Gearing Up, to Grow Up!

Konor got a big puffy jacket for winter the other day. He looks like the Michelin man! So adorable! He's really puffy so it's hard to hold him. But it was a much needed jacket. His are either too big or too small, he grows so fast! So that was the final piece we needed for him I think. We're all ready for winter now!

Today when I dropped Konor off at school he started to cry. He just wanted his "mama". Which a part of me loves and I wanted to just grab him up and take him to work, but alas, I could not. I am picking him up early today because my office is doing a Generations Story Time in honor of our 25th anniversary. I'm excited to have him here with me. I love bringing him with me wherever I go.

It's amazing how my self esteem is wrapped up in what I do with Konor. If someone doesn't agree with something I do with him or for him, I get really defensive and upset. Parenting is so personal! That is one big lesson I'm learning. With all the information I've read, it's still super hard to parent as good as someone thinks you should. I really struggle with that. I want people to see him and know he has the best parents. I put a lot of thought into how I interact with him and when someone disagrees or says "this way is better" it really upsets me. That's happened a few times and I don't know how to handle it. Why do people need to tell you how to parent? I guess there are different reasons behind it, and I'm sure I've done it too but it really stings. It also really takes a toll on me.

Throughout this new journey of balancing I'm also really understanding the pain that God must have felt giving his son for our salvation. Wow, that would really suck. How hard it would be to watch the world hate your son and kill him, just to save them. That's true love. God knew that Jesus would rise again, but I think the pain of the journey to that point it break your heart.

I am still trying to figure out how to find time to "do it all" as a working mom. It seems like I have no time to really do anything. My mom asked me to look at a website yesterday and I couldn't. I'm constantly on the go, watching Konor, folding clothes, doing the dishes etc. Kris helps me out a lot, and I am so lucky for that. But we both want to make sure that our home runs smooth and is happy. Well we haven't figured that out yet. Haha, it's a pretty choppy rhythm. We'll do really good with the chores, then we'll be really tired one day and that'll throw us off. First two weekends we were out of town and I think that really screwed us up. Laundry is everywhere, dishes aren't done, there is disorganization... Chaos! I think it'll be smoother at the end of the month. Just in time for the holidays!

By the way, Konor will be 9 months old on Saturday. Time flies when you're in love!

The Busy Baby

We took Konor to Fairbanks this weekend. He was surrounded great grandma's, nana, papa and cousins galore! It was so awesome watching him play. My heart melted watching him crawl fast and furiously towards his 3 cousins. I am very close to my cousin Angel,  and Konor was playing with her son. That was so awesome. I always dreamed of our kids playing together, and there they were! Playing. Konor's cousins AJ and Oliver were extremely sweet to him and so loving. The minute we saw them they wanted to hold him and hug him. It blesses me to know that Konor has amazing cousins to grow up with.

On Saturday we had family pictures. We had missed our first plane, so we ended up getting there later than we wanted. Anyways, it was so fun. I always have fun with my family! We took pictures outside with Red Shutter Studios, the best photographer in Fairbanks. She is so patient and really calm with my bouncy dad. I think she got some good shots of Konor though, I look forward to seeing them.

Konor at Nana & Papa's Wedding Anniversary Party

My parents celebrated their 25th anniversary this past weekend, which was why we went to Fairbanks. They had a beautiful party. It was "Italian" themed and just lovely. I really loved walking around to the tables and visiting my family and very close friends. It was nice being in a room of my favorites. Konor did so good, he was up WAY past his bedtime, but remained happy and playful. My parents had a great time and I loved being around them. They were so happy renewing their vows and thinking back to their wedding day, and the last 25 years. I totally screwed up the song I sang during their ceremony. But whatever. I'm embarrassed but the CD skipped, threw me off, and I kept finding bad focus points...

Konor on the plane was phenomenal. He was in his car seat, which was a good idea, and fell right to sleep. I think the plane had similar rumblings as a car ride. On the way home, he was so exhausted from playing that he fought it a little bit, but then slept. My sweet boy. He just makes me more and more proud to be his mama everyday. I am always impressed with him. This motherhood thing is SO COOL! I don't know how anyone could not enjoy it.

My son is just a busy guy! He crawls in full force everywhere, pulls himself up everywhere and is into as much as he can be! I love it! This is such a fun age! I'm so thankful he is a good little traveler too. We go to Seward this coming weekend (October 9th) and I know he'll do great. He can be difficult to put asleep. Why do babies fight sleep when they are so tired. He just goes all day and then gets so sleepy but fights it. Poor guy.

Konor playing with Xander, AJ & Oli

Well, I am more in love with my son. I thank God for him everyday! He is such a cutie pie and a joy. I can't express how awesome he is. Kris and I often sit and say "he's so great!". We made a great little guy, that will grow up to be a great man.