A Little Bit of Heaven in Upper Minnesota

Mommy Says:

Sometimes, you have those moments in life where you are completely at peace. A minute, an hour, a day where everything falls into place and you're overcome with gratitude over how lucky you are. You get run over by the bliss truck. I had one of those moments last weekend.

To celebrate our two year anniversary, we packed up the car and headed to Duluth. Yep, my moment of bliss lasted a whole weekend and happened in Duluth, MN.

Seriously. Duluth. At a water park nonetheless.

There were morning walks on the rocks while the sun rose over Lake Superior.

And afternoon strolls through Canal Park with plenty of prime picture taking opportunities.











There were no chores to be done or places to be. So we played with horsies past our bed time.












And soaked up time at the waterpark at least twice a day.









We dipped our toes in Lake Superior.

























And took Tyson to a fancy dinner with risotto and wine. He had the risotto. I had the wine.

It was our moment of bliss. It was my moment to be thankful for everything I have. It was perfect. A little bit of heaven in Duluth.

Top Ten Things You Missed While We Were Deleting Porn From Our Computer

Mommy Says:

1. Tyson knows how to hold his bottle and feed himself. If we could manage to teach him how to make the bottle, we could probably leave him alone for a few hours.

2. We've removed the infant car seat from my car. I no longer get to show off my burly muscles while I attempt to haul all twenty pounds of kid and ten pounds of car seat into the grocery store each Thursday. On display now: my impressive hand/eye coordination as I try to keep a twenty pound, squirmy baby in the cart while grocery shopping.

3. Tyson's discovered his pee-pee. It makes changing diapers more challenging. I don't think this is related to the porn on our computer.

4. I attempted to teach Tyson how to say "mama" for the billionth time. My valiant efforts have not paid off, however, Daddy seems to be his new favorite word.

5. We've started introducing more solids and finger foods. He loves avocado, melon, banana strips, sweet potatoes, pancakes, ravioli, and risotto. I'll probably have to return to work full time in order to feed this kid.

6. Tyson has figured out how to pull himself up to a standing position and how to get on all fours. It's probably only a matter of time before he starts crawling or running. I'm resting up now.

7. Because of #6, we had to lower Tyson's crib. You'd be proud of me though-I didn't cry.

8. Tyson has learned the notorious throw your toy on the ground for Mommy to pick up game. This game may be enough to make Tyson an only child.

9. Tyson now has 6 teeth. Please see above regarding him possibly being an only child.

10. We went on our first family road trip-to Duluth! A long post with lots of cute pictures to follow. Consider yourself warned.

8 Months

Mommy Says:

Dear Tyson,

Today you are 8 months old. I won't bore you with the typical getting older drama that I usually drone on and on about. Daddy told me those posts are getting boring.

I think you've changed more this month than any other one before. Perhaps it's the talking? Did I mention that you're doing it all the time now? Buy-bye, ba (ball), and ba-ba (bottle). You wake up talking and you fall asleep doing the same. I'm beginning to think we've created a mini-Daddy!

You're moving around even more this month. Still not crawling, but you'll get there right? You scoot quite a bit, roll all over, you love to stand up and even walk a little with help.

We've been swimming quite a few times. You love the water! You can kick, go under, and float. You are completely frustrated that you can't figure out how to blow bubbles. You're our little water baby and I love that I get to share something with you that I love so much.

Physically you're changing too. You're getting more and more hair-we may even have to give you your first hair cut soon! We just discovered your third tooth today. Already popped through and we didn't even realize it was happening! You're getting taller-which is quite the accomplishment considering your parents. You fit into 3-6 month clothes mostly, but some 6-9 too. Everyone says you still look just like Daddy, but I'm beginning to see a little of me too.

I've become that annoying mother who posts videos of you on facebook and talks about your accomplishments constantly. Don't get mad-I'm just so very proud of every new thing you learn. I am amazed every time I watch your little mouth work so hard to spit out a new word-the concentration! I marvel in your frustration and then excitement as you try to move across the floor to a new toy. I love watching you discover new people, places, and things.

You will always be my baby, but this getting older thing might not be so bad after all. I think we'll both survive. Happy 8 month birthday little buddy!

We love you lots!

Mommy and Daddy

My Little Boy

Mommy Says:

Dear Tyson,

It was just over a year ago today that we found out you had a hotdog and not a turtle. Or is it a turtle and not a hotdog? Either way, we were having a boy. A Tyson, not a Lily.

When you're pregnant (not that you ever will be) nearly every other Mommy tells you that they totally knew what they were having before they knew what they were having. I totally didn't. Not a clue. 97% of the people I talked with seemed to think we were having a baby girl. Apparently they totally didn't know either.

I saw your hotdog/turtle first. You gave us the money shot within seconds. Come to think of it, you weren't very shy with the goods-let's try and not make a habit out of that.

I knew before Daddy, before Grandma and Grandpa, and maybe even before the Ultrasound Tech. For a few brief seconds we shared a special little secret. You were a boy! You were going to play tee-ball and jump in puddles. You'd go fishing with Grandpa and hunt for frogs with your cousins. You'd build forts with signs that say, "No girls allowed!" You'd come home dirty. You'd play cops and robbers with your friends and get in trouble. You'd get your heart broken. You'd break hearts. You'd ask a girl to prom and probably get in trouble again. You'd ask a girl to marry you and maybe one day you'd be lucky enough to see your own little hotdog or turtle.

You were a boy. My little boy.

It's amazing how one hotdog/turtle can change your life forever.

PS-To accurately reflect the day, I should also note that I did cry at dinner when I realized that having a boy meant that at some point you'll probably like playing with Daddy much more than playing with Mommy.
PPS-I may have also pouted when I saw how cute some of the girl outfits were.
PPPS-Seriously, is it a hotdog or a turtle? I'm too lazy to look it up.