Monster Birthday

We often call Talon our little monster so it was obvious his 1st birthday would be monster themed. I started planning things a few months before and I was lucky enough to have my mom come up a few days early to help put it all together. Everything turned out so cute!

We had sub sandwiches, candy skewers, monster eyes, chips and a few other fun things. 

My mom and I stayed up late the night before the party to finish the monster prop... she came up with the brilliant idea and I have to say it turned out adorable!

We had a small gathering of close friends and family. Most of our friends don't have kids yet so Talon was the only little one.. he was okay with that though he loves being spoiled!

Our boy LOVED his cake! I wasn't sure what he would do but the kid dove right in!

Enough was enough... he went all in

And just a few more of him opening presents. Once he got that ball he was done!

We are so lucky to have so many people that love us and our little man! Thanks to everyone who came and shared this special day with us!

First hair cut

On Talon's 1st Birthday we decided to give him his first hair cut. I won't lie I was dreading it! To me his hair was the only thing left from birth and keeping him my little baby! As you can see the first cut was the hardest for me...

 It was time for a cut though and I'm fully aware of that..

 

At first he just tried to see what you were doing and follow the sound of the buzz...

 and then we was over it by the time mom got in there...

 The handsome little man after his bath. I could just squeeze those cheeks!

Talon turns 1!

Talon turned one back in January. I don't even know where to start when it comes to our little guy!

 The year went by so fast it kills me! Right before Christmas Talon took his first few steps but, he waited at least another month to really take off. We've come a long way from the days he wasn't gaining enough weight, just take a look at his stats at one year:

24 lbs 8 oz- 74 percentile

31 1/2 In.- 91 percentile

Head 47 1/4 cm.- 73 percentile

Talon,

We want you to know how much you are loved. Your mom and dad would give the world for you and as we look back at your first year my heart swells with being able to watch you grow and become the little man you are! It's hard to believe how much you have changed us and everyone around us. You decided your favorite person living creature in our house is the dog. Your dad didn't believe me when I told him you said Diddy, but it quickly became your favorite and only word for a while. Every morning you wake up, get your milk and go to the back door and knock on it until he comes to say hi. We are so lucky to have a dog that loves you and puts up with all that you do to him! It's been a few months but luckily I wrote down some things you did around your first birthday:

You LOVE your Diddy still!

You like to talk on skype

You can say Dad, Diddy, Mom

You finally started to do some sign language and can sign Dog

You love balls

You still love books

You like to empty out drawers and cabinets!

You get excited when Dad comes home

You LOVE your food!

You are still on formula but we mix half milk half formula

You no longer take a bottle

Your favorite blanket is a mini snuggler, a puppy dog one and the one Aunt Holly made you

 You are an amazing and perfect little boy. I love spending my days with you and sharing all the new things you are quickly learning. Life couldn't be better, we sure love you little man!!

New Year

New Year's eve isn't quite what it use to be, but I'd have to say it's MUCH better!! Right before Christmas we got the news that some of our best friends were moving. So we tried to squeeze as much time in with them as we could. We had everyone over at our house, ate some delicious food, chatted and played some minute to win it games. 

Mark and Greg trying to keep the balloons  up

 This was by far my favorite to watch

And I couldn't leave little man out! He is to die for.. even with food on his face!

I have to admit we miss them a ton! These are the type of friends that can just walk in and help themselves. The kind of friends you don't have to worry about when they come over... and the kind that are hard to find! Thank goodness they are at least in the same state!!

Christmas Day

After all was fixed to a "good enough" state we snapped a few pictures of Talon in front of the tree.
Being the first year I have been with Jeff's family for Christmas it was fun to see how they did things. They start off in the parent's bedroom where a family prayer is said followed by a small snack of OJ or egg nog with poppy seed bread. Following we all get to walk our together, youngest to oldest to see the tree (this is where I broke the rule doing pictures first!)

 You could say Christmas was a success this year. After all the stress and worry about feeling so far behind on everything left. I was able to stop and enjoy the important moments with my boys and really take in this first Christmas with Talon.

We were spoiled this year for sure! Jeff surprised me with my present early because he got me a new camera!! I never thought I would get it, I have been putting money away for it for a while and the sweet man got it for me! I asked for a lot of stuff to help organize our house and clothes. My parents bought us a computer and we used the money from Jeff's parents to buy a new monitor. Talon got a bunch of toys and some clothes. Jeff was a though one for me this year. For the past couple of years I have gotten him shoes so those were out. He was checking out watches and so I gave that idea to my parents. So I got him two tickets to a cubs game, but I had to make them because they don't actually go on sale until the spring! He got new work clothes and some business books. I tell ya he was tricky!

After we opened gifts we had breakfast then got ready for church. After Church we came back and the rest of the family came over and opened all of their gifts. We ended the day at Jeff's Grandma's house with a fun little get together with the Gardunos.

 The crew minus Talon because he was taking a much needed nap!

We had a great Christmas and can't thank everyone enough for being so generous this year!

Christmas eve

This year we went up to Salt Lake for Christmas. We left as soon as Jeff got off work on the 24th and made it just in time for dinner. After dinner we all went down stairs and played the Christmas chimes.

 The little man participating in the chimes, then all attention went to the ball... Probably for an hour he threw it around and chased it.

After the extended family left we went into the living room and read from Luke and then sang songs.
For our little family it was the last day for the 12 days of Christmas so we had Talon open his Christmas pajamas and then it was time for him to go to bed.

Next is when we put the tree together. After Talon's gift from Santa came Jeff's parent's started to bring all the presents out... now call me crazy but I have never seen a tree that had presents just tossed under it. growing up my Mom always kept them all neat and tidy and I have done the same. So at the sight of all the craziness I started to panic  move things around. By this time everyone had gone to bed so after about a half hour I decided it would be better to fix things in the morning... Pretty sure the in-laws think I'm nuts! Christmas morning I woke up and went up stairs to work on things...

Coache Christmas

The Coache Christmas was a bit different this year. We went home for my Grandma's funeral and decided to do the Christmas that weekend as well. Grandpa was not up for it but he came and enjoyed spending time with everyone. We sure missed Grandma and will continue to miss her every day!

 Little man was a little more interested in Dad's phone than the presents!

 

Talon got this cute rocking horse and wasn't too sure about it at first but Axtan jumped right on and knew what to do. I sure do love those boys!

Talon meets Santa

While home for a few days I went to a Christmas party with my parents. I wanted to take Talon to see Santa but was sketchy about the mall Santa's. Luck has it that this party had a Santa come! It was cute and fun to watch the little guy sit on his lap!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was an emotional time for us. We knew the weeks leading up to it that my Grandma was going down hill, and fast. There were a few times we didn't think she would make it to Thanksgiving, but we were so lucky that we got to spend her last Thanksgiving with her!

It may not have been the "ideal" dinner but we all sat around her and chatted about life and what everyone was up to. All but one family changed their plans to be together at this time and I am so greatful Jeff and I decided that we would have to join the Garduno Family next year.



Just 3 short days later my sweet Grandma passed in her sleep. She is missed dearly and thought of often.

We've spent a lot of time in Vegas from the beginning of October until now.  These are just a few fun photos of what little man has been up to at Grandma and Grandpas house!

Talon learned how to ride a scooter...

He met and talked to Fred, who is now Wilma...

Found the blue pacifiers from his baby shower and sucks/chews on them...
Thank goodness for this little boy! He has brought so much joy during some seriously rough times! Babies truely are little pieces of Heaven!