What happens when you tickle this guys big beefy thighs?? This. (so excited I figured out how to do this with my NEW camera!!)

9M

This little guy will be 9 months tomorrow. I can't believe that we only have 3 more months until he's one. That seems so surreal. Better start the party planning. We might have to theme it, "All things physical" or something like that. Right now he is trying to walk. He's taken about 4 or 5 steps and is still working on the balance. He walks great with his walk & ride toy. He cruises along the couch pretty good. He tried climbing the stairs awhile back and got to the third one, but we've been trying to block them off because he doesn't understand that there is nothing behind him and he leans back, which will result in falling down the stairs unless we're right next to him. We're also working on getting him in his bed full time. He'll have good and bad nights. We haven't forced it yet and let him scream it out, but I think that's more us just wanting our sleep. Sleep is the main issue. So we're just trying to put him in there for naps more often and hopefully that will help. He is teething right now too. His little bottom gums look white and patchy all over, but nothing has come through just yet. He's working on it though by putting lots of things in his mouth all day. He's not a big fan of socks, or being dressed for that matter. It's getting harder and harder to change his diaper because he wiggles around everywhere. He'll straighten his back while I'm holding his legs trying to wipe him and the next thing you know he's almost in a handstand position, with his butt up in the air. He is so strong. Has been since the womb when he flexed his big muscles for us in the ultrasound. The other night he was just wearing a diaper around and all the sudden I look over and he had taken it off and crawled over to his walk toy and was walking around buck naked. Pretty hilarious. His buns are actually pretty tiny compared to his overpowering thighs. I mean it's like, "oh what a cute little bum, but WAPOOW!!, look at that kids thighs!!" I'm curious to see his stats at his checkup this week. He says Mama and Dada all the time. He takes a lot of crap from his sister who I'm sure in a few years will be taking crap from him. He loves taking baths with Savannah and splashing and what else, chewing on bath toys. He has pretty much destroyed his car seat visor/shade by grabbing and pulling on it all the time. He lets you know when he wants to be held now by crawling over to your leg, standing up and whining. He's eating more baby food now. He absolutely loves sucking on oranges and will not let you take it away from him. His hair is still growing like crazy and he's probably due for another haircut. He's been really good lately when we take him out. He loves to be out of the car seat and ride in a cart and see everything. He is growing and changing everyday and he is just so fun!

The Faces Of New Years Eve

During the day my parents watched Cooper and Carter and I took Savannah to lunch and to see Princess and the Frog. What an ordeal. We wanted to see an early showing and rushed to the theatre only for it to be sold out. Are you kidding me? This movie has been out for weeks! So we had to wait to go at 12:30 which meant we had to run and buy tickets at a different theatre and then run home so Carter could change into his work clothes. We wanted to grab a bite to eat before the movie and we had about 25 minutes so we went to this one place that I've been with my Mom and that Carter wanted to try. It's called JCW's. Probably the worst time of day to go though. It was insanely busy and we waited like 20 minutes for our food (this is a semi-fast food place, not sit down) and then when we got the food it was all messy and we pretty much had to scarf it down because we were already late to the movie at that point. About 15 minutes late in the end. The movie was cute. Daddy dosed off a little bit because he was so tired. haha. After the movie we had to take Carter to work and then we went back to my parents house. Some family friends were on there way up to help move their daughter to Idaho, so we got together for some fast dinner. The kids and I then went home and just hung out, and took these pictures. I love the first one of Savannah. We danced around and listened to music and eventually turned on the "New Years Rockin' Eve" hosted by Ryan Seacreast, and watched some of that until first Cooper feel asleep and then Savannah. I had to pack the kids up in the car at 10:30 and go pick Carter up. We got home around 11:30 and then popped in some "Lost". I made it through one episode, but when Carter wanted to watch a second, I passed out. I woke up at 2 am, on the couch, with Cooper in his car seat on the floor. haha. I wasn't about to wake Cooper and put him in his bed, or our bed, so I just stayed downstairs with him and slept on the couch. What a lame night huh? Whatever, I gave up on New Years Eve years ago when I would make plans and they'd always fall through or it just wasn't fun. Like going to lame church dances. ugh. I'd much rather stay home and watch "Lost" with my husband, while wearing a sweatshirt and jeans. Now, what can I resolve to change this year?

I've Been Having Fun With My New Camera

yeah, I know, he's 8.5 months. and he's climbing stairs. oh boy.

Before Christmas

Until Dec. 17th we were totally consumed with Carters school work and didn't get much of anything done, including anything Christmasee. So the week before Christmas we tried to fit some stuff in. A few days before Christmas we made a gingerbread house. Savannah and Daddy pretty much did all the decorating. Most of it got put on the roof!

Carter is so determined to get this kid to walk that he gave him the toy that helped Savannah learn to walk. It hasn't quite "taught" him to walk on his own yet, but he can push it around and walk with it. I think I can wait for him to walk a little longer. He's already into everything....

On the 17th we had our 2nd annual cookie baking and decorating party with the Cherry's. Steven made this masterpiece above. Too bad my old camera couldn't focus well enough on it to show all the detail. Savannah went to town with the sprinkles and had them everywhere.

We were able to spend some more time with my best friend Melissa and her kids and her sister Julie. They came out to our place and hung out. The girls went up stairs to play and found Savannah's snow globes and had fun playing with babies and giving them baths and stuff.

One day I went to church with my parents because Carter was working.

Christmas Day

Christmas morning we got up when we wanted and opened presents right away. Savannah was really sleepy so everything didn't really kick in for a little bit.

Cooper really had no interest in the presents or opening them. If you gave him something, he just put it in his mouth and was content with that.

The new boot slippers I got.

We got to my parents about 10 AM I think and started opening presents right away. Luckily Savannah was more awake at that point and was ready to open everyone's presents. I really didn't take many pictures throughout the day, sorry.

After opening presents and hanging out with the family we went and saw Alvin and the Chipmunks 2. It was cute, but I still liked the first one more. We went back and had some dessert at my family's and then headed home. It was a very chill day which was nice. And it didn't snow, thank goodness. Some might like a winter wonderland for Christmas. Not us.

Try not to let your mouth drop when you see all the loot we got. Spoiled Rotten are the words you're looking for.

Here is Savannah's loot, which includes: cute clothes, movies, a sit and spin, a Clickstart computer and games, strawberry shortcake toys, a princess castle and much more....

Cooper's loot, which included: cute clothes, LOTS of new toys that end up in his mouth, blankets, dishware and stuff animals.

Here is Carter and My's loot, although everything is not in this photo: a new camera (yahoo!!!) and picture card, slippers, Lost Season 5 (which has been consuming our evenings), a bread maker, a small vacuum, clothes, tools, the new Michael Buble Cd, all the Twilight books, 3 months of Netflix (which we're already using, yahoo too!!), movies, a shop vac and drum roll.......a double jogger stroller!! I forgot to take a picture of it so I'll have to do that later, but it's awesome! Now I can strap those little buggers in when I go out and actually accomplish something without chasing them around. There was much more too, but as you can see, we were spoiled!

We were happy to be able to spend the holidays with family and we're very grateful and thankful for all of our gifts. We hope everyone had a very nice Christmas as well.