Happy October, Friends...
Summer here in Indiana was so sunny, hot, and lots of fun!! Honestly, I spent so many moments creating memories with Neil that half of the time my laptop wasn’t even charged. Neil was not at all complaining about the fact I was unplugged. We are looking forward to what fun we will have for Fall 2024 all while looking at it through the eyes of a 1-year-old. I feel like I am experiencing life for the first time again while watching him.
Our summer days were filled with days at local parks with friends, in the water on some hot summer days, a July vacation in Michigan where Neil felt sand between his toes for the first time, and September brought Neil’s first birthday party! We celebrated BIG and Neil felt like the star. He is so well loved not only by his Momma and Daddy, but lots of love by family and friends was felt as well.
Neil’s birthday was all baseball themed - Rookie of the Year … His party turned out so cute and I am grateful that our families all pitched in to help bring my dream to life. I figure I have to bask in the first few years of his birthdays while I still have a voice in the theme and décor. When I say we celebrated BIG, we spent the three days before his party with a trip to our local zoo, followed by Indianapolis Zoo and wrapped up the third day with a hike at Turkey Run State Park. My husband's brother traveled with his family from Maryland which was so nice to spend some quality time together.
In September, after talking with a friend, I was encouraged to find a local MOPS group in my area now known as The Mom Co. I was tempted to join during pregnancy but held back with the unknown of what to expect. After one month of being signed up, I can honestly say I am really enjoying my Monday bi-weekly mornings. We have breakfast, discuss mom life, watch a presentation, and share mom moments together. The ladies circled around my table group are very inspiring and delightful ladies! I leave feeling enlightened and looking forward to the next fellowship. The church offers daycare for your child to attend and play with other children who are of like age. This has been good for Neil too and he has taken quite a liking to one of the ladies there. Makes momma feel good about attending.
At the end of last month, Neil had his first-year doctor appointment and he passed with flying colors like I knew he would. Though it always feels good to have your pediatricians stamp of approval from a medical perspective. He is safely out of the preemie group with his growth and development. He is all boy with a full tank of energy all day. He is going to keep his momma on her toes and I am quite okay with that. From crawling turbo mood, to cruising our living room sectional couch and being able to stand on his own, I know it’s a matter of days/weeks until he is fully mobile walking/running unsupported. We both love his little bit of freedom. Momma’s heart couldn’t be fuller as when he squeals when I walk in the door or his sweet slobbery kisses. Ok, OK, I'll stop gushing over here...
Last Christmas, my husband bought some books to add to my reading collection. I have been wanting to read them for a long time, but I have been faithful about finishing series before I start a new author. I am only a few pages in, but by what I have read so far, including the back of the book, has captured my attention. This new to me series might just be added as another favorite of mine. If you haven’t yet read any books by Willow Aster, check out the Landmark Mountain Series.
Our favorite photographer took our family fall pictures at one of our favorite parks... If you haven't taken family pictures this season, I encourage you to get those smiles captured.
Until next time, throw a sweater on and bask in the cool mornings/evenings, and snap as many pictures as you can... One of my favorite quotes - "Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall." - F. Scott Fitzgerald
XOXO,
Bethany
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