Seven...er, Eight Months!

Just thought I'd stand on
the couch since I know
Marie and Erik
aren't allowed to!

Somehow time at home has been moving even faster than when I was working, and my illusions of basking in the glory of each little milestone have been short lived. I had just gotten used to telling people that Ethan was six months old when I realized I needed to up the number; apparently I'd been too busy to even pause and take note of my big seven-month-old's day. Now here we are at eight months, and I want to yell at someone to stop the clock already because my little baby is becoming a big boy and I just want a little more time to soak it all in! But even in such a state of bewilderment, my joy in watching him grow could not be more complete. He's quite the happy kid with a big personality and a knack for making sure I know exactly what he wants or needs, like being picked up now! Right now! And wanting that toy, no that one, and more (and more and more) food since he eats like a little horse. He's demanding with the snuggling, too. My does he love to snuggle and melt my heart in the process. His big milestones in the past two months have been crawling at warp speed, pulling up, dancing, drumming on any and everything, gumming on any and everything (particularly choking hazards and paper), blowing extremely loud raspberries especially when it's quiet in church, and saying "ma-ma," "da-da," and "ba-ba." Oh and did I mention the chompers that finally showed up? One at a time, too, so we had time to snap a few snaggle tooth pictures with which to embarrass him in the presence of future girlfriends. Plenty of obligatory proud mama photos and videos of it all below!

Like Father, Like Son

Happy Father's Day to my dad, my father-in-law, and my beloved husband! 

Dad, you're the greatest example of fatherly love out there, and I am beyond blessed that you gave me the childhood you did. Tony, I'm so glad that we have the chance to celebrate with you this year and for all the times the grandkids have gotten to spend with you recently! And Peter, thanks for being more than I could have ever hoped for as the father of our children! 

Turns out the kids are pretty keen on their dad, too; here's what they had to say:

My Beef With Thinspiration

I know you've seen her too.

Slender thighs, a painfully thin midsection, sculpted arms, and a gracefully arching back save for the ribs visibly poking through. The only variations are her face, her name, and possibly the addition of a six or eight pack that barely veils her ribs. But her name matters not, because these days she's simply known as Thinspiration. I, personally, call her a liar.

She taunts women constantly, her form plastered everywhere, convincing them with ease that they can look better, no--they must look better, and that she exists to serve as their motivation.

She is one of the many reasons I have long avoided buying a scale.

All Hail, Fairy Godmother!

Every little girl needs some Fairy Godmother in her life on occasion, and this past weekend Marie got just that when her magical Godmother flew into town! 'Tis true: for some reason my trusty partner-in-crime, maid-of-honor, and let's not forget her most prestigious title: Queen Dork (which she still answers to...try it sometime) saw fit to buy an outlandishly expensive flight from Alaska to spend time with us all over Memorial Day weekend. It's been almost three years since we last saw each other, so I guess she realized how dire my withdrawal had become. It should go without question that we had a blast, but in case you need proof, here's the rundown: