1 Year Photo Shoot

I was a little nervous about capturing Micah at one year without a photo studio but after several photo shoots at home, I am really happy with the outcome. Tim is an excellent photographer and we were able to capture Micah's personality and expressions quite well...enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday

1 Year Profile

Micah Riley Gates

• Measurements: 21.1 lbs. and 30 1/4" long
  
• Mobility: crawling and cruising at record speed
• Activities: swinging, sliding, throwing and destroying things, wagon rides, climbing, singing and dancing, playing the piano, making funny faces and noises
  
• Favorite Foods: blueberries, bananas, watermelon, chickpeas, waffles, pizza, yogurt melts
  
• Favorite toys: see n' say, cars and trucks, blocks, stacking cups, books, ride-on fire engine, and any ball I can chuck across the room
• Interests: dogs, balloons, hats, birds, balls, swings, slides, wagon
  
• Cuddle objects: Taggies blanket, stuffed doggy
  
• Favorite Songs: Wheels on the Bus, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Old MacDonald, Jesus Loves Me
  
• Vocabulary: DaDa, MaMa, na-na (banana), dog, milk, ba (bottle), bird, ball, ba-oo (balloon), night-night, hi, hat, no, yeah
• Words that describe me: curious, loud, social, charming, daredevil, active, mischievous, silly, talkative
  

NYC Getaway

This past weekend Tim and I were blessed with a weekend getaway to New York City. Sean and Emily were so kind to watch Micah. This was my first night away from our little guy! He did really well and I was amazed at how relaxed I was about the whole thing. I missed him but knew he was in good hands and was sooo thankful to have some time alone with my hubby.

We caught the train in Long Island, just down the street from Sean and Emily's, which made for a very relaxing journey into the city.

We started out at FAO Schwartz and headed toward the Lower East Side where we enjoyed a delicious Thai meal and then toured the Tenement Museum. I highly recommend doing this if you're in the city; it was fascinating! We toured the tenement apartments of two Jewish families who were involved in the garment industry. I loved hearing the stories of the families, seeing how they lived, and how the tenement changed over decades.

After strolling through China Town and Little Italy, we made out way to The High Line on the west side of Manhattan. The High Line was constructed in the 1930s, lifting freight traffic 30 feet in the air, and trains ran until 1980. This historic structure has been preserved and created into a beautiful garden/walking trail and just opened in June.

We ended our day with a view of the city from the Rockefeller Center. It was a beautiful clear night.

Our hotel was amazing. Tim's boss hooked us up with her friend who happens to be the manager of the AKA hotels and she booked us at their hotel right by Central Park. We were greeted by champagne and a box of chocolates, and the bed was the most comfortable hotel bed I think I will ever sleep in! I had the best night's sleep I've had in a long time-- though the bed had something to do with it, I think it was more due to the fact that there was no baby asking me to get up!

On Sunday, we toured Times Square and saw West Side Story on Broadway. Loved it. The weekend went so fast; I could have stayed at least one more day! It was such a rejuvenating time for Tim and I to be away together. We loved being leisurely and spontaneous with our time, and Tim enjoyed taking lots of photos. It was a wonderful trip.

city streets

The High Line

Times Square

view from Rockefeller Center

inside the light-up room of the Rock

AKA hospitality

AKA

4 Years

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband! After just 5 months of dating, with about 3 weeks of that in each other's presence, I agreed to marry Timothy Gates, and 7 months later we were husband and wife. Some thought we were nuts for not dating longer, especially with the long distance, but there was never the slightest doubt that I should marry this man. I could have said Yes the day he asked me to date him.

I feel so blessed to have such an incredible man by my side through all of life's journeys. He believes the best in me, he shares in all my joys and sorrows, and he encourages me in all I do. We have had 4 beautiful years together and marriage just gets better and better as we learn more about each other and expand our family.

Alright, enough with the mushy stuff, right? Alright. But let me end with the lyrics from the song we danced to on our wedding day, "Look for Me as You Go By" by The Innocence Mission, that so beautifully portrays marriage as I believe God intends. In good times and bad times, we walk hand in hand.

to listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZRrYI94JEo

Hang my head low, so low

Don't see me only as I am but

see me how I long to be,

how I long to be

Shining like a flowering tree

under the gray Pennsylvania sky.

Look for me as you go by.

Hang my head low, so low

Every burden shall be lifted.

Every stone upon your back slide into the sea.

It's me for you and you for me.

It's me for you and you for me.

engagement photo

just married

Mr. and Mrs.

awwww

newlyweds

Wordless Wednesday

Snip Snip

Micah had his first salon haircut the day before his birthday. He was such a good sport and really enjoyed all the entertainment they offered at Snip-Its. Don't think I would go there again due to the price but it was fun for his first visit. I plan on cutting his hair in the future but want to wait till he's out of the squirmy freak-out stage. I'm too afraid of nicking him!

clapping along to a video

fascinated/distracted with the comb

handsome boy