Over the past month James has officially learned the "army crawl." He isn't quite crawling, crawling but he basically drags himself across the room by just using his arms... As soon as he learns how to incorporate those legs - we are in trouble!
He has an immense about of energy. He is constantly looking around, reaching for something (9 times out of 10 - things he is NOT supposed to have).
He has recently realized that there are things to touch and feel on those touch and feel books and he gets a huge kick out of them. He has started reaching for people, which I (of course) love... but he has also started having a little bit of "separation anxiety." When Ian and Britine were visiting Dr. Kane told us how this typically starts at 8 months.... It's hard but we are trying really hard to help him get out of this stage.
Now - since this is a major catch up - this is an entire month worth of happenings, which includes the biggest holiday of the year -- CHRISTMAS. So, just a warning - this blog is probably the longest yet... So prop up your feet, get a cup of joe and enjoy our memories....
The day after J turned 8 months - the Kane's headed on to A-town, and our next guests arrived -- Grammy & Grandpa... But before we could say goodbye, we had to take a group pic in front of the tree... We kept joking that lots had changed since freshman year of college :)
When Cheryl & Chuck (aka Grammy and Grandpa) got there, it was as though Santa's sleigh had arrived! James has no idea just how spoiled he was. He got to open his very first Christmas present when they got there... He kind of did it himself... Kind of not....
"Woooooow"
He literally started laughing once the gift was all opened and he saw the baby on front. It was priceless!
We celebrated "Christmas morning" with Grammy and Grandpa the morning of December 23 -- so here are some photos from our morning of celebrations... Aka James' show! (here he doesn't know which is better -- his thumb or his new toy)
Our little squirmy wormy was ready to play and sick of opening :)
J got his very own rocking chair!
He seemed to enjoy rocking (and sliding)!
Jimmy was surprised with an early Birthday gift, amongst all the Christmas gifts, with a red ryder bee-bee gun - haha.... Just kidding! His very own SHOTGUN! Watch out quail... Jimbo's gonna find you! Here's a photo of "the boys" (and Sadie pouting)
Grammy, Grandpa and James - Christmas 2011
That evening was the annual "Cousins Christmas" party at Robin & Terry's house... So Grammy and Grandpa took on grandparent duty and watched Baby J while Jimmy and I went out for a bit!
Good thing the boys were trying to be funny and not smile.... oh and just noticed Hunter's nice gesture... Way to take a great picture, guys!
James and Daddy playing after church on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve Family Photo
Christmas Eve - Mommy and James 2011
Introducing James to our Christmas Eve dinner :)
Santa came to see James -- Christmas Day 2011!
Jimmy was so proud -- not only did Santa bring James a football -- it was the first gift he grabbed out of his stocking! :)
Nana and Pop came over for Christmas Morning Brunch!
After naps and showers, we ventured over to "the Loft" aka Nana and Pop's for Christmas evening fun with the Howards... Everyone was there!
Christmas craziness -- exactly how they always were. I love my family :)
Everyone digging into their Christmas surprises...
A boys photo -- James-ee-poo was already alseep in Nana and Pop's bedroom... Those 7pm bedtimes are really nice at times, but they can also get in the way in others.... BUT I'M NOT COMPLAINING!
After Christmas, Jimmy, James and I packed up and headed to the mountains for a little R&R and for our own family NYE fun.... Here is the view from our cabin:
Our first night we went to eat at Hard Rock Cafe and I reminisced to when I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain... That was our go-to place to eat when we were all homesick and just wanted some ice in our drinks and ranch dressing on our salads!
James seemed to dig all the music (and noise) all around... It was yummy!
After we got back to the cabin, and put baby J to sleep.... We had a little R&R of our own in the hot tub! 7pm bedtimes are nice for mommy and daddy! :)
A little NYE smile :)
J and I on our deck... Cheese biscuit!
Self-timer photo in our cabin:
Celebrating NYE at 6:58 p.m. with James - haha (he did not want to go to bed, he was ready to PARTY!)
He was wearing his finest for his first NYE (tuxedo pajamas Jimbo bought for him last Christmas)
We made some duck (shot and killed by Jimmy!):
Then we stayed an extra day and just relaxed... On the ride home we stopped and took some gorgeous photos - here is one of my faves:
Whew! That was a lot! If you made it to the end -- congrats! If you didn't... I don't blame you! :)
9 month shoot (Jimmy took these while I was cooking dinner Saturday night -- thank you Jimbo!):
