10 Months

Caleb's mom was in town this weekend and took some time for a little photo shoot. What a challenge with our little mover.

Okay, so this next picture...

...is not as bad as it looks! Shep doesn't bite down...and usually doesn't envelope Si's whole face in his mouth. This pic is a treasure, that's for sure, and quite possibly the reason for several worried phone calls. Thankfully, Si is no worse for the wear.

See, just fine!

Look at those beautiful blues.

We had so much fun with Becky! Si loved all the attention and I loved having a painting partner. Becky is teaching me how to watercolor

We are collecting baby Yoga poses. This is downward Dog...I think we have three now which we plan to make into a collage...and then what? I don't know. What would we do with a baby yoga collage?

This kiddo is so awesome! I can't get enough hugs!

I think this is such a cute picture of my guys!

Sweet, sweet baby boy.

Si has started dancing!!! Wow, Si does some adorable things, but this takes the cake! We'll have to catch him on video one of these days.

Too many cooks in the kitchen.

Happy Mother's Day!

In honor of two amazing ladies...

I am so blessed to have a wonderful mom that has sacrificed so much for me over the years. She is a beautiful example of grace, strength and compassion. I am so thankful that she loves our son with every bit as much passion as she loved me! Thanks, Mom, for being the most wonderful mom and mooma! Siah can't wait to see you in a few weeks!

I am also blessed to have this beautiful lady in my life! I am so grateful that she raised the man I love to be a man of strength and integrity. She is a great mother-in-law and a fabulous grandma! We are all so excited to see you this weekend, Becky!

Siah will be going through his little photo album of faces and will be practicing the words Grandma and Mooma in anticipation of the coming visits!

...and Happy Mother's Day to me!!! I love being a mom! Everyday I get to watch this little person make new discoveries and gain more and more passion for life! What a great gig this is! Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies out there who make sacrifices every single day for their children. I love knowing that the adventure that I am now on is the most important thing God has called me to, the most challenging thing I could ever take on, and the most rewarding experience I could imagine!

I also have the incredible honor of working every day with another group of women who deserve honor. Yesterday was birth mother's day! I can't imagine a bigger sacrifice, as a mom, than to say good bye to your child in order to give them the kind of life you want for them. There is no greater love than to choose to give your child both roots and wings. The roots of their biological heritage and identity that will follow them in their smile, their gifts and talents and the color of their eyes. And to give them wings in the opportunities and love that are provided when a little child is placed in the arms of an adoptive family. Parenting, as I now know so well, is really about bringing as many people as possible around a child to love them. And isn't that truly what adoption is about? I love the birth moms I get the honor of journeying with. What incredible hearts they have! I am thinking about and praying for many of these women this weekend.

Videos

The worst toy ever

We went to Baby's R Us the other day to buy a little toy that had lots of gears and knobs and things to do that would create a developmentally appropriate learning experience about cause and effect for our young prodigy.

Well, we thought this one would do the trick, who doesn't love driving? And look at all those buttons to push. Looking back, it wouldn't have hurt to take it around the proverbial block for a spin before checking out with it, but here's to hindsight.

So we get it home and of course the anticipation is building in our young son who is ready to jump behind the wheel. Thankfully it had batteries already in it so we didn't have to wait long to hear this toy in all it's glory.

So what's all the fuss about? Imagine, if you will, that this little toy's noises, although it appears to use children's songs, is sung by junior-high-sounding children...and not only is that a little strange if you ask me; for a toy for a 9 month old. But the children are creepy as well. They sing songs about car crashes (not kidding) set to the tune of well known children's songs but the words are changed. It just started seeming a little "Chucky" like to me; but I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. Then I touched the horn. Seriously, this horn says verbatim "Get Out Of My Way!!!" in like the snottiest, rudest, junior-high voice you have every heard (or if you haven't had the pleasure of hearing a junior high girl say those very words, just use your imagination). Trust me it is not the first sentence you want your baby learning.

This toy came complete with police sirens and Harly-esk revving noices for the budding delinquent in the home! Needless to say, that toy is now back home safe at Baby's R Us and far far away from our child. Seriously Vtech, you are what is wrong in the world. I am sticking with Baby Einstein from now on !

Anyway, here are some pictures to round out month 9! We are heading quickly toward month 10...Unbelievable! Caleb likes to remind me that we have now successfully kept a child alive for 10 months. I like to think we have done a little better job that that (despite our poor choice of children's toys). We have one happy, healthy little guy here who loves people (and dogs!), can find excitement in (oh, everything)...and is the light of my life and the very best reason for getting up each morning!

I feel like this pretty much sums up the ins and outs of our day to day. Par for the course really, so yes, Josiah probably has many more germs than your child!

Shep is starting to stand up for himself though so I am sure things are about to get a lot more interesting around here. Did I mention that Si is walking around the coffee table now as long as he holds on and has a full glass of water in his sights. (he is very goal-oriented).

Si was a little confused about what to do next after putting his flip flop out the doggie door. Thankfully he has not figured out how to exit through the doggie door (yet).

He is my cuddle bug and loves to snuggle. I am a lucky mommy!