See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. Matthew 18: 9-11

A quick update on what's been going on at our house. This has been quite a cold winter for everyone, so we haven't been able to get outside as much as we'd like. We are thankful for the few days here and there that reach 60-70 degrees, but those are few and far between. You love to be outside, so staying indoors all day is a challenge!

Last weekend we had the stomach bug at our house. I was going to have to go into work on a Friday (which is unusual), so DD came on Thursday evening to stay and play with you on Friday. Then the stomach bug hit around 9pm that night. I was up all night throwing up and I kept looking at the monitor to check on you. I still missed you getting sick though! DD went to get you up on Friday morning and you had thrown up all in your bed. But you never cried or woke up! I guess you thought sleeping was more of a priority :)

We gave you a bath on Friday morning and then you played all day without a tear or complaint. You threw up again that night on DD, and that was about the extent of your first stomach bug. You were such a trooper! I think getting new teeth in is tougher for you than having a virus!

Speaking of teeth, you now have 2 teeth on the bottom! It would be impossible for me to get a picture of them though! You don't have time for people to be feeling in your mouth. You are on the go from the moment you wake up in the morning. Lately, I think because of the teeth, you've wanted to be near Mom almost every minute of the day. Some days you're happy playing in the same room with me, but other days you want to touching me or be held most of the day. You still take wonderful naps and are happy to go to sleep at 10am and between 2-3pm in the afternoons. You usually sleep around 3 hours a day in total and then 11-12 hours at night. You seem to love your schedule and we are so thankful that you love to get your rest!

Here are some pictures and videos from your friend Sofia's 1st birthday and from a playdate with Delilah.

Happy birthday Sofia Grace!

Trying to grab SG's cake

Delilah didn't really want to sit next to you!

One of those days where you couldn't be tied down long enough for clothes

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:7

You are now 10 months old my sweet boy! You are such a little explorer and so curious about everything going on around you. I love taking you outside and around town because you love watching people, laughing and learning about everything going on around you. You are saying a few words now too! Your daddy and I love to hear you repeat words back to us. Tita has also helped you learn how to wave bye bye which is so adorable. You love to crawl away really fast, turn and wave and laugh.

Words you can say this month:
Mama
Dada
Baby
Uh-oh
Tita (I haven't heard this one yet, but Tita says you've said it to her!)
DD

First time drinking out of a straw

Time on the golf course with Daddy

You are staying with Tita still while I go to work on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Baby Luke stays here with you and sometimes you go over to Luke's house for the day.

Riding in the stroller with Luke

Playing with Luke

Smiling for Tita

We've been taking you to the zoo this month and you love watching all the other children playing there. Your favorite thing right now is to laugh along with other people. You LOVE to hear people laughing. Your Grandy has the best laugh and I think hers is your favorite :)

Last week DD came and stayed with you because I had to work all week. You and DD played all day on Friday

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!