One Year Birthday!

Atticus's birthday marked many milestones. He saved a couple of them for his special day!

Our Landlord Bruce built an industrially, sturdy swing set and included a seat just for Atticus. Atticus officially became a "big boy" on his first year birthday because ironically he became unafraid of his swing on his big day!

On his birthday, he kept pointing his finger in the air so it looked like he was telling everyone that he was turning "1". It was sooo cute!

He was really just pointing to things he likes. The basketball hoop is a third world wonder to him... we think he might be a basketball player in the making.

Atticus's birthday cake consisted of the infamous chocolate-chocolate cake from Costco! Of course this was my choice-I figured I should have say on this since it was just as much my own celebration of giving birth one year ago. Atticus didn't really like the sticky, gooey sensation. I planted the chocolate spots on his face to get a good picture.

One Year Old

Just over one year ago, we were at Highline Hospital not knowing who or what was coming to us. Now, just as everyone had promised, Atticus is the best joy we've ever had. He had his first year check up yesterday and proudly weighed in at 27 lbs 11 oz and measured in the high 95th percentile. To give you some perspective, he looks like you're average two and a half year old. He is a chunk!!!

During his birthday weekend, we were lucky enough to have our awesome friend Brandi take professional pictures of Atticus and us at Gas Works Park in Seattle. If you've ever seen 10 Things I Hate About You, the scene where Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger are paint balling was shot at this park! The pictures are as sweet as ever and captured his personality (and cool new red converse shoes) so perfectly as you'll see. 

Spring & Family

Since it is already summer and Atticus is almost one, I had to go back and reflect on the great times we had with him this spring. We were so spoiled by all our family that visited us in March and April. Our camera has been missing its USB chord, so it hasn't been convenient to post pictures. These are all from a CD of pictures that I had to make from our memory card, bummer! I hope we'll resolve our camera issue soon. Stay tuned for Atticus's one year old pictures!!

Grandpa Rick

Spaghetti face

Look how his sweet little legs are crossed

Plane ride alone with Dad

Valentine's Day

Tera and Marty's visit

Atticus & Aunty Sara

The "Dream Team" w/the Troll

Mama and Atticus

Sleek baby!

Atticus's grandma Diane

Atticus & Dad at the Mariner's Game

Financial Peace

One of our latest, personal accomplishments was completing a 13 week financial class called "Financial Peace University" from Dave Ramsey. When I was pregnant, several people we knew were taking it and saying how transforming it was for them. We were a little skeptical at the time, but mostly in a state of financial denial. At this time, Adam and I were spending money very carelessly; eating out whenever we wanted, going on vacation, shopping every weekend, etc. We knew our income was going to drop tremendously with having me out of work, but we still weren't moved to make any serious financial changes. Though we weren't creating serious debt for ourselves, we certainly weren't making any progress.

When Adam came back from Alaska, we decided to take a closer look at our finances. It was really starting to get emotional for me considering how much I want to be home with Atticus without financial stress. We signed up for the January class. Our first night of class we were asked what we hoped to get out of the course. Finding a way to be home with Atticus was my hope. Throughout the 13 weeks, I can honestly say that we found a way! 

Dave Ramsey's course teaches you to follow 7 baby steps that will bring absolute financial peace. 

1. $1,000 in an emergency fund

2. Pay off all debt with the debt snowball (and stop using debt!)

3. Build 3-6 months of expenses in savings

4. Invest 15% of income for retirement

5. Fund your children's college education

6. Pay off your home early

7 Build wealth and give

He says that in order to accomplish these baby steps you must live like no one else, so you can live like no one else! 

Though we are only on baby step 2, we have already felt peace in our lives and see our finances clearer than ever before. We have our small emergency fund built, paid off are cars & lines of credit, and are making large lump sum debt payments. The cherry on top is that I now know how to make a monthly budget, follow it, and track how it's going! I have peace knowing that after 1-2 years of teaching, we will be fully out of debt (including student loans, minus our first mortgage) and I can be home with Atticus and maybe even another little one by then. :) 

His program is life changing if you ever have the opportunity to take Financial Peace, read his book, or even attend a seminar. 

February Break

An update on Atticus has been long over due and these are still older than current picture. They were taken over February break by the *most talented photographer, Brandi Vos :) (Thanks for capturing these faces!) Atticus would have been almost 9 months. He's 10 months now. Enjoy him! :) More to come...

Why so serious Atticus?

West Seattle Lincoln Park

Atticus's "scrunchy nose face"

Such a sweet boy!

Mom trying to make Atticus laugh

 More "scrunchy nose"

What a funny (looking :)

baby!

Happy Belated New Year!

Life has changed drastically since we've been home from Virginia. As you have noticed, it has become a challenge for me to blog. Adam is home and we are loving being a family again! Since the New Year, we have incorporated a few good changes into our life. I took an after school job, which offers a nice balance to home life. We've enrolled in Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey, started coupon collecting and rebating, process homemade baby food, and even signed up for and have been using a gym membership! 

Atticus had his late six month appointment in January and weighed in at 23 pounds and 2 and 1/2 feet! He is eight months old now and is always a happy boy... as long as his momma is close. :) He smiles at anything and everyone and belly laughs when you least expect him to. He sits up well, scoots backwards, will balance himself while leaning over the couch, and will put his own binky in his mouth (though usually backwards). He isn't crawling and hasn't broken any teeth yet, but he certainly is making progress. One of his favorite games now is mimicking us when we shake our head back and forth, we're afraid he's going to learn "no" too early. Also, he gets a good giggle when we pretend like we're going to eat his little fingers. 

Bonnie and Leo miss him terribly and hope for the day will come when we relocate again back east. We don't know what the future in the Coast Guard will hold. Luckily we've discovered oovoo.com which is a live video where grandma and grandpa can see Atticus on a weekly basis! I highly recommend this site to all of you with close, long distant relatives. That's all I've got for now. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to post pictures in these posts.

A few great holiday pics!