Friday, September 28, 2012

Friday Flashback

Two years ago (almost to the day), I was pondering and worrying about prenatal tests I was offering as a pregnant lady of advanced maternal age.

In the end, I declined the invasive tests. Obviously, it all worked out. Thank goodness I worried about it.

No test would have told me how cute this kid would be.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Play date bounce time

Plus a review

 

My very good friend Lisa, over at Grandma's Briefs, recently invited Milo, me and a couple other friends to her house for a review of an indoor bounce house. That's right, an indoor (also outdoor, if you're into that kind of thing) bounce house. Seems Lisa has this whole blogging thing down and actually gets real-live products from real-live companies like One Step Ahead to review (and give away!).

Milo had a great time in the Bounce-A-Round inflatable jumper. He wasn't too sure about it at first when it was just him and the grown ups. He tentatively checked it out but he was definitely more interested in munching the animal crackers Lisa set out for a snack. But once his buddy, Caden (who is a couple years older than Milo) showed up, Milo was ready to dive in and had such fun.


As Lisa points out in her full review (which you can read here), there were a few things we might like to change, like adding a flap or some sort of door and including a cover so you can create a fort. But all in all, the bounce house was a success and hanging out with an older kid was very cool for Milo.

Head over to Grandma's Briefs to read the review and enter to win your own bouncy house from One Step Ahead. (Even though I want to win it myself, I'm giving you the link because Lisa is so awesome and more people should visit her blog.)

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Friday, September 21, 2012

Friday Flashback

Trying to sit in the recliner last September:

Flop!

And now:

 
And making Mommy nervous by showing how fearless he is:

Rawwr!

Sunday, September 16, 2012

17 Months

Dear Milo,

Another month has zipped by and like every month since you joined our family, it was awesome. You are becoming quite the little boy.

 
You continue to test your independence, which usually involves you climbing on something you shouldn't be on or running somewhere you don't need to be. But you still need my help for plenty of things.
Like getting dressed and putting on shoes and socks
That means you try to communicate more to let me know what you need. Your sign language skills are improving (you have started saying "thank you" and "help" in the past couple of weeks) and you are working on saying new words all the time.

You know animal sounds, like cow, sheep, dog and monkey. And just tonight when I asked you what a train says, you said, "Choo choo." I have to admit though, I'm not thrilled with the fact that when asked, "Where's Mama?" you point to yourself.

Such fun!
You've become very expressive. And you just started blowing kisses this week, and it's the cutest thing ever. It's hard to believe you can continue to get cuter and cuter ever single day.

Being cute with Daddy
We've been trying to get out more with you. We've gone hiking and to the park and just today we went to the apple orchard with you. You love getting out and exploring.

Yummy apple
It amazes me that I can continue to be amazed by you. Every day with you gets better and better. I love you more today than the day you were born. If someone had told me that day I could love you more, I would have said it wasn't possible; my heart would surely burst. But I do love you more. And I'll love you more tomorrow. One day you will probably be embarrassed by my displays of affection and my expressions of love. But I'm not going to stop. So get used to it.


I love you so much my beautiful boy.

Love,
Mommy

Friday, September 14, 2012

Friday Flashback

Two years ago, in one of my first posts on this blog, I wrote:
"The most frustrating thing of all, though, is the extreme drop in my energy level. Before I became pregnant, I was working out five or six days a week. I alternated kickboxing workouts with Boot Camp. I was doing all kinds of crazy moves, like push-ups with my toes on a stability ball. I'd crank out 12 or 15 reps, while the 20-somethings around me just gawked. Now, I'm lucky to do about 10 kneeling push-ups at a time. Still, I tell myself it's a good thing. I was in probably the best shape of my life before the pregnancy, so now my surplus energy is going to Nubbins. That way the nubs can become actual arms and legs and the tiny little brain stem can grow into a full-fledged brain."
Look at those nubs now!

Size 6 shoes!
Totally worth it.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Daddy Talk: Getting Outdoors

I don't remember too many outdoor excursions with my parents from when I was a kid. I know my dad liked to fish, and I really didn't take much advantage of that. Truth be told, I am sure I was pretty whiny.

I remember three trips: One to Memorial Park to fish in the lake there, another more recent trip to fish at 11 Mile reservoir and camping in the Bronco in the driveway. I don't remember ever camping in a tent.

I think my dad liked to do those things when he was younger, but for some reason we never got around to it.


I went with Pam and Milo to Fox Run Park and did a little trail hiking recently. It was a few hours long but it was really fun. The boy enjoyed getting out and watching the scenery go by as he rode in the backpack some family friends gave us.

I want my family to be outdoorsy. I want us to go four-wheeling. I want us to see the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore. I want us to really enjoy the things that are available to us, like camping and hunting, but maybe not fishing (I still think it's gross).

I don't know why I want this other than just because. I keep remembering a saying: "I do not regret the things I've done, but those I did not do."

My life is full of paths not taken. I don't want Milo to be that way.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Wordy Wednesday


(I noticed my "typo" on the sign a few minutes after dropping Grandpa's birthday card and this photo into the mailbox. So much for my years of editing and proofreading. But hey, it's still awfully damn cute. Right?)