Water boy

As I have posted before, Sawyer is a natural in the water. See past posts: here and here
He is obssesed with bath time and the pool!
We were playing a little game with him the other night where John would stick his whole head under and say "Sawyer, can you put your face in?" and he would act like he was going too but then out of the blue he actually went all the way under and came up giggling like crazy. We continued to play this game for a good 10 minutes. John was soaked and Sawyer didn't want to stop. I think it is safe to say he is ready for the summer and pool days at Grandma & Grandpa's.
Here's the video:

A little COLOR with your Run

Unless you have been living under a rock, you've most likely heard of the color run phenomenon. It is a fun run (not timed) where you get sprayed with cornstarch non-staining colors. It's like every child's dream come true. I finally got to partake in my first color run this past Saturday in the Color Me Rad 5K. It sure didn't feel like a true 5K by the length or atmosphere. There is a certain motivation to keep running so you hit the next color station. As you can see from my face in the after pictures, my personal favorite was the Pink. I ran it with some close friends (my hubby, Megan, Trina, Krissy, Ashley and Chris), our team name: Cray Cray-olas! We looked so RAD at the end. Even the rain didn't stop us. Here are the colorful pics.
Krissy and I made 96.5's website (we look cold!):  http://www.power965.com/multimedia/photos/205019151.html#112697781

John looking RAD before the race

Kevin, John, Dylan and Chris before the mess

Trina, Ashley, Krissy, me and Megan

Megan representing her place of employment well

John had the most color coverage!

 

Krissy wore it well

Smallest Color Runner EVER!

My new favorite photo!

 

 

sitting on towel to hopefully save the car seats

The aftermath

21 Day Reading Experience

I am sure you're not surprised I'm posting about another challenge for myself, that is just sort of my thing. I like to constantly challenge myself mentally & physically or honestly I get a little bored. I found the 21 Day Bible Reading Challenge and was sold. I have read the bible as a child because I attended a private Lutheran elementary school but also again went through Lutheran Confirmation in 8th grade. It has been a VERY long time so I am really looking forward to a refresher. It is a collection of scriptures starting at creation that give an overview of the entire bible without reading the entire bible. Sort of like the extended Cliff Notes.

If you are interested in joining me in this challenge, leave a comment and I can send you the document. I'll plan to post updates along the way.

I started Day 1 yesterday April 24 and should be finished May 15

Let's talk about.....death?

A Death Café? That sounds quite scary, honestly. So why would I attend an event with such a name? Mostly because I was intrigued and it would take me out of my comfort zone which I have learned is usually a good thing.

I am on the Young Ambassador’s Board for Lost & FoundGrief Center and am truly passionate about their mission and purpose. When they told us about their first Death Café event at our last meeting, I had to learn more. I have lost a few loved ones and witnessed close people in my life lose someone important to them but my experience with death is pretty limited (this is a good thing). What I have learned from Lost & Found is that death is ok to talk about and everyone has their own death story to tell. The Death Café was created not only for those who’ve experienced loss but to change the thought that death is a taboo topic.  The goal is to help people develop healthy perspective on end of life topics, in order to live life to the fullest.

The Death Café was held last night at Panera Bread and the turnout was great for a first time event. In attendance were Ministers, Morticians, Counselors, Widowers and just regular people who have lost loved ones or were curious like myself. We split into groups of people that didn’t know one another and openly discussed topics related to death. Our groups discussed questions like “What was your first experience with death” “What aspects of death are the hardest to deal with” “Did the recent events at the Boston Marathon change your view on death” “What are your feelings on death – afraid, dread, etc”. The room was filled with tons of conversations and stories.  I heard so many touching accounts of people’s experiences and some so profound they kept me thinking.

One important pointer I will take away from the Death Café is what to do when a friend has lost a loved one. Everyone in the room who lost someone close to them agreed the best way to show your condolences is not by words but actions. Hold their hand, send a card, give them a hug…just be there. No single word will make them feel better,  just your presence.

As a new mom, I have to think about death more than I ever have before. From who will take care of Sawyer if something unfortunate happens to his father or me and how we will talk to him about the subject. I will definitely attend the next Death Café and I suggest you think about going as well. There was nothing scary or morbid about it, just an open, honest conversation about one of the most inevitable experience we can all expect.

To learn about the Death Café movement: www.deathcafe.com/

Sawyer: 14 Months

his favorite face to make

Sawyer is doing great and growing like a weed....not vertically but expanding outward. He hasn't hit his height growth spurt which we here is next. He is always on the go, to the point where he is running with his eyes closed. He loves food, bath time and his blankie...still takes a pacifier and recently learned to use a straw. Sawyer is such a happy boy, we only really see him upset when he has gotten hurt, is hungry or super tired.

STATS 

Weight: 25 pounds

Length: 32 inches (we are guessing because he hasn't been measured since his 12 month)

Eating: Anything and everything, this boy hasn't met a food he doesn't like. He even eats more for breakfast than John and me. His current favorite is waffles and peanut butter.

Sleeping: 10-11 hours per night. Bedtime is between 8-8:30 and we usually have to wake him to go to school. Still taking long naps on the weekend.

Like to wear Daddy's hat around

Clothing: With his increased belly size we have had to change his shirts to 18-24 months but some pants he still wears 12-18 months. He wear size 4-5 shoes. 

Diapers: size 4

Hanging out with Jackson Blair at the Cardinals Game

Playing: Still really into books. He received a new toy from our friends Katie & Eli for his birthday that has letters and items in pockets with each letter (Katie's cousin made it) and he is obsessed with it, he could play with it all day. He also loves any toy that involves music, like his drum set. He loves the song "If you're happy and you know it" and claps and stomps his feet with the song. He has also learned to fold his hands when we say our prayers.

New favorite toy, thanks Katie, Eli & Oliver!

Talking: This weekend Sawyer said "Cracker" and "Glasses", he also says "more" and " very clearly. He also says "Nana" for grandma and "Gandpa" from Grandpa. He understands a lot and has learned to sign "more" and "please". 

brushing his teeth before bed

Teething: 8 teeth with (we think) 2 more coming in. He loves brushing his teeth!

Loves playing with Daddy at bath time

Swimming

Other developments: He has started swimming in the bath tub where he flips to his belly and kicks his feet. He is definitely ready for the pool this summer. 

Sawyer's 1st Hockey Game

Already has his own jersey in the locker room

Growing up in St. Louis, Hockey was always a big part of my family. My father played and coached most of my life and at a very young age I was playing at the ice rink. My father has the same hope for his first grandson and John and I would love to see Sawyer get to play hockey.  Even when Sawyer watching Hockey on television, he runs up to the screen, points and says "Hock".
So when my parents invited us a couple months back to join them for Sawyer’s 1^st St. Louis Blues Hockey game (versus the Chicago Black Hawks), we jumped at the opportunity. We were also able to visit with my grandparents and my Aunt & Uncle from Chicago drove down to join us as well. Of course, they brought with them their hideous Black Hawk’s jerseys (I kid, I kid). My cousin Meghan and her boyfriend Nick were also at the game and sat with us for a while. Unfortunately, we lost 2-0 but Sawyer could care less, he enjoyed every minute of it. Danced to all the songs and even followed the puck from one end of the ice to the other. I think we have a little hockey fan.

stopped in Rolla to stretch our legs

enjoying some sun

Matching Daddy right down to the Sperry's

Reaction to getting ice cream at his Great Grandparents' house

Riding the luggage cart at the hotel

Dinner at Landy's Union Station

My boys even sleep alike

Got to swim a little before the game

Look I'm in the Hot Tub!!!

my little mohawk man

Friendly Rivalry between my dad and Aunt Ruth

Walking to Scott Trade

Getting into the game

Snuggles with Grandpa

Grandma got him a personalized Blues shirt

Meghan and Nick

Souvenir from the game

Tried his first White Castle burger on the way home