Sunny and Warm on February 1st!!!

Wyatt slept in until 10:00!  Which meant we got to go outside during the warmest time of the day and we had a blast!  We had so much fun exploring the fun fort at our local park!  The last time Wyatt went to the park he couldn't walk yet so today was so much fun.  We walked around meeting new friends and finding new places to explore!

I love playing with Wyatt and watching him explore and learn. Today was such a gift from God- sunny, upper 50's, and not too windy.  We had so much fun and I can't imagine what spring and summer are going to be like with this fun loving little boy!  Can't wait for some playdates with some friends with a picnic at the park!

watching the big kids on the swings- he started talking to them.

Women are so important in my life and Wyatt's life

Today was such a special time. We, Wyatt and me, got to check out a new play place, The Playhouse Cafe. It was so much fun we will surely be back. We hope to take daddy out to lunch there sometime soon!

It was so nice to see some mommas that we haven't been able to connect with in the last months due to work/weather/the holidays. All of the babies are growing up so fast and we are becoming seasoned mothers- whatever that means.  It is so amazing to see how we have grown as women, mothers, and friends. I am so blessed to have such a great support system of women around me and around Wyatt. I miss my sisters, cousins, aunts, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and especially my mom; but since we don't currently live near them I am so thrilled to have such wonderful women in my life. There are times when I have given support and encouragement and then there are times when I'm the one needing the support and encouragement!

My life truly would not be the same without all of you!

Thank you so much to all the women in my life!

Now, Playhouse Cafe, why haven't I known about you for the last 15 months!!!!

We got to the Playhouse Cafe a little early to scope out the place!  

I should have snapped some photos of Wyatt playing in the Tot Spot, but I was enjoying watching him, talking with the other moms, and actually getting to eat lunch!

Sitting down with a friend to have lunch.
My little boy is getting so big, no need to use a high chair when they have a kid's table! 

He loves grilled cheese and is able to feed himself. Momma is learning when to let and go and let him grow! He surprises me everyday with what he can do! Today it was sitting in a chair all by himself!

Yummy

Sittin' so big!

Having fun with his friends.

Wow....Elmo is so tall!

Wyatt loved the music being played when Elmo came out.  He even enjoyed hanging out with Elmo for a bit. 

Happy and relaxed.
I had to take him back so Elmo could see the other kids. He was content just to hang out and watch everything from Elmo's arms.

Wyatt's lovey and his newest form of entertainment

For Christmas Wyatt received many blessings, and so did Momma and daddy!  But there were two gifts that have kept giving even until now!

My little boy loves Snoopy from Gm2 (Great grandma Jo). He only goes to be with his snoopy, his blankie animals are no match for his snoopy.  I'm thinking we might need to get a spare just in case the unthinkable happens! Thank you so much Gm2 Jo- he wakes up every morning hugging his snoopy. Every nap at home and every bedtime he has snoopy. Even if he falls asleep in my arms I lay him down and he curls his arms around his snoopy.

These shots were from Christmas day. He had opened Gm2 Jo's gift on 12/23 and had grown attached to Snoopy from the very beginning. We took Snoopy to Christmas Eve service for hopes to keep him occupied from talking too much during the service. It worked!

Such a sweet boy

My silly boy

On 12/23 Wyatt also opened his gift from Gm Deah. He absolutely loves his race car ramp. He puts the cars in it, he puts his socks in it, he puts other toys in it, and he also loves to sit in it himself. Though I think he is disappointed that is doesn't spin when he is in it!

One last photo of a boy and his stuffed doggy.  I just love this little guy! 

2011 Christmas Update - no video this year....

After one crazy year- We were lucky to get our Christmas cards to the post office before 2012! Though many of our family and friends will receive them in 2012! Oops - well maybe next year....

S- Sometimes it's more important to be in the moment than document it on facebook or blogspot. With a 1 yr old I am getting a post or two up on the blog when he goes to sleep.

K- Kuddos to Wyatt who has become a seasoned traveler flying to Wichita, KS in Dec 2010 and May 2011, a flight to Florida in March and then to Chicago in November! He also started his acting career as baby Jesus at the Christmas Eve service in 2010 and made an appearance this year with his mom and dad.

Baby Jesus - 2010

The telling of the "Night Before Christmas" - New Testament style, 2011

I- I have had fun with my new sewing machine making a few baby blankets, stockings, and pillowcases - on the few occasions that I have some free time - hence the limited on time blog posts.



L- Looking back on the past we thank God for the blessings he has bestowed upon us: our healthy child, our jobs ( Dr. Matt at Elizabethtown College and Rebekah is working full time as a mom. After 10 years of working full time she was able to work part time as a RN and moved from the Emergency Dept to the Medical Intermediate Care Unit), our health, our family, and our friends who are like family.



L- Looking to the future we thank God for his mercy, instruction, grace, and hope as He guides us in this next year.



E- Elated to have celebrated 10 years of marriage with an actual dinner date & Wyatt at home with a babysitter!

12/15/2001- 12/15/2011 and beyond!

N- Never a dull moment is had in this Skillen household with 2 cats, a dog, a momma, a daddy, and a very smart, silly, and sweet little boy!

At first Wyatt wasn't to sure about this event...

Then he got his "cool" look on.

P.S. his photo was taken BEFORE Christmas- I took the photo of the photos with my camera tonight- :)

Christmas Eve 2011

Wyatt was baby Jesus in 2010 at 8.5 wks old last Christmas, this year his participated in a family scene reading the REAL night before Christmas story.  We got to be part of the Christmas Eve service at the candlelight contemporary service.

Such a special time for us as a family. I am so happy and so blessed to have Christmas Eve and Christmas off this year from work. I really didn't expect to have this time off; but I will gladly enjoy it!

Wyatt has a new lovey- he absolutely loves his snoopy from Gm2 Jo (Great grandma Jo)

I actually really like this shot :)

Matt played during the service as well.