Behind

I know, I know.  I am so behind on blogging.  It's been a busy two months and any free time I've had has not been spent in front of the computer.  I have a lot to catch up on:

• John Henry's 9 month update
• Other random stuff...

I promise to get my butt in gear.  But probably not this week...

1950's?

Jay really enjoys Costco.  He goes at least 1-2 times a week and last Thursday he brought home a small vacuum.  Our current vacuum does a great job but it's big and heavy.  It's perfect for the carpets and big cleans, not so much for day to day clean ups.  The new vacuum is light, swivels easily, and is pretty powerful. 

I love our new vacuum.  I mean I really love it.  I've used it at least 4 times in 3 days.  After I started thinking about it, I realized that if I were to voice my feelings out loud, I would sound like a 1950's housewife.  You know, the ones that were in the ads saying all they wanted for Christmas was the new vacuum?  That's me.  I really thought I would have made the perfect 1950's commercial for my vacuum.  The only thing is, I think Jay loves and uses the vacuum just as much as I do.  I overheard him bragging about it to his dad.  Definitely not the 1950's...   

Fall Festival

This was our first year attending the Mt. Bethal fall festival.  Since it's half a mile up the street (literally) we decided to join in this years festivities.  Jay signed us up for the mile fun run and we got to walk with some of our favorite friends.  Notice I said walk and not run...

Me with JH.  Sarah with Maggie, Hunter, and Avery.  Ragan with Charley.

Daddy and John Henry posing during the race.  Clearly we didn't take it too seriously.

John Henry posing with my number.

After the race we headed over to the festival with our friends.  John Henry got his own tickets that he could use for whatever he wanted.  As you can see below, he wanted to use them as a chew toy.

Hunter and John Henry.  These boys are constantly eating.  At least Hunter is eating food and not paper!

We decided to use the tickets for a pony ride.  John Henry refused to let go of his remaining tickets but he was quickly became interested in his pony.  I can't remember the pony's name.  It was something like buttermilk, butternut, squash, something..

When John Henry finally let go of his tickets he realized he could pet the pony.  He loved it and wanted to have his hands on the pony (not the saddle) throughout the entire ride.

Hunter and Clint.  Doesn't Hunter look like a natural?

Maggie all grown up!

Avery loved it! 

The boys waiting to take a ride on the train.  Why is it that Hunter and John Henry are never smiling in these pictures???

After the pony ride we walked.  Then we walked some more.  This is John Henry's favorite thing to do right now.  He does not want to sit still, as documented below.

Sorry Hunter.  Don't take it personally.  It wasn't you.  John Henry was just in a walking and not sitting mood.  Maybe next time!

Girls Weekend

It's not often that I get to spend time with Lauren and Julia together.  The last time we were all together John Henry was four weeks old.  We always have fun, talk a lot, laugh about random things, and just enjoy being together.  I wish they were closer but I'll take anytime I can get.

That being said, you would think that I would have a picture of the three of us together.  You would be wrong.  I'm not sure how we were together for two and a half days and didn't get a single picture of the three of us.  I even took my camera to dinner, it just never happened.  Instead, I got pictures of Lola spreading applesauce in her hair and John Henry taking a bath in the Habif's kitchen sink.  Oh well, at least it's something!

Miss Lola using applesauce as conditioner.  Who knew it was good for the hair?

These next few pictures are from John Henry's bath in the kitchen sink.  A special thanks to Gail and Michael who allowed us to stay at their place.  We had a great time and as you can see below, John Henry loves your sink. 

Shout Out

To My Husband,

Thank you for your support, love, and patience.  I love you more than you will ever know. 

-Your Wife

P.S.  I love when you bring me flowers.  Although I take forever to arrange them and I don't always do a great job, I love walking into the kitchen and seeing beautiful flowers waiting for me.  It makes my day.

Camping

Somehow it was decided that we (Starrs, Calverts, Crawfords and Dale, Frank, Drew, Ash, and Beau) should go camping after the Warrior Dash in Tennessee.  I didn't care what we did as long as I didn't have to be in charge.  The boys got together, made the plans, and went up early to get our campsite ready.  (In all actuality, they went up early to make sure they could get the satellite dish and TV working for the Saturday night football games).  Sarah and I did not participate in the Warrior Dash.  However, we were pleasantly surprised that everything was done when we got there.  All the tents were up, the fire was ready, and the beer was cold.  Perfect! 

Our clean campsite. 

Clint and Jay had just finished the Warrior Dash when we arrived.  They were filthy and wanted to show off the beer tokens they collected.  I'm not sure why they went around collecting them.  But they were proud of them so I had to get a picture. 

Seriously???  I don't want to think about where that beer token has been.  At least they showered after this picture.

Awwww.  What a cute couple!

Finally the rest of the group arrived.  Beau was sporting a friend's trophy, which happened to be a warrior helmet.

I decided to borrow it but quickly gave it back after a few pictures.  That thing was heavy!

Drew won an award as well.  He got a smaller helmet that was converted into a drinking mug...

Drew and Clint

Jay, Ash, and Frank relaxing in front of the fire and TV.

Mandy's mom was brave enough to join us.  She's even mentioned that she would come on another camping trip if we ever get it planned.  Jay thinks that the next trip should involve real hiking.  Hey, I'm up for whatever, as long as I don't have to plan it!

9 Months

John Henry is 9 months!  He had his 9 month well check and we were surprised to hear that he is only 18 pounds 8 ounces.  We could have sworn that he was over 20!  He's 27 3/4 inches long and so that puts him in the 25th percentile for both height and weight.  He may be little but he makes up for it with his big smile!  His 9 month picture below made me a little sad.  He looks less like a baby and more like a little boy.  

Getting bigger in his chair!  We had a harder time doing 9 month pictures because he wanted to jump out of the chair.  Sitting still is not his thing anymore....

I'm pretty sure he's going to have green eyes.  They can still change based on what he's wearing and the lighting around him but for the most part, I think he'll have hazel eyes.  He's also starting to grow some more hair.  It's white blond and I have to wonder how long it will stay that way.

John Henry still loves phones and remote controls.  Give him both and he's in heaven.  Take them away and watch out.  I do my best to hide both when he's around but I will pull them out when I'm desperate to keep him entertained.

John Henry and Holland are starting to love each other more. Holland can say his name (which is not easy for an 18 month old) and they love to lean in and hug each other. When John Henry is near, Holland just wants to pat his head. It's pretty sweet.

John Henry is doing his best to communicate with us.  He's started to flap his arms when you say hello or goodbye.  He also says Mama, Dada, Ba (ball), and Yeah. I don't think he associates any of those words with the real thing but it's cute.  Since he's limited with his words, he does some funny things to get his point across.  One of our favorites is this thing that we call the Superman. He balls up his fists, makes his whole body shake, and then gets this serious look. It's like he's willing the situation to change. It's the funniest thing ever, and he does it at least 20 times a day.

He's started standing this month.  So scary.  He's pretty steady on his feet and has learned that some of his toys are perfect for standing and walking around.

Look at him showing off!

Now that he can stand he's not too thrilled when we try to keep him contained in an apparatus.  We thought he would love this jumpy that hangs from the ceiling since he loves to bounce.  He only lasted for one minute before he was ready to get out. 

I know he's still small but to me he looks bigger every day.  Just look at how much bigger he looks in his high chair.  We still use the small bumbos to eat in but I know it's just a matter of time until the high chair will be his full time eating char.

 One of John Henry's favorite things to do this month is to ride in his car.  This car is amazing and keeps him entertained every day.  He loves it and Jay is always happy to push him around.  We now use it for our walks, to get the mail, to visit neighbors, you get the picture.

John Henry is still doing the army crawl but he's getting better at it.  I'm sure it's just a matter of time before he's scooting across the room. 

At 9 months John Henry has 7 teeth with another on the way. He really likes to cuddle and wants to snuggle against us when he's tired.  It's so sweet and melts my heart every time.  When he's not being sweet, he's being funny.  He does some of the funniest things (at least we think so) and I feel like I'm always laughing at him.  He's really trying to figure things out and now he cocks his head to the side when he wants a better look at something.  I'm not sure why he does it but it's his way of concentrating.  It's pretty funny to see in person.

Now that school is back in session, he has yet another cold and I'm sure it's just one of many more to come before the end of the year.  Thankfully, he sleeps through the night when he's sick and just requires a little medicine to feel better.  He's happy, healthy (as healthy as he can be for being a daycare baby) and we wouldn't change a thing.

9 months going on 16

We can't thank Ragan Weeks enough.  John Henry has a new love.  It's not food, drink, or any normal type of baby toy.  It's a car and we owe John Henry's new found happiness to Ragan.  The second that car arrived John Henry has been rolling in his new wheels every chance he gets.  I can't even begin to describe how much he loves it.  So, I'll let the pictures do the talking.

His first spin.

I'm pretty sure he just saw some Atlanta driver cut someone off. 

"Why are you cruising, get out of the fast lane!"

I have to assume this is what he would look like stuck in traffic.

And I would have to assume the next three pictures are what he would look like if he was driving on the highway...

 It's a rough life chillin in a new car.  But somebody's gotta do it!