It's a Long Way Down

Larkin is a wiggle worm. He doesn't like to stay still or seated for too long and he keeps me on my toes during diaper changes.

That being said, he is a cautious little guy. When he rolls over on our hardwood floor it's hilarious watching him gently lay his head back down.

This week he is finally standing longer periods of time and for the first time this week he started trying to lower himself back down. He does it ever so slowly and carefully.

While laughing at his cautiousness and watching that video, another dear friend sent me the cutest video of her son, who is a bit younger than Larkin. He was practically running around the kitchen pushing a little push cart.

Jordan and I just started laughing hysterically at the difference between the two videos. Little Lark struggling to lower himself down and our dear friend's son racing around the kitchen.

It's so funny how each little one develops so differently. Jordan insists he is like his dad... Waiting to do it until he can make sure he does it right.

Little Larkin, we love you so much and I am so proud of you.. I'm soaking up the benefits of having you not quite ready to walk. I will say you are the fastest and cutest little scooter I have ever seen!!!!

Xoxo,
Mommy

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

New Developments!

Larkin pulled himself up for the first time this week!  Jordan and I were bathing him when I went to the laundry room to grab his pjs and heard Jordan yell for me to come back in there.  Larkin had gotten up on his knees and pulled himself up on the side of the tub trying to get out.  A big first!!!

Since then we've been practicing on different ledges.  It's pretty cute he's been getting so close but will usually end up in the splits or in some other weird position.  So although that was the only time he has successfully done it so far, I know before long he will be pulling up and running around all over the place.  I was so proud of our little man!

 He also started waving bye bye this week.  So cute- he doesn't know what it means yet but his whole arms flails about tryint to wave back at us.  I think that is one of my favorite things as a parent- watching him conquer all of the firsts... such a blessing he is to us!

Mother's Day

Dear Larkin,
Yesterday was my first official Mother's Day where you were out and about (not in my belly).  It was such a special day for mommy.  I remember the years prior when we were having a hard time getting pregnant this day was always a bit sad.  So yesterday, while remembering friends who are in process of adoption or fertility, I was extra thankful to be experiencing the gift of being your mommy.

Its incredible to think that the Lord hand picked you out of all of the people He has created since the beginning of time to be our son while we are here on Earth.  It's fun to try and wrap my mind around that.  Out of the billions of people He has formed and fashioned, He thought it best to put you in our home and to bring you into the world at the exact time you were born, not a minute before. Your personality, your talents, your spirit and spunk were entrusted to us 10 months ago to help form and mold you into a God fearing young boy who will eventually develop into an independent young man.

These are my thoughts as I reflect on this Mother's Day.  What a blessing, a high calling and a huge responsibility to raise and be entrusted with someone so special, not just to me and daddy but to God. With motherhood comes an even deeper appreciation of the mothers in your life and the sacrifices they made to make you who you are.  I'm so thankful for your Nana who selflessly devoted her life to being our mommy and raising me, Uncle Stephen and Uncle David.  Looking back I know she sacrificed so much on our behalfs.

Not the best pic of the picture, but our gift to Nana:

 



Our Family:



I'm also thankful for your Mimi who raised Jordan to be a godly man and wonderful husband and daddy.  You are truly blessed little Larkin in your grandmothers.

Daddy and you have been in cahoots this whole week.  I've caught daddy whispering to you claiming y'all were discussing mother's day plans.  Well, since you cannot talk yet I have to say your daddy did an incredible job of making mommy feel so special.  From brunch to gifts and cards, cleaning and "daddy duty" I felt so very special and blessed to be your mommy and daddy's wife.

I love you both so much, thank you for making my first mother's day special!

                                      

XO,
Mommy

TEN MONTHS!

Yesterday, Larkin turned 10 months old!  Which means a year ago I was looking (and feeling) like this....

 So much can change in twelve months..So glad to be going through this HOT summer several pounds lighter and with a sweet little one in tow.  This past month has been a busy and fun one!  So without further adieu....

HIGHLIGHTS OF MONTH TEN:

1. Larkin is now taking 2 naps!  Yay!  His naps are typically from 9:15-11:15 and 1:30-3:15 give or take thirty minutes. 

2. Larkin is eating solids even better.  He LOVES meat - chicken, turkey, fish, you name it and he will stuff it in. His little fingers are getting better at picking up small pieces of food.  He still won't eat fruit though unless it's mashed up and fed to him in a spoon and he HATES bibs.  I have invested in some nice bibs which are designed to stay on, but he thrashes about like an angry bull and pulls and pulls until he yanks it off.  I've learned he is quite strong.

3. He is much more vocal... saying mamamama and dadadada (but he hasn't yet associated words with us so I'm not counting it at first words!)  But when he is really tired he will crawl up to my foot and yank on my jeans crying "mamamama" until I pick him up :)

4. He has started taking formula!  I typically nurse him at 7, 11, 3 and 7 and he eats solids after at 7, 11 and then at 6.  However I feel like my supply is dwindling and so I've been supplementing with formula which he has finally taken!  With just two months left I'm not sure if I will decide to continue or not.. I feel like we are so close that I can perhaps keep it up a few more weeks, but tbd!  When eating solids Piper likes to help clean up the mess.  We are training her to wait for us to give the okay, but mommy caught Piper a little overeager to help Lark tidy up one morning.

5. Larkin has gotten into his first kiddie pool and LOVED it!  I'm really looking forward to watching his reactions and getting him into the big pool more this summer!

6. Mommy had her first night away from Larkin this month as she went to a girlfriend's shower. Daddy is probably the most capable and responsible of all daddies so I wasn't worried but still hoped it wouldn't seem so easy that I wouldn't be missed ;).    He did very well and mommy enjoyed her time away but was happy to come back to her family.

7. Larkin is still army crawling on his belly but has gotten much quicker this month and has started figuring out how to open cabinets and is experimenting with pulling up on things.  He can stand when we stand him up but we have to be very close by which we found out the hard way after a few bumped heads and some big crocodile tears.

 Still at play... Love this pic, he seems proud of his silly mommy

8. Still no teeth.  Uncle Jerod (a pediatric dentist) looked at Lark's gums and says it will probably happen all at once (poor little guy) but that it will probably still be a few weeks away.  Say, "aaah" Larkin!

                   

9.  We braved our first two weeks of this month getting over sickness.  Larkin has developed a strong aversion to the nasal aspirator.

10. Larkin had all sorts of celebrations!  Between 3 grandparents birthdays and an Easter celebration, month ten had lots of parties.  This little one is pooped!

Happy 10 months, pumpkin!

A Special Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday Mom!  This weekend we celebrated my mom's birthday with a little dinner and get together.  I brought a few accessories to make it more interesting.

Going on a walk after dinner

The Birthday girl requested ice cream this year :)

A friend to pet!

Larkin loved this new friend!  What cuties- all three!

"Okay mom, party's over my bedtime has passed!"