Nine Months Old

Our little guy was 9 months old yesterday. I can't believe it! The last few months have just flown by. I never thought we'd make it to nine months when we had the twins, but with David, it went by in the blink of an eye. Wow.

So, here are just some fun random facts about our sweet David Ray....

• He started climbing the stairs last week, so we had to put in a gate. He's learned how to slide open the gate (we don't latch it, just slide it behind a rail -- the twins have a hard time latching it).
• He adores his brother and sister and wants to be wherever they are. He's always messing up their toys, and they don't always like him around. But, they do a great job tolerating him.
• He has a temper....big temper! He'll get mad about something and hit and bite whatever is closest to him (the table, a toy, the stairs).
• One top tooth has come in and the second is starting to break through. Oh, and they are BIG teeth (have you seen Daniel's?).

• He weighs about 19 pounds and is pretty much in the 50th percentile in weight.... a little less in height.
• He loves to eat whatever you're eating.... forget baby food. I have to really watch what Daddy offers him... chocolate, pizza, guacamole, chips.
• He's still not sleeping through the night... we decided it's time for some tough love. His new schedule is: he goes to bed around 9:00 and then gets up at 11:30, 3:30 and 6:30.

• He is still obsessed with tearing paper andthen eating it.
• He loves to drink out of a cup.... if he sees you drinking from a cup, he'll bug you until you share.
• He makes these silly sounds all the time. I can't explain it very well, but it's like a wheezing sound when he inhales... it's funny.
• Yesterday, he got kicked out of Bible Class and the Nursery for screaming and crying. I say "kicked out".... but they really don't kick kids out.... I just got paged to go get him.

• He loves to take off and chew on socks. I use to go through several pair a day, but now I just don't put socks on him very often.
• He fights sleep.... we still rock him to sleep. He HATES to go to sleep. If he's not completely out when you lay him down, he pops up in half a second and starts to scream bloody murder. And, he's been sleeping on his tummy since birth. I've rarely seen him asleep on his back.
• He loves to give Mommy open-mouth-big-wet-kisses and then he bites my lip. My upper lip has a scab on it right now. And, he thinks it's soooo funny!
• I love his eyebrows.... he's got so much expression in them.
  

He's a mess....

David will be 9 months old in ten days. He's a mess! He has been crawling since the week he turned 6 months, and I expect him to be walking in a few weeks. He has never sat on his bottom (unless I sit him like that, but he quickly rolls out of it). Seriously. He learned to push up on all fours before he had enough balance to sit on his own. Then, he went straight to crawling.... still not having enough balance to sit on his own. Once he started crawling, forget sitting still! He now props himself back on his knees... and that's how he prefers to sit. He's starting to stand by himself now.... but only for a few seconds.

He loves bathtime! He splashes water the entire time like a mad-man.... I have to keep the shower curtain closed as much as I can or else we all get drenched!

Cal's new favorite thing to do is climb into David's crib with him and wrestle! David loves it! It's the only time he doesn't cry when he's in his crib (awake). Here's Cal giving David some "tummy bubbles".

We've also learned that those big white things in the kitchen and bathroom can open, and they hide all sorts of wonderful things!

You can't really tell, but that's a phone book on the ground with half of the cover torn off. David has the torn piece in his right hand. There isn't a magazine or book, at baby-level, that doesn't have pages ripped out of it. Evidently, paper is a yummy treat.

Daddy-Daughter Date

Patti and her daddy went on a date last night. We've planned this for weeks. They started the evening off at Red Lobster (Patti's favorite restaurant... thanks to Grams). She ordered popcorn shrimp and smashed potatoes... and a shirley temple! After dinner, they went to the MSC Opas presentation of Cinderella. I think they both had an amazing time!

A few more pictures from the Ranch

Just a few more pictures from our trip to the ranch....

Patti and Grams....

David loves his Aunt Kayla...

I had to share this one... David is my little tornado. He loves to pull all the books and magazines out of my coffee table and tear the pages out. He thinks it just so funny.

Sticking up for Mommy....

I have a funny story....

Last night, I put the kids in the bathtub with some of that foam soap all around the tub. It keeps them entertained. Daniel came home from work and went in to see them. He saw the mess around the tub and said, "Who did this?!" Cal said, "Mommy." So, Daniel said, "Well, Mommy is going to get a spanking." Cal quickly got really scared and said, "Uh, no, no, no..... I meant..... It was Patti!"

He totally sold his sister out to protect his mommy!

I know, I've been a terrible blogger... I apologize. The further behind I realized I was, the less I wanted to blog. But for those of you that read my blog diligently (Grams, Lee, ?), I just had to get this done!

Let's start with Christmas Eve.... Making cookies for Santa (and sampling a few)....

Christmas Day.... the kids coming down the stairs to see what Santa had brought them.....

My sweet boys..... LOVE those two stinkers!!!

Precious sweet David.... he is such a smiley kid!

My twins.... I love this picture (it makes me cry)....

Bubble bath.... our favorite!!!! Thanks Neesey!

Cal and his cousin, Nathan..... isn't he gorgeous?!?! Too bad he and Patti are cousins....

I love this picture.... we got Isaiah some Golden Books.... I love his expression!

David and Daddy just sitting back and enjoying the chaos....

The chaos.... (what a proud Paw Paw)

Sistas....

Rockstar cousins.....

Daddy's favorite trick....

We headed South to the Ranch to see my family. I have lots more pictures, but they are on a different camera and I am just way too tired to go get it!

Paw Paw sure makes a good horsey.....

And these are just some fun pics I found on the camera.

Cal being Cal.....

And my sweet Patti. This little girl is so sweet, sensitive and sweet. She asks hundreds of questions each day, loves to shop, loves dresses, loves her friends, loves to read books, loves starches, loves fruit and we LOVE her!!

10 years ago today, I married my best friend.






10 reasons why I love my husband....

1. Though he's the biggest procrastinator in the world, he always comes through for me.


2. Don't let his rugged looks fool you... he's Andrew Lloyd Webber's biggest fan. He knows every word (no exaggeration) to Evita and Phantom of the Opera.... and, he's not afraid to sing along in his best falsetto voice at the top of his lungs.


3. He's an amazing daddy... he's the "fun" one that crawls on the ground and wrestles, takes them fishing, gives the best piggy-back rides, and is a great Wii partner!


4. He can fix anything.... and I mean anything. He even sews better than me!


5. His #1 love language is affection... yes, affection. How many wives can say that? He gets his feelings hurt if I don't hug back hard enough.


6. His heart is amazing. He's passionate about everything he does and loves to help others.


7. He still makes me laugh. He's not afraid to be goofy... and he is quick witted.


8. (This should be #1) He loves Jesus.


9. He still opens the door for me.

10. He is and will always be my best friend.