Hard on my heart

My work schedule for the past three months has had me going to in from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. When we did this schedule during Jan-Mar, I did not mind because Liam was not as active as he is now and leaving for work was not that big of a deal. Now that he is bigger, more interactive, and full of personality it makes going to work a very hard thing to do. On any given day I have to stop playing with him or holding him or just watching him to go to a place that is not nearly as fun to do a job that is not nearly as interesting. Today he made it extra tough on me. Apparently he has learned that when I put on my uniform it means that I am going to leave. After I gave him his usual good bye hug and kiss he cried and held on to me tightly when I tried to put him down. I hugged him tightly again and gave him to Katie. Leaving for work after that was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Sometimes being a Dad is hard.

Up close and personal. 

This kid loves the camera. 

More proof that Liam inherited my unruly hair. 

He is a happy kid. What else can I say? 

Liam (at 8 months) with "Baby E" at her First Birthday Party. "Baby J" (at 4 months) comtemplates Liam's other shoe in the background.

That's one small step for Liam, one giant leap for Team Bean!

Liam took his first unassisted steps! This was quite a big deal around Team Bean Headquarters. For sometime now, Liam has been walking along furniture like a pro. He will also walk while holding someone's hands, in fact he practically runs while holding hands. He is even really good at just standing on his own. If, while standing, he wanted to go somewhere, he would just sit down and crawl to where he wanted to go and stand up again. Today, however, was different. Today he was standing by the couch next to Katie when he looked over to me in the recliner, let go of the couch, put both hands above his head and started walking! He made it from the couch to the recliner like he had been waking for years. It was great. Katie and I were so excited! Liam could tell that something big had just happened by our reactions, but I am not really sure he realized the gravity of his newest accomplishment. The only bad thing is that we did not have the camera out to catch the first steps. Rest assured that we are both on the hunt to snap the perfect walking picture. Stay tuned for more!

Liam's favorite new game: Playing Fort. 

Big recliner...big boy. 

Yet another great hair day! 

The ever stylish "Faux-Hawk" 

Liam finally likes wearing hats. 

Does this toy-box make my butt look big?