Friday, August 24, 2012

What's Up With Will

We have a had a fun and busy summer at the Bjustrom household!  Will is almost 1 1/2 years old and keeping us very busy!  Here's what he's been up to:

- Cannot get out of his crib in the morning or after a nap until he's gathered up all his blankets to tag along.
- Loves to dance to music anywhere he hears it, but if you acknowledge his grooving by cheering him on or joining in, he stops.
- Started spinning in circles and gets frustrated when he's dizzy afterwards.
- The longest you can get him to sit on your lap is to watch cartoons in the morning.
- Bath is his first word. He goes nuts when we tell him it's bath time.  Every time.
- Has 12 teeth.
- I give him his haircuts so sometimes his hair looks a little crazy.
- Ryley is his best bud.  He loves cruising around with dad to see what there is to see.  Favorite activities include: watering the plants, playing some sort of tackle game, getting the mail, having eggs together for breakfast, pretending to drive the truck.
- Has extra wide size feet.
- He is getting more opinionated about what he wants to eat so he's not the food grinder he used to be, but he loves fruit, cheese, and of course anything sweet.
- Trucks and anything with a motor and wheels are the highlight of any day.  And we read lots of books about them.
- His favorite books right now are pictures with the identifying word. Not the most interesting for mom and dad to read...over and over.
- Library is a popular place we go for story time, music class and to play with toys. But the real highlight is pushing the button to open the door.
- Runs REALLY fast!
- Toys are even exciting in the box. If we need to get out of the house, we go to the store and play with the toys, and typically don't buy a thing!  Free fun.
- Is the sweetest boy in the whole world!

Playing with cousin Carter 
Komo Zoo in St. Paul, MN looking at the zebras
Found some fish!
 Bedhead!
Always playing
Reading with Dad before bed--"Big Haulers" is a favorite!
"Sharing" his chair with his buddy Mckinley

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Busy Bee

Can you tell Will is VERY busy these days? He loves to empty the contents of any cupboard, drawer or container he can get his hands on. He leaves a path of destruction all through the house. He keeps me just as busy as he is!


Monday, March 26, 2012

Will is ONE!

Will is one year old today! Ryley and I are remembering fondly what we were doing one year ago today. My mom and his parents came down on the 25th once we knew things were moving along. They arrived in Chicago about midday and I had been having contractions for about 24 hours already but they were really far apart. At Julie's suggestion, I hit the street and started walking. Mom and I walked up and down Southport doing a little shopping, and sure enough the contractions kicked into gear.

That evening the five of us went to our favorite pizza place three blocks away from our apartment and on the way there I had to stop every block with contractions! We made it through dinner with me going to a happier place every few minutes and our moms giving each other looks that it was getting close to game time. But I was going to make sure I had a good meal! It was a long walk home, but then we decided to pack up and head to the hospital about 9:00 p.m. on Friday night March 25. Will didn't make his arrival until 12:48 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2011.

What I remember most is him feeling so squishy (he had plenty of padding at 8 1/2 pounds!) and then being SO thirsty! The second he was delivered I asked for something to drink, but they seemed to be busy with some other things, like taking care of my newborn. :) But I soon had a cranberry juice with ginger ale that was the most delicious thing I had ever had! As I was trying to come back to reality, Will was on the baby scale kicking his legs like the nurses had never seen before. You can only imagine what that felt like inside my belly.

When we finally got a good look at him we decided he needed a name. We held him in front of us and tried a couple out. It took us awhile, but finally decided William Bret seemed like a good fit.
Ryley and I cannot believe how much happiness our little buddy has brought into our lives. This past year has been the most challenging and most rewarding of our lives. We could not be more excited for what is to come!

At one year old, Will is in the 90th percentile at 24 pounds, 7 oz and 31" long. He has eight teeth and started walking at 11 months so by now he's getting close to running. He loves to explore every square inch of the house, getting his hands into everything. Getting chased, making loud noise by banging things together, going to story time at the library and playing outside are his favorite things to do. His dislikes are diaper changes, sitting still, and having to wait for anything he wants. He eats anything you put in front of him, but his favorites are toast with applesauce, bananas, cottage cheese and, my special, bean balls.

To celebrate his first birthday, on the 17th we had family over to our house to celebrate. We had a perfect birthday brunch with beautiful spring weather!

Front door sign

Brunch included egg casserole, biscuits and gravy, banana muffins, blueberry coffeecake, hashbrowns and fruit salad. A big thanks to Grandmas Joan and Julie for helping with the food!
I got a little crafty and made some pennant banners for decoration.
He was a little hesitant at first, but then he realized that this was the day he had dreamed of!
Mom and Dad so proud of our birthday boy.
Aunt Vicki and Grandma Julie
All cleaned up and having fun opening all the fun presents.
Birthday cake from our favorite bakery in Boone, Dutch Oven.
Just a little more craftiness by mom.
It was a real treat to have Grandpa Gordy and Grandma Karen make the trip from Minnesota.
His new favorite toy--a car from Grandpa Bret and Grandma Julie. He does not like it when his ride ends!
We were so glad Ryan, Amanda, Gavin and Dylan could help us celebrate!
Cousin Carter, Grammie Joan, Jim and Renee made the party extra special.
Grandpa Al going for a ride with his two favorite little dudes.
Grandpa Bret is trying to get Will to hold up one finger. Maybe he'll have it down for his second birthday.

It was a wonderful day! Thank you for everyone for helping us celebrate our little guy. It means so much to us. We love you Will!!!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The Many Faces of Will

Surprised - What? I'm not supposed to chew on Dad's shoes?

Intellectual - Always looking for a chance to improve my vocabulary that I can't put to use yet.

Hungry - Is watching me eat this really that interesting?

Mischievous - Now that I can pull myself up on things and crawl around, I like to go wherever Mom and Dad tell me not too.

Destructive - Hear me roar!!! (And protect your breakables.)

Helpful - I love to help Mom "fold" laundry.

Cheesy - I always know how to make Mom and Dad laugh.