Splish Splash, Boone was taking a Bath

I think I have mentioned before how much Boone loves bathtime.  Just like Fenn, he loves the water and doesn't mind having water dumped over his head.  In mid-February, he moved from the hard plastic baby bathtub to the bigger, softer, inflatable bathtub.  We put that tub down inside the big bathtub.  It's nice because the sides are soft in case he starts to lose his balance and fall over.  He immediately liked having the extra room to play and the ability to move around a little.

And during tonight's bath, I decided to try having Boone lie down on his back in the bathtub.  This was his response.

And here are a few more cute photos of Boone taken during February. 

Cowboy Fenn and Boone

Yesterday, we finally had a somewhat decent winter day where we could go outside and play.  I had been wanting to get some photos of the boys in their plaid shirts, jeans, and Fenn's cowboy hat and cowboy boots they had received from their Aunt Angie and Uncle Todd for Christmas.  Here's a few of those photos...

Afterward, we changed their clothes and headed to the playground at the elementary school nearby.  Fenn has recently started climbing on this big, multi-tiered thing there and loves it.  Of course, daddy or mommy is always standing right there in case he starts to fall. 

Boone at Nine Months Old

This is Boone at Nine Months.  This is the ninth installment in the "12-month onesie" series.  This has been a HUGE month for Boone.  The biggest thing is that he became mobile.  First he started crawling right after he turned 8 months, then he started pulling up to a stand, and then he quickly started "cruising" the furniture.  Fenn has one of those Pottery Barn Anywhere Chairs in the family room, and Boone has even figured out how to climb up into it.  The other big event for him was his baptism on Valentine's Day.  {Check out that post below this one.}

He is quite a little character.  I'm seeing more and more of what his personality is going to be like.  At first, we really thought he was very similar to Fenn in that respect... laid back.  Which he still is laid back and easy going.  But now we're seeing a more mischievous side to him.  For example, if he is holding onto something he doesn't want you to have and you try to take it from him, he has this totally devilish little laugh and a twinkle in his eyes as he clings to it with all the strength he has.  I can see now that he's going to be a handful.  I am also getting a tiny glimpse of what he's going to look like as a little boy, as he is starting to lose that 'baby' look and looking more like a toddler.  At certain angles, I see more and more of Dan in him.

He has this funny thing he does when drinking his bottle.  He'll hold on to it with both hands, with the nipple in his mouth, and roll it back and forth.  I think that shows pretty good dexterity to be able to do that and drink at the same time.  He is starting to learn to drink from a sippy cup.  Sometimes I can tell he is actually getting something out.  And sometimes I think he is just playing with it and only chews on the spout.

He went for his 9-month check up yesterday (on the 17th).

These are his stats at 40 weeks (or 9 months) old:
Weight: 21 lbs. 7.5 oz. (65th %)
Height: 28.75" (67th %)
Head: 45 cm (41st %)

Compare this to his stats at 27 weeks (or 6 months) old:
Weight: 18 lbs. 2 oz. (58th %)
Height: 27.25" (74th %)
Head: 43.6 cm (42nd %)

As usual, you can see all the "12-month onesie" photos by looking over in the right-hand column under "More Photos of Fenn and Boone" and clicking on the link to "Boone's 12-Month Onesie Photos".  It is kind of fun to see them all together.  If you don't know what I'm doing here, I got the idea from Martha Stewart.  I put Boone in the same 12-month sized onesie as close to the 15th of each month as possible and take a photo of him on the same blanket.  At the end of the year, I'll print all the photos and have them matted and framed together.  I still haven't framed Fenn's, but at this point, I'll do them at the same time so I can be sure to get the same mat and frame.

Boone's Baptism

This morning was Boone's baptism... such a special, special day for a baby.  Both sets of grandparents were supposed to be here for the big event, but no one was able to make it.  My parents couldn't make it because my mom was sick and just not able to make the trip.  And Dan's parents were planning to head up from north Georgia on Saturday morning, but got snowed in.  So, it ended up just being the four of us.

Before I get to the baptism, I have to tell this story.  This morning while we were running around trying to get ready and not be late for church, Fenn and Boone were playing on the floor in the family room.  All of a sudden, we heard a loud 'thud' and ran into the room as Boone started crying.  He had toppled over and the back of his head had hit the floor.  He was lying there crying and Dan walked in ahead of me and said to Fenn, "Fenn, can you help Boone?"  Fenn just looked at Boone and had no reply to that question.  We picked up Boone and started loving on him.  A few minutes later I walked back in the room and Fenn was lying on the floor... doing a fake cry.  I could tell he was fine.  But I asked him if he had fallen and he said, "Yes, Fenn fall down... bump head."  So I played along, picked him up, and started loving on him.  That seemed to satisfy him.  He just wanted the same attention that Boone had just gotten.
For a flashback to the post about Fenn's baptism back in September 2008, click here.  

We got to church in plenty of time and even had a few minutes to take a few pictures before church started.  And since we didn't have anyone else there, we ended up asking a very nice man sitting a couple of rows behind us to take some pictures during the baptism.  Wow... taking photos in church lighting is really difficult!  Those lights are so harsh and create terrible shadows on people's faces.  But the important thing is that we have the occasion documented.

The service was performed by Dr. Steven Sallee and Rev. Rebekah Fetzer.  Boone did great the whole time.  He even smiled and giggled at Steven when he took him and held him up in front of him.  Having the water sprinkled on his head didn't phase him either. 

He was so cute when Steven walked him around the sanctuary so everyone could see him. Something about that makes my eyes tear up every time.  I did the same thing during Fenn's baptism.  When they start walking around, I have to fight back my tears.  And I'm sure that causes me to get the dreaded 'ugly face'... you know the one.... the face you make when you're trying to keep from crying in front of other people.

But I love how they walk the babies around during baptisms.  The music they play is so sweet.  We actually had thought about baptizing Boone the weekend of Fenn's birthday party in December since we would already have family in town.  But when I found out they would have limited time (due to a Christmas music program) and not be able to walk Boone around, I decided to wait and do it another time.

After the ceremony was over, the choir sang this very lively song:  View the City.  The soloist was wonderful!  {click here to see a video of someone else singing the song.}  I love that our church is so diverse with people of all backgrounds and that they sing different types of gospel music.  Fenn loved it!  We were sitting on the second row, but when this song started, he walked around and started dancing and clapping in front of the first pew.  I wish I had gotten a better photo of him, but he was moving so much and so fast, I just couldn't get anything better.  After that, I took Fenn to children's church {which he finally loves and goes with no protest} and Boone stayed with us.  Boone took his bottle and then crashed on daddy's lap.

After church, we had several people come up to us and comment about how sweet Boone was.  One guy walked up and said, "He has so much personality.  When Steven was walking him around, he was making eye contact with everyone and smiling the whole time.  He's going to be a politician."  Such a nice thing to say.  Although, I'm not sure that I want my kids to go into politics.  But if that's what either of them choose, then I'll support them.  Here's one more cute photo of Fenn.  He was hamming it up in front of everyone before church started.  For some reason, I neglected to take a photo of Boone by himself in his baptism outfit.  But his 9-month photo session is coming up in a couple of weeks and I'll get some then.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I know I'm a little early, but it is Friday and it's party day at school.  So Fenn and Boone wore their special Valentine's Day t-shirts today.  My intention was to get a cute picture of them together.  It doesn't take a genius to figure out how that went by looking at the photos I ended up posting {notice the word 'photos' is plural!}.  As if the mornings aren't chaotic enough, I had to go and try to take a few photos.  Seriously, what was I thinking?!?  But here's the best I could get given the situation ~ bad lighting and uncooperative kids (mostly Fenn!).

If you'll notice, Fenn's shirt says "One More Hug" and Boone's shirt says "One More Kiss".  There's a story behind that.  Every night when trying to get Fenn to bed, he'll continue to call me back in his room for "one more hug" and "one more kiss".  That kid really knows how to play his mommy!

We have a big weekend ahead of us.  Both sets of grandparents are coming into town.  And Boone is getting baptized on Sunday.  Maybe I'll get a better photo of the two of them in their shirts over the weekend.

*** BLOG ALERT! *** January is caught up!

I have finally caught up the month of January.  All my January posts are done!  Hooray!  Of course, I still have to go back and do some from December.  But I'll get to those soon.  I'm on a roll now.  So if you're one of those people who likes to see all the posts (i.e., grandparents), be sure to scroll down to see all the new January posts.

Boone Can Stand Up! {all by himself}

Last night, we were getting ready for a long-awaited date night.  We were trying really hard to get the boys down before leaving.  We have this great arrangement with our friends next door where we swap out babysitting a couple of times a month so we can all have an occasional date night.  And what's so great is that it is free!  And it's so easy because in both situations the kids are asleep.  So all the 'sitter' has to do is hang out and watch tv, read, or just relax.  Unless, of course, one of the kids wakes up.  But that's rare.

I had put Boone in his crib to go and do something.  When I walked back in his room, this is what I found. 

He was standing up!  He's been able to stand and support his weight for several weeks now.  But this is the first time he has pulled up to a stand on his own.  At least it's the first time he's done it at home.  His teachers at school said he did it a week or so ago.  But that doesn't count in my book.  Mommy or daddy have to see it for themselves.  Now whenever you try to put him down in a sitting position, he locks his body in a straight position and won't sit down.  He just wants to stand all the time!

So, because we had been procrastinating about lowering the crib mattress ever since Boone figured out how to get from a lying position to a sitting position a few weeks ago, we had no choice but to do it today.  But before we did it, I finished a little project I've been trying to get around to doing for a while now.  I got Boone's name canvas from Kim Wheeler of Small Words a couple of months ago.  Thanks, Mom!  {My mom paid for it as her gift to Boone when he was born.}  My part of the project included painting the turquoise blue rectangle on the wall and outlining it with black and white gingham ribbon.  And then I had to put the bumpers back in the crib so I could get some pictures before we lowered the mattress.  Here's a little sneaky peek at how it turned out.  Hopefully soon I'll get around to finishing up a few little details in Boone's room.  Then I plan to do a post with photos of his room.  It is basically the same room as Fenn's nursery, except I have tried to make a few changes so it is unique for Boone.

We Had 'Snow' Much Fun!

Over the weekend, we were hit with a huge blizzard!  Actually, they had forecasted up to 12 or 14 inches, but it turned out to be much less.  It sleeted most of Friday night, so even though everything was white when we woke up Saturday morning, we were disappointed because it was mostly ice.  We were especially disappointed about possibly not being able to sled after what we went through to purchase a sled on Friday.  I went to purchase one at Mayo Garden Center on Friday morning because I knew they had them.  Whenever there is an impending snow storm on the way, they prop up a bunch of sleds out by the road.  But... when I got there they said they were sold out!  Apparently, there was some sort of 'sled rush' on Thursday night.  After posting my disappointment about not having a sled on Facebook, a nice neighbor told me Mayo was expecting another shipment in that afternoon.  By this time, I had already picked up the boys from school early and they were napping, so I sent Dan to stand in line.  When I called Mayo to see if the sleds had arrived yet, they said no but that there were already about 40 people in line.  By the time Dan got there, he said there were about 100.  At first, they had a 2 sled limit and Dan was going to purchase one for our neighbors.  But by the time they got about 20 people ahead of Dan, they had changed the limit to 1.  But we got one!  Anyway, it started snowing again late Saturday morning.  And this time it was nice, fluffy snow.  And it kept snowing for several hours straight.  So we bundled up and headed outside for some fun.

We started off in the front yard.  I put Boone in the stroller so I could photograph and video Fenn's first sled ride.  Dan pulled Fenn around the yard for a while, and Petey even got in on the fun.

On the first circle around the yard, Dan was going a little fast as he started to make a turn and threw Fenn off the sled.  I was videoing at the time... not sure if I caught it or not because of how far away I was at the time.  But I sure hope I did!  Fenn wasn't scared at all and got right back on the sled for some more fun. 

Then we put Boone on the sled with Fenn.  Dan pulled them both around the yard, and we were impressed with how well Boone kept his balance on the sled.  He really wasn't getting any help from Fenn.  We could tell how much fun Fenn was having because he smiled pretty much the whole time.  Boone's expression really didn't change much.  I think he was mostly confused by the cold and the white fluffy stuff landing on his face.  But we think he liked it okay because he never cried.  He was just mostly indifferent.

Remind me to give Dan a lesson about how to put on a kid's hat.  After I went back and started looking at these photos, I realized Dan had put on Fenn's hat upside down.  The part around Fenn's face is actually the part that is supposed to be around his neck.  So that's why it is so small and he can barely see.  Poor little guy!  I'm so sorry I didn't realize what the problem was while we were outside playing.  I knew something didn't seem right, but it just didn't register at the time.

We decided to go in the backyard for a while because the yard slopes down pretty good back there.  And we had the chainlink fence to catch us if we got out of control!  Fenn rode with me a couple of times.  And Fenn and Boone together rode with Dan.  Once they got to the fence, they staged a pretend crash.

We went back out a little later so Fenn could build his very first snowman.  We started off with a plastic fireman's hat, but the wind kept blowing it off.  So I ended up putting Dan's hat on him later.

On Sunday, Dan was working and it had warmed up significantly outside.  I decided to take the boys for a walk and then snapped a couple of photos of them with the snowman.  Notice that I have Fenn's hat on properly!  {That's the first photo at the top.} 

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