In the past week, Colin has become very good at asking for 'more' when he's eating. We've been trying to teach him a little sign language and shocker this was the first one he really caught onto. It might have something to do with how much he loves to eat :)

Just a few pictures from the other day ...

So I need some help deciding what to do and so a blog poll is in order.



I won a free photo session with Kristen, the girl who did Colin's 1 month pictures. I can "redeem" the session anytime between now and February.



Here's where I'm stuck. Do I use the free session and have her take Colin's 1 year pictures (I have not finalized a date with the super fabulous Amy Carroll) and save some cash on the session fee OR do I have her take Colin's 9 month pictures/family pictures that can be used for Christmas cards?

So what's your take? Leave your thoughts in the comment section. Cute pictures and videos will be posted over the next few days.

I saw this idea on another blog and for the past week have felt compelled to write this.

One of the most important things I am privileged to do as a mother is to pray for Colin every day.

She wrote (adapting to fit my life) ...

I don't really care that much about whether or not my kids are book smart.

Let me explain.

I do care, I just don't care as much as I care about other things. I don't sit around and pray that Colin will learn to read early, or that he will understand a foreign language by the time he is 6. I do care if he has an "undivided heart (Psalm 86:11), " and "that he will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel when he {can} open his mouth (Ephesians 6:19)." I pray that God will help him as he grows to to be a good steward of his time, his money, and his words. I pray for his character, his faith, his decisions, his future wife. I want him to be a wise, Godly man who chase after the Lord. I pray for his future brothers and sisters and pray the same prayers. I pray that Mike and I are instilling the Word of the Lord and of His greatness on a daily basis.

She writes: The other day I came across a verse that God used to prompt me to write this post. If you are a mom (or have someone else you want to pray for specifically), I hope you will join me as I do this for the next 7 days. It struck me that I need reminders during the day to be praying over my girls (for me - Colin), and I decided to choose 7 events in a day that would remind me to do so. Then, I chose verses that had to do with that time of the day (for example: as my kids are getting dressed in the morning) and then I put them on notecards.


Here are the events and verses I chose:


1. When they wake up: "Let the morning bring Colin word of your unfailing love, for he has put his trust in You. Show him the way he should go, for to you he lifts up his soul." (Adapted from Psalm 143:8)

2. When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen child, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help him bear with others and forgive whatever grievances he has against others. Help him forgive as the Lord forgave him. And over all these virtues, help him put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossians 3:12-14)

3. While they are eating: "Teach Colin the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach him that he can do everything through him who gives him strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)

4. When they go out of the house: "Colin, do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)

5. While they are taking a bath: "Lord, give Colin clean hands and a pure heart, and let him not lift his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let him receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. Let him be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob." (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)

6. When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, be will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

7. While they are sleeping: "I pray that Colin will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that he may become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which he shines like a star in the universe as he holds out the word of life-in order that he may boast on the day of Christ that he did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Philippians 2:14-16)

I feel like God has been reminding me more and more lately that I need to live my life in prayer. For my children, husband, family, friends, country, those in need, etc., etc. As Colin's mother, it it is pivotal for me to pray for him and I want to commit to do this every day (seven times a day!) for the next week. And although a few of these verses are quite age appropriate since he is a baby, they are nonetheless important for me to pray.

As I mentioned Colin likes to play peek-a-boo. Recently he learned he can do it with his hands or by ducking in his crib/pack-n-play, etc. Usually when he uses his hands, he'll hold them over his eyes long enough that I'll have to ask him 3-4 times where he is. This time, I guess he wanted to be found quickly. It's cute anyway ...

Dear Colin,

Happy 9 Month Birthday.
These "I am" pictures are getting increasingly more difficult to take as you don't like to sit still anymore. Only a couple more months little one. I had wanted to carry these monthly letters to you past the 1 year mark but each month has been harder for me to write. How many times I can say the same thing? How many times can I write that time is flying by more quickly than I want it to? How many times can I write how much you've changed my life or how much I love that you are my son? I know it becomes redundant but as I reflect on each month, those are the first things that pop into my head. I can't begin to express with words how you have blessed my life. Daily your sweet face reminds me of how lucky I am to be your mom.
You have learned there is more to life than the floor and you can reach part of that life yourself. Last month, you realized you could pull yourself up on furniture. This month, you realized you could move around it. You need to pull yourself on everything and have no desire to play with any toys lately. You just want to stand, walk, sit down, pull yourself back up, walk, sit down. You get the idea :) You love to make laps in your crib and learned the terrible habit of biting the sides. Mommy tells you all the time "No biting Colin" and each time, you stop, pick your head up, look me in the eye, usually give me a sweet smile, and then chop back down. Daddy said maybe we should spray it with Bitter Apple Spray (http://www.bitterapple.com/) but Momma said no ... for now :) (Don't worry Mom, it could be worse. I could have put up the changing table picture!)

You grew 3 new teeth this month, Colin. Perhaps the worst thing about your teeth is that they decided to sprout at the same time. While I'm sure it wasn't all puppy dogs and rainbows for you, it wasn't the easiest time for Daddy and I either. It's not like you really need those extra teeth. You were doing just fine before. Why grow more teeth when all that does is create more things to clean? You already have armpits, earlobes, and fingernails that have to be cleaned, why add anything else? Take my advice: keep it simple. You'll thank me later.
Here is a quick run down of a few other things you've learned this month. You can wave 'buh bye' now. It started with just mimicking it when others did it. Now you can wave when you hear the words 'buh bye." You will play peak-a-boo yourself now. You will pull your blankie over your face and slowly pull it down. Your eyes twinkle with pride when I excitedly proclaim "PEAK-A-BOO." The best thing you learned this month was the art of kissing. And while at times, it's extremely wet and you use too much tongue, there is no sweeter feeling than when you grab my face with both hands, pull in close, and kiss my face. Colin, mom not hopes you continue this level of enthusiasm throughout your whole life but also for those big sloppy kisses minus the tongue.

With all my love,
Mommy