8 Month Annibirthery

One month. Really? I didn't blog for a month? Well, it happens.

Today is Russell's 8 month annibirthery.

8 months?

Where did the time go?

Oh wait. I know where it's been. It's been playing, sleeping, preserving, playing, cleaning, playing, cooking, school, lessons, school, playing, traveling, living life.

It's been fun.

Russell is a pretty incredible 8 month old. He is "the happiest baby" that everyone has ever seen. And I have to agree. He's not just a happy baby in public. He's a happy baby 99% of the time. If he sees a bottle and you aren't getting it to him quick enough he voices his displeasure. Or if he is very, very tired he can be grumpy. But besides that? Pretty pleasant.

He is now king of his domain and likes to explore. He is still a little tentative, for a few minutes, in a new situation, but he usually mans up and starts crawling around. He is attracted to open doors and electrical cords. Must be a boy thing.

His current favorite game is to play "catch" with a racquet ball ball by himself. He will push it away from himself and then crawl it down and push it again. He was also very enamored with glow sticks at the harvest party Saturday night. If he gets intent on something he can do it for a really long time. [Side note: When he first started rolling he would make his way to the edge of the area rug and then proceed to slap the hardwood with an open palm and enjoy the ensuing sound. He would do this for 20, 35, 40 minutes before moving on...]

He pulled himself up in his crib last weekend which precipitated Bob having to lower it to its lowest point. He hasn't pulled himself up on anything else, although he likes to climb on anything that is equivalent to one step. Ie: step stools, toys, my legs if I'm on the floor...

The girls still love him. Mae's relationship is kind of love/hate right now. She loves him but doesn't want him to touch any toys. Her immediate answer is to put everything up on the couches. Can't wait to see what she comes up with once he is pulling himself to standing at the couches and can reach said toys.

I was worried that I wasn't going to be able to get this shot because every time I laid him on the ground he started to roll. So I called for reinforcements. In the mean time I just put the camera up and started gabbing at him. He is a Camera. Hog.

I had already gotten a good shot but Mae wanted in on the action. I think he is going to catch her size-wise sooner than later.

He was ready to pose for me during pumpkin carving too. He had just finished enjoying a graham cracker snack.

Making sure to get those last crumbs.

Cheese! (Ball...)

Hi Mom!! Great shot of his four teeth. "Two on the bottom and two on the top" Mae always tells people.

Sneak peek at the pumpkins we carved. More pics to follow tomorrow.

Etta at 8 months.

Mae at 8 months.