Starting to move...

I'm sitting here thinking about how another summer has gone by....and yes...they always go by so quickly, but this summer was unlike any I've experienced before.  I was a mom for the first time this summer.  I watched my child grow...and at some moments it felt like literally right in that moment.  I felt as though every day I went upstairs to pick him up out of bed and give him a good morning kiss, that I could tell he was different....he was bigger...he knew more.  My baby is growing up...he's starting to be more and more like a little boy than my little baby boy.  As much as I love every moment spent with him....I can wait.  I can wait.  I can wait for him to crawl.  I can wait for him to walk.  I can wait for his first birthday.  I have never been one to want to be still...and I find myself wanting to do just that.  Although...most of time I have a constant reminder of how 'in motion' things really are.

And the best part of him being 9 months old.....is that you can really tell he is starting to understand what we are talking to him about.  Greyson is infatuated with fans.  He seeks them out...in our house....in our family and friend's homes...in the mall...in the grocery store...everywhere.  I think he sometimes looks up at the sky thinking there is a fan up there.  It's amazing...I'm humbled daily to be his mom.

There is nothing like having your child look at you as though you're the only one that can make it better.  I think I'm game for that....for keeps.

Me and my cousins...

Grey LOVES his cousins!  They literally argue to be first in line to hold him....and Grey loves to giggle and spit up on each of them.  We had a BBQ for John's parents 46th anniversary...and they took Grey out to his swing and I was able to snap a pic of how happy and energetic this bunch can be! But back to the 46 years of wedded bliss...that's almost unheard of these days and there are no words to describe what a remarkable couple this truly is.  We are honored to witness the love they have for each other and their family...and blessed to call them Mom and Dad.  And also...Tanner heads to UNI this week...we are so excited for the adventure that lies ahead of him.  Study hard, have the best time, meet as many people as you can, get involved, take advantage of professor's office hours, volunteer...you're going to love being a Panther!  Goodluck Tanner.

The Cousins....Tanner, Riley, Jarrett, Adrian, Ashley, and Sydney

46 years together!

We're ready for football!

Daddy had his fantasy football draft today...so in honor of the approaching football season, we decided to get ready ourselves.  This is my favorite state team (according to mom)...although I'm thinking Daddy might have something different in mind...but I say mommy wins this one since UNI continues to dominate ISU on the football field.  Not to worry all you Hawk fans...we've got plenty of Penn State gear to support the Big 10!  Right now...we've got UNI in our heart.  Go Panthers!

I've got the giggles...

Greyson loves kids...big and small.  This little man got Grey giggling for about 5 minutes...those big belly laughs of his are contagious.  Enjoy-because I bet this'll get you giggling!

I'll eat my toes....

Who needs cake?

instead of the cake.  We headed into Chicago this weekend for my nephew's 2nd birthday...and my brother's 33rd.  We had so much fun just hanging with family.  Amazing how watching a two year old open gifts with such excitement...can remind you that the simplest things in life...and the best things in life come in small packages.  Graham....I love you...Happy Birthday! And Bradley...I can't imagine life without you as my brother. Happy 33rd!

The Birthday Boy!