beauty.

this kid grounds me.

keeps me on my toes.

challenges me.

warms me to the core.

sometimes i get overwhelmed

from the way he looks up at me.

he knocks me over with his wit.

he's got personality coming out of his ears.

lately, i've been on a journey-

doing some

growing, blooming, forgiving.

a friend told me it's because i'm turning thirty.

and that's probably very true.

nonetheless, i feel like i fit in my own skin.

like my skin is a good, good place to be.

the world doesn't look so ugly.

i'm learning to see the beauty in everything.

so when those eyes look at me like they do

i can only hope

that i'm able to show him the beauty that i see.

the beauty in the world

and the beauty that seeps out from every pore

of his perfect, little body.

slip. n slide.

we picked up a slip n slide during our target run this weekend.

a triple lane soaker.

after a new hose and some dawn soap 

we were good to go.

even mom and dad slip n slid.

oh yes we did.

but you won't see pictures of that.

did you know that slip n sliding takes muscle power?

that one can actually be sore from a day of slip n sliding?

perhaps it was more from pushing the two year old

and twenty five pound, ten month old

down the slide.

either way.

i'm sore.

but it was well worth it

and i'm sure we'll be breaking it out again

this coming weekend.

what about you? any summer goodness starting in your own backyard?

subtracto.

cobe has been testing his boundaries lately.

is that the PC way to say it?

anyway, i get it.

or i try to, at least.

the dad and i have got a slew of parenting books at our fingertips

and some good old fashion horse sense.

i think we'll make it out of this.

i hope.

here's a peek into our lives...

note: subtracto! is what the magician on his favorite show does to make things disappear. 

cobe splashes his friend at swimming lessons right in the face.

more than once.

more than three times.

and just seconds after i threaten, he does it again.

so we leave.

i dry him off while tears and snot pour down his face,

put on his shoes

and to the car we go.

no lollipop.

i meant business.

the car ride is quiet for a while.

then cobe says,

i won't don't splash my friends in the face.

that's right, you don't and you won't.

it makes him sad.

yes, it does.

i want to make my friends happy.

that's a good thing to want. what can you do to make him happy?

hmmm. i know. i will bring my magic wand and subtracto him.

*big smiles*

we talked about other options like high fives and hugs

but the boy was convinced that subtracto-ing his friend would make him the happiest.

fingers crossed his takes his mom's advice on this one.

eight months.

how in the world has eight months gone by, my sweet finn?

you are full of light.

you charm the pants off everyone you meet

and have no shortage of gummy smiles.

you're crawling, pulling yourself up on everything

and i'm certain you'll be walking in the next month.

you're determined to catch up with cobe.

he's still your hero.

you watch his every move

and laugh from your belly when he looks your way.

we're still working on his sharing skills

but you can hold your own so i'm not too worried.

you finally cut a tooth.

a slightly crooked, bottom tooth

sharper than a puppy's.

it works well on puffs, which you like.

you sleep best in someone's arms

with your blankie shoved in your mouth.

it looks a little risky but no matter what we do

it ends up there.

you've got a little temper

and yell and kick your feet when you're angry.

i'm afraid you got that from me, my dear.

as you get older, i'll try to teach you how to tame it a little.

but there's nothing wrong with a little fire

just as long as you keep that heart melting grin of yours.

i can't believe what a little boy you're becoming.

dad and i see glimpses of boy-ness

more everyday.

that's the toughest thing for me as a mom-

watching you and cobe grow is such an honor

but my heart breaks a little too

because it all goes so fast.

so, so fast.

i love you, mr. finn.

xoxo

momma

and for the full effect...

so yeah. time is flying.

and we forgot to do the seven month session

but have no fear, we're certainly not lacking in photos.

a little disney magic.

we packed the kids in the car

along with enough stuff

to last the pre-kids version of us

a week.

and we set out for disney world. 

the whole family got mouse ears, of course

and cobe met the big guy, twice.

we rode a few rides

ate a few ice cream cones

saw a marching band or five

and soaked up every moment

that is the magic of disney.