Video: Laser light - 9.5 months

Geez, all this kid wants to do is enjoy his Puffs and peruse the new Eddie Bauer catalog in peace, but his parents insist on teasing him with the laser light...

Boyd - 9.5 months

Boyd's 9-month appointment was pushed back another week (to December 10th) because of his nap schedule. The original appointment was set for 2 pm next Tuesday and that is smack dab in the middle of his 2nd nap. I'm pretty protective of his naps so we'll all just have to wait to hear about his latest growth stats!

• We're pretty sure Boyd will skip crawling in favor of walking. He does this funny backwards scoot, but has no inclination to go forwards.He loves to walk with assistance - like, someone holding his arms and supporting him that way while he takes steps. Very close to cruising (holding on to something and walking.) My mom has found him standing in the crib and gnawing on the rail, so obviously he is strong enough to pull his body up. D just adjusted the crib mattress to a lower setting to prevent the little guy from falling out.
• He thinks our cat is the best thing ever. I ask "where's kitty?" and he looks toward the cat with a huge smile on his little face. We have to practice being gentle with pets because all he wants to do is grab huge clumps of animal hair and rub his face on the cat and dog.Understandably, the pets do not appreciate this outpouring of love.
• All of his toys are a huge bore to him now. Former favorite rattle toy? So over it. Funny stuffed animal? Yawn. We've resorted to giving him safe household items to play with, like measuring cups, empty water bottles, and plastic bowls. I really like the Melissa & Doug line of toys - natural, non-toxic toys, usually made of wood. Will have to invest in some of those.
• Wants to grab all of his Puffs snacks at once and stuff them in his mouth. He's like Drift at mealtime - can't get enough!
• Naps are still frustrating at times but definitely improving. 2 weeks ago he went through this 4-5 day phase of refusing naps. I thought, is he ready for 1 nap already? Nope, his brain was just working on overtime, trying to process new skills. So he is still on 2 naps a day at this point.
• Just purchased a new Recaro convertible car seat - it will hold Boyd rear-facing until about 35 pounds and then we'll switch it to face forward. I was waffling between the Recaro and a few Britax seats, but there were just more safety features on the Recaro that you pay more for with the Britax brand. Recaro makes race cars in Europe, as well as car seats, and European standards for child seat safety are higher than here in the US. Also, the reviews on the seat were great!
• I also invested in a lighter-weight folding (umbrella) stroller for strolls around the mall or department store and whatnot since he has outgrown the Snap & Go. 
• More and more of his personality is emerging. We've found that he really craves activity and new experiences/toys/etc. He is definitely not one of those babies that is happy to sit in one place for hours at a time (not that there's anything wrong with that!) Loves moving, jumping, walking!
• Is beginning to exhibit signs of stranger danger. If someone he doesn't see regularly tries to hold him, more often than not he'll get upset.
  

One of his favorites, salmon. That may be pureed green beans too.

Big, wide bibs are the way to go with kiddos.

My mother-in-law made this sweet blanket - we love it!

Boyd with one of my baby pictures.

This sweet face makes my heart melt.

I find Puffs everywhere - on the floor, stuck between couch cushions, in the car, etc.

Thanksgiving weekend

D and I are used to having a small Thanksgiving, just the two of us, so this year it was a real treat to be able to spend it with my family. I seriously cannot remember the last time I celebrated this holiday with my mom - maybe 10 years ago? It was bittersweet though, since we were missing my dad.

But we all had a wonderful day of food, family and togetherness. My sister and Gabe cooked a delicious turkey on the grill outside - it was SO GOOD! They also took care of the mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and a pumpkin cream pie. I did the asparagus, sweet potatoes (recipe from the Pioneer Woman here) and purchased a Costco pumpkin pie. We also brought ingredients for mimosas for our brunch before the big event. Risha made biscuit, bacon & egg cups, yum!

All tuckered out from a the day's festivities.

Woke up from his nap just in time for dinner. Can still see the sheet lines on his face.

He was a little mad after his nap but cheered up during dinner. His mouth full of teeth is visible here.

Friday we took it easy and then my mom came over to babysit Boyd that evening while D and I went out to dinner at Jens' Restaurant. We used a gift certificate that we won at the Carpenter's Christmas party last year. It's a bit of a fancy place - the kind where the waiter places the napkin on your lap - and the prices reflect that. But the food was superb, all farm-raised meat and local produce. We both had elk chops, gnocchi and asparagus.

On Saturday, D and I took the munchkin on a short day trip to Seward. Boyd isn't a fan of long car rides so about halfway through the ride down I hopped in the backseat to hang out with him. I was getting super carsick from turning around in my seat to check on him during the first part of the trip. As it turned out, I was pretty nauseous by the time we rolled into Seward. 

 On the Seward Highway, near 20-Mile River/Portage.

We couldn't have asked for better weather! Clear blue skies and no snow. The roads were clear and not icy at all. The temperature hovered around 7-10 degrees in most places.

Happy to be out of the car seat.

My dad's best friend lives in Seward with his wife, so we spent a couple hours visiting Jeannie. Jim was in South Dakota hunting pheasants and deer (D was pretty jealous hearing that news.) It was great to see her and her daughter-in-law, and adorable grandkids.

Beautiful views, even from the gas station!

We left Seward around 4:30 p.m., I think, and figured we'd be home by 7. Just in time for baby Boyd's bedtime. Unfortunately there was a pretty bad accident on the highway at 2:15 and by the time we passed Whittier (45 miles from home), traffic was at a standstill. It got to be a little challenging keeping Boyd entertained in a small space for so long, but we did it! It helped that he had just taken a late nap. Also challenging: this was an area without any trees, ditches, covered spaces - so I had to get a little creative when nature called. It's tough to be a girl sometimes.

Anyway, the Troopers finally opened the highway shortly before 8 p.m., although we didn't start moving until 8:20 or so, due to the miles of cars backed up. Boyd did NOT want to go back in his infant car seat (our new one is on it's way via UPS) so he pretty much screamed the whole way home for 45 minutes. Fun!

We made it home safely and once Boyd was out of the seat he calmed down considerably. This kid just needs to be free and unencumbered. We went about our regular nighttime routine and he was asleep by 9:45 p.m. Very late bedtime for him but we are back on track with his schedule now.

Hope you all had a great holiday weekend as well!