Tip of the day: Back-up your computer

I love today's technology and all we can do with it.....it's just a complete bummer when it fails. My computer crashed last week and I've been trying to figure out what to do ever since. Think about what you have on your computer and then think about how lost you would be if you couldn't get to it. Write thank you notes? Not without your addresses. Send your friend the pictures they've been asking about FOREVER? Not without your pictures. Blog and post the funny video you just took of your adorable son? Not when that video is now gone for all eternity.

I realize my "stuff" wasn't saving the world, but it was my world and I'd like it back. I'm not a complete idiot and I do have most pictures saved to an external hard drive, but OF COURSE I hadn't done that in the past few months. So I'm praying Mr. Computer Man can save my pictures at least and I can walk away from this experience with a lesson learned....BACK-UP YOUR COMPUTER!!! If you don't hear from me in awhile understand I'm mourning the loss of my "stuff" and will be back soon :)

(I would post a cute picture with this, but I DON'T HAVE ANY PICTURES! Woe is me)

Wade is 13 months old!

Well friends, I thought the monthly updates would fade out after Wade turned 1. But I feel like he still changes so much that I have to share his silliness and ever changing daily life. If you complain I'll start doing weekly reports and then you'll really think I'm annoying. So there.

I could honestly just follow him around the house and laugh all day long. I used to say this about my dogs, and the reality is now that I'm laughing at all 3 of them. Wade LOVES Cali and Orwell, and while they also love him, they've learned to avoid his path of destruction as much as possible. Wade's loves carrying around his little golf clubs and waving them around like a maniac. And even though we're lucky we haven't broken anything valuable (YET), poor Orwell just can't move fast enough to avoid the wrath. Wade pushes a little ball around with the club and when it reaches Orwell he just keeps whacking away at it, not understanding why it won't move. Again, poor Orwell. He takes it like a champ. Here is a video of his indoor golfing....

To balance his father's love of golf, I must admit he's quite a music lover (it must be part of his left handed artistic side - ha ha). All I have to do is walk towards the ipod and he starts bobbing his head and clapping his hands. Usually it's age appropriate kid music, but I must admit he's very fond of Lady Gaga's "Pokerface". Oh yes. I hate to support that crazy lady, but I had to buy it off itunes the other day. I save it for special occasions (or particularly crabby moods), but it always works. This boy will dance to any beat. This is Wade dancing....

(he started doing this freaky snake tongue move a few weeks ago. Now we realized he's trying to sing "la la la". This is during the "la la" part of Jump Jump Johnny Giraffe.)

Now that spring (almost summer) is here, he could live outside. I know this is pretty normal for any kid, but I swear Wade is crazy about being outside. If I go near a door (any outside door), he runs towards me and tries to get out, then has a full on hissy fit when I don't let him out. Cali and Orwell aren't getting quite as many bathroom breaks as they used to because he REALLY doesn't understand why they get to go out and he doesn't. It wouldn't be that bad, except he's not THAT good of a walker to just let loose and play. We've already had a skinned up nose, forehead, and knees.....just from our driveway. We need soft surfaces for our frequent face plants. He is boy after all - no dainty careful steps here.
Helping daddy grill dinner....Practicing perfect walking form.... We're getting excited about summer and the pool. He starts swim lessons in May. This should be interesting. He's doing the Infant Survival technique where they learn to flip to their backs. If you have a minute, go to the webiste and watch the video of the kid falling the pool. I've heard it's very disturbing as a parent to watch the learning process, but I feel it's important so I'm going to do my best to stay calm! Wish me luck!!

Hayes Alan Stephens

Alison and Brian are the proud new parents of a beautiful baby boy!!!

Hayes Alan Stephens

Monday, April 20th, 2009

2:56pm

7 lbs, 1 oz

21.25 inches

I can't believe I forgot my camera when I went to visit. So I had to pirate Ashley's pictures. THANKS Ashley!

Now in this picture he looks like so much Alison, but in person he was Brian's mini-me. Go figure.

The new Stephens family

Hayes and his favorite step-aunt-cousin-twice removed-with a half twist! Gotta love blended families.

Lauren's Dedication

Sweet baby Lauren (the only baby girl on my side of the family) had her Christian Dedication this Sunday. It was such a special day to celebrate Lauren, the blessings of family, and all of our commitments to raise her as a Christian! She is such a sweet baby that looks at you with these huge angel eyes and just melts your heart. It was even worse with her in a beautiful Christening gown!! Nathan and Michelle hosted the Dedication and lunch at Nonna and Grandpa Greg's house. Unfortunately it rained so they couldn't have the ceremony outside like it was planned, but everything was beautifil! We love you Lauren

Daddy, Dog, Golf, & Asian Jibberish

Wade has started talking a lot more in the last few weeks. He's progressed from the grunts and whines to constant babbling. He thinks he's speaking perfectly and doesn't get why we can't understand him. The other day he kept saying "duh gong gow" and then another phrase that could've been Kung Pow Chicken. And while we may not be able to understand him, he could probably order us some yummy Chinese food. I've asked Seam if he secretly taught Wade some Korean, but he denies it. Sure Seam, sure.
He has been saying Dada and Dog for awhile. When I try to get him to say Mama, he just looks me straight in the eyes and says, "DADA". I guess it could be worse...he could call me dog? When I scold him for doing something bad, he cries for "DADA".
Then yesterday we were playing in the basement and walked over and picked up his bag of golf clubs and said "GOFF". I thought it was a fluke until Erin (his babysitter) confirmed it. Beau is so proud, but a little sad that since Wade is already favoring his left hand they won't be able to share golf clubs. Wah Wah Wah.
So I guess I will continue to sit and wait for my child to call me "MAMA". I can be patient :)

Easter Sunday

Beau, Wade and I had a wonderful Easter together. We started at Church with a packed house. I know some people don't like messing with the crowds and craziness at Church on Christmas and Easter. But for some reason I love it! I like having a full house and feeling the warmth and love in the Sanctuary. I will say Wade did NOT enjoy his time as much at Church (actually in the nursery). It's a long story. Can you see how swollen his little eyes are in this picture? Poor baby. Later in the afternoon, we enjoyed an Easter egg hunt at Atlanta Country Club. Of course Wade had no idea what was going on, but it was funny to see all the commotion. Wade's cousins had a great time though! Unfortunately, no one in our group found a Golden Egg. But we'll back in full force next year. You just wait.Caleb has lots of big brother experience, so he knew just how to help Wade walk down the hill

Wade tells the Easter Bunny to talk to the hand.

Nathan, Michelle, Wyatt & Lauren

Wyatt jumps for joy when he sees the golf course. Nathan's never been more proud.

Dede and Wade

Grandpa Enzo with his entire family! I can't believe we have everyone in one picture! Enzo with his 6 grandkids. Unfortunately, Wade was not into it.

Enzo & Lauren

Shawn, Angie, Caleb, Cae, & Colt

Baby Colt enjoys his first Easter! It's amazing how much he looks EXACTLY like both of his big brothers.

Wade & Aunt Sheesha

Then we headed to Nonna & Grandpa Greg's for dinner and more hunting. Karen usually hosts Easter, but she had to give up her duties this year just in case baby Hayes made his debut. Well, Hayes was there....but still in the belly. Sorry Alison. She was such a trooper though, hunting eggs in the woods in heels. Who does that? Alison does that. It was so much fun to have the family all together. Beau's parents were there too!
Lauren eating her pea dinner

Poppa, Dede & WadeCaleb pushing Wade on the swing. Wade LOVES the swing at Nonna & Grandpa Greg's house. It can go so high. He could swing for hours.For the kids' Egg Hunt, they were nice enough to make a special "Wade Section" so he wouldn't have to compete with the big boys.

Cae racking up. That first Egg Hunt was just a warm-upNanny helping Wade search for more eggs
Wyatt hits the jackpotThe dogs are not happy they got left out of the fun!!

Wade's 2nd Easter

This passing of Easter brings a whole new element to my blogging. Not only will I be able to share a fraction of the 1,000 pictures I take, but I will also be able to throw in pictures from the year before!

Wade was born on Good Friday (it was a very early Easter last year) and we spent the whole weekend in the hospital. Then when we were all packed up and ready to go, they brought us the news that Wade needed to stay a little longer because of his jaundice. It really was no big deal, but just sad to not be able to go home on Easter together as a family (luckily, the hospital wasn't full that night, so they let me hide in a room for 1 night). So here's what Wade was doing last Easter...

The Glow Worm Baby

Thankfully, after a few extra days in the hospital and some home treatment, he was as good as new. However, we couldn't let his "My 1st Easter" outfit go to waste. So we had to take this picture....

Wow. A lot has changed in a year. Luckily, we were no where near a hospital this year. Instead, we were able to celebrate at church and with our wonderful families!

Our 2009 Easter Bunny...

Stay tuned...more pictures to come!