September update

First, we've finally gotten to take Drew biking. Nate's mom found this bike trailer at a yard sale (she always finds the good stuff!) and brought it up for us at her last visit. He loved it even though he had the difficult job of riding along...

 Somehow I got delegated to do the pulling and those Cherokee Park hills aren't exactly easy, even when you're biking alone  much less pulling a child behind you!

 We also headed over to the fall festival at the Seminary near our house. It was a "Chronicles of Narnia" theme and they certainly went all out. Andrew got pretty excited about the horses (which is what he's pointing at in this picture).

 We had visitors! Russ and Jess brought baby Lukas by and we all met at the Pie Kitchen for lunch and dessert. I didn't get a picture of Jess and these are kind of bad because they are from the iphone:( It was so good to see them and meet their sweet little boy!

 These three have known each other for about a decade now!

 And finally, Nate and I celebrated 8 years last week. We went to Volare to eat (much recommended!) and just when I thought I couldn't fit in another bite, the owner brought us this pretty little plate just because it was our anniversary! Tiramisu.... Need I say more?

More fun from this week

First, look who came for a midweek visit! We were so excited to have Omi stay with us for a few days so I could catch up on work-related stuff and so Andrew could have some serious grandma time!

She came bearing gifts (as always!) and the snake book was a big hit!

Rocking the "boat" on the playground with Isaiah and Quinn

Someone needed a haircut so I put on a cartoon and gave him a cookie. He stayed still just long enough for me to trim him up!

 Zach and Molly with Gracie and Tatum met us at the zoo Saturday morning!

Louisville Ironman!

This past weekend (I'm a bit late posting this) my brother-in-law, Mark, and several other guys Erin and he are friends with from Nashville competed in the Louisville Ironman. It was so much fun to watch them all throughout the day (dashing all over the city of Louisville to catch glimpses of them) and to hang out with family and friends who were supporting them. In case you aren't familiar, here's the breakdown of an ironman:

• 2.4 mile swim
• 112 mile bike ride
• 26.3 mile run (full marathon)

Easy, right? I have to admit, although I've been tempted to do a marathon before, I can officially say I have no desire to do a full Ironman ever! I believe Mark's words to Erin after he crossed the finish line 11 hours later, were that he'd never felt so physically awful in his entire life and every fiber of his being ached or hurt in ways unimaginable. Sounds like a good time, right? Regardless, it was inspiring to watch! Here are some pictures from this weekend:

JP, Drew and Mark at the start before the swim...no comment on the speedo!

Nate, Drew, Micah and Bieka talking while waiting for the runners to come through.

Only 25 more miles to go Mark!

Drew on the bike

Erin...watching for Mark to cross the finish line around 6:00 that evening.

Mark finally finishing! Erin and I were screaming like maniacs and he still didn't hear us because I think he was so much in the zone and completely worn out by that point!

Another high quality picture from the iPhone--me and Erin at the finish line

All finished! Now you can't tell in this picture but there is a baby in that belly:) I did get Erin's permission to tell people now and I am SO excited that Drew will have a cousin and I get to be an aunt in February!

Pictures and 15 months

This has been SUCH a busy month for us. We've gone out of town, been soaking up the awesome weather outside, and I've started back part-part time at school, working Tuesdays and a half day on Thursdays, and doing a lot of planning for it all from home. I'm grateful my principal has given me these opportunities but MAN is it hard to work with a wild and crazy one year old running around. So I don't, at least while he's awake:) Naptime is a blessing, right? I'm so thankful to still get to work with high school students and be home to take care of Drew. He's at such a fun age right now and I'm trying to remember all the funny and of course cute things he says and does. Therefore, this post is more for my own memory than anything just in case I find myself somewhere down the road missing these sweet days with my little boy (because he's growing fast!).
First, all the cliches are true! He is changing every day and I can hardly remember when he was a little baby. He is into everything, and is all boy in his personality. Examples: his fascination with both snakes and trucks. We go running in the park (well, I run and he rides) each morning and every time we see a truck, whether it's driving by, working on some trees in the park (we had a huge storm so trees are down), or some power machine like a bulldozer or whatever, Drew gets so excited and points "Dah???" he asks which translates to "What's that cool thing over there, Mom?"
We took him hiking Saturday and low and behold there was a snake (the very kind he sees in his books of animals! Imagine that!) right in our path.

"SSSSS" is one of his favorite sounds right now so he was pretty happy to see this snake (I was not as much...)
Drew also loves to be outside and will say "side!" or "Si" to go out and play. I certainly can't turn my back for a second though but it is fun to watch him run around (and let's face it, I'm running too because he's fast) and get into everything in sight. He likes Nate to "chase" him and I think that's what is happening in this picture:

Aren't they cute?
The past couple Saturdays we've gone hiking as well.

We've also gone to the zoo where the elephants and bears are a big hit!

 At almost 15 months, he is the happiest little guy:) Some more stats for  my own memory:

• Sleep: At night from 7:30-7:30 (awesome!) Naps for about 2.5 to 3 hours in the afternoon (we just dropped the morning nap and he did great with the long afternoon one)
• Eating: Will eat almost anything, but not veggies unless I sneak them into other food (good preparation for the years to come I suppose). Likes to have a "snack" which is basically crackers or toddler cookies when we are out running errands/at the grocery store. It is the only way I can keep him from climbing all over and out of the cart!
• Favorite toy right now is his lawnmower which he pushes everywhere in the house. He also loves books (yay!) and is figuring out blocks and leggos (the big kind).   Has no real interest in TV if it is on (which I'm glad about).
• Games: He tries to pay hide-and-seek with me or Nate which is cute, and of course he likes to run away when Nate chases him outside
• He communicates through signs sometimes and tries to say words others. He signs: milk, all done, more, thirsty, hungry, yes and no but says "yeah" for "yes" which is pretty cute. 
• Words: "sss" for outside or snack (or snake!), "mmm" for milk, mama, dada, d-d-d- for dog and is attempting other ones (b for bath, etc.)
• He loves to swing (we put up a little toddler swing in the front yard) and watch me water the flowers (and spray his toes with the water) or, even better, to watch Nate mow the lawn. So easy to entertain him right now!

I can't believe how much I can love one person. And I can't believe he'll be 15 months old soon...I am just trying to enjoy this age, even with its challenges because I know there will be a time where he won't come sit in my lap and ask me to read him a book. Or when he won't smile at me when I come in to wake him up in the morning (probably the opposite!). Or when he won't throw his arms around me when I ask for a hug. Or when he might want nothing to do with me at all as opposed to wanting me or Nate to always play with him. For now, though, he does all those and I'm loving it!

Visit to Ohio

Swinging at the park with Omi and Opaw

Sitting with Omi on the deck, baby pool ready!

Dip those toes in!

Wearing Nate's old swim trunks from when he was a baby

Playing outside with everyone...Ohio had beautiful non-humid weather, unlike some southern states I know...

Uncle Joe tried to teach him how to golf but he preferred to hit the orange ball with the club instead

So glad for a huge yard to run around in!

...and happy to play ball with Omi!

Nate and I got to go out with Kelsey and Joe to a local winery/restaurant. It was so beautiful outside and we had some willing babysitters on hand back home. We played cornhole overlooking the lake...beautiful night out even if Joe and Kelsey did completely beat me and Nate at cornhole. It was mostly my fault we lost...sorry Nate! 

Doesn't Joe look manly pouring that sangria?

As always, it was so fun to get to see family again, even if it was just for a weekend. I feel lucky to have in-laws that I love as much as my own family!