in metaphors: You Know You're a Mom When....

Comical insights I've learned over these past 12 (gulp) months of initiation as a Mom.
You know you're a mom when....
-you finally have to buy concealer cause the bags under your eyes are just too big
-you use the bottom of your own shirt to wipe your son's nose
-you're not ashamed to stick your nose down your child's shorts to take a good 'wiff' (hey, it's the best way to tell if they've pooped or not!)
-your diaper bag is your purse (or your purse is your diaper bag? either way, it's true)
-you don't mind eating teeny, tiny pieces of discarded food from your child's plate
-you go out of the house with either spit up on your shirt or food stains. And you don't care so much anymore.
-you get excited about buying toy bins at ikea
-*personal mom-comment ahead*: you walk around without your nursing bra snapped in for most of the day
-even if your son's face is covered in snot, food, and has a rash all over it- you still think he's cute and can't resist sudden urges to kiss his cheeks off
-you think every noise-making-toy sounds like your crying child when he's down for a nap
-you clap hysterically whenever your child does something new- even if it's the smallest thing

This has been quite the year. I feel so privileged to have Silas along on this adventure with Jason and I. He's brought so much joy and laughter, and has filled up all the empty spaces of our life (and home). I'm excited to see what this year brings and slightly scared to death. Now begins the rumblings of discipline and spiritual guidance of which I'm terrified of. Lord help us raise Silas well!

*Getting into present opening

A few new accomplishments of my one year old:
-he stood up without holding onto anything (for a few seconds) the other day!
-he stands all the time now and cruises all over every bit of furniture
-he can clap when we say 'yay' and lifts his hands straight up when we say 'praise the Lord.' We're still working on some baby sign language but I think he can say 'more' with sign language and knows the sign for 'milk.'
-he climbed stairs for the first time the other day (only a couple steps and only a few times)
-he loves it when I throw something to the ground and say 'ka-boom' (oops, should I be teaching him this?)
-he's a great eater for the most part but has a particular love for fruit and breads....he also has a post-yogurt-tantrum because he loves it so much and gets upset when his container is empty!

Sporting his birthday boy crown- made by his 5 year old friend Micaiah!

Hanging out with cousin Allie

Standing away!

"My work is done here..."

Showing off his fashionable 'faux-hawk'

Enjoying the Montreal BioDome

Family shot at the BioDome

Yes. We really did leave him just sitting in the snow while we cleared the frozen pond (so we could skate on it). He enjoyed his little command post, really!