10 months

I can't seem to wrap my head around the fact that in two short month my sweet little one will be turning one years old! I am amazed at how much has changed in the past month. He wants to see everything while also moving everywhere...the catch is he can't move! :) He has a lot of weight to move and the boy is trying but really can't get the coordination down to get his legs underneath himself. It is very entertaining to watch. Every time I look at him my heart melts with joy and love. Only a mother can explain what it is like to love a tiny human more than life itself. When he smiles I just light up and when he giggles I giggle..he just is my everything. Then the best part is watching him with Matt. When I see the two of them play or giggle or just grunt to each other I just fall in love all over again. Having a family that is just Matt me and Tillman is an amazing feeling!

He loves to eat and now he has had turkey and a little hummus. He likes corn, broccoli and green beans. He still loves all things baby food which is good since I have a TON of veggies still frozen. He also loves anything puff. The boy loves his carbohydrates!

He is starting to mimic things that Matt and I do. He will wave and clap his hands. He loves to do things right after we do them like stack a block or open a lid of a toy. It amazes me how much he loves to learn new things!

Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure!

Sisterly Love

So eveyone said that when Tilley was born Stella would move down a few notches on the importance list. Matt and I both diagreed but what did we know. Well Tilley was born and Stella was Stella. She wanted our attention just as much as the new little one did! As time went on Stella adjusted to the fact that she no longer was the center of attention. Matt still loves on her but she couldn't always be where we were whenever she wanted.

Now that Tillman is older and starting to really enjoy having her around, she is taking advantage of the extra person to love. She really loves food time since Tillman is such a kind child and shares EVERYTHING with her.

She loves play time because she will plop beside him and beg for him to touch her and love on her.

She also loves when Tillman is on the floor because Stella's pas time is to lick everyone and everything! Well in my many photo shoots I caught Stella licking Tillman's hand as he reached out for it. Such a sweet moment!! Of course the hand went right into Tillamn's mouth but hey what harm is in a little sisterly love!

Sisterly Love

What we are just chillen!

National Boards...oh my!

So the past five months my life has been consumed by a little old thing called National Boards. This is an honor that teachers can receive if they attempt the portfolio and assessment and pass! This also brings a 12% pay raise (right now, that could all change with the NC budget) which is really nice.

Now this board project is no small feat. Until someone attempts it, it really is something you can't understand. My friend Nancy did it two years ago, and I thought I was supportive but I had NO IDEA what she was going through.

It is an emotional rollar coaster because you put your heart and soul into the portfolio. You put yourself out there for a stranger (who doesn't have to be board certified) to read and decide if you meet all the accomplished teacher requirments.

My friend Laura and I decided on the last day to sign up to take the plunge and get it done. Now the fact that NC has stopped paying for NBCT to do the process helped nudge us a little more!

The past five months ended on March 22nd when we sent the boxes and then on April 1st we took the test to end it all. We won't know until November or December whether or not we passed. Now the odds of passing are very low the first time. Many great educators I know didn't pass the first time so I know that it won't be a shock if I don't pass. It still will be hard though because I really want to pass.

Please send a prayer for peace come November so that when the scores do come back my heart will be at ease with whatever happens. Being an educator isn't just a job but a passion. I take everday seriously and this year has been hard with all the changes and having a new baby, but I wouldn't change it for the world!

Spring Time!

So the weather has been teasing us latley with such nice weather. The windows are open and the breeze is flowing! I took Tillman outside for a quick photo shoot and got some great pictures. I couldn't take anymore because all he wanted to do was eat the grass and we all know what happens when he doesn't get his way! (read post below) He did get a leaf and it was so cute watching him investigate the texture and the colors, then it went straight in his mouth. I got the leaf as he began to chew!! He def. is all boy!

Hey mom!!

Yummy Leaf

Ewww what is this?

Spring Time!

Sickness Sickness Go Away, DON'T come back another day!

Well the past week we have been fighting some kind of cold bug! Last Friday Tillman had a fever and we took him to the docs and got medicine. My mom came up to visit for the weekend and took care of Tillman because I caught whatever the little guy had. The doctor gave us antibiotics and an inhaler which helped the cough. He was not a happy guy with having to take it! The antibiotics weren't working so we had to go back and get a stronger one. The poor thing is just now feeling better! The picture shows him playing with the inhaler spacer. I wanted him to see it more as something that doesn't always make him mad. It worked because after he played with it for awhile he took the treatments much better!

One Proud Momma

So being a mom has really changed my perspective on life! I try not to take the little things for granted anymore. I try to be a better loving person in order to be a good role model to my son ;) (Still working on this one) There are moments as a momma the past nine months that have melted my heart. When Tillman was born I can't explain the feeling or the overwhelming love that I felt for this little guy.

but..yesterday was one of those moments where I clapped and teared up because Tillman learned how to drink out of a straw!! ok ok I know what a big deal NOT..but I had been teaching him for days how to do it on his own. He wanted so badly to do it but could get enough suction to pull the water up. Then yesterday the water bottle was on his highschair, he grabbed it and sucked away! I was overjoyed!! It was such a proud moment. Typing this and looking back, it doesn't seem like such a big deal, but man was it!! It was the first thing that I had taught him how to do!! Now the boy can't get enough water!! All he wants to do is drink from his sippy cup!! His grandparents were here to witness and we all clapped and Tillman thought we were some weirdos!!

Look at me so proud!!

Just drinking away!!

Why are taking so many pictures mom!!

Exorcist..I mean a boy with personality! ;)

As Tillman grows and gets older his personality is coming out full force! He is one lovable inquisitive child. He is also a want what I want RIGHT NOW type of kid. Now that he understands that when we take something he won't get it back most likely he is beginning to show us that he is one uphappy little guy. His tantrums erupt like the exorcist movie. Head throw back, arms go out, mouth wide open, back arched and all the while a scream as if we are ripping a limb off is being bellowed at the top of his lungs. Then when he gets whatever he wanted such as being held or a toy that fell, head comes forward, back becomes straight, arms come in for a clap, eyes grin, and he gets the biggest smile with a little snicker as if to say "GOTCHA"!!! There are also times where if our attention isn't 100% on him, he will also let us know. The best part is that you can totally tell the difference because there are no tears and it shuts off just as fast as it came on. The pictures were taken in order of a time when I was in the kitchen washing bottles and he wanted me to come play. It was hilarious!

Trying to get moms attention.(do you notice that he really isn't crying)

I come sit with him and he smiles!

I started to get up to go back to the kitchen.

I sit back down to show his ability to turn it off!

I really had to go wash dishes so he would have a bottle for dinner!!

Boy do I love this little guy and does he not have us wrapped around his little finger!!