Walking, talking, growing machine

15 1/2 months old already. And suddenly he's not a baby anymore. He's walking you guys! I mean, really really walking! Everywhere! Like its nothing, like he's been doing it all his life!

I mean seriously...if that's not a big boy right there, I don't know what is :) They were headed to the barn to check on the kitties. By the way...this picture = my heart melting. Love it.

And he's talking! Well, ok, so his words consist of "mama", "da" (dad), "yesh" (yes) and "sh" (shoes). But still...its talking. And yes, shoes. I know. Random, right? I think its because we put on shoes to go outside and he looooves the outside. So anytime he finds shoes (his shoes, momma's shoes, daddy's shoes, it doesn't matter), he tries to put them on, the whole time saying "Sh, sh, sh." Actually it sounds more like "Ch, ch". Either way, its freaking adorable. :) Still working on the molars. One is for sure in and he won't let me look at the rest, but I'm pretty sure another is about to break through because boy oh boy has he been cranky. And not so into eating, which is a usual symptom of teething for him. Speaking of eating, did I mention my boy is "on the charts"?! Yep! Granted, its like the 3rd percentile or something, but hey...its on the charts for his actual age so I'm calling it a win. 19 lbs, 12 oz and 30 inches long at his 15 month appointment. Go little Bug!
Other than that...not a whole lot going on here. It finally stopped raining so that my farmer hubby could play catch up. Spraying done, sidedressing corn almost done, beans almost all in. There was a brief consideration of buying another farm. Yes, in addition to the one we already own. Thankfully, he talked some sense into himself and realized while its great to own more land, its even better to be able to put food on the table :) Good choice honey. Work is a headache, but I'm pushing through still in the hopes that its temporary and someday I'll get to stay home with my little one(s). No, no additional little ones on the way yet...though did I mention my baby is growing up?! I had almost no trace of "baby fever" until suddenly I looked at my baby and saw a big boy...and now that baby fever is somehow creeping in. Even though my "big boy" doesn't want to sleep lately. Thank you molars. Can't wait until those are through. But look at this kid. I mean, even if he is up at 4:30 am...how can you get mad at this face??

Things look different from the outside

The other day I told a friend that her strength and her faith were inspiring to me. Its true, I see her as such a strong person. She lost her husband in a farm accident at the age of 27. They had a 5 month old baby at the time. I can't imagine, nor do I ever want to find out, just how difficult that would be. Two years later, she has such a positive outlook. She's a great mom, working to support herself and her son (who is cute as can be and a mirror image of his daddy in so many ways), while finding time to help on her family's farm and teach her son all about farming as well as the person his daddy was so that he can feel like he knows his dad, even though they had less than 5 months on this earth together. All the while she seems to have this unwavering faith in God, which I'm sure is what helps her survive day to day. I truly think of her almost everyday and find such inspiration through the way she lives her life. But here's the thing that got me thinking. When I told her how strong she was, she replied with "Thank you, but I sure don't feel strong most days." And it made me think about how others often see us so much differently than we may feel or may see ourselves.

I think in most cases, a person is so much harder on themselves than others would be. Its easy to get bogged down with the day-to-day stress and the challenges we face. To feel like you're not getting anywhere, not being all you can be or all you want to be. So now and then I think its important to have someone from the "outside looking in" to remind you that you're stronger than you feel. That affirmation from the "outside", whether you may fully believe the person or not, can do a lot for you. At least it does for me. When I was in college, I had a friend tell me once, "I admire you. You can do anything." I thought he was crazy, and I told him so. But he went on to explain how he had watched me, over the previous year, do so many "new" things, things I may have been really nervous about at first, and then go on to be successful at them. I still thought he was slightly crazy. :) But the more I thought about it, I started to see what he was saying. Every once in a while, even 9 years later, when I am contemplating doing something I'm not sure I can do, I still think about that comment...and think, "Hmm, maybe he's right. Maybe I can do anything if I just try..."

Similarly, I've noticed too that I see what my husband does to provide for us and I am truly in awe of and so proud of him. He has so much knowledge, the ability to just figure things out when it comes to mechanical issues, can balance the many aspects of farming when planning for the year, or even just the week or just for today, and somehow he isn't constantly stressed with it all! I tell him (probably not often enough) that I think he's a great farmer, heck other people tell him too (I think it means more to him from others, he probably thinks I "have to" say he's good at it ;) ), but he is always saying things like "Well, it would be better if I could have done x, y and z." He also swears, "Anybody can farm, its not that hard." I beg to differ, I know I couldn't do it!
I'm not sure what my point is, maybe just that sometimes we need to step back and look at ourselves from another's point of view to really appreciate ourselves and what we do and are capable of. Just some food for thought I guess!

This is my favorite age...no, THIS is my favorite age...no, THIS is...

How is it that everyday with our little Bug seems more fun than the day before?

What a stylin' guy.

Daddy's boots were sitting on the floor. The little Bug decided he needed to wear them, so he was standing next to them, trying to get his foot in. He needed a little help, so Daddy got him all dressed up. Ready to go to work Daddy!

Love swingin'!

What an ornery look! I think we're going to have our hands full with this one...

But Mommy, what do you mean its raining and I can't go outside? The child would LIVE outside if he could, I'm certain of it. Every night when its time to come in for a bath, he cries. Last night he was screaming so loudly as I carried him inside, I was sure the neighbors thought something terrible was going on. He was fine once we got inside and found some toys.

He also wants to be walking whenever we're outside, being carried when you're in the great outdoors is not an option as far as he's concerned. Yes, he's walking! Not all the time, but more and more everyday. One day a couple of weeks ago, he just started walking all over the place at the sitter's. He wouldn't do it at home, more than a couple of steps at a time, for a while. But this weekend he started waking further distances. He's a pro at walking when someone's holding his hands ( which is a little rough on that someone's back as he's not very tall...) I think it won't be long until we'll be chasing him all over! Another one of those "Ready or not, here we go!" milestones.