Chance is One Year Old

I can't describe in words the confusion I feel for having a one year old baby. I may be biased, but I think you can look into those magical eyes and see how special he is.

I'm going to write directly to him to tell him about his ONEderful tendencies as a newly found toddler.



Chance, You are such an amazing and happy spirit.  You have a calm and comforting demeanor that illuminates an entire room. Sweet and gentle, yet determined and stubborn. While you are happy to go on about your own business and play for an hour terrorizing the toy area, the moment you lock eyes with me it's all over. Nothing else matters, but for you to want to be in my arms. The amount of love you have for your Mom (ME!) is a kind of connection I have never experienced.

Don't get me wrong, you absolutely ADORE your Dad and Big Sister. Oh boy do you love them. McKenna teaches you new things and you soak it all in.


You blink a long drawn out blink and we say it's your "I love you" blink.

You make noises like Donald Duck.

You like to lean your head in to touch heads with others.

The first time you sit up in the morning you have a smile on your face.

While you're learning to throw a ball, you hold it in your hand (usually your left) and turn your entire upper body frantically and just haphazardly let go of the ball and it flies in some random direction.

You took a few weeks to gain your sea legs. A few steps here and there, but really decided to start walking the day before your birthday!

You love flipping through books. It looks like you're studying the encyclopedia to then notice you're looking at it upside down.

You don't laugh harder than when your sister makes noises to get you to laugh.

You love Asparagus, Strawberries, Apples, and Beans! SO MANY BEANS!


For the longest time you believed every animal said MOOO. Now every animal says OINK.

THE DOG BED. It is your greatest joke. When the dog bed is out you beeline for it frantically, giggling the whole time and thrust your entire body all over it because you know the dramatic reactions you receive from us for not wanting you on it.

You love baths and splashing in the water.  You slam your hands down on the top of the water and soak everything within a 5 foot radius.

You love exploring McKenna's room, to her dismay, however she welcomes you with open arms (most of the time).

You HATE diaper changes with a passion.

You love knocking things over.  We build, build, build, and you knock over with the greatest satisfaction.

You have a tendency to randomly just fall backwards while you're sitting down.

But bumps and spills don't deter you.  You roll right through them and continue on.

When you wake up in the morning, your soft little curls are frizzed out all over your head.

Above all, you are the piece of the puzzle to complete our family.  I couldn't imagine this life without you. The last year has been quite a journey, and you toted along happily as long as Mom, Dad, and McKenna were right there next to you.  We love you so much and can't wait to continue to watch you grow and learn!