Happy Birthday Little Man

Today is Anson's first birthday and I've been emotional all day. My dear friend Stacy warned me I may be, but I had no idea (she has a son who spent several weeks in the NICU as well). It's simply amazing how well Anson has done and we owe that to an amazing team of doctors and nurses at OSU. We are so thankful. This is what Anson has been up to lately:

He says, "mama, choo-choo, baby, fish-fish". He's trying to say "dog" but he's not there just yet.

He's walking with a walker, but not independently.

He loves music. He'll sing along every morning with me while I clean the house.

He goes to bed every night at 7:30pm and wakes up around 7:00am. We get him changed and then we feed his fish. He plays for about 30 minutes and then he eats breakfast. After that, we read and play and then he's ready for a nap at 10:00am. He's been sleeping for an hour and a half to two hours and then it's lunch time. After lunch we run errands or play outside until his nap at 3:30pm. This is a shorter nap - usually 45 minutes to an hour and then he's up waiting for Dave to walk in the door. He knows it's him when the screen door opens. Then dinner, playtime, bath and bed.

He's finally able to wear 6-12 month pants and he's wearing 12-18 month shirts. He has no butt, so pants have been a challenge. He's catching up though. The last time he was at the doctor, he weighed 18.7 lbs and that was 3 weeks ago. He'll go again in a few days, so we'll see where he's at.

He's just an amazing, happy little boy who has brought us joy and love that we could not have imagined. We are so blessed in so many ways and I am reminded of that every single day. What a gift we have been given.

Attendance at Anson First Birthday

I would like to thank everyone who came to celebrate Anson's first birthday. I know how busy everyone is and it is really appreciated that you took the time to be with him on his special day. A special thanks to the following:

Oma and Opa Bertram
Grandma Barnett
Great-Grandma Williams
Aunt Heather, uncle Mark and cousin Ian
Aunt Bonnie
Uncle Eldon
Uncle Kevin, aunt Kendra and cousin Haden
Aunt Peggy and uncle Paul
Aunt Pam
Cousin Tony, wife Beth and cousin Kayla
LuAnn Holmes
Cousin Jenni
Beth and Alex Ferryman

Thanks again for sharing this day with us.

Love,
Chrissy

Anson's First Birthday Party

Anson stealing Uncle Mark.

Anson's first birthday cakes. Grandma Marcia made the cool soccer ball cake on the right. It was yummy. Thank you!

Grandpa and Anson.

Choo-choo train cake.

Cousin Ian checking out some of Anson's toys.

Debating on eating some icing.

Trying to walk.

From cousin Jenni. Anson loved this mega blocks wagon.

The boy loves wheels.

Outfit from Aunt Bonnie. Perfect for pumpkin pictures!

Tearing into his goodies.

Columbus Zoo

My friend, Melissa with her little girl, Taylor watching the penguins.

Anson, always supporting his Buckeyes.

The look on his face when he saw the penguins playing.

Charissa, Sophia, William and Anson.

Will checking things out.

This 3 year old Bengal was massive.

Melissa, Taylor, Charissa and Sophi (in cognito).

This guy has it all figured out.

Sophia....cutie pie.

The Way I See It

People say, oh I could never do that! But when you meet cancer patients you understand the bravery and spirit those people show each and every day. Their struggles motivate and inspire you to test the limits of your endurance and to cross that finish line. You'll be surprised by what you can do.

-John Kellenyi
Eight-time marathoner and leading fundraiser with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training

Fun at Oma and Opa's

First taste of orange juice. Hey, he wanted it!

Trying to get Grandpa's camera.

Just being him.

Trying to get Oma to play euchre!


Cuttin' up.

Video games........oh, dear.

I think he's hooked.

Feeling Better

Got that smile back!

Yes, the sun is shining in our house again!

Looking for the dogs.

Watching momma vacuum.

Hanging out with his buddies.

Almost a Year Ago........

These are all pictures of Anson's first week of life. As most of you know, Anson was 8 weeks early and spent 7 weeks in the NICU at OSU.

Look at that tiny foot.

Dave and Anson at 5 days old.

One of my favorites.

Happy Pumpkin Day!

It's so funny to think about this now. He wouldn't keep the nasal cannula in his nose.......sounds like a lot of my patients!