My first hair cut!

So, my plan had always been to let Joshua's hair grow for a while, thinking maybe it would curl up like mine did when I was little. However, his hair has continued to remain very straight and it was growing into his eyes in the front. Plus, the mullet in the back was deniable no longer, and as much as I love my little Kentucky Waterfall, with his "party in the back" look, I just couldn't wait anymore. So, a week before Christmas, we went to get Joshua's first hair cut.

The wind that afternoon showcased the shaggy mop

in all its glory

Precious little clippings of my baby's hair

(and, of course, I saved some)

I sat in Daddy's lap and did a pretty good job

while the lady was using scissors...

but I was NOT having any of those clippers!

My first little boy hair cut!

(And as his mommy, I know I'm a little biased,

but I just think he looks so grown up now...

where did my little baby boy go?!)

Living up to my name

I've called Joshua "my little Monkey" for a while now, and I guess he's decided to live up to the name. Apparently walking and running aren't enough excitement for the little guy...so now he has to CLIMB!

Just hanging out with Daddy's brush

(if we ask Joshua to brush his hair, he smiles

and runs the brush along his hair--too cute!)

Oh, I didn't mention where I was hanging out, did I?

See, what I do is climb into the basket and use that

as a step to get up on the end table...

the view is way better from up here.

And, as you can see, I am quite proud of myself!
Mommy, on the other hand, fears where this is headed...
and hopes I don't decide that the kitchen table,
countertops, or the refrigerator are new goals for things to climb next!

Thanksgiving (better late than never!)

Being the slack photographer that I am, I am indebted to my wonderful Aunt Sydney for emailing me these pictures she took at our Thanksgiving gathering. My mom hosts all of our family each Thanksgiving, so we have lots of good food and good company! As I had a little monkey to keep an eye on, I didn't take a single picture--thankfully my aunt was kind enough to share the pictures she took!

Playing with Grandma

Pat a cake, pat a cake, baker's man...

Tickle monster!

Say "I love Grandma!"

Hey there, Grandpa...I'm just cruising around, checking out the crowd.

Great-grandpa was able to visit from Arkansas

Uncle Paul reading me one of my favorite truck books

Uncle Erik teaching me how to "smile" for the camera

Mommy reading me that truck book again...anyone noticing a theme? :)

Big smiles!

Superman!

Playing with Shawn's dog Lucy--she's a much better fit for me than Emma!

She loves to give me kisses

And I had a great time playing with her!

Little Man's Photo Shoot

So, when they were handing out talents in the premortal world, I apparently got "couponing," while a lot of my friends got much more creative and awesome abilities :) Take my good friend, Sarah, for instance. Not only is she super-sweet, smart, funny, and beautiful, she is also a great photographer! If you live anywhere near the Triangle, you should definitely check her out: elainebellaphotography.com

So, not only is Sarah all of the great things I listed above, she is also incredibly kind and generous. She took time on a Saturday morning in November to take some really great pictures of Joshua for us, and we love them! Here are some of my favorites:

Joshua is OBSESSED with books! Here he's enjoying "The Very Hungry Caterpillar"

(funny side story: whenever I get to the page about the caterpillar building a cocoon and staying inside, Joshua gets REALLY excited because he knows the butterfly page is coming--super cute)

I love how he looks like a little man here!

He's so stinkin' precious, I could just kiss him forever!

These pictures were taken right before Joshua started walking full-time. And the low-rise pants are because Joshua's a little on the skinny side, and all of his pants that fit his height are a little too big around the waist. And I figured that the shoestring belt he's been rocking recently would look a little tacky in his pictures :)

Baby + overalls = almost too cute to handle

Seriously, I would dress him in overalls every day if I could :)

This is what Joshua does when we say "Superman!"

Oh man, that smile is just about the sweetest thing in the world! The only thing that makes me happier is the smile plus a kiss from my little man (if you ask for "kisses," he'll lean forward and put his lips to yours...melts my heart every single time!)

Sarah, thank you again for sharing your time and talent with us--we are so grateful to have these precious pictures of our little man to remind us of this sweet time in his life!