Daddy's Top Ten Favorite Things About His Son

10. I love how cute he looks in a polo shirt and jeans.
9. I love how he shoves his whole hand in his mouth when he's feeding himself.
8. I love watching him climb up the stairs and how proud he acts when he reaches the top.
7. I love it when he pulls himself up on my leg.
6. I love it when he gives me his "war face" (shakes his head back and forth and growls).
5. I love his cute little hands and feet and the little dimples on them.
4. I love the way he smiles at me.
3. I love his beautiful, long eyelashes.
2. I love his big brown eyes.
1. I love his giggle and laugh...it is the best sound in the world.

Happy Birthday to my little L-Bow!

Logan Turns 1!

After Logan was born we used weeks to describe his age. After about 12 weeks, we used months to describe his age. Now, his age will be described in years...2 years, 3 years, 5 years, 10 years, 13 years, 16, 18, 21, etc...all the milestones will happen at different year intervals and we can't wait to see them all unfold. In the meantime, he is the big ONE! I can't believe he is one! Everyone keeps asking, "Didn't it go by fast?" and we say, "Yes, the year went fast, but the days go slow." We celebrated his first birthday last weekend. The party was small, but perfect. As parents, we loved every minute of it! Everyone was so generous and Logan received some fantastic gifts. He had so much fun and loved eating his cake. We can't wait to celebrate his birthdays in the future.

Riding on his new toy

Opening gifts on Grandma's lap

Our family (just before digging in to his cake)

Yummy!

With his cousin, Ryder and his Grandma and Grandpa Bowman

With Grandpa Myers

Becoming the Mom I Always Wanted to Be

I always knew I wanted to have children. There was never a doubt in my mind that I wanted to be a mom someday. I pictured it all very clearly...playing at the park, eating dinner together, playing together, reading books together, cuddling together on the couch, teaching him new things, celebrating holidays together, etc...So, you can imagine my shock when my newborn didn't want to play with me or sit in my lap while I read books to him. In fact, I spent the first 5 months of Logan's life wondering what I had gotten myself into. I often thought that being a mother just wasn't for me...no sleep, changing diapers, breastfeeding, even less sleep, changing diapers, breastfeeding some more...not exactly what I had dreamed about! My, how things change...Logan will be 1 year old in a week and I finally feel like I'm becoming the mom I always wanted to be:

It's too cold to go to the park now, but I'm sure we'll be there a lot next summer. We eat dinner together on most nights and then I usually spend an HOUR cleaning up all the food on the floor and everywhere else, but it's fun to eat together as a family. I actually get to play with him on a daily basis. Now he plays with his toys (opposed to just chewing on them) and he plays peek-a-boo and hide and go seek with Jesse. He also loves to be chased and he'll giggle when you catch him. He loves to be read to. He actually fusses when I put a book back on the shelf and reading has become something that often calms him down. Tonight he cuddled with me on the couch while I watched the end of Grey's Anatomy. He just laid there in my arms and sucked his thumb and I ate it up. I can teach him new things every day. Logan often mimics sounds and words that I make, as well as movements...he's like a sponge right now!!! And there are some holidays coming up that are going to be a blast with Logan by my side (and Jesse too!) I love both of them so much and I can't wait to enjoy more mommy-filled days!

Relaxing Sunday

I love Sundays! Yesterday, the weather was chilly, but it was a great day to hang out at home, relax and visit the local pumpkin patch.

Yummy...cinnamon toast

Jesse and Logan all bundled up at the pumpkin patch

Logan and Erin at the pumpkin patch

The Bowmans

Logan loves to play with the dishwasher

United in Jesus Christ

This morning in church the sermon was from John 17: 20-23 and it was all about unity. After the sermon, our pastor asked us to move in towards the center of the auditorium, join hands with the people next to us, recite Bible verses and sing together as One. It was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. I could feel the Holy Spirit moving in me and in all the people around me as I stood there with tears rolling down my face. Today wasn't the first Sunday I have felt like that. Our church is so big, but I always feel like all the "strangers" around me are not really strangers at all. I feel like I know each and every one of them and know how they are feeling. I can't even begin to express how thankful I am that we have found our church, Eastview...our home away from home!

Jesse's 32nd Birthday!

Yesterday was Jesse's 32nd birthday! We celebrated at the Illinois game in Champaign. Unfortunately Illinois lost,but we had a great time tailgating! Jesse's friends, Aaron and Allen came along to celebrate with us and we met up with our favorite Illinois fans, Lesley and Tim (and Henry and Rosie, too). Our tailgate set-up was also dressed up with some birthday balloons and decorations. The weather was chilly, but our hearts were warm as we celebrated another happy and healthy year. Happy Birthday Jesse!!!!

Lesley and Rosie trying to stay warm

Jesse and Tim

Jesse and Erin

Aaron, Jesse and Allen

The guys were dancing while they grilled

Jesse's birthday cake

I think he was more excited about the brat than the cake

Soul Mates

Dane and Kate Myers

I've never believed in soul mates. I always believed that people just reach a point in their life where they are ready to settle down and they get married and then sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't work out. The idea of there just being one perfect person out there for everyone was just too unfathomable to me...until, I met Kate, my sister-in-law, and got to know her and my brother, Dane, as a couple. I don't think I've ever met two people more perfect for each other. They truly are soul mates. Their relationship is so filled with love, respect and friendship. When they celebrated their marriage last weekend I was thrilled to be a part of the special day. Jesse, Logan and I were all in the wedding party and we had a fantastic time. The ceremony was beautiful and the reception was a blast. I had a great time hanging out with my siblings. It isn't very often that we are all together and so I cherish those times even more. I realized how much I miss them and I wish we lived closer to one another. All in all, it was a beautiful day and wedding. Jesse and I couldn't be happier for them. Congratulations Dane and Kate!!!

Kate with the junior bridesmaids, flower girls and ring bearers

Our family

Logan was pulled in a wagon by Kate's nephew, Ethan

Ethan pulled the wagon like a champ (but he made sure to let us all know that it was heavy!)

Logan did a great job...he loved the attention

With my dad and Dane

Jesse and Dane always have fun when they hang out together

Logan had a great time hanging out with the flower girls on the dance floor

The after party, downtown Galena with Dane, Staci (my sister) and Jeff (my brother-in-law)