10 months

Braden is 10 months old! *sigh* (Have I already said that this first year is going wayyyyy too fast?)

At 10 months, our little guy:

• loves trying new foods ("big" people/"real" food) and has yet to meet something he really doesn't like.  Favorites are ice cream, breads/pasta, potatoes in any form including french fries and potato salad, meatballs, string cheese, most fruits (esp. grapes, bananas, and peaches), and goldfish crackers (I know, I know, as I read this I am thinking - wow - not all such healthy choices!)

• chatters/babbles more and more (with great expression - very funny)

• is doing better with the sippy cup - we'll be able to ditch the bottle at the 1 year mark, I think

• still loves the water/swimming 

• has 8 teeth! (good for biting - a not so fun new trick! . . . . he gets our toes sometimes, or will give you a big juicy kiss that turns into a nibble)

• and the big news . . . . is taking a few steps!!  Braden took his first real steps on his 10 month b-day while we were on vacation in MN.  He can also now stand up from a sitting position without using anything to pull up.

And the monthly photos:

10 months

6 months

1 month

see ya later, alligator!

Tomorrow we hit the road!

It feels like we've spent most of this week preparing for next week . . . well, ok, today mostly.  M-W I helped with Language Camps for school (which made me realize just how NOT ready to return to school I am as well as how unpleasant it is to have to get up early  in the mornings - although we did have a great time learning Arabic, Chinese, and Spanish at camp). 

Today I did lots of laundry, and packed up (what seems like) everything we own in preparation for one week of vacation.  We're heading up North to MN with the Hartsocks for a week of fun and relaxation at cabins by a lake.  I've made lots of lists and I hope we have everything we need for B - and that it all fits in our car! Traveling with a small child adds a lot to the packing list: pack and play, high chair, baby food/bottles/sippys, stroller, toys . . . whew! 

See you next week!

Shettler reunion

Braden (and Billy!) got to meet some extended family members this weekend at the Shettler family reunion.  The "Shettlers" are my dad's mom's (my grandma Elsie's) family.  We see my cousins/aunts/uncles quite a bit because we all live in the area (although my dad's parents have both passed away), but don't get to see my dad's cousins and their families as often - so it was fun to reconnect.

This is our "branch" of the Shettler family (my grandma's kids/grandkids/great grandkids) - at this point we were still missing Billy (we can't wait till he doesn't have to work weekends!) and are also missing my cousin Lance, Chloe, and their kids - Ben and Ellie.  

We spend Saturday on the Coe College campus, getting reacquainted, taking group/family photos as per reunion tradition . . .

 . . . enjoying the sunny day (2nd cousins Madi, Norah, and Braden) . . .

 . . . playing games - here Allie and I are battling against Aubree and Dennis in a game of Bags - we also had a bocce tournament and a lively game of whiffle ball. :) . . .

 . . . and just relaxing and visiting with one another.

Braden is very close to standing on his own, and likes to "walk" holding onto a helping hand.

Other traditional Shettler reunion events include a watermelon seed spitting competition . . .

. . . and the main event - the 18 foot banana split!  YUM-O!

Everyone grab a spoon . . .

 . . . and dig in! (don't worry about germs - we're all family! . . . although some participants like to designate their own personal portion into which no one else's spoon shall invade).

Although this picture doesn't show it well, B loved this activity, and was very upset when we cut him off after a few delicious bites.

Braden waves bye bye

We've been working a lot with Braden lately on "skills" such as sooooo big (and/or touchdown!), patty cake/clapping, signing "more" during meals, and waving bye bye.  He enjoys the interaction and laughs a lot while we practice, but hasn't really done any of these skills on his own yet . . .

BUT we're making progress on "bye bye!" :)  The other night he sort of waved his hand around with our prompting when bidding farewell to someone, but today he really did wave good-bye to Grandma Jane! She had stopped in to help me take measurements for fabric so that I can sew up a new curtain for our now green kitchen (yeah, just call me Becky!), and when she left she waved to B and said, bye bye!  . . . and he waved back!  

I took this little video right after that, as B was watching the world go by out our front door (a favorite past time of his!).  Sorry it is a little dark b/c of the sun shining in . . . and of course ignore the mommy voice.

sippy cup and s'mores

I'm pleased to report that Braden has recently become more willing to "embrace" the use of a sippy cup instead of his beloved bottle.  After finding out at his 9 month check up that he should/could ditch the bottle by his first b-day, I wasn't sure we'd be able to meet that goal . . . We still have a long way to go until the bottle is completely gone, but I was thrilled today when B drank a whole sippy cup without fussing for his bottle.

This weekend we (finally!) had a backyard barbeque and broke out the firepit for s'mores! 

It was a great evening for relaxing outdoors with friends . . . and the fire was nice on such a cool summer evening (who would have thought we'd all be in jeans and hoodies on an Iowa July night?!).

Braden and Auntie Allie

First fire of the summer!

Getting sleepy, but don't want to miss anything!

Yum - s'mores!

fun at the farm

Yesterday we went to Billy's parents' farm to see the border collie puppies. While Billy was getting a puppy for Braden to pet, B enjoyed their swing (just like his at home).

Af first Braden wasn't too sure about the puppy . . .

 . . . but then wanted to give it hugs and kisses!

Billy made lasagna for dinner last night . . .

 . . . and Braden liked it. . .

 . . . a lot.