Birthday Girl!

That's right, my little Lewey is ONE! I had forgotten how fun this age is. Of course I prefer this age to her newborn stage of crying 20 hours a day, barely sleeping at night, barely sleeping during the day, and her refusals to nurse be cuddled or even be held for that matter. I start to twitch just thinking about it....

What a dramatic change this little girl has made from her grouchy first 7-8 months of life. She is a people person and little smiler. She smiles at anyone and anything.

Here are a few things about my big one year old:
*Two teeth
*Still crawling everywhere. Walking does not seem to be in her immediate future
*Somehow she knows that stairs are scary so she is very careful not to get too close to them. I love that I don't have to worry about her attempting to go down them. Though she loves to throw her toys down them.
* Says mama, dadda, doddy (doggy) uh-oh, hi, and hu-oh (hello). I swear she is a genius!
* Waves, claps, dances, signs 'more', points her cute chubby finger at everything and wants me to talk about it to her.
*Haven't taken her to the doctor for months, but pretty sure she is about 25lbs.
*Wears size 18-24 month clothes!
* I rarely cut her food. She is a champion chewer. She eats sandwiches, string cheese, spaghetti, yet hates anything remotely pureed.
* Still doesn't sleep through most nights, but I figure she is hearty enough, so when she tries to wake us up at 12, 2, or 4, A.M. I just turn off the monitor! She won't remember anyway right???
* Gives the best open mouth kisses
*Has taken only one nap a day for about 2 months. Brooklyn was still taking three naps at this age. I was hoping that was typical ;(

I realize why I love this age so much. She is still a baby, but is old enough to laugh at my teasing her, and knows how to play and interact with us. If only they could come out a one year old!

Before her party I let her open her first present from her great-grandpa Bills. She saves her best smiles for him!

Sittin in her chair ready for all her presents!

She loved her creepy monkey from her Nana.

She wasn't too sure about the ice cream at first, but she just picked it up with one hand and went to town. I have taught her well.

I love watching this little girl grow and learn. There are so many little milestones that didn't happen with Brooklyn that I love watching with Leah. She is so energetic and funny. I can honestly say I take joy in her messes. I have a 4 year old who NEVER made a mess, so I appreciate a good mess now and again! I smile when I see she has unrolled the toilet paper, or I find her little greasy handprints on the fridge, stove, dishwasher, coffee table, and any glass surface. It is so beautiful to watch these little people grow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEAH! Love you.

Jason Holman Fisher

After 3 long months without an update I realize I have much catching up to do. One reason for my lack of postings has been because my mind has been elsewhere. If I have been distracted, you can only imagine the trouble Jonny has had running a bookstore, putting together a committee to help build and fund raise for a $400,000 fully accessible playground for those with disabilities, and selling real-estate like a mad man. All the while dealing with the loss of his big brother Jason.



( Hawaii 2009: Jason, Jordan, Jonny, and Jared)

Almost two years to the date of his brain cancer diagnoses, Jonny lost his 35 year old brother and one of his best friends on October 3, 2010. Family was everything to Jason, and as his final gift to everyone he waited to pass away until every member of his immediate family was by his side. Jason loved to plan extravagant trips for the family and as a result we have all been to Hawaii three (four?) times together over the years.

I have often joked that Jonny and his two brothers had a relationship more like sisters have with eachother. More often than not Jonny would come home still on the phone with one of his brothers. Since they all run a few college bookstores together, this occured more frequently during their sales periods.He would walk in the door on the phone to one of his brothers comparing his store to theirs to see who did better. This is one thing that Jonny has said that he will miss most. Calling up his big brother J to rub it in if his store did better!

Two years ago for Christmas all Jason wanted was for the whole family to be together on Christmas morning. So we all took claim to any couch and space on the carpet that was available and slept up at Jonny's parent's house on Christmas eve. I think the real reason Jason wanted to do this was because although he had no kids of his own, he had an uncanny knack for giving his nieces and nephews the most perfect gifts. His gifts we often much better than "Santa's!"

What a blessing the gospel of Jesus Christ has been in our lives these past few months. We learned first hand that it is one thing to have a testimony that families are forever and quite another to rely on that testimony for strength and comfort.

We know that because Jason was so committed to his family that he knew that he could do more good for all of us on the other side than he could staying here with us. I suppose that was his last great gift.

We love you J!