FIRST STEPS!

OK, so it is time. Logan is beginning to take his first steps! I am amazed at how proud and excited I got when I witnessed this! I cannot even begin to describe the feeling. It sounds so silly, I'm sure, but the joy is overwhelming. He has been "creeping" while holding onto objects since about 9.5 months of age, but has never ventured out by himself. I have known that he has been capable of standing alone for a while now. I will catch him in random moments of distraction, enraptured by a song or toy letting go of all around him. The second he realizes, however, that he is standing alone, he grabs onto something or sits down. Silly boy. I haven't pushed him at all...realizing that he will do it when he is ready. On Monday, though, I figured that we would practice balancing in the middle of a room...with nothing near to grab onto. Much to my surprise it only took a few tries before he stood alone momentarily. The next thing I knew, he took about 4 steps towards me! My little boy is growing up! Now we just have to practice balancing all 26 pounds and I think he will be off....

New Shoes

As the weather has gotten "colder", and the inevitable walking days are just around the corner for Mr. Logan, Derek and I decided that enough is enough...we need to go and find this little guy some shoes. As genetics have determined, Logan' s short, thick feet just don't seem to fit into any of the many pairs of hand-me-downs that we have sitting in the closet. No problem...except for the fact that we can't just buy any pair of shoes we see at a store now. Well, we took him to Stride Rite in the mall and got his little tootsies measured. He is wearing a 4.5 Wide. So precious! We got him a comfortable pair that he doesn't mind wearing at all! Now...we just need to practice walking! (Nana and Papi bought him the cute second pair when they came to visit!)

Nana and Papi come to visit

As I was cooking dinner Thursday, I got an unexpected phone call from Derek's mom who lives in Florida. Though we don't talk often on the phone, I love our little chats. This chat was not just to catch up, however. She was so cute when she asked...."so, what are you doing tomorrow?". I got so excited! I have always told our family and friends that a visit is always welcomed....and that I don't really need any notice, because I am almost always around with Logan. Well, finally, someone took me up on the offer! She and Dad came up Friday morning for the weekend. We had such a great time catching up and visiting. It had been a month since they had seen Logan...which is a lot in baby time. Mom and I went to get Logan a nice pair of shoes from Stride Rite on Friday, and then spent the rest of the day visiting at home. Saturday, despite the rainy weather, we attempted to go to the annual Bamboo Farm Fall Festival. It wasn't as much fun as I had hoped due to the weather, but we still had a wonderful time with Nana and Papi. Saturday night we stayed at home and watched Seven Pounds. I was amazed by the movie- what a great story! After worshiping together at church Sunday morning and a tasty meal down on River Street, we ended the visit with football, cookies, and nap time. I must say that I feel truly blessed to have such a great set of parents...

Fall is here!

As much as I have enjoyed living in Florida in the past, and now Savannah....it must be said that I miss my four seasons. Growing up in Tennessee, I learned to love the nice crisp chill in the air and colors on the trees this time of year. And regardless of what the calendar has said, I have had a hard time believing, once again, that it is fall.....until this week! Despite the fact that it is a front, which will be gone in a few days, I have been enjoying this gorgeous, colder weather we've been having. We have been breaking out the jackets and beanies....and even mittens for little Logan this week. It is wonderful! I have been so moved by the weather, the apple cinnamon candles have been lit, the pumpkin patch has been visited, and the baking has begun....aahhh.

This is my first time blogging, so bear with me. I decided it might be a nice way to document our family these days. As I think back over the last four and a half years since Derek and I have been married, I am amazed at how much things have changed. Derek and I have each changed so much individually, and the life that we share continues to be full of surprises. Sure, we remember many times, both good and challenging, yet many of the memories fade over time. I am hoping that this may provide a nice way to remember even the little thoughts and experiences that make up our life. It has been awesome to see how God has chosen to work in our lives, and I am excited to share that! He has blessed us so very much.

To try and give a brief summary of what's going on these days....here we go. We are living in Savannah, Ga in a small house in southside. Despite the humidity and bugs, we love it here. We moved here in July of 2008 so that Derek could attend South University. He has gone back to school to get his master's as a Physician's Assistant and will graduate in 2011. Derek loves the work he is doing, and is growing incredibly in this program. Though he is always busy with class and studying, he always makes time for his family. He is a wonderful husband and father. I am staying busy staying at home, tending to Derek and the house, and trying to stay one step ahead of our son, Logan. Yes, one of the wonderful blessings in our lives together has been our son. Logan Tyler was born November 20, 2008. I cannot believe that he is already reaching the end of this first year. He is amazing! He is a quiet boy, who studies everything when we are outside of the house. When he is at home in his comfort zone, he is a strong-willed, short tempered little guy. This more challenging part of his personality has just begun to reveal itself over the last month or so, and Derek and I are trying our best to channel this energy in a positive way. I believe that a lot of this behavior is because he is a smart boy who gets bored very easily. This keeps me on my toes! Though he was born an average 7 pounds 8 ounces, he didn't wait long before rapidly climbing the growth charts. Logan is a big boy, staying well into the 95% percentile this first year. We are dressing him in 18 and 24 month old clothes, and hoping that we will plateau here for a while. He is working on walking, though hasn't ventured out for those first unassisted steps yet. I am constantly amazed by him, and could not be more thankful to God for blessing our lives with him.