Hanging Out With Some Cousins

Seth and Kaleb came over yesterday to hang out for the day. Blake loves his cousins, especially Seth. Thanks for playing with us.

8 Months Old

Blake is 8 months old now and still loves playing with his toys, even if Aaron has dumped most of his toys on his back. We have started him on some finger foods. Silly me, but I gave him some bananas...bananas that stick to everything. Blake got pretty frustrated with trying to unstick the bananas from his tray on his highchair, so he dove in with his mouth and sucked the bananas straight from the tray rather than use his fingers. The next day I gave him some little puff things that are easier to grab. He isn't a professional yet, so some fall on his bib. If he sees one fall on his bib, he will pull the bib up to his mouth and suck it off of his bib.

Much Rejoicing

Dad will be happy (that is, both Aaron and my dad). Go Bama!

Mia Mia

Aaron had to go out to Utah for a couple of days for work. The timing ended up being perfect because Aaron's brother, Adam, and his wife, Becki, had ther first kid on Monday, so Aaron was able to meet Mia when she was only a couple of days old. She looks like a cutie.


With Aaron visiting the newest Mia, it made me think of our good friends, Owen and Britni and their little girl, Mia. We hung out with them the Saturday before I delivered Blake, which is when this picture was taken. Mia was already asleep when we took the picture, but trust me, she is a cutie. A couple of days after we had Blake, they moved to New Mexico and we sure miss them.

Great Hair Part 2

This is what Blake's hair looks like after a nap (and pretty much the rest of the day).

This hairstyle does take a lot of work. It can only be accomplished after sleeping, which involves moving his head along his crib's bumper as much as possible.

Getting Stronger

Blake really wants nothing to do with crawling right now and wants to stand all the time. Today we were playing in his room and he leaned over and grabbed the crib and wouldn't let go. He stood on his own for awhile before he realized that he doesn't have the balance yet to stand and try to pull off the ties to the bumper in his crib at the same time.

First BYU vs Utah game

We all survived the big game. Now Blake appreciates the rivalry.

Great hair

Don't you just love his hair? He likes to pull his own hair and of course my hair.

Happy Thanksgiving

Aaron played his annual Turkey Bowl game and pulled out his football for the game. Blake had to be like dad, but couldn't get his hands around Aaron's football, so we pulled out a football that was a little more Blake friendly. Does he look like he is ready to throw the ball? Future quarterback?

Blake is sporting what his grandpa likes to wear...a Hawaiian shirt.

7 Months Old

Notice his sock...I'm telling you, it is hard to keep socks on his feet.


Blake was super tired at church, but couldn't sleep because there was too much going on (or something). We got home from church and went to get him out of the car and this is how we find him--totally knocked out AND holding on to the car seat. He loves to play with his car seat. This time was no exception.


Drool much?

Wii

Some friends let us borrow their Wii, so we had to check it out. Who do you think is having more fun?

Homer visits Snakey

Yesterday we had an unusual surprise when a special guest dropped by the house; none other than the star of the longest running sitcom (celebrating 20 years this year) decided he wanted to visit. Not only did he pose for a couple of pictures but he brought along his adorable garden snake to show off to us as well.



We looked long and hard to find a snake costume (store after store) but to no avail. So, Michelle ended up making what you see here. (Not too bad huh?) We will have to teach him that snakes don't have claws--but what do you think, pretty menacing huh?






Every year at work we get together and decide as a group who we want to dress up as for Halloween. This year after much debating "we" decided that this year we would be the Simpsons. I think it was a great decision--what do you think?

He's Sitting

Blake is now sitting....most of the time. He still has to work on not falling over when he reaches for a toy.

I think Blake is a total daddy's boy. Aaron has been working a lot lately and tries really hard to be home in time for our walks, but sometimes he isn't able to make it. On those nights (and even on nights that Aaron is on the walks) Blake will not go to sleep until he plays with his dad for 10 minutes or so. Yesterday at church I was taking some of the young kids that I teach to the bathroom and we passed Aaron and Blake who were in the hall. Apparently Blake wasn't really enjoying the lesson and needed to go outside in the hall. Blake saw me and freaked out...started bouncing up and down in Aaron's arms and was smiling at me. I guess he likes me too.

A day at the park

Blake and I went to the park yesterday with some of Blake's cousins, Seth and Kaleb, and my brother, Dave. I don't know what it is about parks, but Blake loves parks. We also discovered that he likes the swing. Seth just loves baby Blake (that's what he calls Blake). Seth was able to get Blake to laugh a ton. It was really cute.

Awesome gift or totally awesome gift?

Our friends, Kelly and John, gave us a totally awesome present that is a little BYU t-shirt (12 month) with several autographs from current BYU players. Kelly's brother is Dennis Pitta so she had an in with the group. Aaron and I both agreed that there is no way Blake (aka Mr. I spit up on everything) will be wearing this shirt. We love the shirt!

6 Months Old

Blake is 6 months old today, which meant a trip to see the doctor to get a bunch of vaccinations. Aaron wasn't able to come with us, so I had to hold Blake while they poked the poor kid with multiple needles. One of us cried, can you guess who? Blake is developing and growing just fine. He is still a tall and skinny boy. The doctor was impressed that Blake could fit his whole hand in his mouth. I told the doctor that he is sure trying to get his whole foot in his mouth and will even take his socks off so that he can get his foot in easier. I'm thinking that he takes after me and just hates socks. I can't keep socks on him.

First Football Game

Our friends, Annette and Chris, invited us to go along with them to Vegas for the BYU vs. UNLV game this weekend. Blake loved the game and seeing all the action and people. He slept for the second half. By that time we were destroying UNLV and well, it was his bedtime anyway. It was a lot of fun.

Our Little Swimmer

We aren't sure if Blake will love swimming yet, but we do know that he doesn't like the water when it is too cold.

Blake gets some "real" food

So, the other week we decided that Blake was ready to try some real food. And by real food we mean formula diluted plain oatmeal. You tell us, did he like it? Will he come back for more?

We think so.

The Laughing Boy

Blake's laugh is sure to put a smile on your face and pretty contagious.

Football Fan

Football season has begun, so we have to make sure Blake is dressed appropriately. Bama red is the only red he will wear...he can't support the Utes. Blake likes to support his Grandma and Grandpa who are on their mission in Alabama. Of course it is a given that he supports his Cougars.

One a scale of 1 to 10, how much does Blake like his walks?

While on our trip in Utah, we got these little clips of Blake during our regularly scheduled walk. We frequently tell people how excited Blake gets to go on our walks, but everyone is usually so surprised to actually see him in action. So, we thought we would upload these little videos and let you see for yourselves how excited he gets.

Trip to Utah

In addition to attending the wedding, we also visited with lots of family while we were in Utah.





This is Adam and Becki with Blake.





Chelsea with her kids.



Blake trying to eat my hand.



Blake trying to escape. We were figuring out what to do next, so we put Blake in his car seat, but didn't snap him in. Blake was pretty sad that he wasn't a part of the discussion, so he tried to get out to join us.

Chris and Jen's Wedding

This past weekend we went to Utah to attend our friend's wedding. Chris was our best man for our wedding. Chris and Jen are a great couple! Amy and Gregg watched Blake while we attended the wedding and the reception. Thank you guys!

Here is the cute couple



This is Chris' side of the family. Aaron was roommates with both Chris and his older brother. Oh, and the little baby in the picture..she was 16 days old in the picture. That is one amazing mom.




Here are some of the groom's friends.

Blake Hangs Out with the Cousins and Finds Some Jam

Last weekend, Michelle and I (and Blake)--we---we headed over to Kristi and Dave's house to babysit. As a birthday gift (and to be nice) we wanted to give the sister-in-law and brother some free time away from the house (and kids) to explore the world around them, to experience life and other civilizations--or last least a neighborhood watering hole.

So, here we have Blake telling some stories to Seth and Kaleb (Blake's Cousins). Oh and Dad decided to hang out too.

Dad sure seems to make a good pillow. But who can resist that cute face?

In the course of a young man's life, certain activities and events culminate and record one's passing onto another stage of life, another plateau of development. This past week Blake achieved such a passing and has now graduated to a "higher" form of life. Can you guess what he will do next?

Sometimes when you are hungry, you look for the closest thing to eat. Anyone else hungry?

Happy Birthday

It is amazing how we can read Blake's thoughts. Happy Birthday, Mom!

Hanging with Mom

Isn't he getting big? Tomorrow he will be 4 months old..sigh.

Dinner with Rob

Rob came over for dinner and Blake loved hanging out with him...can't you tell?

Nap Time

When Blake wakes up from his naps, he tries to grab the monkeys on his sheets. He is still working on it.

Can this really be comfortable? Bum in the air with his legs crossed underneath him and his left arm under his body.

All the things I like to do

You ever feel like you are living in a Dr Sesus book?

These are the things I like to do

I read and play and kick and coo

I eat and sleep and pee and pooh

I scream and cry, laugh and smile

I sing and punch and watch the tile

I learn and grow, bobble and spew

These are the things I like to do

I end this now, before I'm blue

the question I now ask of you

what are the things that you like to do?

Our After Church Discussion

So, in what has become our afternoon discussion (or debrief) on Sundays, we have decided to use this time to interrogate Blake to ascertain exactly what he learned that day at Church. Last Sunday Blake decided to start answering our questions--I think this water boarding stuff really does work, but you can judge for yourself. Personally, I think he will need to work at little more at dispensing his information out in smaller rations and not as he has currently chosen to do.

Just like dad

Blake loves to sit up, but doesn't have the strength to do it on his own, so we have to prop him up. Just like his dad, he loves to watch the tv (as mentioned before), but now he likes it more because he can sit and watch without having to be held. The picture also captures his other new thing, grabbing his shirt.

Cute story: Aaron has been out of town for work. The night he got back I was putting Blake to bed. Blake opened one eye to see what was going on and he saw Aaron, so as soon as he saw Aaron, he was wide awake smiling and talking with his dad. It was really adorable. He missed his dad and was glad when he got back.

Nap Time

Blake hasn't ever been that great with taking naps. If he takes a nap in his crib, then he sleeps for about 20 minutes. Here is a picture of him after his "nap".




But, if he sleeps on his stomach, then he will sleep for 1 1/2-2 hours solid. We just won't tell his doctor about this. I discovered this while doing tummy time. He rested his head down and was out.