8 months

She's developing a personality and I love every ounce of it.  She's sweet and loving, easy and mellow.  She still mostly prefers her mama but my theory is that it's really the milk she's after.  As soon as she's weaned she'll be a daddy's girl no doubt.  No new teeth, no new skills. She's nearly sitting on her own but really has no motivation to do much else.  And I'm OK with that.  The longer she takes to stand/crawl/walk, the more I get to cherish her babyhood.  She's my soft squishy lovebug and I can't get enough of her.

Then and Now

 First Birthday

Eighth Birthday

Brendan's Birthday

This sweet amazing boy turned 8 yesterday and, just like all of his other birthdays, I relived the day of his birth in "moments."  Every glance at the clock brought a memory ("this is when my water broke", "this is when my best friend drove from Beaverton to Vancouver to pick me up and take me to the hospital", "this is when my parents got to the hospital", "this is when Joe got to the hospital", "this is when I held him in my arms and cried.")

He's brought so much joy to our lives and continues to amaze us as he grows.  He loves to read.  The boy would stay awake for hours in his bed at night with a book if we let him.  He's curious about the way things work and enjoys reading about science. He's learning to play piano and even enjoys creating his own music.  He's decided (after a few lessons) that tennis may just be "his sport." He currently wants to be a "cook" when he grows up and is still my biggest fan when it comes to my cooking.  He's sensitive and sweet, strong and smart, and the most handsome kid on the entire planet.

I convinced him this year that the best approach to a party would be to invite a few friends to a movie and mini golf and then treat them to pizza and cake at our place afterwards.  Just a few of his closest friends. So when the movie was sold out, we improvised with mini golf and bowling instead.  Then back to the house for pizza, cake and presents.  The kids had a blast and I survived.  He declared it the "best birthday ever" and I knew I had succeeded.  Here's to many more birthdays to come, sweet boy.