8 months + 3 weeks

 Here what Arthur's been up to lately:

Climbing on me like a jungle gym

Eating a bunch, and looking so big

We discovered that the washing machine is awesomely entertaining in so many ways!

A nice fresh bump on the forehead from crawling into a sharp corner.  But still happy to be in the bath!

Had a few sickly days, which included lots of sweet cuddles, and also lots of tears, snot, and drool.  A few anti-nap protests.  I've felt like a walking Kleenex...and I've been changing shirts a lot...because he cries into my shoulders and it's just really messy, but oh so tender.

Pulling up, all day long!  Little tiny hairs on head.

Got dedicated at church!

Loves chicken!

He went from refusing any solid foods, to eating big (for a baby) chunks of grown up food within about 2 weeks.  Crazy!  At first I was so scared to feed him big food, but he's caught on so fast that it just feels natural.

Peek!

Learned how to turn on the faucet! Ruh roh.

Cutest trick of the week is WAVING!  He does it a bunch- when we put him to bed 2 nights ago, he smiled up at us and waved good bye!  PRECIOUS! He also waves when he wants something, like food.



The second video just shows his crawling, climbing, noises and sweetness in PJ's.

Crap you guys

Early December.  He likes to bang on the stairs with his hands and practice pulling up.

Arthur just started growing exponentially.  He's closer to being a one year old than to being a newborn!  He's almost been out of me longer than he was in me.  So, here are lots o' pics that I feel capture our current "moment," over the last 2 months.  Lots are blurry because that's the only option.  Either blurry pics, or no pics!  He's such a dear little adventurer and my love for him just explodes me daily.

He currently has a black eye from a fall, and practices waving quite often.  3 days ago he crawled onto my foot and said 'mamama' while I was cooking!!!  It hasn't happened since.  

After 2 months of not liking solid foods, he suddenly caught on at 8 months!  Now he's loving all the pureed vegetables and fruits I'm giving him.  I'm so proud. 

Just this week after learning to pull up to a stand, he's started taking a few steps while holding onto the coffee table!  Precious.  Oh, and when I say 'crawling,' I mean scooting, like an inchworm.  That's how he's gotten around quite well for the past month, but just last night he did some REAL crawling towards his Uncle Josh C. 

This was the day he realized he could sit up straight in his stroller, instead of lounging back.  He was pretty pumped about it. 

Typical baby post-bath happiness.

As of this week, he pulls up into this position all by himself!  HE'S SO BIG AND SO LITTLE AT THE SAME TIME!!!

Stuart said this is such a 'mom pic'.  True.

This is my view so very often.  He loves me and often just crawls toward me for a snuggle and a little encouragement before continuing on his adventures.  

Big day, learning to stand in his crib!  This was such a shock to see on the video monitor, and the next day he didn't nap because he did NOT want to lay down.  

Sneaky.

In December he learned to pull up to this position.  This toy is awesome.

A serious dishwasher fan. 

Cabbage patch, studying face.

It's so cute when he crawls right outta his pants.  See the pants, over there?

He's obsessed with crawling with this beloved ribbon in his mouth, or with anything in his mouth.  Like a puppy.

this is me loving him to pieces