14 Months

14 Months.  Fourteen Months?  FOURTEEN MONTHS!!???

You have got to be kidding me.  This child is growing up before our eyes.  There is very little baby left in him.  He is definitely his own little person with his own little personal agenda.  The past month has been interesting to say the least.  He has graced us with tantrums, fits, defiance, and stubbornness.  Though it has been challenging, it has been hilarious all at the same time.  I cannot believe my sweet mellow tempered little man has become so adamant about his needs and wants.  He does not stand for a "no" and is not deterred easily by discipline.  Despite these new found challenges, he has become continually more affectionate than ever and it has made this time so sweet.  He even cuddles immediately after he has been disciplined--post temper tantrum, that is.  It is almost as if he is sorry or embarrassed.  We will see how long that lasts, ha!  Basically, restaurants are much less enjoyable these days and running errands is nearly impossible without a huge tub of goldfish ready and waiting.  The only outing he seriously enjoys is when we go to Publix and this is only because he gets to ride in the green car facing forward.  If that particular cart is unavailable, he twists his body around the entire time in order to see out the front the entire ride.  He definitely knows what he wants and he cares if he does not get it.

Picky eating has arrived in full force.  He lives off of cheese, yogurt, turkey, eggs, raisins, pretzels, oatmeal, apple sauce, fruit, carrots, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes.  His most recent favorite food is taco meat.  He is obsessed with spicy food just like his Dad.  However, he is not easily tricked.  He spits out every tomato and green onion I try to sneak into his taco salad.  Just this past week, David mastered the art of self-feeding with a spoon.  He is obsessed with spoon feeding himself.  He likes to spoon water out of cups into his mouth and even wants you to put goldfish on his spoon for him to eat.  We are cutting at least 3 molars and I used the word 'we' intentionally.  It takes the support of a family to get through this teething.  We have little trouble with much else in comparison to the impact teething has on this little man's sleep patterns.  Thank you Motrin!!  His fine motor skills have really increased and he builds with legos and blocks.  He has a slight obsession with Mega Blocks and works with them most of the day.  He also likes to line up sugar packets and gently line up his goldfish on top of them.  The child has a slight obsession with the theme song for Sesame Street.  Thankfully we Tivo the show and he is able to hear it whenever possible.  This is a staple when it is time to prepare dinner.  No words yet.  An occasional 'hey' and 'hush'.  He makes various animal noises and grunts while pointing A LOT.  He is very persistent about communicating his point without using English.  Hopefully we gain some vocab soon and ease the frustrations of our days together.  It is amazing how much children this age can comprehend without being able to utter a word themselves.  Weirdly enough, I feel like we talk all day long in some way or another.

He is still such a joy and I could spend most of my days cuddling and playing around with the little man.  God's design continues to amaze me and I am ever thankful for the glorious blessing that is parenthood.  I just pray the Lord equips me with the wisdom necessary to raise David in truth and righteousness, filled with great character, humility, and meekness (strength under control).  I long to teach, train, love, and discipline according to the Lord's leading and currently feel incredibly inadequate to fulfill such a challenging role.  I am thankful to be in this place because when we come to the end of ourselves, all that is left is the Lord.  I hope to step into my role as a mere vessel in which the Lord can access this little guy consistently until he accepts Christ for himself.  I long for that day where my child's eternity is secured by the blood of the lamb.  Praise God that he hears the prayers of His people.

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Just the two of us...

Just playing around while Daddy is out of town.

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Mom's Group

I absolutely love this picture.  How hilarious are all these little people smooshed together on one couch?!  I have been super blessed to have a weekly play group with fellow moms in our Community Group at church.  Haley has graciously invited us into her home week after week.  It is my weekly highlight for sure!  Eating breakfast with a so many wonderful moms has been so encouraging.  The kids play well together and we get rejuvenated by having real conversations and bouncing ideas off one another.  I am so thankful for this kind of fellowship!!

We have babies that range from almost 4 months to 18 months.  In fact, we have 2 little girls who will join the group this winter.  Hannah Grace just arrived and Emily Kathryn will be here in January!!  The kids L to R: Nathan, Sarah Kathryn, Wells, Vale, Savannah, Sidney, Charlie, David, and Carson.  We are only missing sweet Carter.

Such a fun group!!

Clapping Hands

David is OBSESSED with clapping his hands together.  In fact, he likes to be the leader of the group clap and does not approve when all people in sight do not participate and follow.  Usually he claps and claps looking right at you waiting with great anticipation for you to join in on the phenomenon.  If his audience is not responsive he shakes his head with great disapproval, sighs, and walks over to manually put your hands together in a clapping form.  You can just sense the disappointment he feels when he actually has to come and make you clap.  He is a funny kid.

p.s.  we are cutting 2 molars and a bottom tooth!!  oddly enough, he is sleeping through the night.  however, all is not well during the day.  i am just glad to know that my sweet baby hasn't become defiant and high maintenance over night.  i hate that he feels so crummy though!

BOO

Husband and I have never been ones to excitingly participate in anything Halloween.  It's just not our thing and I really do not know why.  Even so, this year's festivities turned out to be well worth our participation.  We had such a fun and crazy Friday--poor David is still recovering from it.  Of course, it doesn't help that he is cutting his 8th tooth and day light's savings time just occurred.  

Basically the little man spent every waking hour in his absolutely precious beyond cute turtle costume.  I am obsessed. 

We started the day by meeting Nanny and Susu (my mom and sis) for lunch.  This was followed by a trip to Daddy's office and then Papaw's law firm to show off the cuteness that was this turtle.  He ran up and down the halls dazzling everyone with his turtle likeness.

We then rushed to meet up with my friend Courtney and her son Harrison to watch the Homecoming Parade.  Dave got to see his Aunt Maynee march with the Dorians and our cousins ride on a various floats.  It was really fun, but David was DESPERATE for a nap.  So, we then rushed home to let him sleep away the afternoon.

This was followed by a trip back to see his friend Harrison and trick or treat with the Baxley and Holt families.  Really, the boys did not trick or treat at all.  We simply loaded them up in the wagon and strolled over to the neighborhood block party.  It was crazy crowded and was overflowing with kids, food, and music.  So fun!

Right when it was too dark to wonder around the roads with a toddler, we headed over to meet up with Nanny and Papa (my parents) and hang out with some other couple friends at another Halloween party.  We spent most of the night there eating great food and enjoying the company.  David was delirious and desperate for sleep.  So, we loaded up and made one last stop to see some friends in Homewood before heading back home.  To say the least, we are exhausted.

However, we had one last festivity Sunday night with our Community Group from church.  This time, all 3 of us dressed up: David as the trusty turtle and Husband/Me as Juno and Bleaker from the movie Juno.  We are so thankful for the relationships the Lord has given us through our church community group.  Yay for community!!

Now, David and I will spend the week recovering from the high paced life we are not accustomed to.  Hopefully we can get the little man a few serious naps in here and there for his own sanity.  This boy requires a lot of sleep.

****NO, we are NOT pregnant.  Juno herself is pregnant in the movie, so thus I was fake preggers for the night.  Again, not pregnant.  K, thanks.****