8 month baby

The Monthly Shot

This month you have become quite the little handful.  You want so desperately to move.  Your favorite position is to stand up and hold onto the table, chair, me. 

so happy with yourself after pulling up to stand

This severely limits my free time as I obviously have to stay close to you for when you will eventually topple.  You can however hold onto the ottoman and reach for the couch... so you get the walking concept.  You make this transition pretty smoothly about 80% of the time.  You have actually pulled up to a standing position twice all on your own.

The smirk- he would much rather play outside of the exersaucer than in it... go figure

  You can get in the crawling position and are an expert at shimmering backwards.  However, you have not yet grasped sitting up from a laying position, but I figure that will happen this  month and then WATCH OUT! 

One thing that is going great… knock on wood… is your sleeping.  You take 2 great naps a day and every now and again take a 3^rd little cat nap.  You put yourself to sleep for every nap and at bedtime. If it wasn't for how great you sleep at night and nap during the day, I could go crazy, but thankfully you do and I don't.

Ready for church a couple weeks ago

You still occasionally wake up for a bottle around 5 but will always go back to sleep.  Speaking of bottles, I am still pumping... 4 times a day.  You have yet to have formula but that is probably due to the fact that you don't drink a lot so I can easily keep up.  The minimum amount you should take is 24 oz and will normally just squeeze that in.  You have 3 meals a day and often eat what we eat.  You are quite stubborn and when you have had enough, then there is no persuading you to continue.

Fisting spaghetti

 

You are still on the skinny side, but that is a pretty good place to be I guess.  I try not to worry about it because I know you are healthy but honestly, I would like to put a pound or two on you. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have the sweetest smile.  Rarely do you give a full on open mouth grin, it is normal just a subtle grin, but it is precious.  You grin a strangers that talk to you and then act shy and put your head on my chest.

The typical Bennett grin/ smirk

 

You loves your blankies and have a new favorite but still love the others as well.

 

You still enjoy your brothers but I will be honest, you are not all about them as they are you. 



You look so grown up here.



Cant believe how quickly this 8 months has gone by.  You are amazing and I LOVEyou sooo much kid!

 

 

 

 

The Weekend

The plan had been set to go to my parents this weekend... then mom started running a fever and we re-evaluated the plan.  Thankfully, her fever broke.  We gave her some time to make sure there was no relapse and she felt like having 4 crazy kids around and once she gave us the go ahead, we made the trip down.

It turned out to be a great weekend.  Mom and I (and Bennett because he is quite a momma's boy right now) did a bit of shopping. 

We also went bowling.  The boys had never been before and they had a blast!  I had not been bowling in FOREVER... like since college.  It was so fun... we will have to start going again.  I went all the time in high school and became decent.  I have totally lost any/ all skill I had.  It was embarrassing.

Here are the pics.

Queenie... sorry mom, bowling pics= butt shot

Ashton

Good form.

Hunter

He was so cute after he released the ball... he would hold his position until the ball was about to hit the pins

Shepherd- the ball practically bounced and then slowly rolled down the lane

Mantis looking all professional and blowing us OUT OF THE WATER

 

Bennett was passed around like a sack of potatoes

 

 THE SCORES-  Please don't judge me... I think this is the lowest score I have ever scored.  I mean, I tied my mom... Geez (haha)

 The bumper lanes AKA the boys lane.  (The "S" was broken- I do know how to spell my kid's names)

 

 

 

 

The boys had dentists appts in Easley so we did that, then took quite a detour to visit my newest niece and the family... and see their new home. 

Esme is just a pretty baby and just precious.  Owen and Caelum are awesome and the boys had so much fun with their cousins.

So sweet.

The babies

So sad that I didn't get a cousin picture but Esme decided she would rather nap and take a picture another time.

Boy wrestling in Esme's unfinished room.

Thanks mom and dad for spoiling us this weekend. The boys and I had a great time!

School Pics

These actually turned out pretty good.  I wish the digital age of pictures had surfaced during my elementary school pictures.... yikes! 

2nd grade- I swear this kid is so photogenic

Kindergarten- Maybe some gel in the hair next year. He looks so sweet here! 

Not bad, right? 
Love these two boys.  And though I miss them during the day, Shep, Bennett and I are getting into a good little groove.
H and A are loving school and seem to be adjusted and happy!

Family...   I ordered the absolute smallest package of 1 - 3*5, 2 - 2*3 and 8- 1 * 2.  The 3 *5 are mine :)   but if you want a smaller one, let me know.  I can place a re- order if you want bigger ones, just let me know within the next week and I will order them for you.

Follow Ups.

 

A couple follow ups from previous posts.

First, two weeks ago I posted a question about Sheppy's hair... and I had the overwhelming response of 1 person weigh in (thanks Leah).  I just got Shep's hair trimmed.  It looks so much better and he still looks Sheppy.  I gather most people like his longer locks.



Yes, this is the trimmed version.  Also, you get a sneak peak of the den! :)

 

Another view... more tame... kind of.

 

 

 

Second, I posted about some recent funnys.  I said that I didn't post any of SmAsh because he is in speech. Well, here is a video of us practicing "book" for his speech homework.  I decided to video him so he could hear what he was saying.   So funny and SOOOOO Ashton!

And just because... here is one of the 4 of 'em. 


Go ahead and say it, "Bless Bennett's heart"... and ignore the mess in the background, I was brainstorming.

Side by Sides

I never got to putting up comparison pictures of all the boys.  To be honest, it takes some time to dig up pictures from similar ages... however,  after the boys go to bed over the past couple weeks, I have been spending a few minutes working on picture organization and thought it was a good time to find comparison pics. 


All of these pics are from between 7 to 8 months.  And each set, one is of Bennett and the other is one of the brothers.


Set 1

 

Set 2

 

 

Set 3

 

 

Is it just me or do they not all look enormously different?  Definitely not clones of eachother.  From lots of hair to little from squinty eyes to big round eyes from chubby to skinny they each have things that make them quite unique.

Looking at these pictures gives me a reality check... time really is so quick.  I remember each one of them at this age/ stage.  Blink.  And it is gone.   Not that that is a bad thing.  I love this age but I love watching them grow and learn.  Each of these boys is such a gift. 

Guard them Lord Jesus... Guard them.

 

 

You Know You Are a Mom to Boys When... 2

1)...  You spent a large portion  of your morning making this..


And before I get criticism for no roof - ZACH- everyone knows it is too hard to play Legos with a roof  :)

Notice all the fun details... I mean, the cat is sitting on the window sill, the bed has a navy quilt with red and white throw pillows, and there are plants, and side tables.  my boys just don't get excited about these details... must teach them... must teach them... must teach them

1.5)... And then your son hands you this figure to play with in the perfectly built Lego house.  Does he not know that this boy/ girl mismatched Lego figure does not match the manicured lawn, or the bed with the throw pillows, or the nicely laid hardscaped outdoor area?  Geez, you would think I was building this for them?

What the crap?  I told dear Shepherd that this would just not do. I could not bring this one eyed SheMan into my beautiful house.

2)...  While getting a clump of wax our of your son's ear, he says, "it's a ladybug."  Ug!


3)... Your son, who is learning some sign language in kindergarten, asks what the sign for "fart" is... and when you say you don't know, he makes up his own sign.

There was also sound effects but I thought that was a bit too much for you Internet... you are welcome.

4) ... Another son, who is quite a good reader, mispronounces the title of this book.  In case you cant see it, "The Pout Pout Fish"

as the "Poot Poot Fish."  Once I get tickled, the laughter went on and on and on.  I laugh just thinking about the "Poot Poot Fish".. funny stuff I tell you , funny stuff. Come to think of it, "The Poot Poot Fish" could make a hilarious children's book. 

Are you starting to see a theme... yep, already obsessed with bodily functions.  I still prefer to call it a "saw saw."  But I fear "fart" is taking the place of my disguise word. I supposed I cant expect  them to be in high school calling them "saw saws" but I was hoping it would last a bit  longer. 

Until next time, to moms of boys... just SMILE and NOD and LAUGH... a lot! 

The Evenings

A friend of mine just posted how she fills like a shampoo bottle... the directions say lather, rinse, repeat.   A cycle of sorts.  I like the analogy as were are in the same type cycle. 

Alarm clocks have replaced sleeping in.

Lunch boxes wait for me to pack them in the morning.  Coffee is tasting better and better.  I am so thankful that Chad is able to take the older two to school.. it is a serious burden that has been lifted for me!

Running errands is determined by when Bennett is not napping.  And playing Legos, doing puzzles, feeding kiddos, and doing yard work/ housework fills up the heart of the day. 

Car line at 2:10 to not have them in the car until closer to 2:40. 

Homework for the older two and nap for the youngest while cooking dinner is next.

And then evening.... and either playing outside, visitng daddy at practice/ football game, or soccer game/ practice.

The day feels like it is gone before it should even really begin.

Here are some pictures that sum up the evenings.

Nothin like a Power Wheels ride... yes, I trust Shep about 80% with this set up.

 

3 monkeys in a tree

Bennett got a swing... obviously he loves it.  And I love it because I have somewhere to put him when we are outside

 

Ashton singing a song he learned in school... Shep is singing in the background.  Bennett is probably getting dizzy.  But, all are happy.

Love this picture... it is sooo real.

Soccer Game.  The boy's team is doing so good. First game won 3-0 and second game won 4-0.  Ashton had a goal and assist in the first game and a goal in the second game.  Hunter had 2 goals in the second game.  The league here is much more intense then at the last place we played... which I got to admit, I kind of like.  

Ashton on a break away... not bragging, but this kid has some mad foot skills.

Hunter throwing the ball into Ashton

Hunter battling for the ball

So, yes, we are plugging along and enjoying it. The boys have all adjusting beautifully to the new routine

She's So Vain

Look at this little beauty... it is RED!  how fun, right?!?!

 

Brand spankin new Nikon. 

This pretty little think comes with some tears though.

The damage to the old camera.... split lens and busted/ scratched mirror

Yesterday morning, before the first soccer game of the season which I was unable to document (you will see why in a moment)... oh and they won the game 3-0, my camera was sitting on the computer table.  When a little 5 year old boy came up to the table and accidentally bumped the expensive but thankfully aging camera.  The camera fell, the boy cried... the mom felt like crying.

Here is a video... that new camera took.  Eek!   I didn't even know it had this feature when I bought it!  Shows how impulsive I was in this purchase!

Hunter took this video.  I was so proud when I first started watching it because Shepherd is trying to fix the camera... make sure you watch the end.  In his defense, Hunter told him something was on his nose. 

I didn't let much grass grow under my feet when replacing my precious camera.  It set me back more than I wanted but it is so worth to me.

So definitely more pics to come!

 

Doo. Doo. Doo. And Another Nail Bites the Dust

Make sure you sing the title... just reading it doesn't have the same effect.

He is all about silly faces when I pull out the camera

My poor clutz/ accident proned Shepherd.  I blogged back in June (or at least I thought I blogged about it... but I couldn't find it) how we got his middle finger and ring on his right hand stuck in a bathroom door.  Well, after a few weeks those two nails both fell off.  I am happy to report that the ring finger nail has grown back nicely... The middle finger which had a bit more trauma to it, had grown back- just a bit bumpy.

Well, a few weeks ago, we were eating out with my parents and Ashton and Shepherd were playing around in the foyer area and WAIL!!!  Another finger had met the door.  Again.  Thankfully this time was not quite as gross as the first but still blood and tears mixed together. 

Middle fingernailless (obviously not a word).  Silver lining, the mass of a wart that was on this cuticle disappeared with the injury!  yay!

Last night, this nail which also happened to be on the middle finger... of the other hand thankfully... fell off.  Or rather I gave it a gently pull as it had been hanging for a few days.

The nail... finally off... kind of looks like a big ol tooth here.

Speaking of Shepherd, look at this hair! 

Twirling.  Oh the body of it!

And a face shot from a couple weeks ago.

I just cant decide if I should cut it, trim it, or leave it... opinions anyone?!?!