We're walkin', yes indeed...

...and we're talkin', just you and me!

That's the theme of our week it seems. After finally taking his first two steps on the day he turned 16 months, Graham has officially entered the world of the walkers. Of course, he's not exclusively walking yet, but we're getting there.

I think he's been feeling a little peer pressure. Or not. I guess he's been the only non-walker in the "Walkers" class at church for a couple months now. And when he sees his friends on two legs, he has been known to push them down. I guess if he's not walking, they can't either. That, or my son is the neighborhood bully. So, maybe it isn't peer pressure.

To be honest I think he's stubborn. I think he's just wanted to do it on his own schedule when no one was really paying attention. Last night he just stood up and walked across the room a few times without being begged by Adam or I to "walk to me." And the big show was this morning when he found his little volleyball (let's pretend it's a soccer ball for all practical purposes) and decided it was time he started practicing his kicking/dribbling skills. What? Who is this kid?

I'm afraid I'm in for a big shock once he starts to run because I have this sinking feeling he's going to be running away from me quite a bit. I was the sneaky kid who ran away in stores or hid in the center of the clothing rack. This will probably be payback time. Great.

He's just so darn cute though. And I can't wait to hold his hand while we walk places. Sweet......

As far as talking goes, he says "daddy" all the time. On a good day he'll tell me what a monkey, lion, puppy dog, and owl say, but that's about it. I guess we did get him to repeat the word ball last night and he may have said "night-night" a couple of times, but it's hard to tell. He's quite the conversationalist and loves to yell at the TV during football games. Hmm, I wonder where he learned that? Right now, though, I just like his babbling. Especially when he whispers.

Life is changing quick around here. Sometimes it's hard to keep up!

Big Boy

Here's a cute pic of G-man with my parents when we were camping this summer. I know my dad's eyes are closed, but G's expression is so sneaky I couldn't resist. I just wonder what he's thinking sometimes. Plus, who doesn't want to see a little boy in overalls?

Pack It Up

I had such high hopes to keep up with the blog. Then this happened:

We bought a house! 

So my extra time has been spent cleaning, painting, packing and moving. No blogging on that list. 

Soon.

Make Something Monday: Freezer Paper T-Shirts

I'd love to be consistent enough in my projects to keep up a weekly post about them. Of course, there is more to my life than just bringing my ideas to completion, so I'm not going to commit. I do have a few things in the coffer, (yep, I just used the word coffer) so we'll keep it up for a little while.

My niece just turned six. She's in first grade and has more toys than a lot of kids dream of having. For her birthday I wanted to give her something fun that she could wear to school.

I've been experimenting with fabric paint this summer, which I know sounds kind of scary. I was a little nervous at first too. My last venture into fabric paint was 1985 and I was decorating a pair of Keds. Ok, maybe that's an exaggeration, but it was the 80's and puffy paint t-shirts were sort-of popular. (I'll admit, I wore one of my t-shirt paint creations as a PE shirt for part of middle school. There may or may not have been a teddy bear on it.) But the fabric paint I've been using is nothing like that. I guess it's the same stuff, but the way I'm using it is VERY different. There is a technique of making fabric stencils using freezer paper. (There's a great tutorial here.) So far I've made Graham a shirt for watching the Dallas Cowboys and shirt for watching the Denver Broncos.

It's a really easy project, and I'm kind of addicted. I decided to give my niece something with a graphic picture and maybe add a little fabric for something different. Ohh, look at me trying something new! I picked an owl since they are popular right now and planned for my little owl friend to perch on a pretty, little branch.

There were a few flaws in the stencil, but it adds to the charm, right? Plus, even stuff you buy at the store isn't perfect all the time. I did sew around the edge of the branch to make it look a little more professional. I really like how it turned out.

Who needs just one shirt? Certainly not a stylish little girl! So I made her another one. I saw this pillow on pinterest and thought it was cute.

I drew a few little birdies and cut them out as a pattern, ironed on my Wonder-Under, and soon I had a happy little flock. I stitched a wire perch for them and debated sewing around each one, but in the end I opted to leave them as they were. The little birds would have been more secure through washing and drying if I had stitched around them, but my sewing skills aren't that great. And after sewing the branch on the other shirt, I wasn't willing to tackle 12 tiny birds. The final product is pretty adorable, if you ask me.

It's been fun working on a few projects here and there. I love being able to share them with others, and it's fun to make things for a little girl.

So...it's Monday, go make something!

Stuck

G followed a ball into the space between our cabinets and stove. Then he got stuck.

Sinful Man

Here's a snapshot of this morning:

I'm sitting at the table eating cinnamon LIFE and checking my email. Graham is playing on the floor by the TV. He has a stack of DVD's there that I let him look at and re-stack. Behind our TV is a tall, potted plant that I use to mask (sort-of) the jumble of cords. G is NOT allowed to mess with the plant.

1. I hear Graham banging on the metal planter.
2. I peek over the edge of the table to see him stick his hand in the dirt.
3. I say, "Graham! NO SIR!" loudly.
4. He is startled and jumps.
5. He starts digging faster because he knows I'm coming to get him.

Anyone who says one year olds are too young to discipline are sorely mistaken! G-man knows exactly when he's doing something he's been told not to do. Sometimes it's so frustrating to correct the same behavior over and over and over.  Sometimes it's just hilarious how he tries to get his plant digging in really fast before I can stop him. I know we're just at the tip of the iceberg in discipline and I'm not looking forward to tackling the bigger issues. I'd be happy to stick with "no touching the DVD buttons" and "we don't play with the trash can," but we've already ventured into "we never hit Mommy" territory.

It's amazing how kids just know how to be deceptive or manipulative or selfish or aggressive without being taught. It's just part of our human wiring. And I know there are a lot of people out there who would disagree and say that kids aren't the problem, we're the ones who taint their perfection. I wish that were true, but sadly, it's not. And that's why I look forward to the day when this broken world will be made right and there will be no need for discipline. Until then, though, I'll just do my best to teach Graham to be kind and gentle and gracious. And to keep his hands out of the plants!

A Little Trip

We took a vacation. It was wonderful. I literally took two pictures. I'm horrible at documenting things. After a couple of days with no pics, I decided I didn't want to mess with the camera. Instead I just enjoyed food, conversation, and time with family. It was worth it. Sorry. No one gets to tag along on this trip.

Let me just say that the mountains are my favorite. Followed closely by mountain towns. And vast valleys surrounded by mountains.

Also, I can say I have been in South Park. Yep, the place where all those crude little cartoon kids live.