11.months.old

Ah, happy 11 months old little fella!  I am so blessed by you.  You are so easy to love & it makes me stop, and think about how to love others with the same ease.  Your eyes are full of light & life, and when you smile I can't help but smile too.  You're adorable.  Your first word this month was "WOW WOW" which just fits your personality- my little observer.  My favorite thing is the little dance you do with your head when you have your hands full of yummy things to eat, kind of bobbing it back and forth.  And the little humming you do when your paci is in your mouth "hhmmmhhhmmm".  You just learned to wave & even started to open & close your hands today.  We've had to start being very careful with your access to the stairs since you can climb them now(!).  You keep me on my toes sweet baby, and your brothers fight over who gets to play with you first.

My little passenger out with mommy for an 8 mile run!  What a good sport

becoming so adventurous!

"don't worry Charlotte, I got you"

"I think they're on to us"

This baby & his toes

matchy-matchy popsicle date with my little buddy

just.precious.

"hi mom!" & up on his toes!

My sweet fella is now 22 lbs & 10 oz.  Getting bigger everyday, but still such a snuggly baby.  Actually just starting to wean him & he may be my toughest so far!!  This boy is the only so far to crawl after me almost any time I walk away.  He's also our only real snuggle buddy.  He will initiate his own snuggles when he's sleepy!!  Mommy & Daddy both love his little head dropped into our lap or on our chest.  And this guy is still attached to his elephant & paci - and we are so grateful!  Sleep is still a bit elusive sometimes, and we get some social calls in the middle of the night occasionally.

Oh Calvin Dean, you make my heart swell.

we beat the green monster!

All our training this winter led up to our 3rd time running in the Gate River Run!  It is the national championship for the 15K & such an incredible race.  beautiful, just a beautiful course to run.  Our boys were able to stay home with Grammy while we went to run- good thing too because it is a crowded place on race day!

our stroller brigade!

our run over the Doctor's Lake bridge

all my guys

picnic lunch day dreaming of race day!

My Dad was able to train for the Gate this year & complete his first road race of any kind!  Not a bad way to start off, way to go Papa!!  It was really fun & much less stressful to go with family & our friend Robert.  It helped us start off without letting the nerves kick in.

before splitting up into our waves

my right hand man

me! I beat the green monster!

I am so grateful to be able to run this race again this year, and I'm already looking forward to next year! My only downfall is that I continue to chase after the idea that I could finish in the top 10% and win a finisher hat!! haha, I am not really close to that dream, but it do wrestle with my competitive nature every time we run.  It makes me want to run faster!  We'll see if I can get closer next year.  This year's time was not my fastest, but I have had 3 babies in the past 5 years since my last Gate River run!  I ran 1:28.02 I believe.  And I am proud of myself.  ;-)  It is really the most fun race I've ever done.  Challenging enough to really make you train hard, but not so much distance that it beats up your body.  Who wants to come next year?

Beauty.

This spring has crept in early.  I love these simple moments captured in a frame.