Game Day!

We all know I was a little disappointed not having a girl. But Brad kept telling me to look forward to football season and sports when we found out we were having a boy. I finally get it. Today I had the immense pleasure of passing on a family tradition to my son. I got to dress him in his Notre Dame jersey and football pants. As I was doing this, I sang the Notre Dame fight song to him. This is a time-honored tradition that was passed down to me by my mother and her mother before her. I was so touched when, as I was singing "Cheer Cheer for old Notre Dame" my son looked up at me and gave me his best toothy grin. In my mind, he saw my joy and it reflected on him. I doubt that actually happened. He was probably laughing at mommy being silly and smiling at him. When I saw my husband and son and myself dressed in our jerseys I think I "got it." It was better than money.. it was me and my family carrying on the tradition. So tonight I leave you with his beautiful pictures of him laughing in his jersey and the strains of the Notre Dame fight song echoing in my mind. "what though the odds be great or small.." how fitting. much love and enjoy

He's Getting So Big!

Monkey can stand pretty well. If you put him on his feet and give him something to hold on to, he will do so for a few minutes. His daddy took this pictures on Friday and then sent some to me at work. I was sad and excited all at the same time. Braden is already crawling and curious about walking. I cannot believe he has gotten so big. I want him to be little again(not that he was ever that little being born at almost 10 lbs!). Each day he learns something new and finds everything fascinating. It is almost like being a kid again, because I am seeing everything through his eyes. He delights in new things, and doesn't differentiate between those things that cost money and those that don't. He loves to bang on pots and pans just as much as loves playing with his toys. Paper fascinates him (especially magazines and newspapers). He constantly wants to hold and touch things, and anything that makes a noise is something he must discover. What a fun age! Brad and I joke that we have to buy one of those octagon gates to keep him in check when he is playing on the floor, but I also see the danger in inanimate objects that I would have never considered. The coffee table became such a problem that we had to move it downstairs. The power cord on the computer is his favorite go to thing. One yank, and he could hurt himself if we are not careful. It's funny how you learn to view things now as potential threats, and he is only 7 months old! Babies R Us has become our go to place for baby-proofing, but I also realize they can't anticipate every possibility. If we are this cautious at 7 months... what on earth are we in for during the next 25 years? I say 25 years because I (now)parenting doesn't stop at the legal age of 18 or even after you earn a degree. I know my parents still parent me, even though I have started my own family. Maybe it's true what they say, once a mother always a mother. So dig your heels in and hang on for the ride.. however long you are priveledied to have it