Nine Months

7 months

8 months

9 months

It looks like I took all of these pictures on the same day, I promise I didn't. She definitely has gotten more hair in the last three month but you can't really tell from the pictures. I also think her thighs have thinned out ever so slightly but after looking at these pictures I'm not so sure.

Earning His Keep

John is our official silverware putter awayer. I'd be lying if I said I haven't been looking forward to the day I could put him to work.

Pearly White

Whizbee's first tooth broke the surface last Friday. I've been thinking we'd be seeing teeth any day now for the last five months, clearly I am not psychic. Yes, I know four months would have been young for teeth but her gums kept changing and then she would be fussy so I kept thinking they were on there way.

Another thing I thought would be here five months ago, Elizabeth's giggles. Now I know four months is not young for giggles. Apparently E is giggle challenged. Happily she overcame that last week, big week for the little lady. Hmmm, maybe teeth are funny or maybe her gums have been hurting so badly she couldn't bring herself to laugh. Regardless, the giggles are here. Can I get a hallelujah. As far as I am concerned baby giggles are one of the best parts of mothering an under one.

The Circus

Kevin, John, Abbagail (our neighbor), and I went to the circus last night. I haven't been to the circus in about 22 years so I was due. Kevin told John we were going the night before and John could not stop talking about it all.day.long.

Apparently, talking about it wore the guy out.

He was asleep an hour into it.

We all had a great time before he fell asleep. I was sad we had to go but at intermission Abbagail was ready to go too so we left.

The tigers and lions were my favorite part although I was scared the guy wasn't going to make it out unscathed.

Abbagail

On our way out, should have done this on our way in

Cupcake Surprise

Nothing has happened of note in the past few weeks hence no new blog posts. I think we have been in post-Summer detox mode.

We did have Mel and the kids over for dinner last night and were pleasantly surprised with cupcakes. Brindy was the mastermind and Mel was the muscle.

The cupcakes themselves were a surprise
but they also had a surprise in them

She's been ruined.
This was not Mom approved although I didn't stop it

Matchy Matchy Pajamas Squared

Second First Day of Preschool

John started his second year of preschool on Wednesday. He is in Ms. Amy's class again but going three days instead of two this year. Ms. Amy said she can already see an improvement he actually sat for circle time both days this week, go John!

Lake Powell

Maybe one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. I really didn't want to take Elizabeth to Lake Powell but since that was the only way I was going to be able to go we went. And all the agonizing was for nothing she did as well as I could have expected so I am one happy lady. The trip was great, good weather and good people.

My picture does not do this justice
Quinn was quite the sandcastle maker

 

Elizabeth's first fire she should have been in bad

I think Elizabeth will be quite the card player

 

John dunking Jonathan

John slept on top of the houseboat for the first time

This little fellow was in my tent before he became John's "playmate"

There were a few islands close to us; our favorites were Turtle Island and Boot Island. We swam to both many times. John and Kevin climbed up Boot Island and John wanted to jump off. It seemed like an acceptable height for a young man his age so I said go for it. Kevin actually had to throw him off to make sure he cleared everything. He didn't go in clean (apparently I should have instructed him on that first) so he slapped his legs and boy was he mad. He was also quite tired at this point so his reaction was extreme. I hope we haven't scared him for life. Lest you question my parenting skills I would like to mention I did not allow him to jump from the top of the houseboat which he also wanted to do.

Boot Island in the foreground

 
We had a sand art competition. Kevin and I did a Lake Powell rendition of van Gogh's Starry Night. I have no idea why we didn't win.