It's So Hard...

...to have a bad day with this little one around.

Happy Birthday Toby!

My Daddy's Hands

I came into the world,
And reached for your strong hands.
My tiny fingers knew you,
Before I could understand.

Your hands proudly held me,
And smoothed my newborn hair.
They'd grow to love to tickle,
And toss me in the air.

Your hands are the teachers,
That catch and throw a ball.
That steady my two-wheeler,
And soften each new fall.

Your hands are the guideposts,
That set and keep the rules.
Offer good advice and wisdom,
And cheer hard work in school.

Your hands are my anchor,
As I leave my childhood home.
Shake my hand and pat my back,
As I live life on my own.

One day I'll have a child,
And come to understand.
The power of the love,
Held in my Daddy's hands.

~T. Harrison~

Toby, it's so special to watch you and Patrick together. Each time you enter the room he gets a huge grin on his face and lets out that funny little squeal. He sure does love his Daddy! Although the poem encompasses much more than just six months it reminds me once again how quickly Patrick will grow up. The days seem to slip by so fast but you have a way of putting everything on hold to savor each moment with our precious boy. I found a quote that reminded me of you:

My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass." "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys." ~Harmon Killebrew

Thank you for always having your priorities straight and for ever so gently reminding me of my own when I stray;) Happy Birthday sweetie. We love you!

6 Months!

Last week, Patrick turned 6 months old! He had his checkup and they told us he's 17.4 lbs and 27 inches long.

He's recently hit another developmental spurt where he's trying to learn all kinds of new things. He's started propping himself up on all fours when he's on his tummy (not for very long, but it's something) and is getting better at scooting around on the ground. And he loves sitting up all the time now.

We started him on solid food over Christmas. He's a huge fan of the rice cereal and now green beans; however, the peas literally make him vomit. Like father, like son.

Here's a video of Patrick's favorite game lately. It's called "somebody take me up the stairs so I can look at the person at the bottom of the stairs and laugh at them." I don't know what it is about being on another level of the house, but Patrick seems to think it's exceptionally laugh-worthy. He doesn't just laugh, he makes a noise that sounds like what I would think a gargoyle getting tickled would sound like. My favorite is the little belly laugh he gets, which you'll hear in the video when I come up the stairs to see him.



And here's a picture of him enjoying his new high chair and rice cereal, and one of him in a bathrobe; 'cause babies in bathrobes are funny to me.

Good Times with Old Friends

Sadly, Mark, Megan and Nora have returned to Arizona. We had a blast with them while they were here and are already planning our next trip together. We've had many ideas but my favorite is Mark's idea of hiking the Grand Canyon after the kids turn one next year. That would be incredible!

Here are a couple pictures of our hike on Megan's birthday and a short slide show of Patrick and Nora playing: