Big Changes Headed Our Way...

It's time to break out the champagne and raise a glass...

Wes and I are happy to announce that we are officially moving back to the South East! Wes received an unexpected, but very welcome, promotion in his company (YAY WES!). This opportunity is certainly a blessing! We've been itching to get back to the SE, especially since Hannah came along. Wes will now be covering GA, NC and SC. We will live in the Atlanta area.

Most of you are probably wondering what our next steps will be. Good question. We wish we knew how all this was going to play out. Tentatively, we will be in GA by Thanksgiving. Ah, yes! Just before another nasty Chicago winter :)  We are currently house hunting and hope to have that process wrapped up soon. We'll keep you posted :)

We have really enjoyed our time in Chicago and have been fortunate to have lots of friends and family visit. Thank you to everyone who visited and helped make this year a bright and happy one for us.

Photo Book

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Photo Book Tip: Create an adventurous travel photo album at Shutterfly.com.

New kicks...almost

We took you to be fitted for your first pair of "real" shoes the day after your birthday. You are walking really well these days, and need more than just a soft sole shoe to walk in.

Daddy, Mimi and I took you to Stride Rite. I remember being fitted for and wearing Stride Rite shoes when I was little, so it was only natural for me to take you there as well. 

Getting your foot measured. You were a size 4W because of your high instep.

Excited about picking your shoes out.

Trying on your first choice.

Checking the size to see if it's right.

Trying to get you to walk on your own. You weren't used to the rubber sole shoes and weren't quite sure you liked the new feeling.

Daddy had to hold your hand and walk you around the store.

In the end, we left without new shoes. You weren't sure of your walking and began losing confidence. You literally just sat down in the floor and even crawled. We all decided to let you wear your Pediped soft soled shoes a while longer until your master walking a bit more. Maybe next time...

One year photo shoot and fall fun

We had a blast this past weekend! You had your one year photo shoot with Michele. We adore Michele. She knows exactly how to capture your sweet spirit and curious personality. We went to a local pumpkin patch and it was amazing. I was so excited when we pulled up. It was much better than the broken and rotten pumpkins one in Denver from last year.

We had so much fun with you. We started off getting some shots of you in your birthday dress and then quickly put your fall dress on. We put you in so many fun places from piles of pumpkins to a bin full of dried corn kernels.

We ended by giving you a few fun props. First up, a caramel apple. You didn't really know what to do with it and ended up dropping it. So, we gave you a chocolate dipped pretzel rod with colorful M&M's on it. There was no taking that back once we gave it to you. You loved it and worked on that thing for more than an hour after the shoot. Every time we tried to take it from you, you cried. I don't blame you, it was your second experience with chocolate.

Check out Michele's website for the sneak peek!

http://www.michelevwagnerphotography.com/2011/10/hannah-one-chicago-baby-photographer/ 

Conner also had his 1 year photo shoot at the patch that morning. The Knox's were nice enough to hang around afterward to play. We rode the little train, watched pig races, and just had fun playing.

The measuring stick was a little off, but it was still fun to put you beside it.

Of course, you still had the chocolate in your hand :)

Who's that driving the tractor??

Train time!

Mr. Jeff, Conner, Daddy and you rode in the caboose.

Mrs. Mindy, Conner, Mommy and Hannah

Hannah loves the pumpkins!!!

 Y'all loved the gourds! So much so, you actually dropped your pretzel to play.

Hey, Remember Me? I Had A Birthday Too!!!

Dear Readers,

This is Daisy. I hijacked Mother and Daddy's computer. Clearly, I was shocked to see this blog is all about Hannah.  I mean, I guess that makes sense. Hannah has taken over Mother and Daddy with her special powers. I don't know what they see in her. I'm still waiting for her to leave.

Last year, Mother left for a few days right before my birthday. I thought she was going to bring me a fun present. It was my birthday and all. See below:

This new gift was cute and everything. Everyone was waiting for my reaction, so I smiled. She looked like a fun toy. I was wrong. Worst. Gift. Ever. All she does is make noise and take all their attention. She even takes MY toys. I get in trouble for taking hers. The only good thing: she shares her food with me.

That brings me to this year. Mother and Daddy had a lot of making up to do from last year maybe take Hannah away. I thought they'd forgotten about me as usual but low and behold, they had a big celebration... just for me! And even documented it. I knew they'd never post the pictures themselves, so I'm doing it.

At first, I thought they were up to their old embarrassing antics... The hat, really??

This is so embarrassing...

Wasn't that balloon from Hannah's birthday party... YESTERDAY?

Oh, wait... what's that? Is that.. is that... a cupcake??? For me??? I don't even care if they put it on Hannah's birthday plate. Sure, I'll wear the hat. Oh, and that balloon I'm sure Hannah was just borrowing it yesterday. It was mine all along.

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!!!!!

Quit singing and let me at it!!!

Seriously, you never want me in pictures any more and you choose now??? There's a cupcake. For me!

Let me at it!!!!

Oh, sweet goodness... This totally makes up for last year, totally.

Mommy's Helper

You are into everything these days. When I'm in the kitchen, you usually come over from the den to see what I'm up to. Generally, you open the cabinets and pull out the tupperware to play with. This time, you wanted to help me unload the dishwasher.

It started off innocent. You grabbed a fork and a spoon and had fun banging them on the door. Next thing I know, I turned around after putting some plates away to find this...

IT

An Official Toddler

You've been toying around with the idea of walking on your own for over two weeks now. You'd take up to 14 steps at a time, but mostly stuck to 4-5 without falling. You'd pick yourself up and just continue on your journey until you got tired. Then, you'd drop down to your knees and crawl.

HUGE news... you took a whopping 52 consecutive steps on Monday (9/26)!!!!! We got it on film too! Go Hannah, Go!!!! You've been toddling around and walking more than crawling ever since. It's official, you're a toddler. We're so proud!!!