What one year will get ya

Here it is - our last posed pregnancy photo. Last year, we celebrated Turkey Day with big smiles on our faces and an even bigger belly. I had been pregnant for 38 weeks and two days. In seven days, much to our surprise, my water would break and we would be on our way to the hospital.

This Thanksgiving, James and I thought back to last year. While driving from Hoschton to Acworth on Thanksgiving evening, we talked about our son. His name still foreign to our tongues. Lane Thomas Rader. We finally decided on his name, although, we didn't say it very often.

That night, while driving, we called him by his name. We envisioned life with a child. James told me his dreams of packing up and heading out to deer camp with his son for Thanksgiving weekend hunting trips. I found it hard to think that far ahead to the future.

I could only think of the year ahead.

"Can you believe next year at this time we will have a child who is almost one year old," I told him. "He will be eating Thanksgiving dinner with us."

"No way," James replied.

"Sure," I said. "At least the soft foods he will be able to eat."

Back then, we did not know our little Lane the way we know him now.

Lane did not disappoint this year. He clowned around all day - playing his new favorite game: bowl on the head.

And then he ate - and ate - and ate - and ate. Lane ate turkey, dressing, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet and mashed potatoes, green beans and his very own pumpkin pie.

The boy has an appetite.



This is the sign for eat.

And this means, get me more food now. I said now!!