Happy Birthday, Bo!

I sit here in disbelief that our son is already a year old.  It seems like just yesterday we were driving so carefully home from the hospital with our little bundle and now he is a vibrant little boy who is walking all over the place!  It's hard to describe the overwhelming emotions I have on this day.  Bo has brought so much meaning and joy into our lives, more than what Josh and I had ever thought possible.  I would do or give anything for that little guy.  He is my heart and soul. 

As I reflect on what the last year has been like, I can't put into words how many laughs and smiles he has given us and how much he has taught us in this short amount of time.  We have learned that it truly is the little things in life that matter.  We love the innocence he brings along with his sincere emotion.  When he comes walking to us with the biggest smile on his face and collapses into our arms for a hug, there is no greater feeling.

The love and respect that I have for Josh has grown dramatically throughout the year as well.  I thought I loved him before, but after seeing him be a father makes me love him so much more.  He takes so much pride in being an amazing father and it shows in the way he cares for Bo.  He strives to be such a great role model for our son and exceeds every expectation.  Bo has someone very special to look up to and I couldn't be more grateful that Bo and I have him.

To our Son:

We are thankful for each day that we have been given with you and are so excited to watch you grow and learn.  Even though it seems like yesterday you made your entrance into this world, we feel as though we have known you forever.  This past year has been filled with more love and joy than we thought was possible and we owe that all to you.  We are so proud of how much zest for life you already show us and how many smiles you share with us each day.  We couldn't ask for a happier, more ornery, goofy little boy.  Here is to another blessed and healthy year.  We cannot imagine our life without you in it.  We love you to pieces Bo Bo!

XOXO, Mommy and Daddy

Where has time gone?

This mama is way behind on our blog posts (to say the least!).  But with a ornery 10 month old who is all over the place it is kinda hard to get anything done anymore:).  September was a big month for our family filled with trips back to SWI,  playdates, and I made a career change! 

October somehow came and went.  But... on October 26th Bo took his first steps.  I don't think I have ever been so proud in my life (I know, I know I say this everytime, but you parents out there know what I am talking about).  For Halloween Bo went as a Bat.  We thought it would be a fitting costume because the only teeth he had on the top (and still does) are his fang teeth.  So to say the least he looked pretty funny.

This month my sweet, sweet boy turns 1 and the only thing that keeps running through my mind is "Where has time gone?".  It seems like just yesterday that Josh and I were in awe over the new love of our life.  He has become the most vibrant little boy with all the personality in the world.  He is walking all over the place which is exciting but also makes it harder to get a lot done anymore.

Sorry this post isn't too detailed, but I am hoping to have more time to keep it updated soon!  Stay tuned....

The many adventures of Bo...

My two favorite little guys...

Playing with Papa

Playdate with my BFF, Jack

Hi guys!

always kicking my doggie out

resting with daddy

loves his rocking horse

go hawkeyes!

Pumpkin farm with Aunt Jackie, Ben and Caleb

Playing nice with cousin, Owen

Check out my fangs!

I'm a bat!

sleeping with my blankie

fun with Jack

happy boy

being ornery

fun with daddy!

my date

so proud of our police officer

how could you not just love him?

9 months

The month of August as been one filled with lots of milestones!  I know, I know...I say this every month!  But on Thursday, August 2nd our baby finally got his first tooth (bottom, front, left-center).  I was soo excited!  Everyone, including the pediatrician, had been telling us since he was 4 months old that he should be getting his first tooth anytime now.  I think the built up suspense made it that much more exciting.  And a short week and 2 days later Bo was up on all fours crawling FORWARD!  It has been such an exciting time for our family and I couldn't feel more blessed.

Since then he had his 9 month check up and his stats were -

20lbs 14 oz
28 inches long
19in

Bo has become a very independent person.  He doesn't like to be held too much, he squirms all over the place!  He loves feeding himself (his favorite being Gerber Graduates Crunchies-mild cheddar).  He is a puffer eating machine!

A couple weeks after getting his first tooth he got his second bottom tooth (right next to the first one).  They are sharper little suckers too!  He is currently working on getting two on the top (the two "fangs").  I keep telling him he is going to look like a little vampire baby:). 

Bo also pulls himself up on everything.  So needless to say we have a couple gates up in the house.  We haven't completely baby proofed all the cupboards, but the important ones are done. We still have a pretty darn happy baby and I am lucky enough to call him mine.  Love you so much, Bo bo!!!

he loves green beans!

our happy boy

not a fan of ice cream (must take after his mama!)

learning from daddy

how many toys can i play with?

do i look guilty?

let me out!

Iowa State Fair x 4

I got my fill of the ISF this year, being that I went 4 different times!  Each time I went was with a different group of people so it made it fun!  I don't think I have ever walked around the fair that much and to be honest I didn't know that the fair covered so much ground.

Trip #1
We had a company outing the first Friday of the fair (August 10th).  We saw the butter cow, walked through the varied industries building, saw the big pig, went to the Iowa Craft Beer Tent, drank margaritas, and of course ate CORN DOGS! 

Ashley looks frightened!

The girls with Margs!

The gang

Trip #2
The first Saturday of the fair is the Draft Horse Pull, which my Uncle Daniel hosts.  This was also Bo's first time going to the State Fair so I was super excited!  My family comes up every year for this so it makes for some quality family time.  Josh judged the pull again this year along with my brother, so it made it even more enjoyable to watch.  Right when we got there my mom and dad both went straight for the food vendors.  My mom had an italian sausage sandwich and cajun chicken on a stick, and my dad had a brisket sandwich along with a corn dog!  The Gray's love their fair food!  After the horse pull we all had chili dogs and some had more corn dogs (including me!).  It was a fun night and Bo was such a good boy the whole time.  He also got to try Lemonade for the first time, courtesy of his Papa! :)

trying on dad's glasses

the fair already wore him out! 

fun with Bethann!

Bo and Mama

Josh, Paul, Nick

Bo and Junior (while Papa is feeding him Lemonade)

Trip #3
The following day (Sunday) was a big night for me!  My best friend, Jackie, and I scored 2nd row tickets to go see Miranda Lambert.  This was a very fitting concert for the two of us to go considering we listened to her CD in high school until it was ruined!  We related to Miranda's songs and this concert gave a chance to go back in a time a bit and spend some good 'grown up' time together.  It was probably one of the funnest nights I had in a long time.  There are just some people that you meet in your life that you will always connect with without work.  She is one of them.  I cannot even tell you how much fun we had!  Minus the down pour right before Miranda came out, it was a great time!  We had awesome seats...the best I have ever had at a concert!  Until next time... (which there will a next time!!)

<3 her so much!

The group before the concert!

after the first down pour

aren't we cute?? Ha!

Miranda and I:)

Pistol Annies

Trip #4
The last and final trip of the ISF was with Justin, Sydney and Owen.  They had planned a trip to Des Moines to stay with us for a couple days and spend some time at the fair.  I always enjoy seeing the boys together.  Both boys are crawling so to say the least they were into everything!  Owen does an army crawl and he's pretty quick! :)  Bo is up all fours, so it was enjoyable watching them both together.  At the fair, we saw all the sights, ate some good food, bought a few things which made it a very successful day at the fair! 

the boys

The Rhamy's with their sons!

Family pic