Photo shoot with a nearly one year old

     Today, Mark and I took Marcus for his one year old photo shoot.  Yes, I know he's not a year old yet, but if we took him today (last day of August), we could get a cd with all the pictures for half of the usual cost.  Well, as you know, I'm a stickler for a deal, so we went today!  We took props, had outfits to change into, and even brought a small piece of cake for Marcus to smash up and eat on his own at the very last. 
     When Mark's mom and I took him 6 months ago, it was EASY!  Today was an all-out WORKOUT for Mark and I.  Trying to keep him stationary, make him smile, catch the toys he was throwing, etc was making us both sweat (not to mention the heat of the lights...).  We were there for just over an hour and yes, it was exhausting, but we did get a few decent shots.  I'll share a few now, but I'm going to save one or two for his REAL birthday (which is quickly approaching and I can't stand thinking about it or I'll cry). 
     But until then, enjoy the pics.  This will have to keep you satisfied until next Monday.  We're taking yet another ROAD TRIP this weekend to the Hillsville GUN SHOW and FLEA MARKET!  If you know me at all, you know how important and FUN this weekend is to me.  I had Marcus exactly 2 weeks after the Gun Show last year and haven't ever missed a year, so I look forward to starting this tradition with Marcus this year.  And yes, don't worry - pictures WILL be taken. :) 

Crazy Hair & Bath Pics

     We're going to visit some sweet friends this weekend, but for all you Saturday blog-followers (Aunt Ran), here are some pics to hold you over until our return. :)  Enjoy!

One day this week, Marcus slept 2.5 hours and had CRAZY hair when he got up. :)

Future Flame Thrower

     As most of you know, Mark was a pitcher in college and played for a few semi-pro leagues afterwards.  Here in the Schuurman household, we LOVE baseball (specifically the Braves, but we'll take a good game any time).  It's hard to predict the future, but after seeing this video, you might think that Marcus has a chance of following in his Daddy's footsteps.  Obviously, I'm talking about playing ball himself, but then again, if he grows up to be half the man that Mark is, I think he'll be doing quite alright. I love my men!

Only one month left of being a baby (but he's still OUR baby)

     Marcus is 11 months old today and I just can't believe it.  We only have one more month before we celebrate his ONE YEAR OLD birthday!  I said, in the title, that we have one month left of him being a baby, but understand me when I say he will ALWAYS be our baby boy.
     He amazes Mark and I at his ability to understand and do things.  The other day, in the bath, Mark said, "Where's your crab?" and Marcus picked up his red bath toy crab.  Then he said, "Get your blue dolphin," and sure enough, Marcus grabbed the right one.  He knows the meaning of words like: book, ball, doggie, outside, bottle, paci, and of course he knows who we are.  When Mark is coming up the stairs, I'll say, "I hear Daddy!" and Marcus will turn and look and sometimes crawl towards the door in sweet anticipation.  There's no doubt about his adoration for his daddy, but he has a sweet spot for his mama, too.
     Marcus has been cruising around the furniture for a while now, but has yet to take his first steps without holding onto anything.  We try every now and again, for him to let go of our fingers and walk towards us, but once he realizes he can't reach our hands, he'll bend over, sit down, and crawl to us with a big ol' smile on his face.  He's so proud he figured out a way to get there!  He's SUPER fast when it comes to crawling, and he loves it when we say, "I'm gonna get you!" and run after him.  It's amazing his little knees aren't blistered from all the crawling he does.  But he pulls up on everything and stands a good majority of his day.  He loves crawling into the cabinets (the ones without locks that we allow him to crawl into) and making a huge mess.
     This month, Marcus has also found the fun in "happy screams."  In the grocery store last week, he screamed his face off the whole time.  But they weren't upset screams, they were little screeches to get my or someone else's attention.  I tried giving him a paci, shushing him, giving him toys, etc, but NOTHING worked.  I finally asked another customer what she would do and she said, "just let him scream."  It was embarrassing and stressful,  but luckily Mark came and rescued me, taking Marcus with him. :)  It's funny to think about now, but at the time, it was terrible!
     Finally, Marcus is doing pretty well with self feeding and trying new foods (and so is his mama, by the way).  Tonight for supper we had baked chicken, okra, and potatoes (both picked from Miriam's garden on Tuesday).  Now that I get to stay at home, I have time to explore and try new recipes and this was a GREAT meal!  I cut up the okra and chicken into small pieces and Marcus made a funny face at first, but then ate it right up.  I even put a few pieces of the mac-n-cheese I made for lunch onto his tray and again, he ate that, too.  He finished it up with eating half of a whole wheat bagel, all by himself.  I know we hear this from lots of people, but no, "he doesn't miss many meals."

I was taking a picture of his face after eating green beans and caught him mid-sneeze.

Hopefully Marcus will grow up to be an amazing man like his daddy.

"Reading" - so studious.

Daddy was trying to hold the sign still long enough to see it in the picture.

He's pretty quick when he pushes his, "car."

Yes...still eats the card.

Mark got smart and taped the sign to the front of his car.

     In this clip, I was reading one of Marcus' favorite books, "Jungle Babies."

Canada: Part 3

     For our remaining time in Canada, we really enjoyed just spending time with family.  We put puzzles together, played in the floor, took a walk to the greenhouses, and took a few videos of the cousins together.  It was a wonderful time, and one of the few times that Marcus wasn't totally out of sorts.  He's back to normal now (thankfully) and has been doing well these last few days.  I hope you enjoy the last installment of the pictures from our trip to Canada.  :)

Emma pulled Marcus around some in the wagon.

Mark and I took Marcus for a walk to the greenhouses.

Marcus with his Grandpa at the greenhouses.

They put Mark to work...just like old times.

Uncle Ralph, bunching as usual. :)

"Do I want to pick flowers or just eat this cookie?"

Here are some of the beautiful flowers they grow.

Here are some of the sweet girls, chatting away as they work.

Emma, Sam, and Aunt Lisa feeding a starving Marcus.  *Notice: She still had plenty of
room to hold Marcus, even though she was 2 1/2 weeks away from her due date*

Emma was really great with Marcus.

Marcus was smiling when he had his paci in, but as soon as we told
Grandpa to take it out, he lost his mind again.

Sam and Marcus BOTH were happier in the wagon.

Grandma, Sam, Emma, Grandpa, and Marcus

I take this same picture every time and none of them seem to age. 
Mark, his dad, and his brother, Greg.

Back at home, playing with his new car from Grandpa and Grandma Schuurman.

He was a smiley boy today.

Ok, I just HAD to take a picture of his sweet little tush and toes.  PRECIOUS!

Canada: Part 2

     I didn't mention this in the last blog, due to time, but Sunday, during the festivities, Marcus was quite fussy and unhappy (most of the time).  He only wanted Mark or I to hold him, cried when others did, and when we put him down to play, he would lose his mind.  Obviously other family members tried to help out, but he wasn't happy unless he was with one of us, for the most part.  I just thought this was because he was in an unfamiliar place with lots of people. 
     Well, we put him to bed as usual that night and we went to sleep just fine, but around 2am he woke up crying.  Mark tried to give him a paci so he'd go back to sleep, but I could tell by his cry that he was far from that.  Long story short, he was awake until 3:30.  I changed his diaper, gave him another bottle, then baby tylenol, tried singing, rocking, etc.  NOTHING worked unless I just held him and didn't give any indicator that I was going to put him down.  Luckily, there was a bed in the room where he was sleeping, so I just propped myself up on it and held him for probably half an hour.  When he was good and limp, I put him back in bed and he didn't wake again until the morning.  It was THEN that I felt his upper gums and realized his top two teeth were making their grand appearance.  His gums are translucent and one of the teeth is just baaaaaaaarely peeking through. 
     So I'd like to chalk Marcus' behavior up to teething alone, but after Mark and I saw him beside numerous other children, all within months of his age, we think he's a different kid.  We were having the "Is he ADHD?" conversation last night and yes, we know it's too early to tell that.  He's just a super busy child who's into EVERYTHING, everybody's business, and who's extremely energetic.  We were joking that when he was old enough to go to school, teachers would say, "I hope I don't get THAT kid..." 
     Now, I say all that half joking, but semi-serious about noticing the differences.  What IF he has a disorder when he grows up?  What IF he has "issues?"  Will we love him any less?  Will that alter our decision to have other children?  And the answer???  NO!
     The Lord has blessed us with the right child for US and we are the right parents for HIM, no matter the circumstances.  Some days we are absolutely wore out and exhausted from hearing him continually cry and/or changing the 4th blowout diaper of the day, but there are so many other times that he lights up our hearts with smiles, laughter, and cuddles.  Last night, for example, he went to sleep sweetly babbling and when we went to check on him a few hours later, he was on his back, hands up, behind his head, sleeping like a precious little angel. 
     We LOOK FORWARD to watching and helping him grow up, no matter the challenges, because we LOVE him.  We love each other, we love Marcus, but most of all, we love the LORD JESUS CHRIST!  It is in HIM we find strength, in HIM we have hope, and in HIM we know the real meaning of love. 

Enjoy the rest of the pictures. :)

Marcus in Beppe's room (Mark's grandma)

Beppe wanted to hold Marcus but he wasn't too sure about it.

Mark, Marcus and his great-grandmother

Beppe with 3 out of her 4 great-grandchildren.  Yes, Marcus was just a joy!

Cousins

They are so sweet!

Mark was making them laugh by making a teddy bear "poop" on my head. 

Sweet Sam