Early Christmas morning in San Francisco, Sawyer chooses to play with the remote control then my phone rather than open presents. Of course, once we helped him open his presents he lost all interest in anything else:
Here’s his gift from Aunt Kelly and Uncle Mark (his one man marching band just got much more interesting):
Sawyer loved his new “Choo Choo” from me:
Here is Sawyer practicing with his “Shaka Shaka” (thanks Mark and Kelly!):
Later that day we went for a walk in city to see a new museum that just opened. Sawyer’s favorite part was showing off his new climbing skills on the steps out in front:
He also likes to climb things inside, like our coffee table, much to our dismay:
When we were in Columbus the week before Christmas, Sawyer entertained everyone at my Dad’s birthday dinner. He’s dancing for Sarah and Kevin when he looks to his left, and raising his arms for a touchdown when he looks to my Dad on his right. My mom has the camera while Abby and I try to feed him, but as you’ll soon see he had little interest in us. Too funny:
Last but not least, Sawyer and I celebrated “Dada Day 2008” on the day after Christmas. I had hoped to take him to the California Academy of Sciences, but I wasn’t the only one with that idea — there was a 90 minute wait to get in the door! Instead he and I walked over to one of the playgrounds in Golden Gate Park and played on the swings:
If you’re reading this in an email, you won’t see the videos so please click over to flickr or Sawyer’s website to see them.
It is hard to believe that last Christmas Sawyer was just two weeks old. In fact, I don’t have one picture from his first Christmas. We didn’t even start the Sawyer blog until Jan. 1, 2008, so it is like those first few weeks didn’t even happen. Not really, but I do have one picture, however, of Sawyer’s first Christmas gift from Scott.
This year, we have plenty of pictures of Christmas morning. Since we had just gotten back from Ohio, we opted for a less traditional Christmas tree — beautiful red tulips.
Sawyer got a bus from me,…
…and a train from Scott.
Pulling his train.
Then he decided to make my gift to Scott his own. Scott has been learning to juggle with Sawyer’s toys. I thought that I would get him some of his own.
I’m still not sure if this gift was more for Scott and I rather than Sawyer, as we have been playing with it non-stop.
Scott’s self-portrait.
In the afternoon, we went to the open-house at the new Contemporary Jewish Museum a few blocks from our apartment. They had a huge sing-a-long for the kids. Sawyer’s goal was to get on stage.
He was still going strong into the night — making music with his new instruments given to him by his Aunt Kelly and Uncle Mark,…
…and teaching himself how to make the lights go on and off on his bus.
It is amazing how we can say, “Go get your bus” or “Go get your train,” and he will be back in a flash, carrying whichever we asked him to get. Funny how, however, when we say, “Please don’t stand on the coffee table,” he looks at us (from the top of the coffee table) like we have three heads.
No, he doesn’t need glasses yet, but at least we know he’ll look really cute if he takes after his parents.
From the side.
“In my opinion, I look pretty good in glasses.”
The bread never falls out of his mouth.
I’ve got my eye on you.
On the move again.
The owner of the glasses.
Actually Sawyer was really good around Christmas Trees. He only broke one ornament at his Grandparents’ Doernberg. To be fair, the ornament was hanging precariously low, and not all the way on the branch.
Here a few pics from Sawyer admiring his Grandparents’ Truitt tree.
Being very gentle.
Flying around with Scott.
Looking slightly mischievous.
I’m sure some day it will be hard for Sawyer to have his birthday so close to Christmas, but until then, he will enjoy every minute. Here are some pictures of Sawyer’s birthday celebration at Grandma Penny and Grandpa Steve’s house, with Aunt Sarah and Uncle Kevin too.
The big boxes are the best!
As if he weren’t quick enough for us already. Now he is unstoppable!
Thanks Aunt Sarah and Uncle Kevin! This is awesome!
Pushing is good too.
Another gift! Bows are great!
He thought the bow was the gift, but he was excited to find it was really “Horton Hears a Who.” Thanks Grandma and Grandpa.
As the song goes, “All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth.” The only way we could show them off was by turning Sawyer upside down.
Here is a blast from the past. This is my cousin Bill and I when we were young.
Sawyer’s Grandma and Grandpa Doernberg threw Sawyer the best birthday party Sawyer has ever had! Growing up, I always had great birthdays, and so the tradition continues for Sawyer. Grandma did the planning, and Grandpa did the pick-up and delivery. It was perfect.
Is that Elmo?
No, it’s Sawyer! Grandpa did a great job selecting balloons.
Balloons on parade!
Welcoming Grandma and Grandpa Truitt.
Grandma Penny and the Birthday Boy.
If you are wondering why Sawyer looks like a boxer, it is because he had a mishap a few days before his birthday. He is so quick! He walked up to the gas fireplace and touched the glass. I had checked the glass a few minutes prior, and it did not feel that hot. I was wrong. Crying, wailing, and blisters resulted in the hours and days following. Luckily, he was feeling slightly better by his birthday.
Waiting for cake.
Diggers and scrapers are his favorite. Actually, anything with wheels will do!
Getting tired.
I had an amazing time too.
What you’ve all been waiting for.
Relaxing after the party with Grandpa Doernberg — getting a shoulder rub.
The Birthday Boy!
Exactly one year ago, on December 14, 2007 at 1:42 am, Sawyer Mathis Truitt entered the world without a whimper, looked around, then let out a full-throated scream. It’s difficult to remember what life was like before him, and in many ways it feels like he’s always been here with us, although I do remember getting much more sleep.
It’s amazing how much he’s grown, and how little his appearance has changed. Here’s a few pictures taken on the morning of his birth.
First picture of Sawyer:
Cleaned up right after birth:
Weighing in at a whopping 9 pounds!
Abby and Sawyer:
Scott and Sawyer:
His first bath:
After his first bath. As far as I know, no one posed him that way:
He still has some of this hair:
Feet!
Just a few hours after birth, and ready for his first nap:
Happy first birthday, Sawyer!
On Sunday, we spent the day in Napa at Folio Vinyard to help celebrate Sawyer’s friend Gabrielle’s first birthday. It was a very fun day. It was about 55°, which was pretty cold for us. It will get us ready for Ohio where it is 20°.
