plane and had to spend the night in Toronto much better than his mother did. I guess it isn't too early to take a page from the kid's book!

 Beautiful prairie sunset from my parents' deck. I miss those sunsets.

 Finn ready to take on the world one early cool morning

 Finn spending some quality time with his Grandpa

 Finn and Grandma waiting for the parade to start

 The beginning of the parade

 Finn and his second-cousin Daizee-Joy enjoying the parade together

 My grand-nephew Brennan enjoying his experience as a puppy dog!

 My grand-niece Brianna with her face painted as a princess at the fair

 My grand-nephew Joseph all dressed up for a family dinner:)

 Brian and Brianna at my niece Amanda's farm. It was a beautiful evening with good company and fantastic food!

 The oldest grand child in my family Amanda (31 years old) holding Finn the baby of the family (almost 1 year)

Siblings on the bald prairie

 The golfers letting me take the bench at every hole. It's a good thing for me they only did the back 9!

 Kate frozen on the golf course. It was colder that day than it usually gets in Taiwan even during the winter!

 It was so nice to see Kate again!

 Finn drumming on the guitar. He loves music and technology. 

 Finn loves his Auntie Kate!

Yee Haw!

Edisto Beach with the Steed Family

Colin's parents reached the milestone of 50 years married this summer. To celebrate, we joined Colin's parents, sisters and their family for a week long vacation at Edisto Beach in South Carolina. It's a beautiful location and we had so much fun visiting and enjoying the beach!

Colin and I took advantage of family who wanted to spend time with Finn and we were able to get out for a few meals  and even spent one day touring around Charleston. It's an interesting city and I have really grown to appreciate the history and beauty of the South...not to mention the friendliness!

Finn didn't love the ocean as much as he loved the beach. Colin played with Finn on the beach and we only had one 'experience' that was a little dangerous when the surf came up and covered the baby. He was surprised, but it didn't deter him...there was more sand to be eaten!

 The love birds celebrating their Golden Anniversary. Still crazy-happy after all these years!

 Finn playing in the sand

 Isn't he starting to look more and more like a little boy and less like a baby??

 Finn and his cousin Raney. He carried on conversations with Raney, something he hadn't done with anyone else up to that point...I guess he knows his secrets are safe with her!

 Our little family enjoying some time at the beach

  You can count on his cheeks being full of sand in this picture

Sun-protected and ready to play!

 Finn eating the beach, while Colin plays.

 Finn didn't love the ocean

Look Mom...more sand in my mouth!

 Colin and Finn in their matching Hawaiian shirts. Can you see the resemblance??

 Good quality time with Daddy

 John and Mary with their Grandchildren

 Finn getting lots of love and attention from his Auntie Susie. 

 Finn getting extra hugs from his Auntie Tricia.

Colin and I enjoying an afternoon of kayaking. It was such a lovely day!

June: The month of Colin

Not only is Colin's birthday in June, but he also got to celebrate his first Father's Day. Unfortunately, the days fell within a week of each other this year, so we just had one little party. That doesn't mean that he wasn't showered with love and attention the entire month, but he did get only the one celebration.

We were fortunate to meet up with our brother-in-law Erick and nephew Will when they came to DC to see Will's favorite football (US soccer) team Brazil play the USA. It was fun catching up with them and introducing the latest edition of the family to them. It was too bad that Colin's sister Susie and niece Raney were unable to make it, but stay tuned for the next blog entry as the entire family got together at the end of the month for a family reunion!

 Finn and his Uncle Erick

 Finn and his cousin Will

 Finn trying on his new sunglasses as we prepare for our trip to the beach at the end of the month

 Celebrating Colin's 49th birthday and first Father's Day

 Let the party begin!

Posing for the camera:)

 During the party a package arrived at our door. It was shoes that I ordered for myself and that was the only box Colin got to actually open on his birthday. Poor guy...