And He's Off...

We have a mobile 7-month old! For the past two weeks RF has been moving, moving, moving and he's getting really fast (this is one of his earlier 'move-it, move-it' videos). RA and I are getting ready to do the 'crawl-through' checking for those things that RF shouldn't get his little hands on (like the extension cord in the back of this video...). For now, he's under a watchful eye, although the main things he heads towards are things he can try and pull up on and the dogs. It's going to be a F-U-N summer!

End of the School Year + 7 Months Old

Oh happy, happy, happy day! Today is the last day of the 2012 – 2013 school year – my sixth year of teaching is a wrap (well, sort of – teachers have to work next Tuesday and then we’re really finished for summer).

RF and I have big plans for the summer – story-time at the library, play-dates with friends, lunch-dates with family, splish-splashing in Lola and Papa Tad’s pool, scrapbooking, and I’m sure we will find LOTS more to do together. I am so excited to have ten full weeks with my sweet boy. I have a sprinkling of meetings and workshops to attend this summer to gear up for next school year, but my main priority is that cute, chubby-legged boy that stole my heart back in October when ours eyes met for the first time.

Since the weather has been a bit warmer (although it is quickly approaching the sticky, nasty, hot stage) we have spent quite a bit of time outside. RF loves, absolutely loves, to be outside. Hopefully this summer won’t be too miserable and we can spend time outside each day – even if it’s just swinging on the front porch and listening to the birds chirp.

RF turns 7 months old today. He is closer to being a year old than he is to being a newborn – how crazy is that? I was asked the other day if I had started planning his first birthday party…seriously, I’m about to cry – I cannot think about that just yet…although I suppose I should start thinking about it, as once school goes back in August life will be back to crazy busy. Nope, not thinking about that right now – my priority right now is to hang with my little boy and drink in all these moments before he is walking, talking and going off to Kindergarten.

RF has begun mimicking the words we say more and more. I’m pretty sure he has no clue with the words mean, but he makes the sounds anyway. He really enjoys saying da-da (sometimes sounds more like ga-ga, though) and has recently realized that he can make a spitting noise --- that’s fun to deal with right after he eats.

He is also scooting around on his belly. He lays flat and then pulls himself towards whatever he is after – a block, a ball, a refrigerator magnet (I’ve mentioned that he enjoys odd items as toys, right?) or whatever happens to be in the floor (only baby-safe toys, of course). He hasn’t made it over to the dog bowls yet, although I’m sure that will happen sometime soon and mama will have a big ole’ little boy mess to clean up.

Aunt Haydn graduated from high school this week – YEA, AUNT HAYDN! It was 10 years and 1 day from the day I graduated high school. As fast as time is moving with RF, it is really hard to believe that it has been 10 years since I graduated high school. 

The GRADUATE! The last of the Denson girls is FINISHED with high school!

All the sisters, Mom and RF 

Aunt Hartley loving on RF

A HAPPY little family :-)

5/24/13

4/24/13

3/24/13

2/24/13

1/24/13

12/24/12

11/24/12

10/24/12

Mother's Day 2013

What a perfect weekend....truly perfect.

My Mother's Day gift from RA was something I desperately have been needing - it was something that a mom (in my opinion) wants to have, but for those like me, can never find the time to get ---- a cleaned out car. That's right, folks - RA cleaned out my car, like detailed it, like waxed it and everything. It hasn't been this clean in 6 1/2 months. I am so grateful, especially since it took him four, ok maybe five, hours to take care of...thanks, honey - you're the best.

This morning RF slept in - he woke up at 5:30AM instead of 5:00AM. We all snuggled in bed for a little while before venturing downstairs for RA to make me some breakfast - pancakes - yummy!

We then got ready and headed over to Aunt Hartley and Uncle Michael's for lunch - Michael cooked, so it was a no brainer - Hartley mentioned last week, "I think Michael's gonna cook lunch on Sunday for Mother's Day, wanna come over?" No need to ask, sister. The answer is always - YES! Those who have been to Delish's Desserts and Eatery, know exactly what I'm talking about. Lunch menu consisted of roast, vegetables, hashbrown casserole, salad, bread and desserts - more yumminess!

Some sweet cards, a new Scout bag, a facial and the best present of all, RF's first art project - thanks, Aunt Hartley - it was perfect!

Happy Mother's Day, Mama! 

Mama and her sweet baby boy...

Hanging with Aunt Hartley...

Playing with Meme...

All smiles!

Playing with Zoey girl...

PERFECT Mother's Day present from RF 

T-I-R-E-D after all the Mother's Day festivities 

Our happy, little family :-)

Days Filled With Fun

Not a day goes by that I don't take a photograph of RF and all the fun things he gets to do. We are so excited for the school year to wind down - just 2 more weeks - and can not wait to spend the summer together. 

We recently had to lower RF's crib mattress because he decided it was time for him to pull up on the sides - talk about scaring his mama. I sat him in his crib with a few books, walked to our laundry room and back (I was gone maybe 20 seconds) and when I get back I see him standing up, holding on to the rails of his crib...yet another milestone that I cannot believe is happening. 

He has also realized that he can get on his hands and knees. It doesn't last long - maybe 5 seconds or so before he falls down, but for those 5 seconds he thinks he is big stuff. Once he's on his hands and knees he rocks back and forth - which RA did as a baby, too. 

Toys - RF has lots of toys. He has books, stacking toys, blocks, and teething toys amongst other things. We have come to learn that he enjoys new toys - things that aren't necessarily baby toys, but things that entertain him none the less. This past week that included: a paper plate, a small box, a whisk, a spatula, a measuring cup, a washcloth, and a cowbell. These are in addition to his love of the TV remotes, our cell phones/iPad and his computer keyboard. 

Everyday is new and exciting for him - it's a great reminder to appreciate the small things in life and to greet each day anew. 

He's a Hawk - loves to climb...

Enjoying the fresh air

Standing up 

He loves to be outside...he just sits and takes it all in

Being taken care of by Zoey girl (and Aunt Hartley) :-)

Zoey was a bit jealous of RF's blocks...

I put a little bit of water on his high-chair tray - he was amazed. 

LOVES to pull up on everything...

Hanging out at the office helping Lola and Papa Tad work

I'm naked, mama...why are you taking my picture? :-)

Apparently washcloths are fun to chew on...

Daddy walked in - this is the look on his face every time he sees his daddy...

Fun times...with a box...

6 Month Check-Up

Our bouncing baby boy is continuing to grow, grow, grow. RF's six month well visit today gave us another perfect bill of health physically and developmentally. 

Birth           10/24/12      9 lbs, 7 oz          21 inches long 

1 Month      11/27/12     11 lbs, 8 oz        24 inches long 

2 Months     1/9/13         14 lbs, 6 oz.       25 1/4 inches long 

4 Months     3/7/13         17 lbs, 2 oz.       27 1/2 inches long 

6 Months      5/1/13        19 lbs, 12 oz.     28 inches long 

Aunt Hartley accompanied us to our appointment and RF had the best time hanging out and talking to her while we waited. 

Chatting up our pediatrician

What mess, mama? I didn't make a mess.