my Erin.

My sister is going to college on Saturday.

Let's be honest, right now I want to sit on the ground with the arms crossed and just pout. You can't go!

I LOVE my Erin! I can't even begin to describe how much I love her about how I feel about her leaving.. I'm SO excited for her.. but it's a lot of mixed emotions.

I know that Madison isn't really that far and we already live 45 minutes away (that's even too far).. but it's just the fact that she's moving. Moving on. That she's growing up, going to college and that I don't get to be a part of that. I know it's selfish, but I can be selfish, right? She's my little sister!

I think I'm beginning to see, on a much smaller scale.. what it feels like to have your kids go off to kindergarden for the first time (don't get my started on Leyton's first day of school. Kids can start school at age 12, right?) But I'm going to miss her! I know she'll have so much fun, but I want to be there! I'm so thrilled for her.. for the new stuff, the new friends, new places, new everything! She's about to start an incredible adventure and I'm so excited to watch her and see how God will use her. To see her put into practice all the things she's learned.

I've been so blessed to be a part of her life and to watch her grow up into the woman God has made her to be. And to think that I maybe had the slightest impact on her, makes me the luckiest sister in the world.

I will miss you my Ernie and I'll always be your Burt. :)

O'Leary Cabin

We had such a fun weekend with Steph and Kevin! They have such an adorable little cabin about 2 hours away. The lake is so still and clear, the sand is perfect, the sun was wonderful and overall, it was so relaxing and fun! We boated, we fished (I won.. if there was a contest), we had a bonfire, we slept in the sun and just hung out! Luke's parents came up for a bit too, it was so fun to be with the family and little Leyton! And... I got to shoot an awesome Rock the Dress photo session with Steph. Round Lake will never be the same.. neither will her dress. I may need to include a highlight photo. It was awesome!

A couple other highlights.. seriously, seriously.. Leyton is trying to talk! We noticed a huge difference the morning we woke up on Sunday. He's trying to form actual words! It went just a bunch of random noises and machine gun noises that are already better than his mom's.. to saying "da da da" (I really do think it's somewhere close to saying da-da.. who knows) and trying to copy what I say! We have conversations now :)

We can pretty much official say he's crawling. It's not quite consistent, but that kid has it down. He moves his hands with his knees and scoots all over the place. If I leave him alone in the living room, he'll be under the coffee table or into the next room pretty quick. Crazy boy. It seems so early!

this happened a few times. Little guy just couldn't stay awake on the boat.

So happy!

like father, like son.

he's standing! leaning against the window.

see, told you so.

he loves his dinosaur/monster hat.

and you're welcome.. two beautiful people that we are proud to call our brother and sister!

moving.

I think I can. I think I can.

one arm up!

stay focused.

this arm should move me!

this shouldn't be so hard...

forget it.

being a mom.

I've been thinking lately.. thinking about this parenting thing and what it's like to be a Mom! I know I don't reflect or get too emotional on this blog, but oh well... bear with me.

I know people warned me, but they were definitely right. This journey has been one of the most challenging, trying times in my life but certainly THE MOST rewarding, satisfying and exciting times. There are times when I promise if there was another hour in the day I might go crazy. Then the sun sets, we head to bed and I just pass out. This is tiring! This is the difficult stuff: figuring the little guy out, figuring out his "schedule," figuring out if he needs a schedule or if it's ok that he doesn't eat every three hours.. if it's a good thing that he can be flexible. Figuring out why he's crying, what he needs and what's best for him. I know this journey has only started, but I so badly want to be the best Mom I can be to him. I want to train him and teach him so that he grows up feeling loved, loving God and just loving this life we give him!

Then there's times when it feels so good to just let go of all that. To not think, to not worry, to not try to do it all right.. and just be with him. To cuddle and squeeze him and let him bounce on my lap squealing at 9 at night. I love love being a Mom and I wouldn't change a thing. I am so grateful for where the Lord has brought me and the life that Luke and I have lived so far. Staring at that little guy, I know that this is where God wants me! I know that I'm meant to be a mom to him! It sounds simple, but when Leyton lights up and smiles the biggest smile he's got when he looks at me, or giggles so hard when Luke wants in the room (oh, priceless).. it just confirms that we're doing this all right! There isn't an equation or a formula for this baby. All we can do is love him everyday and that's pretty much it. That's all he needs.

This new life of ours is definitely hard, sometimes frustrating.. but always always so rewarding. I love our little man and wouldn't change a thing.

There. How's that for emotional. Now onto some cute pictures :)

cute.

My beautiful Mom!

fingers.

Well, this is a non-photo post, but I feel like everyday is new with the little man. He discovers new things everyday and keeps growing and growing! We have spent a lot of time outside lately.. he loves his swing hanging from the tree, loves me ticking his little toesies (yes, toesies) and watching Easton run around. Those two are become friends too, it's really funny. Leyton laughs so hard at him.

I love love watching Leyton discover what his hands and fingers can do. He itches himself! As I told you earlier, he found his pee-pee, of course prefers to be naked, so he itches! I know, I know.. it's the little stuff. He grabs everything, and can grab things farther away with just one hand. Today we were on the blanket outside and he scooted over to the grass and loved feeling it! He's such a boy already, didn't think I'd need to clean dirt out of his nails so early!

I love that boy's huge smile, huge laughs.. life is just good! Have a good weekend!

food.

Oh, and we're starting Leyton on a little bit of food! Yes, another milestone that is bittersweet. I looove breastfeeding the little guy. Seriously wonderful. I know that sounds funny, but it's great. It's my time with him, it's as close as I will get to cuddle time. And he needs me! What mom doesn't love that? The rice cereal and veggies are more just to get him used to eating and swallowing, give him some practice. We've been feeding him little bits every other day and he's doing good. Big fan of sweet potatoes, still warming up to the green beans. Don't blame ya kid.

Other updates? His diapers have been explosive. More symptoms of a teething baby! Luke really should chime in about his back of the car, on the highway, in traffic, diaper changing experience. hahaha, priceless!

Leyton found his pee-pee. Uh oh.

We had a sleepover Sunday night at my mom's. Watched an old movie, ate ice cream and enjoyed a really smiley baby!

Oh! Another story. We were at the farmers market on Sunday morning and stopped to try some delicious gelato (so good Lizzy!). We gave Leyton the spoon to play with. Then we figured the smart parent thing would be to take away a sharp-ish object and not let him scratch his face. We took it away and he wailed! We looked at each other and said.. oooh no. It's starting! 5 months old and the guy is a demanding little thing! It seems a bit early to have to introduce the word "no", but guess not! Start praying. :)

summer lovin.

We may need to make a new tradition out of the Washington County Fair in Stillwater. I like it! It's smaller, simpler, but just as good of food as the big time fair. (no, we're not abandoning the State Fair.. just doing both). And swine time pig races? Best in the state. Or.. county. We took Leyton and went with my mom and aunt that is in from Colorado. Not sure who's more excited.. Leyton to see the squealing piglets or Luke over his Italian Sausage dog.

(drool monster)

Or, poor Boomer over his cone. (that's a whole other story)

We had so much fun!

on his way to crawling?!

My crazy moving boy! He got up on his knees the other day, and loved it! He'll get up on his knees, hold himself there then plops down into swimming mode, where his arms and legs freak out and squirm all over. He wants to be moving so bad!

Grandma Kirkpatrick watched him on Saturday and he mastered the skill!

and.. love a good bath time picture!

Leyton's dedication

On Sunday, Leyton was dedicated at our church. It was such a special time for our little fam! Our parents did it for us growing up, so we are familiar with it and wanted to do it for Leyton. It was a small ceremony symbolizing that we are in a way giving Leyton to the Lord.. it really serves as a symbol that we are going to/want to raise the little man up in the Lord and in our Christian faith. It also shows that we want the support of our friends, family and our church to help do this! It was so special to have our families there and our friends. Sometimes I really can't believe that he's ours and that he's here! That Luke and I are.. parents! I love it.

It was a small, personal ceremony right after church. That was great because my pastor dad could make it from his church! He also prayed for Leyton at the end. All these "moments" in life are so special. My dad baptized me, married me and now dedicated my son. I'm so blessed!

with Pastor Rod.

And now, he's an official Oak Hills Church baby :)

thank you thank you to those who came! It means the world to us to have such support!