8 months

With the way things have been going this month, I thought I should start this post sooner rather than later.

I can't believe you're (almost) 8 months! I think I sort of skipped your 7th month. We were trying to get your '6 month' pictures done for so long, that before I knew it we were in your 8th month.

Man you're a cute kid -as the pictures will prove. You're eating everything I give you (except peas). You sit up for long periods of time, but you can't get there on your own yet. You've started rolling around to try and get to something or somewhere you'd like to be. It doesn't always work out so well, so you've also started scooting around -on your back and backwards. It's pretty funny. You've done countless face-dives (sorry, buddy) from the sitting position and you are even rocking a bit back and forth when you're on all fours. So... I think crawling is in your near future.

You're usually really vocal now. You like screaming and vibrating your lips together. You make a funny cough-like noise when you're eating too. With any luck we won't be in to see the doctor this month, but I think you're between 18 and 19 pounds. Pretty heavy -especially when you're in the car seat.

July is proving to be a VERY busy month. You had your second plane ride and spent the weekend in San Fransisco. You did pretty well considering most of your naps were in the car and you got to bed really late every night. You visited Muir Woods, the Pier, Chinatown, the Berkeley ward house, and the Oakland Temple. Plus, we had dinner at two different homes while we were there.

Last weekend you went camping for the first time. I think you liked it. You love being outside, so that part was great. The trip up to Idaho took a little over 6 hours, which probably the part you disliked the most. The trip back took a little under 5, so that was a little better.

You had your first swimming experience. The pool was super warm, so it was just like a big bath -with a lot of kids to watch -so you loved it! You slept well and took good naps and loved spending time with your grandparents and Aunt April.

Next weekend you'll have your second camping experience. We're headed to Jackson Hole, Wyoming with Mimi and Papa. It might get a little colder in the evening up there, so I hope you still have a good time.

We've had death in your family. Well, not so much a death, as a missing person. You had 2 blue elephants and one was accidentally left on the airplane. We still have the one, and I've also bought 3 more that are similar. Hopefully you like sleeping with these as much as the others.

You're so active and you love playing with your toys. It's fun to watch you play because you have favorite ones and have come to expect certain things. It won't be long before you get yourself pretty mobile, so I better be on my toes!

My vacation.

It started out as a normal day. Laila came over for the morning. I got to eat in my high chair, sleep in my crib (who knew I'd actually LIKE that?) and hang out with my parents.

Then the car seat. Don't these people know that I don't like that car seat? And it didn't stop when we got out of the car. Even after we got into the building, I had to stay in the car seat in the stroller and wait around in lines forever. And when mom finally got me out? It was just to walk 30 feet, and then I had to get right back in. What are these two up to?

I finally got out of that car seat to sit down with my parents -but we still aren't moving. There's a lot of other people sitting here too, some more people to look at. Are we at church or something?

Okay, not at church, but just as long. I took a nap, but only for 15 or 20 minutes. Doesn't mom know I like my own space when I sleep now?

More stroller, and then they stuck me in that dang car seat. This car looks a little different. Dad has a hard time turning it on [first time Prius user]. Doesn't make any difference to me. It's a good thing I've learned how to hold my own bottle. Maybe I'll take another nap.

Hmmm.... elevator. Reminds me of Aunt Jodi's. Only, this time we didn't get stuck on it. This room looks a lot like mom and dad's. Except there's a TV. I think I'll hang out here for a bit.

More time in the car seat. I'm beginning to see a pattern here. Oh great -dinner. At least there's a couple of kids to entertain me. Hmmm... they seem a little small to be carrying me around -I hope they don't drop me. Isn't my mom watching this?

Car seat again. What a surprise. It's so late -I can't believe they don't already have me in bed. speaking of bed. I didn't see a crib. OR my own room. I wonder what they're planning on.

Are you kidding me? I know I was asleep when they put me in this thing, but come on? This looks like one of those orphanage cribs I've seen in pictures. And what's this about waking up in the bathroom? I did NOT agree to this. I need my own room and at least a wooden crib or something. Good thing I have my blue elephant. I wonder why my parents have started calling him 'smelly'?

Well, this will show them. I'm getting up nice and early -see what they do with that. Mmmm... a bottle and breakfast in bed. This is more like it.

Again with the car seat? Guess I'll take another nap.

All right. I'm up. What's this place? It's a little cold, but at least we're outside. I like being outside. And, I really like the stroller without the car seat in it. This might not be too bad.

It's a little cold. I'm not liking the stroller any more. I wonder if dad will carry me around in the Bjork. Hmmm... bored with that now. I bet I can make these two carry me back in their arms now. Man -these guys will do ANYTHING to get me to stop whining. This is great!

I'm used to things being bigger than me, but these Redwoods are something else. It's pretty here and the walk wasn't too bad. Maybe they'll buy me a book or something from the store

Car seat=nap.

Somewhere new. I can't believe how much my parents are going to pay this much for parking. I didn't even know you could be charged this much for 20 minutes of parking. Must be pretty great. Well, apart from there being a lot of people, it's just another walk in the stroller for me. Ooo... lunch. Good thing it's pretty noisy here, cuz I feel like 'expressing' myself.

I did like seeing all of those seals near the water, but there is just TOO many people here. Plus... i'm tired again.

Back in this big room, huh. Well, if mom and dad think I'm sleeping in that bathroom again, they have another thing coming. I'm not sure what they have planned for tonight, but I'm not going to help them out any.

Car seat... Zzzzzzzz

Where are we? Oh... the Oakland Temple. (It was on the sign). It's a little windy up here, but sure is pretty. I've never been on the top of a temple to see a garden. What a view. Could it get any better?

Wow! I spoke too soon. Dinner at this place? You have to be kidding me?!?!

Check out the view from here! It's even higher than the temple. I'm not sure how mom and dad know these people, but they should stay in touch! It is starting to get late, and it's a little cold down here now. I'm sure my mom and dad would love to be out here for the rest of the program, but after the Pledge of Allegiance by those firefighters, and the patriotic violin and vocal number, I want to go inside. They'll have to listen to the speech and the prayer from up here.
Oh look, I see the car... Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The bathroom? Again? Well, I'll show them. I'll get up even earlier today.

Okay, maybe that early thing wasn't such a good idea. Good thing I got another nap an hour after I ate. Now what? They're cleaning up. I bet I can guess what comes next -car seat. Zzzzz.

What's this? Okay, they can't fool me this time. This is church. It looks a little different, this building is really old and cool looking. But, this is church. Guess I'll start fussing so I can go and take a look at the rest of the building.

Worked like a charm. But, now I'm back in the car seat. This has to end soon, right?

Okay, stroller. Not too bad. We're walking around a lot of chinese people. Now lunch at a restaurant. My parents look like they're having a good time. I'll see what I can do about that.

Stroller again, wait, what's that?

Man, my dad is goofy.

Okay -I see the car up the hill. Speaking of hills -these things are STEEP! Zzzzzz

This place looks familiar. More car seat and lines. I've had enough. I've only slept for 15 or 20 minutes at a time today. I am NOT happy. And, I think ALL these people should know.

Hmmm... that was weird. Even I thought it was pretty obvious my stroller wouldn't fit in that xray machine. That guy was sure pushy, even after mom told him 2 or 3 times it wouldn't fit.

Waiting. Waiting for what? Just to get on the plane? Maybe if my parents walk around for more than an hour I'll fall asleep for about 40 minutes. Longest nap all day.

Man, this plane is taking forever to get here. I would have been home an hour ago if it wasn't delayed. I wonder whose fault that is? Probably everyone on that plane. I'll let them know how unhappy I am about that. And, just to be sure EVERYONE knows, I won't sleep at all.

Car seat. Nope. Not sleeping anymore in that dang seat! I'll let my parents and Aunt Jodi know how mad I am. The whole way home.

What is this? This place looks familiar. Oh my gosh -is that my bed? My very own bed in my very own room. And is that my OTHER blue elephant? Not the one my mom accidentally [maybe subconsciously] left on the plane?

I'm in heaven. In fact, I'm so excited to be back, I'm going to stay awake in my crib for 40 minutes just hanging out.

Maybe I'll wake my mom up extra early tomorrow, just to let her know how happy I am to be home.