4th of July

 

 



These two pictures could possibly be my all time favorites!  Both of my boys.  My cup runneth over. 

• Playing on the jet ski
• Checking things out with Papa
• Life jacket, check, puff, check!
• Bathtime with Daddy

I know I'm a little late on this post but when you take a billion pictures it's hard to narrow them down!  So, obviously we spend our 4th of July weekend at Lake Houston with my parents.  Gordon and I both had to work on the 5th (and needed a babysitter since daycare was closed) and my dad was itching to get the jet skis out on the water so they headed our way.  None of us had ever been to Lake Houston so we were all pleasantly surprised.  Honestly, it's become one of my new favorite places.  It's not like your typical lake....lots of people, tons of boats, rough water.  It was such a quiet, peaceful and beautiful place.  The water was perfect for jet skiing!  As Gordon and I rode around together one afternoon I couldn't help but wonder how some people don't believe in God. 
Little buddy even got to go on the jet ski!  Since the lake wasn't crowded we drove him around for 10 minutes in the morning and again in the evening since he loved it so much.  William gets a little startled by loud noises so I was worried he'd just cry.  As soon as we got going (not very fast) and the wind was blowing in our face a little he just smiled.  He smiled the entire time.  He is a true water baby!
As you can see in the pictures above.....he had a little emotional breakdown.  He was fighting a cold the entire weekend and the 4th of July was his worst day.  Nobody got to sleep through the night all weekend long.  I know I say a lot how good of a baby William is.  Maybe I should clarify.....all babies are good!!  It's just that some babies are more fussy, have more gas pains, are colicky, don't sleep as well as others, get more ear infections, require more food and more often.  The list goes on and on.  I guess William is just easier than I expected him to be (I prepared myself for the worst)!  But, believe me, he has his moments.  ....we wouldn't trade a single one of them!

•  Playing in the pool
• "I wanna be cool like my uncle" shirt from Uncle D
• Playing the drums with Papa and Daddy

Official First Steps

It's finally official....baby boy is walking!  Well, he's at least taken the plunge and taken some steps on his own.  He's been walking while holding onto our hands since sometime in March.  He pulls up on everything and can stand up without holding onto anything.  He can even bend over and pick up a full bottle of water while standing up.  His balance is great....he just hasn't taken a step completely on his own until today.  One of his teachers said he just stood up out of her lap and took 10 steps like it was no big deal.  When I got to school to pick him up I caught him taking 2 steps and then Gordon got a little preview when we got home (before the fussy bedtime stuff started).  Things are about to get crazy around here.  :)  He's already able to move so quickly....it's hard to imagine him moving faster!!  Luckily, I knew to appreciate the baby stage when they just lay there.  Showering was so much easier.  But, this stage is adorable so we have no complaints. 

• The top two pictures are from school today.  They have "Splash Day" every Tuesday.  Baby boy loves playing in the water! 
• The bottom pictures are THEN AND NOW.  The pictures on the left was taken the day we left Rosemary Beach (his 3 month birthday, 7/19/2012).  The picture on the right was taken tonight.  I still find it hard to believe that time has gone by so quickly. 

As most of you probably know, Prince William and his beautiful wife, Kate, had their baby boy (also known as His Royal Highness the Prince of Cambridge) yesterday afternoon.  Today they took him home!  I just thought I'd post a little something since I think the three of them are adorable.  It's kinda neat to see Prince William, who's the same age as G and me, taking his own son home.  Such a special time in every parent's life. 

The Ten Commandments

This past Sunday morning we packed up our stuff, after eating Gordon's yummy French toast, and made our way to church.  Obviously, going to church is much trickier with the little man....but isn't everything with a baby?!?!  We try to make it a priority in our life because there is only one person to thank for everything we have.  God.  With everything that's going on in America today, going to church helps me remember what really matters and what my family lives by....The Ten Commandments. 

I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt have no other God before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing in heaven above, or things which are in the earth beneath.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet.

Raising a child has put the world into a whole new perspective for me.  I hope to be William's parent before I'm his friend.  To guide him, teach him right from wrong, and explain/show him that there are consequence to his actions.  Though it will be hard, I will try my best to not make excuses for William and to always hold him accountable.  We want William to be kind and understand that you are rewarded in countless ways when you are kind and honest.  I know we have many hard times ahead of us.  That's why I try to soak up all the belly laughs from him that I can.  William's going to make mistakes and so are we.  But, I hope he will always come back to a solid foundation that I've found so helpful throughout my life.  Church and God. 
Over the years my brother and I made many mistakes (sorry mom and dad for all the headaches).  I'll admit I had some fun (aka immature) years in my early twenties and I let people into my life that did not make me a better person.  (they did teach me some life long lessons at least)  There were many times I felt so confused about where my life was going and where I belonged.  I don't know if this makes any senses but....I knew what I wanted I just couldn't get to it.  Luckily, Gordon came along.  :)  He is my angel.  Slowly but surely, he put my life back on track.  With a little growing up and supportive parents everything fell into place perfectly. 
At the end of the day I married a man that goes to church with me (he's even Catholic like me), who has always been loyal to me, has never questioned if he'd pass or fail a drug test (haha....yes, I dated some winners), that's honest, hardworking, is an excellent daddy, is kind to his friends and family and he loves me for me!  I'm a lucky girl that has so much to be grateful for.   
I know William will get "off track" at some point in his life.  He may make many of the mistakes I did.  To an extent, that's life.  We can only pray that he remembers right from wrong and he too remembers The Ten Commandments. 

11 months post baptism :)

He used all his energy at church....passed out at Home Depot

This picture says it all.  He makes me a better person.  He's my everything.  Thanks G for being you!

Party Weekend

Another fun weekend has come and gone!  Yesterday we did our normal Saturday breakfast at Barnaby's and the grocery store.  Instead of sticking around the house we decided to head out to Katy to swim with the Wilsons!  Swimming is such a good way to wear a baby out!!  When we got home Gordon headed out to go golfing and we napped....and napped.  Since William slept so long during nap time we were able to keep him up late for dinner at Memorial Park once G was done with golf.  We got to have dinner with the Barteaus who are expecting their first baby in 2014!   We can't wait for another friend.  :)
After church and Home Depot we got to have more fun in the sun at Eli's first birthday party at The Houstonian.  Everything was super cute and we all had a blast swimming.  William and I are so lucky to have these sweet friends!

• Sippy cups for everyone!  Such a great idea.
• Adorable and yummy cake from Whole Foods.
• Wearing a birthday hat like a good boy.
• William loved the balloons.
• The gang!
• Telling me how he loved the water slide.
• Showing me how over the picture taking he was.

Working Mom = Daycare Fun

Well, I've been back to work for a year since baby boy was born.  Yep, my maternity leave ended exactly one year ago!  I'm still shocked at how fast time as flown by.  It really does seem like just yesterday I was bawling my eyes out while I drove to work.  The first few months were the hardest.  I cried every Monday.  Eventhough I was sad and saying goodbye to William in the morning broke my heart, going back to work was good for me...and him!  For me, having a meaningful career is important and very fulfilling.  Working full time helps me appreciate my time with William even more and while I'm working he's having a blast at daycare.  Even if Gordon and I had 10 billion dollars....I'd still work..  Not only do I feel like I'm making a difference in the children's life's that I care for every day but that William is benefiting from his time at school.  I know for a fact that I'd never be able to teach and do everything with William that they do at school.  The social skills he's gaining are priceless.  He's learning to be around other children his age, older and younger (without me around).  He's learning to share, take turns and he has to be patient at daycare since there is one teacher and four kids (at home he gets all the attention!).  William goes exploring outside while he's at school, they have splash day when it's warm, they read books, paint, color, go on walks, and do lots of art projects.  I love that there isn't a TV in sight.  AND, most importantly, William loves his teacher, Ms. Melissa.  It makes Gordon and me feel so happy that he loves her so much.  She even comes over on the weekend to babysit!  This definitely makes our days away from him easier/happier.  Knowing that he is happy and safe puts us both at ease.  I also love that he has formed bonds with other people besides his immediate family. 
So, as nervous as I was to go back to work and leave our sweet baby boy, I can honestly say we are all very happy.  It makes my heart happy to see him learn so much and to enjoy his friends (he even has a little girlfriend named Elle).  Being able to work and help provide things for our family and to be able to save for our future is a great feeling.  Only working 4 days a week is a huge blessing as well.  That one extra day at home with William is priceless.  I'm able to get lots of quality time with William, we see Gordon for lunch and I get lots of chores done at home which makes our weekends as a family more fun! 
 A year ago I felt scared and sad to head back to work.  Now, 365 days later, I feel like we have a nice routine.  I feel productive and happy and William is growing, learning and experiencing all kinds of new things every day.  So, if you're a new mom about to head back to work please know that it gets easier.  Every family is unique and has different needs.  At the end of the day we all have to do what's best for our family.  For some that means being a stay at home mom and for others it means working and finding child care for your little one.  I'm so thankful and glad that Gordon, William and I have found a healthy work-life balance. 

• Painting!
• Eating his first Popsicle at the 4th of July parade.
• Getting into trouble with Britton.
• Little stinker trying to get up on the table.
• Snack time (he's obsessed with puffs)!
• Group coloring....as you can see they're all future artists!
• William's sign above his crib.
• Art project by the most talented one year old around :)

Spaghetti!!!

Even though William still doesn't have any teeth...we are trying to encourage him to try table food as much as possible.  (I've spoken to a dentist and it's perfectly normally for a 14 months old to not have any teeth...just not as typical).  Last night William tried spaghetti for the first time and he loved every bite.  Until recently he hasn't been interested in the food we are eating but that's changed.  Now, he'd rather have something from our plate than the pureed stuff I make him.  This is great news for me!
The spaghetti eating was a little messy but nothing we couldn't clean up easily.  He did a great job feeding himself and really loved the ground meat.  Such a big boy!!!  Every stage with William has been so special.  You think you're going to miss your tiny baby (and the sleepy newborn stage) but then they grow up and you find something that you love about them even more.  Their sweet belly laugh, the adorable personality they begin to form, seeing their curiosity and little brains working in overtime to learn to crawl, climb, stand and pull up.  Being a parent is an amazing journey.  Exhausting, exhilarating, and fabulously wonderful!  He reminds me everyday of how good our God is. 

Hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July weekend!  We are looking forward to a visit from my parents and an extra day off of work.  :)