9 Months! Well, almost.

I took James to his 9 month check-up yesterday, even though he doesn't turn 9 months for another week and a half. We're going to be out of town soon and didn't want to wait. James is a very healthy boy weighing in at just under 20 lbs (40 percentile), and is 28.5 inches (66 percentile). The doc was surprised at how strong he was. We couldn't get him to sit still (story of my life) long enough to do anything! It was nice to see the doc struggling to put James's diaper back on. James will NOT lay down. He constantly turns. It was nice to see that I'm not the only one that gets frustrated with diaper changes! The visit went well, and I swear that James is going to feel completely ignored in public when his helmet comes off. EVERYDAY people stop and stare and come talk to us. We get lots of compliments on the "Y" sticker on his helmet too. In 2 months when the helmet comes off, James is going to wonder why he is suddenly not the most popular baby. I, for one, will be SO HAPPY to have the helmet gone!

This will probably be my last post for awhile. On Monday James and I will fly to Oregon to visit the fam for 16 days. I am actually very nervous about the flight because it's very early, James cannot sit still for longer than 30 seconds, he cannot sleep outside of the crib, and I will be ALL ALONE. Agh, I've been freaking out about it ever since we booked the flights. Once I am there though, it's going to be a blast! ALL of the fam will be together for the first time in a year, and we are going to Sunriver for a few days. Chris will be driving up to meet us a few days later. He is going to drive to CA first to visit his family, then drive up to OR. I cannot wait! Bring on the vacation!

Cabin Fever

Since Chris is out of town on a business trip, it has just been James and I for a few days. Perhaps this demonstrates how cooped up I've been with no adult to talk to, but I thought this video was absolutely hysterical. I put James in his pack and play for a minute while I started dinner, and then I noticed him playing with the mesh. What a fabulous end to an otherwise exhausting and trying day. I think James is going through some separation anxiety or something, because he cries unless I'm holding him. Maybe James just misses his Daddy.

Enjoy. With these funny faces and his poor helmet head, I sure do have one silly looking kid.

James Talking

2 days ago James suddenly realized that he has a voice and can make new sounds. Since then, this is what I've heard ALL day long!

Day At the Park

Saturday we had a blast! In the morning we got together with friends and went to a Farmer's Market where I bought fresh zucchini. This said zucchini has since been made into delicious zucchini bread. We also went to a tiny and very stinky petting zoo for the kids, but still managed to have a blast with the Spikers! Even though I was pretty sure that the pig was thinking about eating little Scotty.

Later that afternoon, Chris, James and I went a park and let James crawl around on the grass. It was a massive park and we had it all to ourselves! We got some cute pics of him and it was great just spending time outside. James has a love for pulling grass and can sit there forever completely entranced.










Yesterday he also learned how to do different tricks with his lips and tongue. He has been constantly sucking on his top lip and then twirling his tongue. I never would have thought that these tiny, unimportant things would suddenly become so exciting! I guess when it's your own baby, you think everything new that he discovers and does is the most fascinating and adorable thing ever. If it wasn't my child I would probably care less.

James has also become quite a babbler. The entire time at church today he kept making new sounds and has been making "dada" sounds like crazy. Of course, I can't understand why they couldn't have been "mama" sounds...

What a cute little family I have!

Family Fun!

This last week has been a blur! We had so much fun spending time with Chris's family. It was great getting to show them around our town! Chris's brother Nathan came out for EFY and Dan, Margie, Justin, Sean and Angela got to come and stay with us. Needless to say, it was a full house! James was in HEAVEN with all of the attention and I'm so glad that he got to finally meet his uncles and Grandpa. Here is a look at what we've been up to...

Sean and Angela came out a little earlier and we spent the day at BYU and then treated ourselves to Red Robin for lunch. It was so great spending time with them! Plus, James got to catch his first glimpse at his future school. :)





When we were at BYU, we just couldn't help ourselves...






The next day the rest of the DeBeikes clan arrived and we traveled up to Temple Square. It was SO hot up there but it was a blast!




On one of their last days here, they went to Seven Peaks and James and I were able to come for a short while. James was obsessed with the water! He loved it!



The rest of the time they were here we hung out with family...






Thoroughly enjoyed bath time...






Oh yeah...and LEARNED HOW TO CRAWL!





That's right! We officially have a crawler! Watch out world!