14 Months!

Noah Baby,

I missed posting for your 13 month...we have been extremely busy at our house lately and it has been a challenge to find the time to sit down and write.

Our last 2 months have been filled with lots of fun, some adventures, growth, and changes. Shortly after your birthday party Mommy finished her first class for her Master's degree. We enjoyed having the month of May be a little more relaxed. Mommy didn't have class or homework and our Bible study finished for the summer. Mommy also finished tutoring Auntie Kristi in math. We savored May and got to enjoy lots of time together as a family.

Mommy's friend Anne lived with us from mid-May to mid-June. We didn't get to see her a whole lot, but it was nice to have her around. You grew accustomed to having her in the bedroom next to yours and after she moved out I found you searching for her in "her" room a couple times. I think you missed her :)

Grocery shopping in Park City

Daddy kissing a moose in Park City

The view from our room in Park City

At the end of May the 3 of us went on a little get-away for Daddy's birthday. We visited Park City, Utah for about 4 days. It was so relaxing and nice to escape life for few days. We enjoyed the sights, ate some great food, played games, went swimming and shopping, and got to see the Olympic Park from the 2002 Winter Olympics. We had a great time!

The week end after our vacation Mommy's classes started up again. I am currently taking 6 credits, all of which will end sometime between now and Saturday next week. Then, I get a break until mid-July. My last summer class is online so I won't have to spend time away from you going to class until the end of August. I'll be grateful to have the rest of the summer to spend with you and Daddy, enjoying time doing fun, family things and just relaxing together.

By the next time I write I will have 2 more trips to write about. Next week we take off for Santa Cruz, CA with a bunch of Mommy's family for The not-so-little Little Family Reunion. It is always a TON of fun and I can't wait to take you and show you off to everybody :) After that, we're home for a week and then we take off to Big Fork, MT with some of Daddy's family for a wedding. That will be a really nice vacation too!

Mr. Independent Eater

It is astonishing to think back to 2 months ago and realize the amount of things you're doing now that you weren't capable of then. You love to feed yourself with a spoon now, (as well as with finger foods, of course). Sometimes we experience a bit of a melt down if someone tries to help feed you. You're quite the independent little guy. You are still crawling everywhere like a madman. You're so fast! Your favorite crawl is the gorilla crawl where you use your hands and feet instead of hands and knees. I think you do it because your knees get sore. It is so funny to watch! You can move at an incredible speed doing this.

Your gorilla crawl

You can stand by yourself, but don't like to. Whenever we practice you pretend that your legs are limp and don't put too much effort into standing. However, if we catch you in just the right mood you'll do it and can hold your balance for a long time. You walk around if you're hanging onto furniture, someone's fingers, or your little monster push toy. You don't seem to have the least bit of interest in walking independently, but I know you're leg muscles are strong enough so I don't think it's far away. (Secretly, I'm kind of glad you're not walking yet because it is hard enough to keep up with you otherwise....I can just picture places like Daddy's softball games becoming slightly less enjoyable when I have to chase you around...) You were kind of a late crawler so I guess you decided to stick with the trend and be a late walker too and that's just fine :)

You now have 8 teeth and you're working on some more. It seems that teething has been a constant thing since about 5 months. It doesn't seem to bother you though. You aren't fussy, just drool-y and you like to chew your little fingers like crazy.

Your favorite foods are currently blueberries, cheese, olives, and fruit snacks, along with anything you see Mommy or Daddy eating.

Your personality has developed 10-fold since just a few short weeks ago. You are so hilarious! You keep Daddy and I laughing and very entertained all day, everyday. You jabber non-stop. Sometimes at church or large family functions you will act shy, but I think you're putting on a farce.

You love to play with the cars Mommy and Daddy bought you for your birthday. You also enjoy all things electronic: iPhones, game controllers, Kindles, keyboards, etc...the scary thing is that you know how to use most of these things.

You continue to love the outdoors. This summer has been nice because you're old enough now that when Daddy and I need to get some yard work done you can come outside with us and play in the grass while we're working. The other day, Mommy was weeding the flower bed and you were playing on the sidewalk. Mommy looked over and noticed you had just undergone the initiation to becoming a true boy: you ate a rolly polly. Mommy did manage to get it out of your mouth before you swallowed it. The poor thing was as frightened as it could be, curled up in a little ball, drenched in drool.

You are such a joy to Mommy and Daddy. You make our lives complete! We love you more than air and are so incredibly grateful that God saw fit to bless our family with you! Mommy loves you! Daddy loves you! Jesus loves you!