8 months and a day

Can you believe that my baby boy is 8 months old? I sure can't. Over the last couple of weeks seems so much bigger so much faster. He's move'n all over the place and getting into everything. He can sit up by himself, and is just a pot of joy! He's been giving kisses for several weeks now, and my very favorite is when he spontaneously kisses me.

Wesley is so excited when his daddy gets home. He was grabbing with Bret with his hands and toes. (Bret's on the phone in this picture because he was on call. We're going on vacation soon so he's been on call quite a bit.)I love and adore each stage he goes through, and it's so fun to see how proud he is of himself as he figures new things out. Love you little man!

Happy 5th of July

We started the day by going to a parade. Wesley enjoyed drumming on the bowl of melon and watching the floats, bands, and fancy cars go by.

(Side note: I cut the cantaloupe and honeydew at quarter to midnight because I wanted it for the parade. Unfortunately the cooler accidentally opened and dumped it on the side of the road when we were walking back to our car :(. At least we ate some during the parade.)

Wes and his dad enjoying the parade.
I love his face as he studied what was going on. Someone threw him the lollipop , and he held it for a long time.
We were at the end so everyone on the float would get of right in front of us. It was pretty funny.
Bret had to go into the hospital again (everyday that weekend), but it's a good job and I get to stay home with my little man. So I won't complain. Wes and I were happy when he got home and we played.The Handcocks came over of some pineapple bbq chicken. Bret had started marinating it the day before, and it was so yummy. It was the perfect end to a fun weekend.

Wes in his patriotic onesie his Nana Banana (aka my mom) got him from her business trip in DC. She wasn't thinking of our last name when she got it, but I still like it.

Happy 4th of July

We celebrated the 4th by going to church. I look forward to being spiritually uplifted every week, and it was nice to sing the patriotic hymns.

After church Bret got called into the hospital, so Wes and I hung out and waved the flag. Hmmm, messy face.
He's getting pretty good at army crawling. He's going pretty slow in this video, but it's all I've got. It's so fun to watch him go, especially when he's fast. Hopefully I'll get hem really going good on video sometime.

Happy 4th of July bath!

Happy 3rd of July

Independence Day being on a Sunday means we get to celebrate a lot. I love the Fourth of July!

Saturday we unpacked (we've been doing that quite a bit lately), and then went on an evening picnic with our friends the Handcocks. I made pulled pork, and it turned out super yummy. I think Wesley enjoyed his first picnic. They are such a neat family.
Here's my patriotic family! We love America!
After the picnic the Handcocks swung home for some things, and we put Wes to bed. Then they came back and we did some fireworks in the dirt we call our backyard. The wind cut our fun short, but it was still a nice evening.

Why are things that shouldn't go in your mouth so appealing to babies?

Moving has encouraged this little guy to get into and taste all types of things I don't want him to.
While I was cleaning the kitchen of the old apartment I was happy that Wesley was doing so well in the living room alone. Most of the things were our of the apartment so I figured all was well...
then I discovered why he was playing by himself so well. He pulled a roll or toilet paper our the my bag and was chewing on it...gross!

He also found the little clear plastic that hooks a tag to clothing and choked on it. In fact that was the first time he choked.

He pulled a piece off this basket and choked on it. I have had to say prayers of gratitude that I was able to hit his back and it came out. His toys are no longer in that basket.
He chewed on a rawhide bone at the neighbors. Luckily it was on the dog hadn't gotten to yet, but still.
He chewed on closed pocket knives on my key chain. Time to take those off.
He's chewed on shoes.
Bret stopped him right before he ate an ant, and I think he may have eaten one just before that. I had no idea his fine motor skills were that developed.
I keep having to take away carpet shreds from him, and sometimes they make it in his mouth. I don't want to know if he's actually swallowed any.
He's chewed on clean diapers, and thinks I am cruel for keeping the dirty ones away from him.
Power cords are his very favorite, and that scares me.
I am sure there are wonderfully inedible things I am leaving off the list.

Wes, why aren't your toys more appealing to you? I don't mind if you chew on those.

I guess I just have to do my best, pray for protection, and trust in the Lord.