Yes, I'm Ma ma

This past weekend it happened! I was sitting working on the computer while Grady played on the floor behind me. He was chattering to him self, saying the usual Ga-ba-ga, Mmmmm-ba and so on. Or course this very cute, so I was sitting listening to him telling stories when I heard Mmmm, Mmm, MA MA Mom! I almost fell off my chair I was so excited. Of course, I tried to reinforce this new little word by repeating it many times, to which he would usually answer back with just a little smile. Over the past few days he has picked this word up with flying colors and can often be heard chattering mom mom mom. I love it. Now, I am not naive and know that he is not fully aware that I am Mom as is demonstrated when he calls his bear Mom, his rattle mom, or anyone who will listen mom. But I love it all the same! I am Ma ma!

Watch out World!

Baby gate is up, plugs are blocked, candles removed... He's officially on the move! Our baby is now a crawling, into everything little munchkin. Life with a baby on the go has changed things in our house. Just a few weeks ago, we could put him down in the middle of the room, leave for a few minutes and come back to find him as we left him. Now however, if anything is left open you will often find two little legs sticking of whatever space he can cram himself into. His new favorite toys to get his hands on are: 1. A bag of pasta, 2. The remote ,3. The phone, 4. The garbage can... and the list goes on. You'd think with a house full of age appropriate toys, he'd be more than content; but it seems he has an unusual knowledge of the things he can't have and those are the items he wants more than anything. The new challenges are minor compared to all the joy this new stage brings our house. He is SO proud of himself when he crawls to get the things he wants, and we love watching him learn new things!

In other news, he still despises yellow beans. He loves to read - especially his "Buzz Buzz Busy Bees" book, followed closely by "No No Noah!". He is babbling a ton. He likes to go into the nursery at Church, and does really well around other kids... except Carly Mix who seems to intimidate him with her cute little girl looks. He's still a big strapping healthy little man who we are beyond in love with.

Love Love Love you

Dan and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary on this past Thursday (the 25th). Its amazing how fast time has flown by. We have now been together almost 7 years! We had a great date day in Calgary to celebrate (mmm, Red Lobster) while Grady hung out with Grandma and Grandpa Falk.

Looking back on that time in our lives, I am struck with how far we have come together. In 2004 we were new university grads, with not a penny to our names (and lots of school debt!). We were renting a little 1920's farm house that featured a pink themed bathroom and shag green carpet in the living room. We didn't have Internet, only had 3 T.V channels (4 if you count the blurry CTV), and our family consisted of us, Walter the fish, Callie our cat, and for a brief time Tucker and Charlie - R.I.P little kitties (lol...not funny at the time though). Dan was working for the city, looking for something more fulfilling, while I spent half my life (or it felt like)working as a youth worker at Grimmon House. Life was so different back then, and yet it was great. We have so many fantastic memories from those days. We started with nothing, and yet we have built a life together. Things have not always been easy, but through it all we have had each other. Even though our relationship has changed, and will continue to change, I love him more than ever. He is an amazing man, who I am blessed to be loved by.

Now here we are, 4 years later - living in a house we own, no silly pets(although we'd like that to change soon), driving cars that don't need to be fixed every month, and are happy in our jobs. Best of all, we have an amazing little man who is part of both of us. '

I can't say that we were always "content" during those times, even though we realize now that those were special, once in a life time days. Realizing that reminds me to appreciate what we have today. Grady's baby days are also not always easy, but they too are once in life time and I am trying my best to take them all in, and fully enjoy them while they last. Too soon he's going to be a six foot tall teenager who is way to cool for mommy! One of the songs I have in my "playlist" at the bottom of the screen titled "Your Going to Miss This" reminds of this every time I hear it!

More Family Pics

Thanks for the stollen pics of Grady mom!

He's half a year!

As impossible as it seems - Grady is already 6 months old! In those short few months, our lives have changed 100 times over. True, we do at times miss some of the freedom that we used to have, but when people tell you "your life will change" they don't tell you how much fuller your life will become. We are holding onto each moment, realizing for ourselves that they pass so quickly. We are a blessed family, and have had a great six months.

As for updates on our family. First, Alex proposed to Rachelle (my sis) - and she said YES!!! YAAHHH!!! He has been part of our family for a long time now, but they are making it official sometime in May or June of 2009. Plans right now are for it to be a tropical wedding, which makes it extra exciting. And she asked me to be the maid of honor, which of course I am honored to do!

Second - Grady is changing daily. He can sit up now without support for pretty much as long as he chooses to. He's not crawling, but is very anxious to get moving which can be very frustrating for him at times. But - he's adapted and has figured out that he can roll from one end of the room to the other to get the things he wants. I am often surprised to find him in a a variety of sticky situations as a result, including having his head stuck under the couch...

He is eating two solid meals a day in addition to all his milk. So far, he's a great eater. He loves both fruit and veggies, which is amazing considering I'm his mommy... I sincerely hope he is less picky than I am. I decided a few months ago to make all of his baby food rather than buy it. I find it very fun and easy, and am really enjoying preparing his meals. The only food he has struggled with so far is yellow beans. I do admit, his facial reactions to them is a pretty funny.

Amazingly enough, fall is here already. I am sure the new season will bring it many changes, challenges and much joy.

Summer Pic

"I Saw God Today"

This morning, like most mornings, I woke up to the sound of the monitor buzzing to life as Grady woke up a little earlier than usual. I decided that I would leave him for a few minutes to see if he'd fall back asleep (as I was crossing my fingers for). But he was wide awake and ready to tackle the day, so I grudgingly dragged my lazy self out of bed to get him out of his crib. When I walked into his room, he looked up at me and gave me the biggest Grady smile that comes from the bottom of his toes and fills his whole body with happiness. In that moment, I felt more love for that little boy then I knew possible. He has a joy within him that blows me away. At almost 6 months, he is already the best person I know - and I have full faith that his life makes this world a better place. I know that everyone probably feels this about their own children, but to me he is an amazing miracle. When I look at him, I see that God is at work in this world. The gift of Grady gives me hope.

"Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever truly has" - Margaret Mead