8 Month Updates

I tried to keep my promise to post James' Christmas pics, but blogger has not been cooperating. I gave up after a while, but will try again as soon as my patience has returned.

In the mean time I am due for a James update, since he has mastered so many new skills in the past month.

He has always loved the stairs, and has been trying to climb them since he learned to crawl. Right about his 8 month birthday, he somehow figured it out and scooted all the way up both flights like it was no biggie. We must invest in another gate asap!

Round about the same time (a few weeks ago), he started standing up on his own for a few seconds at a time. Now he can balance himself for 5 seconds or so before he plops on his behind. He also loves to cruise on his walker across the den...I think he is over this crawling stage and wants to move on to bigger better things.

Grandma's efforts to teach him to wave and clap have finally paid off. Now you can waive bye bye and he will waive back, or clap and he will mimic you.

We have decided to move his nursery downstairs sometime in the next month, because he has taken over the guest room and it just doesn't make sense for him to be upstairs anymore. We realized this after David went to the nursery to change him and there were no diapers, clothes, wipes etc... We decided to paint the downstairs first, and then slowly move the furniture up/down, leaving the crib for last. Hopefully by this time he will get out of this habit of waking up at 2:30 or 3 in the morning.

Oh....how could I forget! He got his two upper teeth the week we went to California for the National Championship! Those were miserable. The lower teeth were so easy...but I wouldn't wish cutting the upper ones on anybody.

I was terrified about the plane ride to LA, but he was awesome! The first flight to Chicago he slept from take off to descent. From Chicago to LA he was awake half of the time and asleep half. He was pretty silly and loud on the flight, but no screaming and crying. The return flights went pretty much the same way.

We have been trying to get everything from Christmas packed up and keeping our den from being consumed by toys (hopefully moving him downstairs will help hugely). We also decided to build a room around our laundry closet to make it a laundry room. Last weekend David framed it up and started sheet rocking, and this weekend we are going to try to finish it. It should be a huge help with keeping things organized and clean. I've also finally picked out a tile backsplash for the kitchen. It is a really pretty tumbled marble small subway tile. Once we get it in we want to paint the kitchen (finally!) and install the tile. Too many projects, so little time.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Long time no see. We have been crazy busy and I have not blogged in forever. Forgive me.

Baby Updates

We can crawl! James started crawling (commando crawling) right at 6 months and has gotten MUCH faster to our dismay. Unfortunately he wants to pull up on everything, so we spend most of our time chasing him around the den to keep him from hurting himself.

He also cut his 3rd tooth (on the bottom gum next to the other 2), but it didn't seem to really cause him too much pain. Of course he chewed on everything in sight and drooled like crazy, but he has been doing that since 4 months (when the other 2 teeth came in). No sleeplessness or anything like that.

At his 6 month checkup (which was really 6.5 months) he was 90% height (27 3/4 inches) and 70% weight (18 lbs 14 oz). Everything went great and he still has not been sick (KNOCK ON THICK THICK WOOD).

David had been training for the Mercedes half marathon and takes James in the new baby jogger that his parents bought James for Christmas. I've been impressed with his commitment thus far. I unfortunately have had to work till 6 or 7 everynight, so when I get home it is time for dinner, bath, then bed. Boo.

We are super excited about going to Pasedena in a few weeks. Roll Tide.

We are looking forward to Christmas with all of the families (we have many). I'll post pictures of James' first Christmas this weekend. Till then these will have to do.

I hate the big orange

Last week's game nearly gave us all a heart attack. I use to hate Tennessee more than words can express, but now that Fulmer's gone my absolute hatred has turned more to severe dislike. That is until Lane Kiffin had to go and whine to the press about the game. Ugh.

Nonetheless, we won. So I guess as David says a win's a win.

We got tons of housework done and Emily came over to take some fall pictures of the family (I'll post those later).

We still have NO pumpkin...maybe if I wait till Friday I can find one discount ; )? We have some friends who always carved out their pumpkin with and cut leg holes to take pictures of their babies in them. Soooo cute. I want to do it if I can ever get my ducks in a row. Doubtful.

Here are some pics from this weekend of baby and doggy!

The Best Birthday Gift Ever!

I have the most thoughtful husband! He bought me the shoes of my dreams (Christian Louboutin Pumps) for my birthday.

Sadly they were too small (darn european sizing) and had to be exchanged.

James thought they were mighty tasty (don't worry Kameron he never actually got them into his mouth)! *please disregard all of the baby drool all over my shirt in the background*

Boo at the Zoo

James had his first play date today with Ms. Bailey Rogers! We took the babes to Boo at the Zoo. They road the carousel and train and visited the kids zoo. Here are some of my favorite pics...there are lots so bare with me!

Riding the train

On the carousel

Humpty Dumpty

Baby Bailey was a Fairy!

Holding hands...what a ladies man ;)

Meltdown before Bailey arrived

Punkin!

He said MAMA!

Sorry for our lack of posting! Lots of pictures in this post to make up for it.

First thing's first....HE SAID MAMA....and no it wasn't a fluke. Last Monday, Grandma Linda was keeping him and she said he woke up from nap looked around and said "Mama Mama." David was of course in disbelief and I decided to wait till I heard it for myself. Then on Thursday when Joe was visiting he started saying it over and over and over again. It was amazing. Of course I doubt he knows what it means, but still! David and I have been in a mini-competition since James' birth to get him to say "mama" or "dada" first. I tried not to rub it in his face ; )

Unfortunately, aside from James saying Mama, last week was a no good very bad horrible week (for me that is). Hopefully we are off on the right foot this week. Seeing this little face every morning is the best way to start the day.

The bug is sitting up really well and continues to grow like a weed. A few weeks ago I ordered his Halloween outfit from mamabargains.com. He is going to be a pumpkin...I know I know...it isn't creative...but there is something about a fat little round pumpkin that is just too cute. We are planning on taking him to Boo at the Zoo with Alyssa, Jeremiah, and their baby, Bailey. The babes get to wear their costumes, ride the train, look at the light display, and check out the animals. It will be James' first date...and with an older lady no less ; ).

We got James a sippy cup last week too. I wasn't sure when to start the cup, but everything I read said the earlier the better. We pretty much just let him take his prune juice mixed with water in it for practice. He is doing really well as you can tell from the pictures.

We are going to the Homecoming game this weekend. Grandma offered to keep the baby and who could turn that down? David has been to several games, but this will be my first. I just pray this rain will stop. We are also super excited that Uncle Charles will be home by the 21st.

I have many more things to share, but am honestly so tired I cannot type another word...so here are some pictures instead.