8 Months

Ok wow this last month was a big month for changes! A month ago Emma could army crawl…and in the last 4 weeks she has started crawling on hands and knees (and people, she is FAST), pulling up, and cruising!

 A month ago I was sure that she would not be walking as early as big brother (he walked a week after he turned 9 months) but now I’m not so sure. Its like she suddenly realized how much fun it would be to not just watch Caleb but to steal his toys join. 

So she did. The first time she actually crawled I got it on video. Caleb was playing with his cars and that was the draw – Emma just had to find out what he was doing. In the video you can hear Caleb’s slightly panicked voice in the background saying “Mommy what’s Emma DOING?!” She crawled a few feet to her destination, Caleb warily picked up his cars and moved to a safer area, and I went back to the kitchen to finish dinner. Then Caleb comes running in and says in an unmistakably “tattling” voice (with a little panic/fear mixed in) “Mommy Emma crawling AGAIN!”. Since then I think he has figured out that this is the new reality!

Princess girl is FINALLY sleeping better at night **clouds parting, angels singing** – we finally took the advice of several friends and let her cry awhile so she is down to (usually) waking only once!

She is also starting to eat finger foods –definitely earlier than Caleb was, partly because its just easier if I’m hands-free to be at Caleb’s beck and call help Caleb eat!

We are starting the (VERY slow) process of potty training for Caleb, which I really can’t decide if I’m happy about or not. Pros: less diapers, less money SPENT on diapers…Cons: cleaning up messes for awhile at least, having to run to the bathroom in the store…honestly seems MORE inconvenient to me! We bought Caleb a “Froggy Potty” after Christmas, and thought we would see how he did…he absolutely refused to sit on it. Actually he said “NO! Dat chair BWOKEN! It have HOLE in it!” Logic of a 2 year old. Yes, yes it does have a hole in it – how can you argue with that?! Well finally the lure of chocolate chips (aka “yittle tiny candies”) proved greater than fear, and so after lunch we spend 20 minutes sitting. Waiting. Reading stories….and so far nothing has happened. But it’s a process right? Honestly I am in NO hurryJ

Caleb had a very exciting first: first horseback ride! He LOVED it, though for some reason he is still afraid of riding the carousel horses at the museum…again, 2 year old logic…

Last week we had a visit from the world’s best in-laws, and spent a wonderful few days, taking walks, talking, and soaking up “grandparent time” J! Very excited for when they take possession of their condo down the road!

The day before Easter we had some family pictures taken by the amazing photographer Diedra Blosser. She is a family friend and an incredible photographer – so, so good with the kids too! Here are some of my favorites:

I received the CD in the mail yesterday and ordered prints that evening – I can’t WAIT to get them! I asked Garrett to help with the deciding process by helping me pick one 8x10 of each of the kids. He said “That’s impossible”. Yea, I thought so too!

Easter weekend was a wonderful time with family, celebrating our RISEN Savior! It was Caleb’s second egg hunt, and he definitely remembered what to do! 

He had a blast finding the eggs that Uncle Griffin and Daddy had hidden. And, as opposed to last year when they only had oyster crackers inside, these were actually filled with CANDY. Very excitingJ

I hope you had a wonderful Easter as well – HE IS RISEN!!!