Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Milo's first art session

We turned Milo loose with finger paints this evening.







He is quite the artiste, don't you think?


He obviously thinks so.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Daddy Talk: Birthdays

This week was my 37th birthday, Pam made me Biscuits and Gravy yum. Milo's first was last month. It was the 70th for a person who I consider an aunt. We went to the birthday and introduced Milo to her and her husband. They were friends of my parents since I was a wee babe and it was nice being able to introduce my son to people who were at one time close to my parents, particularly my parents. I don't know why I didn't do it sooner.


I keep thinking there will always be time to do these things. Those days and years are zipping away so fast and so are the opportunities. One of my sad memories is telling my dad that we lost our first child to miscarriage. It wasn't long after that he passed away. I don't know if regret is the right emotion for it all. Its not something I would have wanted to keep from him but I wished we could have given him good news with his grandson. 

Too many regrets.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

13 months

Dear Milo,

You sure have been enjoying life as a toddler. Now that you're a 1-year-old, you seem to believe the world is your oyster. You are Mr. Adventuresome and you're not content to stay in any one place for very long and you're quick to let me know when you're ready to move on.


You got your hair cut this past month and now you look like a real little boy instead of a baby. And I'm not the only one to say so. The instructors and moms at The Little Gym were all quite impressed with how grown up you look. And it's not just how you look, you are behaving more grown up. At least most of the time.


You have started trying to feed yourself with a fork or spoon, with some success.


Sometimes with a little less success, but you are so cute in everything you do. Whether it's hanging out with stuffed friends,


trying out new toys,


or hanging out with Daddy while I ran a 9.9-kilometer race on Mother's Day.


You and Daddy had fun together, waiting for me and my friend to finish the race. The best part of the race for me was to see how your face lit up when you saw me toward the finish line.

This month has been a whirlwind. I can't believe your first birthday came and went so quickly. Suddenly your 13 months old and such a big boy. You keep changing every day. You keep amazing me with your winning personality, your beautiful face and how much you love me. You give the best kisses and hugs.

I know I say it all the time, but you do amaze me. And I love you more than words can say.

I love you, my perfect little man.

Love,
Mommy

Monday, May 14, 2012

Daddy talk: 9.9

Mother's Day No. 2 for Pam and she did it in style. She ran a 9.9k for Title Nine sports, and I was very proud of her. She didn't run the whole thing (walking part of it) but I doubt I could either. She had a cold even and did it in a reasonable 1 hour and 15 minutes.

It meant a couple of things for me. I was able to spend a bit of time with Milo on my own and figure out that he can really move. Man, is it hard to keep him from eating dirt. Thankfully only one handful. It was Boulder Reservoir dirt so it was probably all natural or at least I like to think so.

The other was that I got to spend time with my friend and his kids. We both hung out and supported our significant others. There were so many dads there, it was very impressive all the men that were out there to support the ladies running the race.
 
I'm glad we were out there to support Pam. From Milo: Yay Mom.

This has nothing to do with the race. It's just super cute. --P.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Saturday smiles

Some things are universal.


Things like orange-slice smiles.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Friday flashback

Milo one year ago today:


Look at him now:


Where did that year go?

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

That's what friends are for

I count myself lucky to be able to say I have had many true friends in my life. I have had more than my share of good friends -- the kinds of friends who are always there for you; the kind that you can go months (even years) without talking and see them and pick up right where you left off; friends who don't judge me; friends who laugh at my bad jokes, hold my hand through bad times and help me celebrate the good times.

I have friends I have known for longer than I'd care to admit and love like family. I have newer friends who have been through some rough times with me (and I also love like family). And I have a few brand new friends who have quickly become very near and dear to my heart.

I have a tendency to be protective of my friends. It doesn't matter if they're younger or older than I am, I turn into a mother hen. I often end up trying to take care of my friends. I'm not always good at it, but I want to -- even if that protection isn't always welcome. Funny how some people don't want me to mother hen them. Go figure.

I hope I can teach by example and show Milo what it means to be a friend. I hope he is blessed with the quality of friends I have been blessed with, if not the quantity. I count myself lucky to have had even one true friend.

"The only way to have a friend is to be one."
--  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Monday, May 7, 2012

Daddy talk: Hobby horse

I have too many hobbies. I bike, shoot guns and bows, fly planes, build models, read four books at a time, play computer games and play the piano. I have kites in the box along and woodworking projects waiting to be cut. I have a passing understanding of so many things but I'm certainly not exceptional at any one thing. It's all so very broad to be worthless sometimes.


The worst thing is that even though I know that I need to stick with something, I always get a tad bored and move on. I get a reasonable understanding of a subject and move on. I get to a point where I am better than any Joe off the street and boom -- done. All my life I have wanted to be a jack of all trades but now find that's not really a great skill. The question is how do I keep Milo from taking that path.
I really want Milo to be the guy who runs something down. Somebody who gets really interested in something and sticks with it. Not the OCD level but really interested level. I think the unfortunate thing is I don't want to relive my failures through my son. Maybe it's the steady hand I need to work on for myself.....Wait. What was I talking about?

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Saturday smiles

Eating macaroni




Friday, May 4, 2012

Friday flashback

Turns out I've posted this picture before.


But it wasn't until recently that I saw a resemblance to this guy:

Yeah, you!




Guess he really is mine.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

11 Things I've Learned As a Mom

1. I'd rather have eight hours of uninterrupted sleep than a million dollars.
2. A happy, healthy baby is more important than nice hair and a flat stomach.
3. Everything in my life -- good and bad -- has led me to this point. And I wouldn't change a thing.
4. A book can be read every single day and still entertain a 1-year-old.
5. I can walk miles and miles in my own living room, chasing a toy truck while being pulled along by my boy -- and enjoy every step.


6. I'm capable of feeling more love than I even knew existed.
7. Toddler hugs are the absolute best.
8. Toddler giggles can make me laugh no matter what else is happening.
9. I have wonderful, loving, supportive friends and family.
10. The smallest acts can amaze me when performed by a child.
11. Actually making time to blog as a mommy is way harder than I thought it would be.