eight months...

Eight months.

Son, let me honest with you.  I almost let this day slip by without a second thought that you were a month older.  Between recital and birthday week for your sister and my car in the shop and all the travel for work this week, my brain is a tad frazzled.

But, I took a quick glance at the calendar and remembered it was the 19th of the month.  And the 19th will always mean one thing.  You are another month older.

You are scooting all over the place.  Not crawling.  You scoot forward on your bottom or backwards on your belly.  You just started clapping your hands.  It is one of the cutest things ever.

You are saying mama and dada.  We love every second of hearing our names.  

You are still a great eater.  And sleeper.  You are wearing 12-18 month clothes and a size 4 diaper.  You've been called chunky, juicy, healthy, thick, and all manner of the same.  It makes me chuckle.  Because I was the same way.  My baby pictures looked like I had rubber bands on my arms and legs-there were so many rolls.  When I pinch one of your rolls, I'm thankful for answered prayers.

You are such a delight, Griggs!  Easy-going, lots of smiles and inquisitive (you get that honest, too)!

I've always been a {nosy} Nada.  And know I just call you {nosy} Joe!  Once a Joe {or Nada}, always a Joe!  You'll love Christmas Eve people watching with Papa!  

For the first time this past month, you had two babysitters that weren't family.  I want to be the first to tell you, so I'll just come out and say it.  I put out the request for a babysitter on Facebook (don't disown me!) and so many people jumped at the chance to keep you.  I think they all just wanted to squeeze you!  I can't say I blame them.  You are full of the sweetest sugar!

We had you dedicated at church on Mother's Day.  Just like your sister, it is one of the most precious moments for me.  I feel so incredibly blessed to have been chosen as your mama.  It is a calling I do not take lightly.  The Bible tells me you (and your brother and sister) are my rewards from Heaven.  And what great rewards you all are to me. 

Boog, I love you more than the stars in the sky! 

I wish we could turn back time, too, Bud!