Following in Daddy's footsteps

Literally....

These adorable little shoes were Justin's when he was a baby. His mom gave them to us when I was pregnant. I just love them and even used them in one of my maternity pictures. Here they are sittin' on top of my big 'ol belly!

I've had them sitting on the shelf of the nightstand in Barrett's room since we put the nursery together. Barrett has just recently discovered them as he crawls around his room, and occasionally pulls them down to chew on.I was waiting for them to fit, so I could get a picture of him in them. Well, I almost forgot and waited too long! I put them on him the other day to get a few shots and I could hardly squeeze his chubby little heels in. I would hold his ankle and try and smush his feet in and he would just laugh! Either it tickled his toes, or he realized his mommy was crazy with all her picture taking! If you look close, you might be able to tell his heels aren't quite all the way in the shoes :)

So, here he is following in Daddy's footsteps! This is just the beginning...if he continues to do so, he will grow into an amazing young man. Handsome. Talented. Loyal. Loving. Humorous. Hard-working. Easygoing. Amazing. Just to name a few of his daddy's characteristics!

when the husband's away & the baby's in bed...

...and it's after 10pm, and I don't have a wedding invitation order to work on....

I can't help but change up my blog :)

I apologize now if I'm driving you nuts because I've changed my blog look again, but I just wasn't feeling the last background, AND I seem to have some time on my hands. YES, I could be doing laundry, or cleaning up the aftermath of this morning's garage sale that has piled on the dining room table. But instead, I've been sitting at this computer for the last couple hours just having some ME time!

This background isn't the typical color-scheme I go for (I'm more of a browns & greens kinda gal), but this was really calling my name! You like?!?! I'm liking it a lot...so I'll try not to change it up on you again anytime soon.

AND, just for fun~Since you all know I'm in the Bluegrass mood...
Here's one of my favorite pictures: Justin playing pool in the middle of the campgrounds at the 2002 festival. Someone across the road from our camp had brought a pool table, and it was actually pretty level! You never know what you'll find in the campgrounds at Bluegrass :)

Letters to my Little Bear-14th Edition

Dear sweet Little Bear,

It's Saturday, September 6, 2008 at 9:30pm, and you're sleeping like an angel in your crib. It's taking all my might not to go in there and pick you up to cuddle you and kiss your sweet little head...I just watched a news special about a little girl that's been missing for several months and my heart aches to imagine what that would be like for any parent...then I was reading some blogs about a young couple with several children that were badly injured in a private plane crash. It was all just overwhelming and saddening me and I just want to squeeze you tight!

I need to move onto happier thoughts....

You've had some more FIRSTS since I last wrote you!

FIRST time on a four-wheeler! Daddy went VERY, very slow while you were on with him and held you very tight! Your father would want you to know that Mommy is a major 'worry wart'. Grandpa Rusty just got this new toy and Daddy took me for a little spin first. I was telling him "slow down", "be careful", "these things are so dangerous" the whole time! You certainly won't be riding one by yourself for a long, long time...if ever!

FIRST time to visit the zoo!

We went to the zoo with Aunt Kim and your cousins, Kylie and Emily. You'd had a runny nose for a few days (as you can see in most of the pictures), but you were such a little trooper!

We saw hundreds of animals that day, but this was the highlight of Kylie's zoo experience! Whenever Mommy or anyone else holds you, you always want to be facing out...only with Kylie will you face the other way and put your head on her shoulder. She did not want to give you up, but we knew her little arms had to be getting so tired.

FIRST time having some frozen mango in your mesh feeder!

It's so funny to watch you suck on the mango! You love it!

FIRST biter biscuit...and what a MESS!

Some other snapshots from this week!

You love crawling over to the front door. You sit there and watch the cars drive by. You think you're pretty big stuff, and like to put your hands on the glass and stand up!

Here you are after dumping our your entire toy basket...your new favorite game!

Since the basket was empty, I couldn't resist putting you inside...you loved it!

and of course had to stand up in the basket!!!

More basket fun...Mommy put you in with the clean sheets and towels and carried you to the bedroom to make the bed! I love this picture because you can see your two bottom toofers!! AND those sweet little thigh rolls and creases!

You make me smile so much, Little Bear! I LOVE YOU!!!