Eight Months

It's amazing that Trip is already two thirds of the way to his first birthday!

He was very smiley for his pictures this month!

I love that toothy smile!

I got Trip this sippy cup a few weeks ago. He has figured out how it works and really likes it.

He pretty much loves anything to do with eating and drinking. He eats all kinds of baby food but also likes whatever we will give him from our plates. At lunch today I was feeding him rice from my plate and could not get it to him fast enough. As always, it's so fun to watch him grow, learn, and discover.

Time With Family and Looking Toward the Future

We spent last weekend and the beginning of the week in Oregon. Kirk has been asked to be the pastor of the Foursquare church in Lakeview (a small town in southern Oregon), so we went to check it out. My parents and Rachel met us there and we enjoyed some time together. We had three flights to get there and three to get home, so Trip got lots of experience riding planes. He had some rough moments on the return trip, but did really well overall.

Aunt Tammi helped make Auntie Rachel's day with this onesie that she gave Trip for Valentine's Day.

Trip loved the dried papaya that Noni gave him to suck on.

Every night when we take Trip's clothes off to get ready for bed, he gets a surge of energy and wants to roll around and play. He was enjoying hanging out with Grandpa.

I realized that we didn't get any pictures of Trip's first plane rides. The other new thing that he discovered and that we didn't photograph was sitting in high chairs at restaurants. Gone are the days of him sitting in his car seat or sleeping while we eat. He loved sitting at the table and eating his baby food, rice rusks, veggie puffs, or food off our plates.

We have yet to make our final decision about the job and all of the changes that it would entail, but we're excited about what the future may hold.

Spring Break Fun

Trip and I had a great spring break together. He did lots of playing, talking, laughing, and just being cute. I worked on some projects around the house, did my report cards, and enjoyed being with him.

Playing in his exersaucer while Mommy gets chores done.

Talking to Jale. He sure loves his dogs! He puts his hands out so that she can lick them and then laughs the whole time.

Grandpa and Granny got Trip this Johnny Jump Up. This week he figured out how to jump/dance in it. It's a new favorite activity.

Discovering everything in a package from Grandpa and Noni. He especially likes this Curious George book. Apparently it tastes good.

The dogs have discovered that Trip's banana puffs and sweet potato puffs are tasty. They were waiting anxiously while I was giving Trip some just in case one fell on the floor or I was feeling generous.

We also went on several walks this week. Trip loves being outside, sitting in the stroller, and looking around. Yesterday we took advantage of a brief window of good weather and went on a long walk with our friends DeAnn and Delaney, which we all really enjoyed. Trip and Delaney rode in the stroller together for a little while and played with their toys. They both wanted what the other one had, though, so it didn't last too long. It was pretty funny to watch.

And now, it's back to work. I'm so thankful to have most of my report cards done. That will make this week go much more smoothly.

Pictures Part 4: Details

Who doesn't love little hands and feet?

Pictures Part 3: Monkey!

Some monkey pictures were in order too. I especially like this first one where Trip looks like a little monkey.

Pictures Part 2

Pictures Part 1

Our friend DeAnn got some new equipment for her photography business and offered to take some pictures of Trip. She got lots of great ones, so it will take several posts to share them.

Of course, we had to have some pictures in camo. Thanks Uncle Gary, Aunt Tammi, and Cooper for the overalls! The quilt is the one that Noni and Auntie Rachel helped make.