Oktoberfest

We love to celebrate Oktoberfest, and this year we had a great one with our friends the Floyds and Kronmillers. We feasted on yummy German food while enjoying some fantastic Fall weather in our backyard.

We also had a bonfire in our new fire pit, and roasted marshmallows. After a very hot and humid summer, it was so nice to spend some time outside. It was a perfect night. (we didn't even get eaten alive by mosquitos!)

Summer Fun

A few weeks ago we went camping at Pohick Bay. We kayaked on the bay, which is part of the Potomac river. This was Leo's 3rd kayaking experience. The first time (2 months old) he slept the whole time. The second time (4 months old) he cried the whole time. This time (8 months old) he loved it. He wanted to paddle the boat himself.




On Saturday we went to a Pakistani restaurant, where they had one of these rickshaw cars that was brightly painted.
(Jack said that I'm actually a much better driver that Leo let's on!)
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(Note how they added vinyl text to the car: "God Bless America") Funny.

Uh oh.

It's official. Leo's crawling.

He's been doing the belly crawl for about 4 weeks, and today he figured out how to get on his knees and stay there. He's also figured out that he can get from point A to point B much faster by crawling on his knees. This means he can get into stuff more quickly and efficiently.




Another development on the Eastern front- he's standing up now. I went into his room last week, and found him standing up in his crib! I don't know why, but the first time you see your child do this... it is a shock. Suddenly, your baby isn't lying in the crib where you left him, but he is standing up, holding onto the railing and looking up at you. And then it hits you like a ton of bricks.

He's not a baby anymore. *Gulp*

Don't eat that.

Leo ate his first dirt yesterday.

With his new mobility, Leo is getting into everything. And my new, most-uttered phrase is: "Don't eat that." I don't know how he does it, but no matter how much I sweep and mop, he still manages to find dried leaves, dead moths, or other things to put in his mouth. Even the house plants (which he previously ignored) are now fair game. I can't take my eyes off him for a second.

Leo is curious about everything, and has been exploring every corner of the house. He is so fun to watch. I love seeing the look of wonder on his face when he discovers something new.

8 months old

Leo is 8 months old, and is changing so fast. He started creeping (belly crawl) last week, and is occasionally getting up on his knees and rocking back and forth... so yes, the real crawling is just around the corner. This means big changes around our house, and we are making attempts to baby proof everything (if that is even possible). Check out the video below if you want to see the little guy in action.

Leo is becoming more active and independent. He doesn't like to sit still for diaper changes, preferring instead to twist and perform all sorts of evasive maneuvers. He also doesn't like to sit in his car seat for more than an hour, or to sit on your lap through 3 hours of church. He likes to move and explore and wriggle and twist. He is curious about everything and everyone! And of course, because he's so cute and so charming, he makes friends everywhere we go.

My parents are visiting from California, and are here for two weeks. On Monday we went on tour of Jefferson's home 'Monticello' which is about two hours from here. Monticello is lovely. We really enjoyed touring the house and the beautifully manicured gardens. Our tour guide kept losing her train of thought during her much-rehearsed script... "I'm sorry" she'd say, "but I'm distracted by this adorable baby!" (And who could blame her?)

Last week Leo and I visited the Air and Space Museum. Leo really liked the planes and cool space stuff.

I bought him a light-up toy which mesmerized him for just a few seconds before it became a chew toy.

Here's the video of Leo doing the belly crawl: