FUN IN THE SUN

Today was the BEST day of the summer! I got to go swimming TWICE! :)

First we went to Lifetime and I got to swim in the big pool with Mommy; then, we met our friends Gena and Zayne at Celebration and I got to splash around there too!

It doesn't get any better than this!

Mom, I am ready to go swim now! Look at all those kids! Hurry! Hurry!

Okay, I am tired of waiting.....I'm ready to get in that water!

Mmmm....nothing like eating your lunch poolside :)

Mom, can I go in the deep end, please?!?!?!

Hey Gena and Zayne, let's go splash around!

Ooohhhhh....let me at 'em!

AHHHHH.....sweet summertime!

Happy Birthday Mommy

Today, I have had the BEST birthday. It is so enjoyable celebrating your birthday as a Mom. It's different....yet better. I just wanted to be with my family tonight and snuggle up together! :)



I have to share the sweetest book Porter gave me for my birthday. It's called "Dear Mom...Thank you for Everything". It is so priceless! It has a picture of a monkey on the front which is perfect, because that's one of our nicknames for Porter! Ha! Each page has a picture of an animal with a sweet quote underneath. Anyway, here are a few of my favorite lines from the book:

"Mom, the other day I was rubbing my belly button and it really made me stop and think-what a funny little reminder of such an important connection...a connection that reminds me of how I came to be me!"

"You were the first person to make me smile and laugh, and you were right there to hear my first words-"Dad-dee!" (Mom, I am soooo sorry about that!)

"It makes me feel wonderful when people say I resemble you, and it's true! We have the same-shaped eyes, the same ears, the same nose. And if you look closely, you'll see that even our toes are similar."

"You sculpted my face with a million tender kisses."

And so on and so on! SOOO cute! Thank you Porter and Daddy for giving me a wonderful day!

XOXOXOXO

A Mother's Heart

I just finished reading a phenomenal book called "A Mother's Heart"....It is truly the best book I have ever read! I highly recommend it! It was given to me before Porter was born by my cousin, Maridon (thank you!). It has been such an encouragement to me and every word pierces my heart. It is exactly what I believe about being a mother and what God intends for mothers. It also gives you practical ideas about activities to try with your children. Those ideas have inspired me to be more creative with Porter. So, here is my latest attempt at "thinking outside the box"! Ha!

I decided to allow Porter to show his artistic side by painting with pudding! He had a blast! Here you can see him fascinated with his new talent!

Happy 93rd Grandmom!

On Wednesday, we got to celebrate my Great Grandmom Jobson's 93rd birthday at Creekside (where she lives). I had fun trying cake for the first time :) and crawling around chasing after everyone's wheelchair.

Happy Birthday Grandmom!

Stroller Skate!

Today Mommy and I did something crazy and out of the ordinary. We went stroller skating with our friends at Thunderbird Roller Rink. It was hysterical! It's the same roller rink where my Daddy used to go skating when he was in middle school! We got to go really fast since Mommy was on skates and also hear some great music! :) We decided it was such a great workout that we are going to go back again. I can't wait!

Our skating friends

Chatty Mommies

It's hard to slow down! :)

Showing off our moves :)

GYMBOREE fun!

Today, I got to go to Gymboree for my 2nd class and I LOVE IT SO MUCH! It is the perfect place for me to play and nothing is off limits! I never stop moving and Mommy is worn out when we leave! :) Also, today was extra special because my friend Tanner came to class too. We had a ball together!

Can you tell by the look on my face that I am having a good time?

Here we are, scheming about what to do first!

Let's see if I can get this thing to work, Tanner.

Hmmm....maybe I'll test my walking skills here too!

The shirt says it all.....it couldn't be more true!

Oh, this will be a cinch....I have one of these at home.

This is a big job Tanner....but I know we can do it!

Faster...Faster!!

I sure do love Gymbo!

Sweet Tanner loves him too!

I can't wait to go back next week!!!

Did you know......

I am walking now!!!!!!!!!

I have been taking 3-4 steps for several weeks, but I am "officially" walking as of today! Mommy is trying to get it on video, but she gets so excited every time I start walking that she forgets to grab the video camera! So, for now, here are some pictures of me and my new found freedom! I have so much to see and explore! Watch out world...here I come!!!!!

Okay, I will be brave....

Wow...this is getting easier!

Maybe if I hold my mouth just right I can make it across the room!

Steady

I made it! Hooray!

Things I didn't know about being a Mom.....

I didn't know you would have so much fun "playing" with your child and feeling like a kid again.

I didn't know you could learn to function on such little sleep and get more accomplished than you ever did on a full night's rest!

I didn't know you could feel SO happy just hearing your child laugh.

I didn't realize children's books were so hilarious!

I didn't realize that you could have the best "date night" ever just sitting on the floor watching your 10 month old learn to walk.

I didn't know you would learn to appreciate the simple things in life like watching the sun rise because you are seeing it through your child's eyes in a completely different way.

I didn't know how much it took to travel with a baby!

I didn't realize how much I would crave a pedicure! Ha!

I didn't realize how critical good friends (who are fellow moms) would be.

I didn't realize how complete I would feel being a family.

I didn't realize how hard I would pray.

I didn't realize how deeply I could love another person.

I AM SO THANKFUL I GOT TO REALIZE THESE THINGS!!!!

Still getting caught up...

Hey guys~
Check out this post from last month when I got my first haircut! :) It was a hoot!

Summer Shave