My Talented Friend Carla

The ever so wonderful Carla Swinney took my "one year portraits" on the beach.

She is an awesome photographer, and I am so happy that she is willing to share her talent with me. If you're interested in knowing more, you can check out her website. The link is on my blog. She also has more pictures on her blog. http://carla.bigfolioblog.com

It is kind of hard to tell how fantastic the pictures are due to their size. But, here are just a few:

My Aunts' Weddings

What a fun month we've had!!! Both of my aunts got married in April! Kathleen and Charles married in Brentwood, Tennessee on April 14th. Becky and Brian married at Orange Beach, Alabama on April 28th. Unfortunately, we don't have many pictures yet, because my parents were so busy helping and partying. Hopefully, some friends and family will send us some more pictures very soon. So, stay tuned......

Aunt Kathleen and I had a blast on the dance floor!

Aunt Becky and I had a wonderful time playing in the sand!

Precious Moments

I seem to get cuter and cuter with every day. Everyone tells me that I am a "pretty boy." I will always accept that title proudly and graciously. Here is a collection of sweet shots that have been made over the past two months.

enjoying a beautiful spring day on Nana and Pop's back deck

a sleeping angel - "heaven sent"

I love to ride my rocking horse before naptimes.

Happy Easter!

Mommy, Daddy, Gigi, and I went to Birmingham for the day. We went to church and then had lunch at Great's house. The Easter bunny came to see me four times! I got several board books, a bucket and shovel, sunglasses, a couple of stuffed animals, stacking cups, cars, and several different balls.

I had to practice wearing my sunglasses and using the bucket and shovel, because I will be going to the beach in a couple of weeks for my Aunt Becky's wedding.

The Easter bunny hid my favorite snack - puffs - in all of the Easter eggs. I had fun opening the eggs and eating my snacks.

I tried to help serve the drinks for our big, yummy Easter dinner.

We had key lime pie for dessert; that was my first experience with that wonderful stuff. YUMMMMYYYY is all I've got to say about that! I am definitely going to be a sweet lover.

I shared all of my snacks with my puppy cousin Nate.

A New Discovery

I am learning new things everyday! Lately, I've been playing with objects, stacking them, and putting them inside each other. Some of my favorites to play with have been balls and Easter eggs.

For Christmas, I was given a toy with holes in the top and a hammer. There are balls that are color coded to match the holes, and they are supposed to be pounded in with the hammer. Needless to say, I've been a little too young to understand the concept just yet, and I've just enjoyed playing with the balls. Well, it all began to "click" yesterday. I was cleaning up my room and found the green ball under my crib. As soon as I saw it, I picked it up and began walking to the den. Mommy followed me to see what I was going to do. I found the appropriate toy and pushed the ball through one of the holes. Then, I picked up the hammer and proceeded to pound on the toy like I always do. After that, I looked up to see Mommy standing in amazement at the doorway. We both started clapping, because we were so proud of my accomplishment.

Lover of the Vacuum

Read books, sing, play ball, make noise, chase the dog.... yeah, yeah, yeah. Those are all fun, but my absolute favorite thing right now is the vacuum cleaner. Some are calling it a mild obsession, and my mother says that I am truly my father's child.

So, the day begins with this....

Look! Let's get out the vacuum cleaner! It's right here - in this closet.

If I could reach the door handle, believe me, I'd do it myself. Come onnnnn!!!

I mean RIGHT NOW!!!

Don't make me stand here and cry at this door like I did earlier. You know I will!

Ok...this is good. Thank you. Now you need to turn it on. Pleeeeeaasssse.

Now, I'll sit here and you vacuum around me.

Isn't this fun??!!

20 more rounds of this and then it will be bedtime. And...so it goes.....a day in the life of Dawson.

Look Who's One!

I have had a wonderful first birthday! On my big day I went to music class and lunch with my girlfriends - Lillianna and Mary Bibb. After that Mommy and I ran some errands and then met Daddy and Gigi for dinner at Chuck E. Cheese. All of the rides and games had lots of fun buttons to push. That was my favorite part.

cruising with Chuck E.

Let's see how fast this baby can go!

I have gotten many wonderful birthday presents.

Here are just a few:

Step 'n Play piano

cell phone

lots of books

and lots of toys

Communicating

I have been learning to use sign language,

and there is rarely any doubt about what I am trying to say.

"Where is it?"

"eat"

Over the past two weeks, the weather has been beautiful, and I have been begging to go outside - many times a day. I will grab your finger and pull you towards the door. Then, I pick up Lizzy's leash and hand it to you. If you don't agree to go out right then, I will begin to fuss and bang on the door. This game was fun at first, but now the grown ups will sometimes get a little frustrated with me. For some reason it's not always convenient for them to go outside. hmph.

Birthday Cake

I went to Nashville this past weekend and got a jump start to celebrating my first birthday which will be on the 13th. We had lots of presents and CUPCAKES!

Hmmm....this looks rather interesting.

Ok. So far so good. Am I doing this right?

Let's see how much I can get in my mouth at once.

Uh-oh.....I'm so sorry. I forgot to ask if you would like any.

Yeah!!! This is wonderful! I love being one!

You've got to be kidding me! No more??