Police Academy

Well, if you would have told us that Derin would be graduating from Police Academy, we probably would have laughed.  It is interesting how life takes you to places you didn’t think you would go.  Anyway, Derin’s job required that he become a police officer.  It was an incredibly hard six months of sacrifice, tons of studying and little sleep.  I have to say, it does make me feel safer knowing what police officers have to go through and learn before pledging to protect us.  Overall I believe it was a good experience and I know that Derin learned a lot.  I also know that he is happy that his alarm clock is now set for 5:45 instead of 4 am!  Derin was elected Vice President of his cadet class, so he led us in the opening prayer.  I must say, I was pretty proud of him.  He wrote a beautiful prayer. Michael was PERFECT throughout the entire graduation, (it might have had something to do with the football PawPaw bought him from the gift store) even during the presentation of the flags when the bag piper played.  It was pretty awesome.

One of the best things about graduation was that it was at the state capitol building in Austin. I haven’t been there in about six years, but the capitol is still as awe inspiring as ever. Grandaddy Dean was a State Representative there so GG showed us where his office used to be.  We then went outside to see Derin’s Great Grandaddy S.B. Nunez’s name on the Firemen memorial statue.  He died in the Texas City Disaster. I think it is awesome how Michael will forever be linked with our state capitol because of his Great Grandaddy and Great Great Grandaddy. 

So any of you interested in becoming police officers, just know that for six months you will sleep less and study harder than you ever have in your life, but if you finish and graduate, that is definitely  something to be proud of.

Ten Months Old

 

Well my little darling you are ten months old. In fact, in about six weeks you will be one year old! I always knew that time flies by but now that you are here I can truly feel it. I have to be honest it has been a rough few weeks. It seems that just when you start to feel better, you get sick again. If only hugs and kisses could make things all better. Regardless, your daddy and I give you plenty!

1. You crawl like golom from the Lord of the Rings, with your right leg tucked under. You also slap your hands down really hard on the floor when you crawl. I think you like the way it sounds.

2. Kaya now has a game with you. She crouches down like she wants to pounce and waits for you to see her. When you spot her, you squeal causing her to spring up and run.  Of course, you follow her and she just loves it. She may not act like it to us, but she enjoys the chase. Just wait though, you will catch her soon enough. 

3. You are getting much better with the sippy cups. Sometimes you get so mad though that you tuck your chin into your chest and stick out your bottom lip. Such a little temper.

4. You suddenly love your sweet potato puffs, pepperoni, bread and of course pasta sauce. (you little Italian you) You LOVE limes and lemons. And Saturday daddy gave you some pork rib and brisket. Welcome to Texas little guy!

5. Not a big binkie fan anymore. Only when you are falling asleep do you want a binkie. I guess you would rather squeal and talk.

6. You are SO LOUD, and you talk A LOT. I wonder where you get that from? You just love to laugh and squeal and babble. I swear you said kitty the other day, probably just wishful thinking.

7. You weigh 18 lbs! You have met your goal weight for 12 months. Way to go little baby, 2 months early!

8. Bathtime is an adventure. The bigger the splashes the better with you little man.

9. You stand up every chance you get. Well, you pull up on everything. You have been trying to stand up in the middle of the floor but there is nothing to hold on to so you usually face plant. :( You like to pull up on the ottoman  and take a few steps with it before falling down.

10. You love anything with farm animals. Nana and PawPaw got you a See 'n Say and you love how it plays "Old MacDonald" and all the farm animals. Mamalu got you a farm book and you squeal and slap the pages. Should we move to the country...?

11. You are trying to clap and it is so cute. Instead of slapping your hands together, you just slide your right hand over your left. Honestly, its hilarious.

12. You are beginning to wave. Just all of a sudden, you started waving. Crazy!

You have grown so much that before I knew it, you turned into a little boy. You don't look like a baby anymore. That's okay, because no matter how old you are, you will ALWAYS be my little boy. I love you so much sweet pea that everything else fails in comparison.

Water Baby + Cotton Baby = The Cutest Thing Ever!

Water Baby: My sweet little boy just LOVES the water! He loves his bath time and the bigger the splashes the better.  I don’t care, I just love to watch him play in the water.  He splashed so much that there was water on the camera lens. He has toys but lately he just wants to play with his washcloth.  Don’t know why, when he has plenty of other things to play with but…to each his own.  The other day, Michael turned around in his tub and laid down in the water, and then proceeded to put his face in the water!  So adorable how much he loves it!  The bathtub is so big at our house that he still uses his own tub.  However, Derin threw on a swimsuit and got in the big tub with Michael.  He LOVED it.  I thought he might be afraid but he wasn’t, he just splashed and put everything in his mouth.  Sweet little boy, I can’t wait for your first swimming lesson! 

Cotton Baby:  Look at how sweetly he sleeps.  Is there anything cuter than a baby sleeping?  I finally got a shot of him sleeping with his bum up in the air. This morning, he was giggling so I went to see what he was doing, but he was sleeping.  He must have been enjoying his dream.  I’m so grateful for these moments and I can’t believe how quickly they have past.

Eyes

What color are your eyes?  Seems like a simple question with a simple answer. People have blue, brown, green, hazel and then there’s Michael.  Grey, blue, and brown.  We went to the ophthalmologist to check on something in Michael’s eye.  No big deal, everything is fine.  I asked her what color Michael’s eyes would end up being.  She said that babies can have one color eyes and then when they turn 18 months they change.  But for now, Michael has a mixture of colors.  She looked in his sweet little, well big, dilated eyes and said he has grey, blue and brown fibers.  Those three colors make up his eye color.  

Basically, when Michael wears green or brown, his eyes look greenish grey, when he wears blue they look navy blue but when he wears other colors they look grey.  I must say it is pretty how his outfit (do boys have outfits?) brings out different colors in his eyes.  Why does this matter you ask?  Well, when I was pregnant I prayed my little boy would have blue eyes like his Daddy.  I just know that I have brown hair and brown eyes and I hoped Michael would have beautiful bright blue eyes.  I even looked up an online test from the Genetics department at the University of Michigan where you can see the the probability of your babies eye color based on your family tree. It was a 60% chance Michael would have brown eyes and a 40% chance they would be blue or green. Silly, maybe but I did TONS of reading and research when I was preggo.

So, Michael has an eye color all his own and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  My beautiful boy.  Now, we will just wait and see how long they stay this way.  What color do you think they are?

Nine Months Old

It is official, you are nine months old now. It amazes me that I have now held you in my arms longer than I held you in my tummy. I miss you kicking me, I should have known that was a sign of things to come. While I cannot feel you inside me anymore, it is replaced with the joy I have of holding and kissing you now. Here are all of the wonderful things you are doing now that you are my big 9 month old baby boy:

1. Crawling EVERYWHERE! I cannot believe how fast you are, it truly amazes me. If it weren’t for Lulu and Mamalu I wouldn’t have gotten your bear pictures. The sweetest part is when you crawl over to my feet and try to pull up on my leg. You just fall down and look up at me and start to babble. I know you want me to pick you up and it just melts my heart.

2. You pull up on things and sometimes try to take a step. Occasionally  you get upset because you are excited that you are standing but frustrated that you aren't going anywhere. So cute.

3. You are just beginning to try and feed yourself. You like a banana inside those neat little nets with handles. You just gum it to death.

4. It appears that you are teething finally. Sadly, it hurts but I was getting worried there were no teeth in there, however I do LOVE your toothless grins!

5. You have stopped being my great sleeper. We have SERIOUSLY got to work on that, Mommy needs more than four sparatic hours a night.

6. You babble endlessly and you look at me while you do so. I know that you are  desperately trying to tell me something, if only I could read your mind.

7. You pose for the camera like a pro. Thank goodness because my camera is horrible and takes FOREVER to take a picture.

8. You are not afraid of the dogs, even when they are barking loudly. In fact, you kept trying to pet Teyha and Paxton even though they outweigh you by 60 pounds!

9. You had your first case of pink eye, in both eyes and you managed to pass it on to Daddy. (thankfully I was spared)

10. You now LOVE to sleep on your tummy with your bottom straight up in the air. One day, I will get a picture of this, I promise!

So my little one, only three more months until you are One Year Old. I just can't believe how far we have come from our first days together. I must say, I have learned a lot more than I expected. So thank you. Thank you for teaching me how to love beyond my wildest dreams, thank you for teaching me patience and thank you for loving me unconditionally. I love you Michael Dean, and cherish the day that God blessed us with your sweet smile.

 

 

Happy Easter

He is not here; He is RISEN!"

Luke 24:6

He is RISEN! Happy Easter everyone. (Yes I know, Easter was last weekend)What a fun weekend we had. First Derin and I were home on the same day! We spent Friday getting ready for company and sleeping! I had no voice so every time Michael would crawl out of the room, I would whisper as loudly as possible, MICHAEL! He would squeal and crawl faster...away from me. He truly enjoys being chased. On Saturday, Mamalu, Cliff and GG came into town. We visited, grilled steaks and just enjoyed each other's company. Michael enjoyed all the attention. It is a bit harder now because he doesn't like to sit in your lap anymore, instead he wants to crawl around, so there is less lap time, but lots of play time now.

Sunday we went to church and then headed to Lulu and Craig's house for yummy ham and all the fixings. The Easter bunny (Mamalu, Lulu and GG) brought sweet gifts for baby Michael. He LOVED the book that sings "Peter Cottontail" from Lulu and adored the beach ball from Mamalu. So funny to watch him chase that around the room. Uncle Craig showed Michael his drum set and gave him a quick tutorial. I can't wait until he is old enough to try and play. I truly hope that music is big part in Michael's life. He really does seem to enjoy it now, it is amazing how music can calm and enchant him.

Sadly, everyone had to leave so Michael and I took a nap on Lulu's couch. When we woke up we watched old family videos. It was sweet to see Derin and Diane when they were little, unwrapping Christmas presents and hugging their parents. I understand those moments more now than ever, I cannot wait to see Michael open gifts, squeal and then run up to hug us. I want to give him the world.

God gave us the world. Christ was sacrificed  but he rose again so that we could have eternal life. I hope you had a fabulous Easter weekend and that you remember Christ came so that we could have life, and live that life to the fullest.