More Pumpkin Pics from Last Week's Playgroup!

Learning to Stand

Guess who has been standing by himself a little lately?!  It began about a week ago.  He's done this for up to 5 seconds until he realizes he's not holding on to anything!  And he has taken a few steps too!  It is more like a step falling into Jordan or my arms as we hold them out to him, but a huge milestone for little Larkin!  

Happy Fall!

One year's difference.  The change is jaw dropping!

Another Letter

Dear Larkin,

These past weeks we have been pretty busy.  You finished your second week at Mother’s Day Out!  The second week was a success.  Although the drop offs have not changed  (you still scream your head off and plead with me not to leave you with those big blue eyes), mommy's heart doesn’t beat quite so fast and I leave feeling a little less anxious each time. 

...And.... YOU are doing great there too!  The teachers say that you have a great time and mommy is really feeling blessed by having those hours to get things done or rest a bit during the day.

You are cruising all over the place and this past week we’ve caught you standing up for a few seconds before you realize what’s going on and plop back down on your bottom.  Speaking of standing, you are no longer needing therapy!  The therapist said she isn’t worried about the muscle asymmetry after seeing your progress and to just call her back if you’re not walking by 18 months.

Always moving

It’s so neat to think back on this situation and see the peace and calm that the Lord gave daddy and me when the neurologist said she wanted an MRI done to check for brain damage.  From the very beginning we’ve had a peace that can only have come from the Lord – a realization that no matter what He is God and He is good, but also…a confident assurance that you were just fine and a peace that no MRI was needed.

At almost 15 months I love that you are a good hugger.  You love to come rest your head on mommy or daddy or (and especially) Piper.  This past month you have become even more interactive with Piper.  You love to throw her her ball, you love it each morning when we “go find Piper” as soon as you wake up and you LOVE to go give Piper big hugs or lay your head down on her tummy.

Your laugh has gotten even louder- you have a great belly laugh and (mommy is so glad that ) you love to dance! You bounce up and down and sway your head like Stevie Wonder.

In regards to food, you’ve become a picky eater.  In the morning you will eat the most and you wake up hungry and ready for food.  It’s almost comical how much you eat:  2 Eggo waffles (or pancakes), a little omlette (eggs and veggies we make in bulk and freeze), a banana and or recently some yogurt.  Sometimes we substitute a pancake for waffles but you know if your grain is missing and you don’t like it one bit.

You still raise your hand when you want help.  This has been helpful when you get really frustrated instead of expressing it by screaming mommy reminds you to raise your hand for help and that has been wonderful!

However there is still frustration as you begin to assert your independence and find a few limits and boundaries in place.  Mommy and daddy have become acquainted with this face a bit this month (see below) and a loud protesting scream or whine.

You still use your sign language and know “water” “milk” “light” “all done” “more” and (sometimes) “thank you”.  You’ve taken interpretive liberties lately though and use the “water” sign for when you are just hungry (mommy is going to try to teach you “hungry” this week).

It’s so fun to watch you play and learn something.  Some imaginary play I’ve seen you do these past weeks are “talking on the phone”, “turning the channels on the remote”, “washing your hands” – rubbing them together  and “pouring milk” into a container.  It’s so fun to watch you figure things out.

Other highlights this past month:

You helped celebrate mommy’s 29^th birthday…

And daddy’s 31^st birthday!

 

You spent your first night away and did awesome with Nana so mommy and daddy could go to a wedding! 

You went to visit cousin Luke and meet your new cousin Anna Kate! (more on that later)

You’ve celebrated (with daddy) the start of a new Aggie football season…

You've spent time with all of your grandparents.  You love your Nana, Grandpa, Mimi and Pop!

And had more playdates with friends (especially in the morning as we are transitioning to one nap)!

 Most of all I need you to know, Larkin that you are loved so deeply.  You are loved by mommy, daddy, family and friends and most of all by God, your Heavenly Father.  He created and knit you together and created you for a specific purpose and to glorify Him. Mommy looks forward to watching you develop into the young man you've been created to be!

Your number one fan,

Mommy

Swim Classes - This Past Summer

So this post is very late in being written, but this summer Larkin and I enjoyed taking swim classes with our buddy Oliver and his mommy Mary Emma.  We decided on lessons at Dolfin Swim School near 75 and Walnut Hill. 

Larkin loved the water and LOVED to splash around.  Mimi even drove over from Arlington to come watch one of the classes!  Of course he didn't really learn to swim, but Larkin practiced his kicking (which wasn't his strong suit) and closing his mouth under water (which he actually got pretty good at!)

Daddy and Mr. Matt (Oliver's daddy) also came and watched a class.  Larkin loved showing off for his daddy and Mr. Matt caught some of the class on film!

All in all, it was a fun bonding activity for mommy and son and a nice way to stay cool in the summer heat!

First Day of MDO!

Dear Larkin,
Today was your very first day of Mother's Day Out.  Essentially it was your first day EVER of being in a school setting.  I think this new change, or at least the preparation for it has been harder on mommy than you.

I am not exaggerating when I say that there were many a tear and sleepless nights wondering if we should enroll you in one or two days.  But with daddy's encouragement, lots of prayer and talking with community group we signed you up for two days by faith trusting it is the right thing to do for our family.

Mommy is still a little nervous, but she has been blessed throughout this decision making process as she has watched God strengthen her faith in Him.  This past week mommy began having a peace that we were making the right decision for you and our family as it became more and more obvious that this mommy needs a little R&R and you, my little monkey, are going to benefit from this time too.

So... without further adieu... the documentation of Your FIRST DAY OF MOTHERS DAY OUT!

We laid out your clothes the night before...

And woke up early to have a good breakfast!

Although mommy had a peace this last week in our decision to send you to MDO, this morning I was a bunch of jitters and nerves.  

Daddy gave you some last minute advice...

 And then you waved goodbye to him and we had to finish breakfast and get you dressed and ready.

Finally you were ready to go 

And in fact, wanted to drive yourself 

Once we got there, mommy forgot to bring in her camera.  I was so thankful we saw sweet friend Missy and her daughter Sophia who would be in your class as well as lots of friends from our neighborhood. It helped mommy relax a little and it was nice to talk to some of them with older kids and realize I am not crazy to feel anxious leaving you.

As I handed you over to your sweet teacher, you grabbed on to my shirt for dear life and began screaming like crazy, begging me with those big blue eyes, "Don't leave me!"  I handed you over and BOLTED out of there, off to the gym to run off my nerves.  

Working out was a good idea, it took a little bit but I eventually relaxed.  I left excited about my full day.  Still, this mommy may or may not have driven back by the school after her work out to catch a glimpse of you at "recess" happy as a clam on the playground.

So what did I do with my time?  Aaaaahhhh... let's just say it was wonderful.  Mommy took a shower and for the first time in a long time took my time getting ready!  I had a picnic at the park and a pedicure afterwards.

I let my brain check out and just relaxed today.  Eventually I'll use these days to get things done, but today I just reveled in the ability to turn off my brain.  I hadn't done that in literally over 14 months in the way I was able to today, and it was a huge blessing from the Lord.  

And then I was just SO excited come 2:30 to come and get you !  When I came to the door to pick you up, you were crying and looked tired.  Teacher said you were teary after waking from your nap but that overall you had a good day!

"Mommy?!"

Larkin's sweet teacher Ms. Beth

 Larkin's friend, Sophia

You waved to your teachers and blew kisses to them as we left.  It was pretty cute.  On the way home you twice randomly laughed out loud as if you were remembering something funny from the day (I'm choosing to think this and not that you were just so excited to be leaving ;)).  Although initially you were exhausted... You've been all smiles laughs the rest of the day...I would say you've even been a bit hyper... Probably a little too tired !

Your first day report card!

Love you little Lark!  I'm so proud of you (and me)!  We got through this first day and I think we both truly were blessed today and that is my prayer for this next season in Mother's Day Out!

Love,
Your Mommy and #1 Fan

Fay Larkin - My Nanny

 This weekend my Nanny, Fay Larkin passed away at the age of 86.  Nanny was a very tiny but very strong woman.  In the months preceding her death Larkin and I enjoyed going over to her apartment and spending time with her.  We went on outings and stayed in and played.  I watched with a tender heart as Larkin grew to love his Nanny.  And as they played together the months before her death I treasured up in my heart the laughter and smiles they exchanged and the blessing of this relationship between Larkin and his great grandmother.

Larkin was named in honor of Fay and my grandfather Jim Larkin.  I have so many memories of trips to their place in Hot Springs when I was little.  Nanny was always such a fun grandmother.  She took us putt putting, made us breakfast on their pontoon boat and would make every trip up to Hot Springs a joy and adventure for a little kid visiting their grandparents.

Nanny and her sisters wrote out their memories in a book several years ago.  Nanny was a very gifted writer.  In the book she  describes the life of their family during the depression and as they grew up.  I've read it now several times always with laughter and tears.  It's such a treasure to read.  In her final paragraph she writes....

'For you my children, and the children coming after you, I have written here that which I have remembered of those long ago days of my growing up.  I leave you these memories, knowing as has happened with my own departed loved ones, that I will someday be but a memory in your heart and picture on the wall or in an album.  But I remain a part of you, for like a circle, unbroken, we always shall be bound one to the other by those invisible ties of "family".'

I'm so blessed to be a part of Nanny's family and to have had her as my grandmother.  We are indeed and always will be bound by the invisible ties of family.  Love you Nanny