Bright Eyed Babe

Boston is a week away from being 10 months old.  Holy smokes!

He is seriously so fun.  Sometimes he does the cutest/funniest things that just make me burst out laughing.  For example, the squishy face:

And the only thing that is better than Boston post-nap is Boston's hair post nap.  It is always an adorable, curly mess when I go get him.  

Lately when I've picked him up he has felt more like a little boy and not a baby.  

He still loves nursing and I am trying to figure out how I will ever be able to stop.

He is a really good all around eater and I think his favorite thing I've given him is tangerines.  Today I gave him some for dinner and he kept stuffing some in his mouth and then rubbing the side of his head with his hand.  His head was drenched by the end of dinner.

And that leads to baths...he loves baths.  As soon as he hears the bathtub water he starts hauling it to the bathroom from where ever he is.  It is the fastest little baby crawl I ever did see.

He has stopped spitting up!  It is crazy that I can keep the same clothes on him for hours at a time or even a whole day without them getting totally drenched.

He pulls all the books and dvd's off of the shelves and crawls away, smiling, while I try to put lotion on him.

When I hear the garage go up when Chaz comes home everyday I tell him "dad's home!" and he smiles and starts crawling to the door.

He says "da da da" and "na na na" and occasionally "ma ma".

He opens all the cupboards and pulls out everything...I guess it's time for me to baby proof things.  He has a special love for the toilet...

This is another thing that was just funny that he did.  We put him in this box and pulled him around the room and I thought he would try to squirm out but he just leaned back and put his arm up on the side like he was relaxing in his own little convertible.  

 Every night before we go to bed, Chaz and I sneak into his room to check on him.  This is one of my favorite things.

This is BIG news: He is totally WALKING!  At nine months!  He will walk from me to Chaz or from me to the couch or down the hall.  He will take like 6-7 steps at a time and then fall down so it official walking but close.  

He is amazing and full of so much energy.

I hope I can teach him the way God wants me to.  I hope I can help him reach his potential.

These days I have dark circles under my eyes from waking up a 5:30 most days.  I have a small celebration if I manage to get out of my pj's, exercise and shower by 3.  I only see Chaz for a few hours at night while he does homework.  But I don't think there was ever a time in my life when I have felt so fulfilled.  I remember seeing a quote, I have no idea by who, but it goes something like,

"She knew that true happiness comes only in the giving of oneself to others."

Now, lets be honest, I am still pretty selfish and have a long way to go in the giving of myself to others department.  But I have experienced so much happiness from giving a little of myself to Bosty.

I love that boy!

A Great Book

I've been listening to the audio book of "Unbroken", the story of Louis Zamperini.  I listen to it while I run on the treadmill or drive in the car.  Or when things get really quiet around the house.  So far, it has been a great book-depressing at times but with some inspiring messages. First of all, I connect with Louis because he was a RUNNER.  Secondly, I find his story of survival amazing and miraculous.   I cannot help but see the hand of God in many events, preparing him and preserving his life.

At one point in the book three men are stranded on a raft in the middle of the ocean after their plane crashes.  The author talks about how the two men who are positive about their situation are stronger and more resilient, while the one who is negative has the worst health and it declines the fastest:

“Though all three men faced the same hardship, their differing perceptions of it appeared to be shaping their fates. Louie and Phil's hope displaced their fear and inspired them to work toward their survival, and each success renewed their physical and emotional vigor. Mac's resignation seemed to paralyze him and the less he participated in their efforts to survive, the more he slipped. Though he did the least, as the days passed, it was he who faded the most. Louie and Phil's optimism, and Mac's hopelessness, were becoming self-fulfilling.” 
― Laura Hillenbrand, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

This struck me.  To me, this means that my attitude about life, ESPECIALLY when hard things happen, will determine my success.  It means that attitude and thoughts are powerful.  Thoughts lead to actions and actions make up character, ya know?

This totally pumped me up to be more optimistic and faith filled.  I want that can't get me down, determined optimism.  

Anyway, I just wanted to share.

I can't wait to see the movie.

I have to share one more stellar quote from the book.  This is EXACTLY how I feel about running:

"He didn't run from something or to something, not for anyone or in spite of anyone; he ran because it was what his body wished to do.
The restiveness, the self consciousness, and the need to oppose disappeared.  All he felt was peace."
― Laura Hillenbrand, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Sometimes I think it is easy to get caught up in running to appear "fit" and post all these pictures of yourself on Facebook at the finish line of a marathon to prove that you are skinny or whatever.  But the truth (for me) is that I love running just for running.  I love how I feel when I push myself.  I love being outside and running through a field or up a mountain trail and feeling free and strong and empowered.  I love how my heart feels healthy and my legs feel tired after a run.  It clears my mind.  It is just what my body wants to do I guess.  Even though I wasn't the college track star I dreamed of being, I am okay with that because I can still run.  I am grateful I have that ability.