Gardner's now standing on his own for long periods of time. He is pushing around tables, tv trays, and of course, his little walker/scooter. He has walking down pat when he's holding on....it's just a matter of time when he lets go and strides on his own. All cameras ready!

It's amazing to me to see how, very recently, his two syllable words have gone from repetitive vowel sounds ("da-da", "ba-ba") to the actual varying vowel sounds of the real words ("da-dee," "ba-bee"). He is no longer a cooing, babbling infant, but a young child who is starting to talk "for real." Incredible.

I have been doing a lot of reading lately, on subjects dealing with all aspects of motherhood. I recently completed "The Stay at Home Mom" by Donna Otto (HIGHLY recommend). I am still in the middle of James Dobson's "Bringing Up Boys." Thinking about the future already, I am also delving into books about educational choices for his schooling one day. I have also started a journal that was printed for moms to write down memories for their child. It is a work in progress, and I will most likely give it to him when he's 18 as a thing to cherish.

Gardner's first year photos are coming up this Friday (assuming the hurricane winds and rains let up by then). One of the themes we've chosen is a retro cowboy theme....complete with a horse-on-a-stick and fringe on his little pants. I can't wait.