For the Good of the Group

I had a college professor who always made announcements "for the good of the group" so anyone who might be interested in said topic would hear the news. So here's my news: I am officially off the facebook circuit. Why, is what so many folks have asked. The day I deleted my account, several friends sent texts wondering "where I was?" Well, I'm here. Still living and breathing just like always. After returning to work a few weeks ago, family time has become even more scarce and evenings felt rushed and busy. I made the choice to cut things out that I didn't need and facebook was the number one thing. The folks nearest and dearest to me are my friends in real life- not on facebook. So I'm out of the ring, calling a time out to things that zap my time and energy. My number one goal in life is to be a good wife and mommy all while giving 100% to my students at school. Sorry facebook, you lose.

In other news, here are Webb's first shoes that I just ordered! Precious!

And this precious fall outfit!

Hope everyone has a great week!

9 Month Little

Hello Little! I am a Little late working on your 9 month post but we have been busy playing, playing, and playing! That is all you want to do these days! You are keeping mommy and daddy our toes as you're in to everything at super sonic speed! I jokingly said this week that Hurricane Irene didn't hit us, but Hurricane Webb sure did! (No offense to those affected by the storm; you have been in my thoughts and prayers this week.) From sun up until sun down, you are a ball of energy, interested in any and everything in your path!

Here are some 9 month stats:

*wearing size 9-12 month clothes but you're starting to outgrow the 9 mo. sizes!
*still wearing cloth diapers the majority of the time
*crawling like a big boy- on all fours
*sometimes cruising along the furniture
*waving at people and objects
*saying dada dada a lot!
*squealing, babbling, and grunting constantly
*fascinated with handles, latches, knobs, wheels, tags, screws, the washing machine, and door stops
*still loving Sophie Sophie, your baby laptop, and your pillow pet
*still sleeping with Mr. Giraffe. It's so cute how you smile at him when I hand him to you before bedtime. You then cuddle and roll around with him- eventually falling asleep with him clutched tightly under your little arm. It is precious for sure.
*eating solids but not well these days- you're more interested in the straps on the highchair or getting down to play. You do like most things we feed you, especially zucchini, squash and sweet taters. You love puffs and mum mums too!
*going to bed around 7:30 and sleeping through until between 6 and 7!
*loving the musical instruments mommy brought home

A day at the park- you were ready to go!

You love anything that will shake, shake, shake! (Notice to all you readers out there: Yes, his britches aren't snapped. He won't be still long enough for me to snap them. I give up.)

You have figured out how to spin the inside of the washer!

You have also figured out how to melt my heart . . .

Driving the tractor

Fun with the sippy cup

Dock sittin'

Ridin' on daddy

And as the skies turn bright shades of blue and orange, as days become shorter, and nights a little cooler, I'm reminded that fall is upon us and that this time last year, we were preparing for your arrival. Next weekend is the opening day of dove season- your Pawpaw's favorite time of the year. I can see him now- polishing his guns, gathering his boots, and loading up his car for a retreat into the stillness where he would wait for dove overhead. How I wish he was here to teach you and show you about hunting. I made daddy promise me that he would show you. Cause Pawpaw would be proud.

Happy happy 9 months to my ray of sunshine, my sweet, precious, vivacious, Little Chris. I love you to the moon and back a million times and thank God every single day for allowing me to be your mommy.

Smiles

Just lately, you've started this silly smile where you scrunch your nose up and give a big grin showing off your new toofers.

It reminds me of this . . . .

And my, how it makes my heart sing . . . .

"But you brighten up for me all of my days, with a love so sweet in so many ways." James Taylor

Family Reunions and Summer Wind Down

Last week was a fun whirlwind of meeting and greeting family members, most of whom you had never met, along with figuring out what in the WORLD is going on with your ears! We are finishing week 4 of an infection along with a 3rd round of antibiotics! I'm taking you back in a week or so for them to check you out again. I'm hoping this doesn't become a recurring thing! So back to family- we had fun last week eating (LOTS!) and visiting with family from Florida and D.C. You got to meet your new baby cousin Emma who is precious as well as other aunts, uncles, and cousins. We had a big gathering here at our house and I have no pictures to show for it right now- but we sure did have a great time. We had Lexington BBQ, lots of side dishes, and desserts. It was perfect- and the weather held out and was even a bit cooler.

Tomorrow morning we start working on our back-to-school routine. Daddy is taking you and I'm picking up so we're going to see what it's like now that you are highly mobile and in.to.everyfreakinthing. :) We've been talking about who will do what while the other one watches you so we'll see how it goes in the morning. I may have to strap you into the swing to get dressed and ready- otherwise you're climbing all over me and digging through drawers and playing with hair dryer cords. Goodness, I'm going to miss you when I go back to work . . .

We have had the best time this summer. We have played hard, slept hard, laughed hard, and loved hard. You fill every ounce of me with your sweet smile and silly laugh and your in.to.everyfreakinthing.ness. I have watched you grow and change from a just scooting-on-your-belly Little to a crawling, climbing, rolling, pulling up Little. If this is any glimpse into what my summers will be like from now on, I'm game. You are fun and silly and make my (our) lives so much happier. In the words of my great grandmother, "I love you, I love you, I do."

On a very personal note, one of my dear friends has just gotten home from a 6 day visit to the hospital with her 6 month old baby who was very very sick. You and I have prayed for them both and have talked about how he needed God to heal him. We are thankful that tonight they rest peacefully at home where he is getting better by the minute. God is good . . . All the time, God is good!

And now for your silly shenanigans as of late . . .

A little early morning reading

Nothing stops you!

Crawling under the coffee table is cool

Blurry but you can barely see a top tooth coming in!

Bank robber? :)

Looking for Scotch

Watching the wash go round and round

Captivated!

Love you, Little Punka Punka. To the moon and back . . .

Living up to 'he's a mess!'

Boy, I can't keep up with you! I guess I had it in my mind that babies lay around and sleep, play nicely on a play mat or behind the mesh walls of a pack-n-play. I thought only toddlers like maybe an 18 month old or something would be opening cabinets and drawers, climbing steps, digging through baskets, and pulling out whatever they could get their hands on! I thought maybe some crawling, a little pulling up, a few little things to keep you out of . . . Oh no, not here, no way, no how! You are officially in to any and everything and can't be stopped most days. I think you could play all day and all night if I let you! Your latest tricks are pulling up on the cabinets and opening and closing them, along with climbing a stair or two, trying to eat the door stops, pulling all the books off the shelves in your bedroom, taking apart the bottom plastic bar from the fridge, crawling on the little shelf under the coffee table, pulling up on the bathtub, scaling the crib from end to end, and well, just about making your mommy a crazy lady! Ha! I wouldn't trade a minute of it for anything. I am happy you are so curious and independent. It's so crazy to think that at the beginning of summer, you weren't doing any of this- just crawling and playing with your toys on the floor. Look out world, we've got a pistol on our hands!

You wanted down!

Looking so big in your chair!

You in action!

Love you Little Punker, Punker! You are my sunshine!

Topsail Island

Last week we took our first beach trip with your grandparents and your aunt. We had a great time!

You love some Pawpaw!

And Mimi!

Playing with Daddy

Brushing your teeth with Nancy (now that you're about to get your third one!)

Opening drawers

Going for late night walks on the beach

Heading out for a nice dinner

Playing in your pool on the beach

Taking pictures

It was a great way to end the summer!