A Look Back

I am going to do a run down of the last year or so... AND IT'S REALLY REALLY LONG.  I apologize in advance:) 

What an indescribable year! I feel like pictures are able to do it much better than my words ever could.

  We found out we were pregnant a couple of weeks before our anniversary in 2010.  We went to Broken Bow, Oklahoma for our 4th anniversary get-a-way and that is when I started to feel really sick!   We found out in April that we were having a little boy.  I could not imagine what it would be like to raise a boy after growing up with all sisters.  I had NO idea how much fun it would be, AND that I could dress him in basically the same thing everyday and no one would really notice.  Paul and I are about as UN-fashionable as you can be, so he is lucky to be a boy:)

We took Bradley classes to prepare for a natural birth, which we had decided on with our previous pregnancy.  The Lord just confirmed it in my heart very early and gave me such a peace about.  We got LOTS of questions, crazy comments and funny looks. 

That little boy made his appearance 5 days after his due date on September 13, 2010.  My water broke at 4:45 pm and we were holding that little warm bundle by 8:10 pm.  I could not have asked for a better birth!  We LOVED the Birth and Women's Center and we so very blessed by the whole experience.  They came to ask his name and we asked for a few more minutes.  Joseph Asher was the final decision. Our friends, Chris and Rachel, were the first to see him at about 1:30 am.  We were back at home by 3 am that morning.  Joseph was incredibly alert from the moment he was born.  

 This is Paul and the J-man as they are giving me PAGES of instructions on how to take care of a newborn.;)
Grandma Rayburn and Papaw Rusty came over the next day to meet him.  We failed at taking pictures on our first day of being parents!  Somehow we don't have any that documented that day. 

 He LOVED to sleep on his Daddy's tummy.  LOVE my guys.  What a blessed wife and momma!?!?

 This is Carol, the midwife who helped deliver Joseph.  We LOVE her!!

This was his first time meeting his cousins Jaycee and Lizzy, Aunt Kate and Uncle James Ray.  We went to eat at Pappadeaux's that night and I don't remember much of it.  We had new parent brain:)

He was very loved from the moment he arrived from all our sweet family!  Thank you all for loving on us and being so excited about him.  It was so fun for us to see you enjoying him!

Memi meeting little Joseph for the first time!

We swaddled him from about 1 month to about 5 months.  He slept like a log, and looked like one too!

He loves being outside.  

 

My Mom came to stay with us and show us the ropes.  She helped with his first bath, cooked, cleaned and was great company.  We were so glad she was here! The hot water heater started leaking in the middle of his first little bath.  We needed all the help we could get!

Papaw Ken came through and got to meet him at Uncle Joel's house.  They were fast friends. Can't wait to see him riding horses and out in the canoe fishing with Papaw!!

We took MANY walks!  Thank you Grandma Cice and Memi Carlene for the awesome stroller!  We have put many miles on it. 

We love getting to spend time with Grandma Josie and Grandpa Rusty!! Josie can get him laughing and he loves listening to her talk.
Aunt Julie is a natural with him!  AND she makes him laugh.

We split Thanksgiving with the Cice/Barger family and the Rayburns.  He got some good lovins from Grandma Cice and Memi!

Someday he will be running around out in the yard "helping" Grandpa Larry and learning how to be a master of the grill:)

Grandpa Cice is going to have to teach him how to make spaghetti!

Grandma Rayburn finally got her 1st great grandchild!  Someday she will be whipping him in cards just like she whips his Momma and Daddy:)

FOUR generations of Rayburn men.  Pretty amazing!

We met Sarah and her boys at the mall in Grapevine one day.  This is the same mall we walked around when I was first having contractions.  

First family Christmas at the Fields house.  Joseph had lot's of other little people to watch and learn from!  Maybe next year he will be eating at that table, too:)



We took several car trips and he did GREAT!  Such a lil' trooper.

My Mom is so incredibly talented and creative!  She asked me what kind of cake I wanted and I told her a Barbie cake holding a baby like the one she made my sister, Sarah, when she was a little girl.  We were kidding around, but then she brought out this AWESOME and hilarious cake!!  We laughed alot.  Especially when we cut into it and it was red velvet. :)  Best birthday cake ever!!

Aunt Jaycee is a pro.  This is her FOURTH nephew!  She is such an amazing girl.  We are so blessed by her!

Sitting with Papaw Ken.

First time meeting Uncle Josh.

Not really a caption for this one.

It's HARD to wake up sometimes!

This one is kinda blurry, but it makes me laugh so hard.  

Dad has the BEST songs.  They make me laugh ALOT.  I knew Paul would be an incredible dad, but it has been such a joy and pleasure to watch it!

Aunt Julie's birthday party!

This is our friend Katy!  They are good buds.

We have played lot's of games.  He helps me with my strategies.

He found his tongue and likes to blow bubbles.

We love bath time!

Sometimes before he starts to fuss and let me know he is awake I hear his feet slamming down on the bed over and over.  It's so funny, and a great ab workout.

We are doing lot's of "tummy time."  This is how he tells us he is done with it.  

We started our first solid foods around 6 months.  The first thing he tried was green beans.  He got the hang of it so quickly!

We met Aunt Julie and Papaw Rusty at TGIFs one night.  We love getting to spend time with them!

He has a precious little giggle.  Melts my heart.

GO HARVESTERS!! Thanks Aunt Tate:)

He likes his Bumbo Chair, but can't reach his toys when he drops them.  

Our friend Marc Crozier sent Joseph this Lego headlamp.  HUH-LARIOUS.  This was on our spring break trip to Cloud Croft, NM with the Bargers and Cices!  

Cloud Croft, NM.  It was beautiful weather and so fun to be in the mountains!  Joseph did pretty darn well for his first long trip.  We drove home through the night and he slept in the car the whole way home!  We were so very thankful.  Thank you guys for a wonderful trip!

He LOVES this puppy and slings it around and sucks on it.  He is pretty matted and slobbery.  

Nothing like a good nap with no pants.

FEET!

He is getting SO close to being able to sit up on his own.  

He likes to grab the camera when I am trying to get a close up now:)

He likes to brush his TWO teeth, too!

I know I am forgetting all kinds of things, but here is a start! We are so incredibly grateful for this little guy and each day we have with him.  I am thankful for my sweet husband who works hard so I can stay home with him during the week.  I had no idea how great it would be.  We love you Joseph boy!!!  Can't wait for the next six months!