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!)
.

(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:

House Photos

Many of you have asked for photos of our new house. Well, most of our big projects on the main floor are complete, so we finally took some photos of it. And here they are!
(I have included the "before" photos at the bottom)

BEFORE PHOTOS

We removed the various wallpaper borders, painted over the sponge-treatment walls, got rid of those bizare valances, replaced the country blue countertops and ugly tile backsplash. We painted the brick fireplace white, painted over the olive green walls, and so much more...

Master bedroom & Leo's room

Philadelphia Phun

Jack had to attend a work meeting in Philadelphia last week, so Leo and I decided to tag along. (It was about a 3 hour car-ride from here.) Jack's dad is from Philly, so he's been there lots of times, but this was my second trip there, and Leo's first.

Leo and I took a tour around the city, and got to sit on the top of the double-decker bus. Leo loved the feel of the air blowing in his hair (it made him giggle), and he also liked smiling at all the foreign tourists sitting behind us. We had a great time seeing all the sites from our birds-eye view. Philadelphia has such a rich history. I'd like to go back sometime to spend more time seeing everything...



We picked Jack up after his meeting and then went to Valley Forge, where Washington and his troops encamped the Winter of 1777. (It's just outside of Philadelphia) We saw some log cabins (like those that the troops would have lived in) and the house where Washington stayed.

We enjoyed the pool at the hotel where we stayed. It's been about 2 months since Leo swam last, so he had a great time! Check out the video below, if you want to see the cute little guy swimming.

7 months and 7 years

Jack and I celebrate our 7 year anniversary today, and Leo celebrates 7 months of life! It is a happy day for all of us.

Leo is still the happiest baby on the block. He has completely charmed everyone in our new ward at church. They all have to come by our pew to catch one of his million dollar smiles, and to run their fingers through his fuzzy hair. What a cutie!

Leo is talking and babbling a lot. He's discovering new sounds that he can make every day. He can just entertain himself for hours. He's rolling all over the place, and is learning to move himself closer to the object he has his eye on. And lately he's really into faces. He'll stroke your cheek, pull your nose, touch your eyes, and grab at your hair.

Leo is a whopping 18 1/2 pounds now, and is 28 1/2 inches long. He is looking less and less like a baby, and that makes us a little sad. He's growing up too fast.

For our anniversary Jack and I went on a real date! My friend Candace watched Leo, and we drove into DC. We had dinner at the Bistro Bis on Capitol Hill (Yummy French food) and then went on the "Monuments by Moonlight" tour. It was very cool to see all the monuments at night, all lit up. (I love Washington, and am so excited to be living here.)

It was wonderful to spend the evening with Jack, and to have some one on one time. He is still my sweetheart, and I love him with all my heart. Happy Anniversary honey! Seven years of wedded bliss. We have had so many wonderful experiences together, and we look forward to many, many more.

Fun with Leo

We've been trying to get some video of Leo's talking and babbling... Here are a couple.
He sure loves chewing on that green spatula while he watches me cook in the kitchen. And look at that crazy hair!



Here are a few of our favorite photos from this month:
(His chubby legs get stuck in the Bumbo chair when we lift him out, so it looks like he has a big blue booty!)

Big Things for July

July was a busy month for our family. We bought a new house, and moved from Alabama to DC. Leo turned 6 months old. We finalized his adoption. We painted every room in our new house, and unpacked a LOT of boxes. We went to Utah for a week for Leo's sealing and baby blessing. Jack started his new job. It's been a wonderful and busy month.

We'll post some photos of the new house, just as soon as we're finished with a few more projects...

Families are Forever

Last week we took Leo to the Salt Lake Temple and were sealed together as a family. It was such a special day. We thank God for blessing us with Leo, and that we are now an eternal family. We are so blessed.