10 Months!

Getting closer to the one-year birthday, where has the time gone?

(The three Forrests)

 

Things we have learned this month:

Forrest's speech is finally starting to get on track.  He says "all done" and "dada" and is finally babbling with frequent consonants.  I won't says he's a chatty kid, but definitely some huge steps the past month.

Baby food, no more!  This stubborn little boy refuses to be fed.  He wants to feed himself with fingers or his little utensils and will not open his mouth for a spoon.  (He does make exceptions for ice cream...)  So, meal times have been a bit challenging the past couple of weeks.  He's still not great at chewing, and it seems that he is quite picky about what he wants.  For now, he's eating cubed and steamed sweet potatoes, rice crackers with cream cheese, grilled cheese, puffs, and Cheerios.  Sometimes he'll let me help him with a spoon to eat some yogurt.  Goodness, this little boy has ideas of his own!

Loves the pool!  I never dreamed he would like it, given the noise and crowd, but he loves it!  We've been three times now.

Forrest walked a few steps a couple of weeks ago, but now that he knows we're trying to get him to do it, he's not interested.  Did I mention stubborn?  There is no convincing this boy of anything he doesn't decide on his own :0)

Loves to "help" with all chores.  Hopefully this lasts about 17 more years.  He wants to get in the dishwasher, open and close the dryer, fold the clothes, and run the Swiffer.  Too funny.

Love this little boy!

Weekend Getaway

Last weekend, Joshua and I dropped Forrest at Poppy and Gigi's house, and then hopped on a train to Chicago.  My friend Allison is getting married in Germany this summer, and it was time to celebrate!  She had an entire evening of entertainment planned, including fun times on a charter bus with the many other guests, a delicious dinner, a stroll through Millennium Park, and a show at Second City comedy club.  Sunday Joshua and I visited Lincoln Park Zoo and walked around seeing some sights.  Here are a few picture highlights.

We had a delightful time despite the gloomy weather and nearly two hour train delay getting back to Galesburg.  I already got another use out of my bridesmaid's dress from last month.  Forrest had a good time with Poppy and Gigi and didn't seem to miss me nearly as much as I missed him :0)  Success!

Best wishes Al and Vince!

9 Months!

And the best month yet!

What a busy, happy little boy we have.  Things we have learned this month:

All items in lower cabinets and drawers need to be Forrest-friendly.  After installing locks on the cupboard that holds the cleaning supplies, Joshua and I are as annoyed by them as Forrest.  So, all other cupboards are available (and enjoyed frequently!). 

After trying three times over the past months to complete the No Cry Sleep Solution method, we were at an all-time low, getting up every hour or hour-and-a-half.  So, the cry it out method finally brought us much-improved sleep.  I hated to do it, but was losing my sanity.  Our little family is better rested and happier :0)

My first Mother's Day was delightful.  Joshua and Forrest got me some beautiful flowers and an adorable red bud tree planted in the back yard.  I love looking out the window at it, and really need to get a picture with it and Forrest.  

Getting more daring.  He is moving more and more with less support on things.  He also is less fond of the walker now because it's more limiting than helpful.

Next stop, 10 months!

Better than Christmas!

Mom had some vacation days to use, so she spent last Wednesday evening through Sunday with us, with an appearance by Dad on Saturday to Sunday.  How fun to have a visitor during the week, and a visitor who loves to spend time with Forrest was fantastic!  So, while Jon G was entertaining Forrest, I made lots of progress on projects that have been in the works for far too long.  I painted a wall in my bedroom, worked on a headboard (exciting reveal coming soon), worked outside in my pathetic yard, cooked meals without an 8-month-old helper, and just enjoyed watching Forrest and Mom have fun together.

It was such a nice few days, and I was sad to see them end.  Seriously, more fun than Christmas :0)

Going to the Chapel!

Last weekend we celebrated Shaun and Bill's wedding.  I must say I was quite neglect in taking pictures, as their photographer seemed to be doing such a great job :0)  So, pictures will have to wait for about a month. It was a beautiful ceremony, with two joyful celebrations following, a more-traditional brunch and a bowling party later in the evening.  Can't wait to share some pictures in a few weeks!

Love you, Shaun and Bill!  Here's to many years of happiness.

8 Months!

Here we are with an eight-month-old.  Very exciting :0)

Things we have learned and notables of this month:

Crawling - for real, stomach off the floor!

Teeth - two crooked little teeth in the front on bottom.  

Cruising around quite dangerously on anything that appears may support him in a standing position.  

Toilets are both delicious and entertaining.  Seriously, I have trouble pulling him away.

Turning on the bathtub and playing with the vacuum are delightful pastimes.  (How far we've come that no longer does the sound of the vacuum result in crying, but rather chasing me down to try to climb on when I'm using it!)

First trip to the store riding in the basket.  He loves it - a bird's-eye view and ride all in one!

On to month nine!

Catch Up!

I wanted to share a few pictures from the past couple of weeks (they've been busy!).  

Lena, always so thoughtful, planned a delightful surprise hen-do party for Shaun before her wedding in two weeks.  Kati was a surprise visitor, as well as several of Shaun's college friends.  It was a nice evening of hair, makeup, snacks, and chatting.  

Want to know something funny about taking a picture from behind?  Your instinct is still to smile :0)

Then it was on to Easter festivities.  Our little family made it to church in Orion and then to Aunt Kathy's for a late brunch.  

This past weekend, we were back in Orion for Forrest's baptism (an exhausting event, apparently).  I made his little vest and shorts, and I was quite happy with how they turned out.  I wish the pictures were better :0)  Mom hosted lunch for Grandma, Grandma and Grandpa, Shaun, and Bill afterwards.  

This weekend we are spending some time relaxing, with a possible trip to Springfield.  Hopefully the weather warms up and brightens up a bit.  I'm ready for spring!