PRETTY MUCH GROWN UP

Sterling Henry is getting so big it is breaking my heart (and my back). He looks so old in these pictures, I can barely even handle it!

He is starting to do some crawling/moving/sliding. I need to get it on video so I will post it soon.

He also is starting to pull himself up on things and can stand while holding onto something. It is amazing how he really changes everyday. I love being home with him and being able to see those changes.




This is right after he was pulling himself up to this table but once I got out the camera he wouldn't perform.

We sure love our little cub!

TO ALL THE DADS IN MY LIFE!

Father's Day is the best! I am pretty sure I feel this way because I have the best dad ever. He is the most patient, kind, loyal, humble, man in the world. I am who I am today because of my dad!


Four years ago, I inherited a new dad who I love dearly! Dad Fillmore is an amazing man. He has loved me like a daughter from day one. I am SOOO glad that he is Sterling Henry's grandpa because he is truly an amazing person.


Eight months ago, I saw the love of my life become a dad and I have loved watching every minute of it.


Sterling Henry is a serious daddy's boy and I LOVE it! This kid comes from a long line of good dads and has so many amazing men in his life to look up too!

This picture makes my heart melt!

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD!

I am one of those people who is OBSESSED with getting to know my neighbors. It has been a bit of a struggle out here living in an appartment, but I have done it. I know everyone's names and we greet each other and chat pretty often. I have even borrowed an egg or two when I have been in a pinch!

Why am I so obsessed? For many reasons. First, it makes me feel safe. Second, I feel like it is the neighborly thing to do. Third, since none of them are members of the church, it is a good way to fellowship. And last but not least, I am a tad bit nosey. I love figuring things out and by talking with them, you find out a lot. I have neighbors from, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bolivia. It has been a lot of fun getting to know them and their traditions. Plus most of them have kids, and they LOVE Sterling Henry!

A new guy moved in a month ago. I saw him and tried to introduce myself. I didn't get much from the conversation. As the weeks went by, I never saw him, and I pay very close attention to who comes and goes in our complex. Last week we saw him and introduced ourselves. Older single guy, works long hours, makes complete sense why we never see him. On Tuesday I saw him again. We said hi, and he asked if I like Georgetown Cupcake... um yes, doesn't everybody??? (In case you haven't heard of them, it is only the best cupcake place around. The yummiest cupcakes with the best frosting) He proceeded to tell me that he would drop some by... Ok!

The next day I woke up and look what was wrapped up outside my door. 16 CUPCAKES!!!
It pays to know your neighbor!!!

SUMMER LOVE

I love summer for lots of reasons but mostly because of popsicles. (I also really love shaved ice but haven't really found a good stand here.)

Yesterday I bought a new box. As I took one out of the wrapper, Sterling Henry could not take his eyes off it, he was dying to try it, so I let him. HE LOVED IT! Even though it was cold, he couldn't get enough!

Here he is...

8 MONTHS

Sterling Henry turned eight months this week. He is the sweetest little cub!

He is the BEST sleeper.
He loves his mom and dad.
He claps.
He gives five or ten with all the excitement you can imagine.
He eats anything and everything.
He just recently started saying "mamamama" which is nice to hear after months of "dadadada."
He loves music.
He loves books.
He scoots around all over the place.
He is a sitting champ.
He is such a smiley baby.

He is the best thing ever! We love our little man and have LOVED the last eight months.

HAPPINESS

Happiness can be achieved by a lot of different things. Here are some of the things that have added to our happiness as of late.

Sterling went on a LONG awaited fishing trip out to Ocean City, Md with some friends. (He actually called me when he caught his first fish... at 1:30am, I LOVED it!) Sterling has been working so hard and needed a good break!

I have been perfecting yummy whole wheat artisan bread made on the fabulous bread stone I got for Mother's Day.


A batch of delicious strawberry jam made from the delicious strawberries we picked last week.




And one ADORABLE clapping baby. It is his new trick and we can't get enough of it!

STRAWBERRY PICKING!!!

There is this fabulous farm about an hour from our house that we love to go to in the summer. For the last two years we have gone out there in August and picked peaches and blackberries. This year we went for strawberries!
We are pretty serious about how many strawberries we need! We still weren't sure if we got enough.


Sterling Henry LOVED it! I think he enjoys getting out just as much as we do.

They had the best strawberry shakes. Sterling Henry LOVES drinking out of a straw so he enjoyed a little of the shake too.
And keeping tradition, the boys swam in the Shannondoah on the way back. Sorry that this is the worst picture ever but I was getting eaten alive by mosquitoes!