Muscles Like Daddy...Ears Like Mommy

Trick or Treat

We went trick or treating to 2 houses and Bo fell asleep. So the fun was pretty short lived. But, what a blast to see Bo in his cute little outfit.

Bo Wears His Wellies!

Bo In Bibs

Cute, cute, cute!

A Morning At The Lilly Pond

Bo and Mommy took a short field trip one morning to the Amana Lilly Pond. Bo has developed a love for the outdoors. So, I thought it would be fun to eat our morning bagels by the water.

Summer Fun!

Bo enjoys his new, red, radio flyer wagon he got for his birthday from Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Sue. We go for wagon rides everyday.

Great Grandma Lynn gave Bo his own swimming pool for the front yard. Once Mommy learned to fill the pool with water in the morning to warm the water by afternoon, pool time was the fun for everyone! We often attract our neighborhood friends when we get out the pool. Soon, the pool is full of wet children splashing and laughing!

Bo's New Favorite Food!

Bo enjoyed a little sweet corn this summer. We stopped at the farmers market and picked up a dozen for $5.00. Our family sat in the front yard and husked our sweet corn for supper that evening. This batch lasted us a couple weeks. We liked it grilled the best!

Putting My Two Teeth To Work!

This sweetheart even makes eating fruit look cute!

Birthday Boy!

Bo Preston turns ONE year-old today!

We celebrated with family at our home in Walford. We had half raspberry cream and half marble cake with homemade vanilla ice cream. The party was themed with red,white, and blue stars, stripes and baseballs. As everyone circled Bo's highchair to sing "Happy Birthday", he immediately covered his eyes and began to cry. With a short recovery time, the smile returned. Bo showed very little interest in his birthday cake. Playing with it was more fun than eating it and this was after lots of convincing that it was okay to get his fingers messy.

Bo received many generous gifts on his first birthday. Grandma Alicia surprised Bo with a bright green four wheeler! As you can see by the picture, Bo enjoyed his new ride very much!

Shortly after Bo woke up on the morning of his birthday, Mommy and Daddy came around the corner with a big blue truck while singing "Happy Birthday"! Bo wasn't completely sure what all the animation was about, but was excited he had something new to push around the kitchen island while Mommy does dishes.

Bo was excited to see his cousin Ella at his birthday party. He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a big open-mouth kiss!

Family Trip to Wisconsin

Driving to Rice Lake, Wisconsin was a road trip for Heath and I that was long past due. This is where I was born, and spent the first couple years of my life and

my husband had never visited. After moving to Iowa, our family would return to Rice Lake to visit every six months or so. As my siblings and I got older our

involvement in activities allowed us to be away from hometown commitments less and less. So, it was fun to be back and see how everyone was doing!

I was reminded of what a long drive from Iowa to Wisconsin can be. Bo did very well with the trip. He was changed to a front facing car seat for the trip, as he

met the requirements of 20 pounds. The entire family gathered at Grandma and Grandpa's on the evening of our departure for a big family dinner.

Thanks to everyone for coming to see us during the busy workweek! Loved See you all!

Bo Begins to Walk!

Today Bo took four unassisted steps across the living room floor. Moments later, he took 3 unassisted steps! Daddy missed the event by only a few seconds as he was just taking out the trash. Mommy screamed loud enough with excitement for he whole family! Ironically, we are without pictures or video of Bo's milestone. In fact, we have very little moments captured in the month of May. Our summer started with such excitement, it took us a bit to snap out of it!

My First Mother's Day

I worked a twelve hour shift on the Burn Unit on my first Mother's Day. I was able to come home at the end of the day and spend a wonderful evening with my family. Bo and Daddy got me an Isabel Bloom statue called "Love at First Sight". The card enclosed with the statue read: Before you were conceived I wanted you. Before you were born I loved you. Before you were here an hour I would die for you. This is the the miracle of life.

What a neat experience to have a day devoted to celebrating motherhood! Thanks boys for such an awesome day!

New to Nature

The air was still a bit cool, but the bright sunshine warmed our faces as we sat in the lawn for first time barefoot. Bo wasn't sure he liked the feeling of grass beneath his feet. He would slowly bend forward to feel the grass with his hands and would immediately grimace and pull away. Soon, he found a dandelion and was captivated by its bright yellow color. This afternoon outside was Bo's first true introduction to the outdoors. No bulky winter coat or frigid temperatures to distract his experience of fresh air.

Mama's Little Obstacles Begin!

I identify this as "the beginning". Our well approached daily routine would begin to have interesting interruptions. This is the time period that I stopped blogging because I found no time to sit and concentrate alone. These photos will illustrate only one example of Mama trying to stay on task by emptying the dishwasher. Bo has other plans for me and the dishwasher. He has turned into a natural climber. His lack of fear keeps him curious.

This of course was what he was into at that very second. Two minutes from now he will be in the pantry trying to eat a raw potato, that he plucked from the basket, with his two little teeth.

So, if anyone was wondering why it has been nearly four months since I've blogged, remember these photos in your mind. Then, pray for Heath and I that we always stay one step ahead of our little one. Also, that we stay clear headed enough to remove our son from the dishwasher before starting it.....just joshing you!

Easter

Bo loved looking at the brightly colored eggs that we dyed.  It wasn't until he was actually sitting in our laps when we thought maybe permanent dye and kiddos shouldn't get too close to each other just yet.  So, Bo went from active participator to simple observer almost immediately with this family activity.  Bo's first Easter was wonderful.  We went for an Easter egg hunt at Grandma Alicia's house with all his cousins.  He got a blue bucket and shovel to play with in the sand.  It was filled with candies for Mama.  He also, got an Easter chick that flaps its wings and sings  a catchy tune.  His Easter outfit had three spring chicks on the front, light green pants and a sweater to match.  

Burn Unit Baby Boys!

Daddy and Bo Do Laundry

Now that Bo is on the move he has tested out every new place he can find.  As Daddy was folding laundry one evening Bo-Boy crawled into the laundry basket and reclined back as if he'd been there before.  When sitting still got boring he began to help Dad by pulling the clean clothes from laundry basket and tossing over the side.  How did I grab my camera to capture such a neat moment of being parents?  How lucky we are to have such a cool person in our lives!

Grandpa Works While Boys Watch!

With Grandpa Jeff's help I researched and ordered a central vacuum unit for the house.  When we bought our home it was plumbed for central vac but didn't come with a unit.  I decided it was time.  Once the vac was delivered my dad stopped by and did all the electrical work it took to get us up and running. Often Dad helps us with projects around the house.  Heath is usually and my Dad's waist side learning as he goes.  This time Heaths participation was limited as he had a very curious shadow.  So, I snapped a picture of Grandpa Jeff adjusting a vacuum outlet while the boys watch.  

We are very happy with the central vac.  We don't know what we every did without it.  Thanks Dad for helping us pick out a good one and for hooking up!

St.Patrick's Day

We went to our first parade as a family in downtown Cedar Rapids.  Since we weren't sure on where the parade actually started we parked and St. Luke's and walked toward the crowd.  Turns out we were just chasing the tail end of the whole thing so we just planted it in the middle of the street and watched the last five minutes go by.  As you can see by the 

photo Bo didn't care either way.  When we got home from our exciting afternoon, Heath and I were standing in the kitchen when we looked over and saw Bo standing up at the television.  Another milestone!! Our little guy has pulled himself up to a standing position completely unassisted.  Notice that the TV station in on ESPN. Pardon The Interruption is one of  Daddy's frequently watched sports shows.  Heath was very proud that Bo's motivation to stand struck him when watching sports.  Way to go Bo!  Thanks for making the day so exciting!

"Mama ma ma ma"

Bo Had To Make A Few Phone Calls One Afternoon...

When I haven't heard a peep from the little guy in over 3 minutes it is time to go looking. One afternoon I had left the phone book out after looking up a few numbers. Silly Mama! We are now missing a few pages from the business section. Harmless situations like these just make my heart smile. He even has my cell phone out for dialing. This is the day that Bo's tip toe crawl turned into a normal baby crawl. He is now making good distance.

Bo Waking Up

Three Weeks Until Spring!

Heath and I talk about how fulfilling it is just to watch Bo experience something for the first time. He has seen grass before, but for Bo to sit and touch the dormant blades with his hands is powerful to see. I know that it sounds pretty sappy. But, to see his eyes express such interest and the inability to break his concentration comes much amazement to us. We often think that Bo has such serious, expressionless moments. But, we are learning that he is doing just that ... learning.

Time At The Park!

Walford City Park
We went to The Walford City Park for an afternoon playtime. It was 71 degrees Fahrenheit this Thursday afternoon so we took a walk around the neighborhood then spent our afternoon at the park. Bo has been there before but it was all like seeing it for the first time. He was able to go down the slide with Mommy and sport a big smile while doing it! He was even Mr. Brave-Boy as he crawled up the stairs to the slide. He certainly shows no fear to the stuff that scares Mommy and Daddy. It was so nice for Daddy to spend his afternoon off watching Bo smile with the sunlight in his face. You see Heath snag a kiss as he walks towards the swings with his son. I was falling behind as we arrived to the park. I am glad I did, as I captured a neat moment with the camera.