The Year of 2015.

I keep hearing that 2015 was one of the worst years for people. It's been posted all over facebook and in the news. I wonder why someone would call a year "not a good year"? Because of one or two bad things that happened? Maybe what's going on nationally? But I'm here to share the highlights of our 2015! A year of hard lessons learned and the Lord being bountiful in his blessings and his mercy. 

Let's just say life with a cruiser growing into a toddler is very fun and busy. I can't hardly remember what happened this time last year. I would normally post a monumental "event" that happened each month, but will probably miss a few!

March

We learned how to drive. 

April 

Got to ride with Gramps. 

May

Our big boy turned one! (How does time fly so fast?) 

June 

Got to sign the lease and move cattle onto a ranch the Lord blessed us with! Is this really happening? God is so good!!

July

This month was filled with the 4th of July picnic! 

Family photos! 

And my birthday at the ballpark! 

August 

Had another litter of puppies. (10 again) 

And celebrated our cousins 1st birthday! 

September 

Our annual girls trip to Warrenton Antique Week....plus two boys!!

October

Started renovating the new pad! Another huge blessing of provision from our gracious Savior! 

(plus we have the cutest little helper) 

And we found out Asa is going to be a big brother!

November

First football game! 

And riding horse with cousin G at thanksgiving. 

December

Got to see our second little gummy bear! Due June 24

And lots of fun for Christmas!!

 (My growing family. Two more grand babies next year! My sis is due in June, too!) 

And to top you off for next year... We have finished the renovation and are moving in...but that's a story for a different post!!

I can definitely say 2015 has been full of blessings! We are grateful! And excited to see what God has in store for the McIlroy's in 2016!! 

Twelve Months.

A year has past since we first welcomed our little boy into our home and into this world. We knew things were going to change, but one cannot fully understand that change except through experience. Parenthood has been such an amazing journey. One that never ends, just keeps changing. I remember when Asa was a bit younger how I would have sweet little victories of confidence when things were going so seamless. Like understanding what he was wanting, when. And getting him to nap on his own. I would think, "man, I'm figuring this thing out!", then the next week Asa would change things up on us and I'd be back at square one saying, "I have no idea what to do!" Now I realize that I can't just plan out how this 'thing' is going to go and just roll with the leaps and punches! 

At a year old, Asa is: 

Crawling, still, but walks when you hold a hand. He is not braving letting go, yet! 

Climbs anything... Stairs, into wagon, picnic table,...

Points... he notices all sorts of things now and wants to show you! 

He will wave occasionally, but is pretty much over it. 

Nods and shakes head and shrugs shoulders. 

Loves to dance and move to the music... (We will probably be getting him into music lessons later on!)

Into tools... hammers, wrenches, SCREWDRIVERS,... 

Wagon rides. He got a red wagon for s birthday, and now he climbs in it and wants to go for rides! 

Riding horses. Loves riding horses. 

Mud. Dirt. Water. He sees it, he's in it. 

Likes bath time. 

Hates his diaper changed. 

Helps put his shirts on. 

Talks up a storm, but in grunts. 

Says Dada and is saying momma more. 

And last but not least... HAS THE BEST BELLY LAUGH EVER!!!

Here's a few pics from his party... 

We love our little bear! 

Eleven Months.

Asa Barret is 11 months old. 

He eats mud and dirt. Likes to push his trucks and tractors around. Loved to play in water/mud. Is all about screwdrivers. His favorite tool... by far!

He is starting to bear crawl. Doesn't want on his knees, but doesn't trust his feet. 

And we're all about riding horses!! That's where it's at!! 

Love this tow headed, mud eatin', little boy!! 

Ten Months.

This post is very late, but I've got a busy little boy on my hands!! 

I cannot believe that Asa is in the double digits. 

Asa is ALL boy. He makes "vroom" sounds for anything with wheels. And rolls it back and forth on whatever... the floor, table, me... 

This little boy is always on the go. He loves loves loves the outdoors. He also likes to put anything he finds in his mouth. Makes my job full time. {Is this why moms do pacifiers?!?} 

He is also a very proficient waver, now. Even though it looks like he's knocking or  roping. And sometimes it's used as a clap. 

We dance. 

We shake our head no.  

We like to laugh with mommy and daddy. 

He has stolen our hearts... more and more each day!! 

Nine Months.

How is it possible that Asa has been outside as long as he was inside? He's nine months old now!! Wow!! This boy sure has changed, though, in these 9 short months of his life!! 

What's new: 

🔹Mimicking. Now when I make certain sounds he will repeat them back. So adorable!!

🔹Clucking. Anything with his tongue. Asa will do all sorts of noises with his mouth. Popping his tongue of the roof of his mouth is one of his favorites. Pressing his lips together to make a tooting sound. Or sticking his tongue out and blowing. 

🔹Fish face. A couple weeks ago I saw him do this. Cracked me up. Now he does it all the time. I need to try an get a good picture of it! I'm guessing its a teething thing. 

🔹4 teeth. We now have our top to teeth in. Might be more soon!

🔹Getting better at waving. 

🔹Drives his car (walker) like a champ. 

Most of the things now are just more advanced then last month. He's getting way better at getting in to things.  Like... Way faster!! 

We hung out with our cousins. 

And yes... I gave him the dorky hair cut. We keep it brushed to the side and it's cute!! (Plus, look how he's always sitting. Herkie style!) 

Fish face: 

We had a bottle calf for a couple weeks. Had to keep her warm while she regained her strength. Then Sage (our momma dog) kept her warm outside!! 

Driving!

That's our month in a nut shell!! 

Eat your heart out ladies!!

Eight Months.

At eight months Asa:

Is up! He cannot balance by himself, but he is 'pulled-up' on something most of the time. Either my legs, the cabinets, coffee table, end table, couch, dresser,.... ALL THE TIME! 

He also walks down the couch or coffee table. He can even round the corner! 

Stated really saying "dada"! Lets just say his dada is so proud. He kinda says momma but babbles lots of things. Like 'ga'. 

Favorite games are peek-a-boo and being thrown in the air. 

Wants the toilet paper. 

Smiles big and giggles after a sneeze and I say "bless you"! Not sure if it's the sneeze he likes or me blessing him!?! But either way it's cute. 

He will suck on his pacifier some. But it's more of a toy then a comfort. 

Beginning to start waving. 

Funny thing. When I build blocks with him, he knocks them over as fast as he can. And I really wanted to build a tall tower! I might enjoy his toys as much as he does! I guess now I have an excuse to play toys!! 

And he is learning things in extreme short amounts of time. He changes daily. It is so fun to see him learn. 

We are continually saying, "He is so cute!!"" Can you wear that phrase out? We're going to try. 

I'm sure we are not much different then any other first time parent, but you just don't get it until you have one of your own!! God is so good!! 

We are working on our top teeth. 

And we got our first "haircut"! (More of a trim around the ears!) 

And he loves loves loves his dad!