11 months

One more month and you will be ONE YEAR OLD.  The time has flown by like a rocket and at least a gazillion times a day I think: "I wish I could freeze this moment."  Everyday, normal, moments are the ones I am afraid I will forget: Moments like--you playing in the dirt and learning how to shovel with your spade.  Moments like--you tucking your arms underneath your body and nuzzling my shoulder while I am holding you.  Moments like--you standing on your own for a couple seconds and then tumbling as you realize what you were doing.  Moments like--when you tap me on my shoulder and try to get my attention.  Moments like--you playing in the sprinkers and lapping up the spray of the water as if it were a fountain.

You are the best 11 month old I know!  I helped out in your Sunday School class today and compared you to the other little munchkins.  You were the cutest, happiest, most active and most sweet kid in the room.  I was so proud that you were mine.

Here's to your last month as baby, baby.  I pray that it is filled with many more everyday moments that I will capture in my heart.  Love you, Bugaboo.

Mommy

Maui Life

Liam, we just returned from your second trip to Maui in your first year.  You are one spoiled boy and you do enjoy the Maui life--being relaxed, laid back, fun and adventurous.   If only we could convince your daddy that we need two trips a year to Maui EVERY year of your life!

This trip was compliments of your Grammie and Papa Kratz and was SO fun.  You loved all the attention, cuddles and water!  Below are some of my favorite pictures from the week.

good morning, maui!  like my mohawk?

you LOVED the fountain

giggles

this is my favorite picture of you from the week

playing in the pool with daddy

tuckered out from a full day of sun

one of our only family shots

you and dominick in your matching trunks

goodnight!

you learned how to push the elevator buttons and you squealed every time we approached it!

fun at the beach

boogie boarding with mom

your eyes are the color of the ocean

balancing act

ukelele lessons

playing with grammie and papa

climbing on the rocks with miss peyton

games in the evening

helping uncle jim

destroying the game

my baby

until we meet again, maui

The Birdie

There are two pictures below.  In the first, I'm trying to teach Liam that "Mom is #1."  In the second, he's using a different finger to get his point across...

My day with dad

Yesterday we visited my good friend, Kelsey, and her sweet family.  She has two darling kids--Lucca, who is two and Jackson, just five weeks old.   Holding Jackson made me remember how it felt to hold a itty-bitty (but wonderfully chubby baby) in my arms.   It might just be time for another!   It was a house full of kids and fun and laughter as cousins Lincoln and Lila were also there.  What a fun hour spending time with my oldest friend (we met in Kindergarten) and our little families.  Special thanks to Mrs. Krug (my Kindergarten teacher and Kelsey's mom) for letting us crash your house.

Love you all!

Tickle Monster

10 months

Liam, 

You are 10 months!  Your monthly photos are getting more difficult to capture (see above). You want to climb off the chair, crumple the paper or throw Mr. Fox.  Bottom line--you have a mind of your own!  You are definitely developing a budding personality.  You have a most infectious smile (see below) but have discovered that whine can be useful when it benefits your case (usually asking for more food!).  

Here are some of the highlights from month 10:

• You are mobile and FAST.
• Your knees are constantly scratched from crawling all over.  Your favorite locale being the concrete in the backyard.
• You climb the stairs like nobody's business.
• You toot like a grown man.
• You haven't mastered the sippy cup.
• You still love books.
• You open up EVERY cabinet in the kitchen, but your favorite things to get out are the cupcake liners and sprinkles.
• You love playing hide and seek,  being swung upside down, chased or tickled.  
• You have a renewed love for the swaddle and your pacifier.
• You like "helping" dad with projects.  You are very interested in watching him do things and want to be involved in every step.
• You are growing a mullet.
• Your favorite word is "mama" (which melts my heart).
• You have started to cry when I leave (which breaks my heart).
• You've just begun eating grown up food--tonight was asparagus, potatoes and filet mignon (which you LOVED!)  The jury is still out on whether your pee will smell like the asparagus:)
• You are rarely interested in watching TV, but can sniff out a cell phone or Ipad like a bloodhound.  Twice now, you have actually turned on the Ipod music by yourself.  
• And music never plays without you dancing...

Happy ten month birthday, sweet William!