River's 1st Birthday Party

 Happy Birthday to River!

 Hmmm.  What's this blue stuff?

 Blue stuff tastes good!

 It think it would taste better if I smashed it on my face!

 Definitely tastes better on my face!

 Green AND blue yummy stuff!

Sugary kisses

Mommy and Daddy love you, River Josiah!

River's First Year - Continued

These are pictures of River from month 3 through 1 year. 

3 months -  First visit to the beach (Folly Beach)

3 months - Folly Beach

 Lunch with Mom at Moe's

 Around 4 months

 5 months

 

6 months

 7 months

 

8 months

9 months - Riverbanks Zoo

 9 months - Riverbanks Zoo

10 months

 11 months

Day before River's 1st birthday (on plane to Texas)

River's First Year

Now that River is 15 months old, I've decided to begin (or restart) capturing his life and experiences on this blog.  So, let's start from the beginning.  Here are some pictures from the first couple months or so. Once I post pics from his first year, I will post monthly.  Hope you enjoy!

In the hospital

Got my mittens on

Going home!

First time at church - 10 days old

First visit to the chiropractor

First visit to Riverbanks Zoo (1st 2 weeks)

First photo-shoot with Aunt Renee

Second photo-shoot with Aunt Renee

First time in a pool (at Hampton Greene where Uncle Cam was living
and Mommy used to live when she started dating Daddy)

Think Positively!

I'm adopting 2 new habits: daily affirmations and gratitude.

Each day I repeat to myself things such as "I am serving God and loving others as I share natural solutions for health and wellness issues."

I also thank God for 3 new things each day.  Today I am grateful that Erich, River and I have the ability to make changes in our lives to create the future we want, that I can use my gifts and talents every day to shine the light of Jesus in the world, and that I have the ability to decide every day how I care for my body (including how I eat).

What are your affirmations and what 3 things are you thankful for today?  Please leave a comment.

Ahhh, Serenity!

I just love doTERRA essential oils!  Even River is an oily guy.  Cypress to help him move mucus congestion.  On Guard to keep him from getting sick.  DigestZen for gas.  Breathe for improved breathing while he sleeps.

But one of my favorite oils that I use with River is Serenity.  It is a blend of lavender, sweet marjoram, roman chamomile, ylang ylang, and vanilla.  The other day, on a long drive home with River, he was having a hard time falling asleep and was fussy.  I got out my Serenity oil and put some on the car air conditioning vent and held the open oil bottle in front of the air blowing out of the vent so he could smell it.  Then I stopped at a gas station and put some of the oil on River's car seat and clothes.  I did not put it directly on his skin because I didn't have any coconut oil with me to dilute the oil, as you are to do for babies.  Needless to say, he went to sleep promptly.

Again today he was having a hard time napping, so I diffused lavender in his room.  Sleep came easily then. 

My little snuggle bug

Serenity and lavender are great to help anyone sleep, babies, children, and adults alike.  If you would like to enjoy better sleep, please contact me at ambersdoterraessentialoils@gmail.com or at amber.m.albert@facebook.com.  You can also visit my website at http://www.mydoterra.com/amberalbert.

River Visits the Ocean

Last Friday, Erich asked, "So what are we doing this weekend?"  Little did I know that we'd end up in Charleston, SC.

We quickly made plans.  Erich found a hotel on the Ashley River and I packed up River's things.  There are a few extra things to take on trips now that River joined our lives.  Bassinet, water for bottles, bottles, formula, clothes, burp cloth, diapers, wipes, etc.

We made it to Charleston a little before dinner.

 River's first hotel stay

We unpacked then headed downtown to Hyman's for dinner.  All three of us ate while there.

Next we headed for Water Front Park, with a quick stroll through the Market on the way.

The Market

At Water Front Park, we visited the pier where I proposed to Erich.  Erich had proposed to me a few months before I proposed to him.  We both wore our wedding bands on our right ring finger (a German tradition, appropriate for Erich's heritage) before we got married.  He wears his dad's wedding band and I wear my mom's wedding band and diamond.

 Water Front Park Pier

 Watching the flags wave at Water Front Park

The next morning, River let us sleep in until 7 before he was ready for breakfast.  We fed him then went to the lobby for our own breakfast.  Afterward, we came upstairs and got ready for the beach.  It was raining, but we were determined to take River to see the ocean.  The rain had let up by the time we arrived at the shore at Folly Beach.

 Walking to the beach

 River's first time at the ocean

 He had the same reaction as he did to the pool: indifference.

We drove back to the hotel, packed up, checked out and headed out.

 View from our hotel room

On the way home, we ate brunch at The Blue Rose Cafe, an Irish restaurant.  It was very nice and homey. 

We stopped by Drayton Hall Plantation and toured the grounds. It rained for just a moment and I put the umbrella over the stroller.  It was a very pleasant day - not too hot at all.

We made it home in the late afternoon and enjoyed a nice evening at home before starting another week.