Opinionated

I don't know what to tell you. Mark insists on wearing his Bronco gear on game days. We, as parents, are not forcing any particular team or sport onto him I can assure you. He is just such an opinionated little guy. It is crazy how he came out of the womb asking how Cutler was shaping up for the next season! He's been known to say that he thinks Shanahan will take them to the Super Bowl this year. I'm telling you, he decided all on his own that the Broncos were his favortire team - John had nothing to do with it!


After John made fun of the Chiefs.


After a Denver touchdown.

Down Time

Mark is such a busy little guy. He is always going one place or another and he just gets so worn out. We decided he needed a little down time last week and took a trip up to the lake to ride on Grammy and Papa's boat. The rest and rejuvenation was just what he needed...look how happy he was!

At the dock:


Joe Cool with Grammy:


Driving with Papa:


Grammy is so funny:


Mom and Dad were there too:

I love my Rocky Star

I don't think there is anyone on this planet who knows me and doesn't know I am a dog-lover. I also don't think there is anyone on this planet who loves dogs as much as me! I can remember when I was little we had an english setter named Chipper. I used to love to go outside on the back patio and sleep with my head on Chippers belly. I also distinctively remember walking around the yard with my eyes closed with my hand on Buddy's (a bird dog) head, pretending he was a seeing-eye dog. (I also remember him taking off after squirrels, birds etc and leaving me stranded!)

What else? Oh, I had a minature schnauzer named Tippy that I use to sing to in my room. I would play "Foot Loose" and when it said, "Now take a hold of those paws" I would grab Tippys paws and dance. I would also "kick off my Sunday shoes" if you're interested. (You know, I just remembered that I am notorious for making up lyrics to songs and I have no idea if "Foot Loose" actually says, "now take a hold of those paws" or if it is just something that sounds similar) Anyway I realize my love of dogs borders on obsession, but I think there are worse things in the world to be caught up in so I figure I'm alright.

ANYWAY, the point is I think I'm rubbing off on Mark. On purpose of course. He loves his Rocky Star. And don't you worry he loves Mobley too, but Mobley's still not too sure what he thinks of Mark. Also, Mobley doesn't pose for pictures well or I would put one of him in here too. Now you may think I have too many pictures of Mark with Rocky on here but let me just tell you I have toned it down. I'm only showing 4 when I have about 30 from this 15 minute cuddle session they had the other day!

Don't worry, Rocky never licks his butt!

Mark found Rocky's tail and tried to eat it multiple times. Rocky, of course, didn't care.

I wonder what they were thinking here. Mark was probably thinking, "I want to grab his big shiny teeth." Rock was probably thinking...oh thats right, we're pretty sure Rocky doesn't have any thoughts!

Teeth!

Well it is about time! Mark's first two teeth pushed through last weekend and now I feel like I have a little boy...no more baby! So sad! He sure hated teething for the past week. He didn't sleep, eat, play, etc as well as usual. But all is back to normal now. He has his middle two bottom teeth for now - I don't see signs of any others coming in just yet but I'm sure it won't be long! I think you can see the teeth in this picture but you may have to click on it to enlarge it if you are really interested in seeing them.

Buddies

Rocky and Mark seem to have become best buddies. (As I have always secretly hoped would happen!) Mark knows the sound of Rocky's footsteps coming down the hallway and always turns towards the doorway and has a big smile waiting for Rocky. I'm pretty sure "Rocky" will be his first word since Rocky is stuck to my leg when I'm home and therefore always with Mark and I. We are always talking about him or to him and always petting him since Rocky always lays his head in my lap. Mark likes to grab his ears, eyes, lips, etc.. Rocky doesn't seem to mind at all.

I always thought Rocky came up to lick Mark because he wanted to be close to me, but I learned differently this morning. Rocky didn't get to see Mark at all the past 2 days because I was working and when Mark was home and not sleeping, Rock was outside. Well so this morning Rocky would not leave Mark alone! He just kept "kissing" him and stayed right by his side whether I was there or not...I think he missed him!

Anyway, these pics are from last weekend just to show the two of them together. I hope their friendship lasts through Mark's toddler years!




So this last pic is a picture of Mark in a little beanie hat we got from some great friends and fellow Baylor grads. I can't remember when they gave it to us if it was too big or it was too warm out for him to wear. Regardless, since fall is approaching I was getting out some colder weather things for Mark and decided to try it on. It was a tight squeeze trying to get it on and it just looked like it was about to pop off and shoot accross the room any second! I was laughing so hard I was crying. It's not the best pic since Mark's eyes are closed but you get the point...way too small! You can't even see the Baylor Bear "grrrr" on the front. I can't decide what he looks like...a synchronized swimmer girl maybe?

Growth Chart

Here are some more growth comparison pictures.

one month

four months

seven months

PJ's

I love kids in their PJ's. I don't know why exactly, I just do. I think it reminds me of the innocence of childhood. Don't you remember playing in your PJ's on a Saturday morning? I personally remember loving to put on my "silky" PJ's that my Granny got me. I thought I was so special when I wore this long-sleeved, ankle-length, lavender, silky gown. I don't know when I grew out of that girly stage but I sure don't wear long silky gowns anymore!

Well Mark seems to constantly outgrow his PJ's and right now we only have about 4 working sets! Now I don't think he has to wear different PJ's every night, but he can't wear the same ones all of the time and it seems like he outgrows them faster than I can buy them. So my point is from now on I am buying expectant mothers PJ's in several different sizes! Mostly because I love PJ's, but also because they are so darn practical. Is this the most boring blog you have ever read or what? Sorry...its just what's on my mind these days! Deep thoughts, huh? =)

ANYWAY, these are pics of Mark last Saturday morning in some spiderman PJ's that were passed down to him. He actually had just woken up from his morning nap and it was almost noon and he was still in his PJ's. He woke up at 6:30am that morning (its becoming his Saturday morning routine) so his morning nap was early...so early that he never did change out of his PJ's. I included so many pics here because he was "talking" a lot and he had funny expressions on his face!



I think he looks like a little line-backer in the pic above. Look at that neck!