Sully's stats.

Sullivan had his one year check up today, and it was a doozie. After the routine stuff, he had to have four shots and a blood draw to check his iron level and for anemia. Although Dave and I both understand the importance of all of these things, it is still awful to see our little peanut so upset. We all made it though alive, and Sullivan was full of smiles in no time.

His stats are as follows... Head Circumference: 18.5 inches (69th percentile), weight: 19 lbs, 10 oz (8th percentile), and length 29.5 inches (38th percentile). He is a very busy baby who prefers to playtime over mealtime :).

After his appointment, Dave and I walked him through the park. We spent some time investigating leaves and just being silly. It was a tuff day, but we made the most of it and are so proud of our brave little boy.

A crawl through the park...bubbles and all. 

Happy Birthday, Sullivan!

Well, it happened, right before my very own eyes. My baby turned one. We had a great day.

I went to bed last night reminiscing about what had happened one year ago last night. Little did I know, I would only get a few hours of sleep before Sully would wake me up, indicating he was ready to meet us. The hours that followed that day were long and seemed never ending. Fortunately, there was an end in site and the result was something neither Dave or I could have ever imagined. What a smiley, darling little boy. Such a personality; Sully is observant, sneaky, daring, goofy, and even has a touch of rhythm. When we lock eyes, it never fails, he gives me this perfect little grin, his big blue eyes smile so bright. I know I am speaking for both Dave and I when I say that we didn't know our hearts could be so full. We are so grateful for Sullivan.

We started the day with lots of smiles and play, followed by a stellar three hour nap (we transitioned to one nap this week, and started whole milk). After his nap we ran a few errands in preparation for his Birthday Party which we had to relocate last minute to my parent's house due to iffy weather...darn. But it was perfect, so much room for the kids to play, and a great atmosphere for a gathering. We filled a pinata with candy and the kids had a blast swinging at it, and I think the parents had fun watching. We had a great turn out, in fact I had to fight back tears when we were singing to him because the volume was so loud, so much love in one room. As the group sang, Sully looked around, so wide eyed, taking it all in. That was followed by a cupcake that Sully had no interest in and lots of great gifts. What a day!

Happy Birthday, sweet Sully, we love you so much.

Sullivan's Birthday invitation.

Family photo with the boy of the day. 

Munce family photo, I am 18 weeks pregnant with #2. 

Isaac swinging away. 

Cappy taking a turn. 

Anna protecting her candy. 

Goofy Owen. 

Wild Hudson. 

Sweet Sophia.

Sullivan zoned in on the candle. 

Daddy and Sullivan reading a homemade card from Isaac. 

Obsessed with trucks.

Celebrating Dave.

Today was Dave's birthday. We spent the day doing family things, and for me, it was perfect (hope he feels the same :)). I heard Dave get up at 7am, this is par for the course. When he is home on weekend mornings, he typically gets up with Sully then gently closes the door and lets me sleep until my heart is content (yes, I am spoiled). This morning was no different. I woke up at 8:15, planned on heading downstairs to say my good mornings, but this morning, Sully's door was still closed. Could it be?...had our little man slept all night long, and was actually still sleeping? I checked the video monitor, and sure enough, there he was, sound asleep in his crib. What a champ, I felt like it was my birthday. He woke up shortly after, then filled out his daddy's birthday card before Dave made his way up to greet him. They spent a few minutes snuggling and admiring each other before we got on with our day.

We spent the morning at the Farmer's Market, then came home for Sully's nap. Dave ran a few errands then we had lunch together on the patio before Sullivan woke up. The two of them headed over to see Gma Helen while I baked Dave a Birthday cake. Upon their return, Dave opened a few, gifts then Sully went down for a late afternoon nap. We finished off the day with a BBQ at my parent's house with some of my family.

It is great to have a day to celebrate Dave. He is a very humble, kind man who would do anything for Sullivan, baby #2 and I. We are a lucky little family. I think I said the same thing last year (because yes, I was pregnant last year, too...Im taking next year off of the pregnancy business), but we have a lot to look forward to this year, babe, and I couldn't ask for a better partner. I love you!

Morning snuggles and birthday cards. 

Farmer's Market lilacs and a birthday cake. 

Birthday presents for daddy.

Sully is distracted :).

Congrats, Sarah!

Dave, Sullivan and I loaded up the car once again this past weekend to celebrate with Sarah as she graduated from college. She went to Northwestern and obtained a degree in English. She plans to move back to Sioux Falls for the summer, then return to the Twin Cities this fall, where she hopes to land a stellar internship, then maybe a job. She is such a fabulous girl, so appreciative and has a hear of gold. We were so happy to be there with her. Go Sarah! We are rooting for you, and can't wait to see where you land.

We drove up on Friday and had just enough time to shop a bit, mostly for maternity clothes...again. It seems this pregnancy will be in the exact opposite seasons as my previous one. We made it downtown with just enough time to get ready for the Twins game, which we went to with most of Dave's family. The game was really fun, but really cold. Not too ideal for an 11 month old. Sully and I left after a few innings, which was actually just right for me. I was able to get back to the hotel room, put Sully down and snuggle into a warm quiet bed. Dave returned after the game and enjoyed the time he was able to spend with his family.

I met a couple of old coworkers for breakfast on Saturday morning, it was great. We had lots to catch up on. Dave stayed behind with Sully where they enjoyed a walk through the skyways and where Sully fought Dave for about an hour for his morning nap. Grrr, Sully. Good thing Dave is such a patient trooper. We met the family for an early dinner at Mannys Steakhouse and made it back for an early bed time.

We came home Sunday and made stellar time. Sully didn't require any stops (thanks to Dave and I's duet of 'Wheels on the Bus') and we pushed on, making it in less than four hours. It was great to get back at a decent time.

Below are a few photos from the weekend.

Keeping warm at the Twins game. 

Part of the group. 

Celebration dinner at Mannys. 

Congrats, Sarah! 

My first Mother's Day.

I've waited a long 33 years to celebrate my first Mother's Day (yes, we did celebrate last year, but Sully was still in my tummy). It was an awesome day. We went to brunch at my parent's house so I could spend some time with my mom, then to an ice cream social at Helen's place so Dave could spend some time with his mom. Sullivan was the best little boy I could ask for and helped to make it so special by taking great naps and being in a pretty great mood throughout the day. Dave helped, too, he let me sleep in (again), helped Sully pick out some great gifts, made the time for me to be able to pot my planters (uninterrupted) and took all three of us for (vegetarian) sushi tonight. It is really great to have a husband who is so appreciative of me and shows it in every way he knows how. Although it was only my first Mother's Day, it was really great, Dave is giving himself a lot to live up to in the years to come (don't worry babe, I have no doubt you will be able to live up to this challenge).

Its hard to believe I will have two kiddos on my second Mother's Day. I was 15 weeks yesterday...bring on the babies!

Sully and mama. 

Black Hills

After our perfect week in the Black Hills last year, Dave and I thought we would make a tradition out of it. So, we packed up the car, the baby, and the dog (boy was the car full...we will need another option for next year's trip) and hit the road. Sullivan was an absolute champ on the drive out, we stopped once in Chamberlain and didn't have to stop again until Rapid City. What a relief, I had a bit of anxiety about the 6 hour drive.

We spent the week in full relaxation mode. We read, walked Kenzie, and played with Sully. Dave was such a good sport, it seemed Sully never really did change time zones (the cabin we stayed at is in the in the Mountain Time Zone). He got up with him every morning, and even took the night feedings every night Sully had one. Seriously, what a deal for me. Dave borrowed a pack made for hiking with kids and he and Sully hiked part of Pikes Peak and all of Raspberry Hill. We had intentions of a Spearfish Canyon walk, but by the time we arrived, it started to rain. Big bummer. Dave and Kenzie still got a wet walk in, but Sully and I stayed back and goofed around in the car.

Our last fully day there was on Friday and we were determined to get a few photos of our family, so we walked over to the Mickelson Trail which is about 1/2 mile from the cabin (this was after we let a rain storm run its course). We made our way to a pretty remarkable bridge about 2 miles from the cabin and started taking self times photos. Sully was a champ, Kenzie was difficult (pretty standard) and it appeared the clouds were thickening up. I looked up and said, "one more, I'm afraid we are going to get rained on, we would be in trouble." I took one last photo, and decided I wanted one more (this is also pretty standard), as I pushed the button it read 'memory card full.' No! And then the rain came. We bolted. Tucked Sully in as far as we could and covered his stroller with a blanket and started a brisk jog. (Those of you know me, I hope you are getting a chuckle out of this.) I didn't make it far, I sent Dave and Sully on and continued at my comfortable pace. We all made it home safe and sound, changed out of our wet clothes, lit a fire, and watched the rain come down. It was very cozy from inside the cabin.

The drive home was pretty slick as well, Sully didn't sleep quite as much, but he did as well as expected. We stopped in Wall and then again in Mitchell to see my Grandpa. We had a nice visit and made it back to Sioux Falls by about 5pm. What a day, what a trip. We are already looking forward to next year.

The first of many stroller rides.  

Sully, fresh out of the shower.  

The view from Sully's room. 

A tired out puppy dog. 

Dave and Sullivan at Sylvan Lake.

Family photo on the Pike's Peak hike.

Kenz, doing her thing.

Afternoon walk.

Mickelson Trail, moments before the rain came.

Poor little guy.

Sullivan survived his first major illness last week. Dave was off work for the week, which meant I signed up to work a couple of shifts. Fortunately, Dave was home to snuggle and love on him as much as he needed. He had a high fever and threw up a hand full of times, mostly at night. We would go to him and find him on fire and in a crib of vomit. Poor little peanut. His temp was as high as 103.1. We had planned to hit the road on Sunday for the Black Hills, but were talking about postponing unless he felt better. Fortunately, he snapped out of it on Saturday afternoon. Although he was under the weather, he still managed a few smiles for us.

Here is Sully, just as he was starting to feel better.