For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

What a busy month it's been… so much has been going on with you! The biggest things to note are than you're crawling all over the place, speedy boy. You're pulling up on all the furniture and have taken a few big tumbles. Your favorite place to crawl to is wherever Miles is. You like to go lay on him, pull his tail, try to steal his bones and his ball and pull his ears and hair. He's so patient with you and just seems confused about why you're in his space. He loves you very much… especially when you're eating and you let him clean your hands, face, chair and lap during and after your meals.


Here are your 9 month stats:
Weight: 21 lbs 15 oz (75%)
Height: 30 1/4" (95%)
Head: 18" (75%)


Things you like this month:
FRUIT! all berries and bananas, all frozen fruits we've tried
Playing with Miles
Playing with any other older child
Being outside and going on walks
Being tickled
Still enjoy getting in your jumper every once in a while
Opening every cabinet and drawer you can find
Looking at yourself in the mirror


Things you don't like:
Getting a diaper or clothes change
Getting your nails trimmed
You don't like it when strangers try to hold you anymore

Laying on Miles bed in the morning

Digging deep in the toy basket

Crawling away from the Christmas tree since it's kind of prickly

You had a very exciting Christmas! Your family was so excited to bless you with millions of toys to keep you busy for years. I don't even think you've been able to play with all of them. Some of your favorites have been your drum from DD, your Toy Story car from Grandy and Papa, and your pounding/hammer toy that your dad and I gave you for Christmas.

We had Christmas at your Aunt Kobie's house the weekend before Christmas. You loved getting to see all your cousins and open lots and lots of presents. Santa came to your house this year, and brought you so many fun toys for your first Christmas. You got a red push car that you love and a few musical toys that you love banging on.


We love you soooo much!!

For of his fulness we all received, and grace for grace. John 1:16

This weekend we had our first big ice storm of the season. Having ice isn't too big of a deal, but the temperatures didn't go up for several days, which meant several days of ice in a row. And the worst part was that Daddy was stuck in New York and couldn't fly home. You and I camped out in the house all day on Friday. I intended to put up Christmas decorations, but that didn't seem to get done.  We played together and I fretted over your Dad most of the day :)

Here you are getting out in your first snow/ice… and you especially loved getting to watch Miles act like a crazy fool in the ice. I tried to catch a picture of him, but he's just too fast for the camera.

You also had some neighbors stop by to play with you, which you loved! You love having playmates and getting all this attention!

You were so worn out after you day (and since you're boycotting afternoon naps the last couple of days), you passed out in your jumper.

We also had Thanksgiving last week in Missouri. You did great on the plane and were so much fun while we were there. Everyone loved getting to see and play with you. You did get a little sick while we were there and had a horrible snotty nose, which kept you up a lot at night. During the day, you were just as happy as you could be. Some of Grandy & Papa's friends, the Pernsteiner's, hand made you an awesome "USS Vestal" boat that you immediately loved!

It was so cute to see how excited you were to get in your boat. Here are a few other pictures from our Thanksgiving trip:

Riding the bus to the airport

Waiting to check in

Passing out with Daddy on the plane

 Here are a few other pictures of what you've been up to lately:

Loving on your brother Miles

Wishing you could take off on this scooter. But you just keep tipping over!

Bath time!

Wishing your bud Delilah a very happy birthday!

And finally, you had a very important announcement for the family…. YOU'RE GOING TO BE A BIG BROTHER!!! I know you have no idea what's about to happen, but your daddy and I are so happy and humbled by God's showering of blessings on our family. What a miracle!

Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, And tell of His works with joyful singing. Psalm 107:22

Tomorrow you'll be 8 months old, Andrew! You are so big and so far from the tiny tiny baby you were when we brought you home. I remember the days when I worried so much about your weight and making sure you were getting enough to eat each week… and now you're outgrowing your clothes before I can turn around. You're wearing 12-18 month clothes now, and I'm thinking your foot may be getting big enough for a size 4 shoe. So much for wearing those adorable Toms that were bought for you before you were born. You outgrew those in about 2 weeks before we had an opportunity to even try them on again.

These days you think pretty much everything and everyone is funny. You laugh at any funny face that people make and you sometimes you just sit and laugh in your carseat at nothing. Your joy is contagious and it makes my heart so happy. Lately I've been a little worried about you and your eating habits. It seems you have a fear of just about anything with a "texture." So no mum mums, no puffs,  no yogurt bites for you. You hate any and all things that aren't smooth and soupy. You immediately get a petrified look on your face if something "texture-y" makes it into your mouth and you dramatically gag until you've projectile vomited everything you've eaten for the day. Hopefully we outgrow this stage soon! I'm ready for you to have a little more variety in your diet… you're going to love solid foods, I promise!

Here are some pictures of you and Miles at Tanglewood park the other day.

Also, you decided to go ahead and try out pulling up in your crib the other day! So we went ahead and lowered it down a bit before you topple over the top one night :) Here you are super proud of yourself for pulling up.

We think you're going to start crawling any day now because you're up on all fours rocking and we know you can army crawl around your space to get to the toys you want to reach. You're also very fascinated with Miles, which is super funny. Miles has always been interested in you, so I think he likes that you've finally decided to make friends with him. He's so patient with you while you pull on his ears, fur and feet every day.

Last week we took a road trip to Dallas to visit my friend Emily and her new baby girls, Grace & Kate. Their big sister Caroline was happy to see you and you guys played so well together. You were a very sweet guest and it was a fun afternoon!

And here's a few more fun pictures of what you've been up to lately!

One last warm day in November before winter strikes!

Good morning baby!

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:5-7

Well we had a very important weekend last weekend! Our church hosted a Parent Dedication where your Dad and I got to bring you in front of our family and friends and declare publicly our plans to raise you in a Christian home, our goal to help you learn to know Christ intimately, to have a relationship with Him and to become a man of God. Your grandparents, Grandy and Papa, flew in from Kansas City to see you and be a part of the ceremony. Your DD, Granny, Aunt Kobie, Uncle Tate, Rayli, Kasen, Lexi and Emmi all came from Sulphur Springs too!

Eating lunch together while you took your morning nap

You LOVED seeing your family!

Your great-grandmother loves you so much!

You and Papa are best buds!

Here we are in front of the church

Everyone together!

Of course your best bud Delilah was there for support!

We are so thankful for our church and for the opportunity to be able to bring you in front of our closest friends and family and tell everyone how much we love the Lord and will continue to strive to put Him first in our home. And how cute are you in that vest?! Love you baby!