Seven Months!

Beau turned seven months last week and my, what a difference one month makes.  Four weeks ago he was just starting to pull himself up to standing, his sitting skills were quickly improving, and he had only recently began scooting backwards. 

Looking indignant because we lowered the crib mattress for his own safety!

Today, well today, it's taking everything Billy and I have to keep up with him.  He's now officially mobile.  He is crawling EVERYWHERE!  And not only does he crawl from Point A to Point B, but when he reaches Point B, he wants to climb up it.  He actually climbed out of the baby pool by himself yesterday.  Yikes!  Billy and I are seriously considering buying a fence.  I'm not kidding...a baby fence.  How else am I supposed to reign him in!? 

On top of his new motor skills Beau had two more developments - his first two teeth!  Guess we'll be making an appointment with Dr. Chad sooner than later! 

This weekend we're heading to Montgomery, Texas to hang out with Beau's grandparents and the rest of the Brian clan.  He's only been in a "big" pool once - and he loved it!  I can't wait to see him in action.  Plus, as Paw-Paw is coming, I'm sure there will be lots of photos to capture the moment.  More on that later...

A little off the top, please

Our first child, Murphy, has been understandably upset over the last seven months as his reign as "top dog" has come to an end.  That's not to say that we haven't showed him much love and affection.  To the contrary, we've probably showed him more than before Beau's arrival just out of pure fear and/or guilt.  While Murphy has received love, food, and the occasional treat, his grooming has been, well, let's be honest - non-existent.  Sure he's had a few baths, but those were usually out of pure necessity (one too many romps through the mud puddles). 

Billy and I thought, enough is enough.  Murphy deserves some TLC too.  So this morning I brought Murph to the groomer's for a nice haircut.  As I walked him through the door I could feel the staff's judgmental eyes boring a hole through my head.  I begged for forgiveness and blamed it on Beau (sorry kiddo).  But he seemed happy to be there and I couldn't wait until this afternoon when we saw him again. 

I knew things went awry when Billy called after picking him up.  The conversation went something like this...Billy:  "Um, Kelly, what exactly were you're instructions to the groomer?"  Me:  "I told her to do it just like last time, just a little shorter.  You know, a little off the top."  Billy:  "Uh huh.  Ok, I think we need a new groomer." 

Well, needless to say, the results were not what we expected.  But, Murphy seems happy with it.  And it takes years off him!  Oh well...hair grows back, right? 

Anyone know the name of a good groomer? 

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

It was almost bedtime for Beau, so we began our nighttime routine.  First up - bathtime!  I sat Beau in his crib with a few toys to keep him occupied while I drew his bath water.  After just a few seconds I heard shrieks of laughter coming from the nursery.  I had to investigate and see which toy could be causing such amusement. 

This is what I saw...

He's been pulling himself to standing while holding on to mommy and daddy.  But this was a first.  I grabbed my camera and sat him back down in the middle of the crib.  I needed to know if this was a fluke.  Sure enough he scooted towards the edge of the crib...

grabbed a hold of the railing...

positioned his feet just so and then...

up he went! 

Well, I guess it's time to lower that mattress! 

Ahhh the life

Daddy...ahem, Paw Paw...got Beau a kiddie pool to play in while mommy is at work.  Can you tell that he likes it? 

Can't get enough of those keys!

That face says it all...

Mother's Day

Well my first Mother's Day as a mom was better than I could have imagined.  Billy and Beau both made the day so special.  They really set the bar high...now I really have my work cut out for me for Father's Day! 

Our attempt at a family photo

We spent the day at Uncle Scott and Aunt Dian's in Folsom.  Despite the fact he missed out on one of his naps, Beau was a good sport and enjoyed the time with family. 

Looks like a natural

Loving some daddy time

Endless Entertainment

I might be biased, but I think Beau is the happiest kiddo ever. Here's a little snippet of what our nights are like these days. I think he really likes his exersaucer. (Thanks for the suggestion, Mimi!)

Happy Half Birthday Beau!

On Monday Beau turned six months.  He celebrated his half birthday by going to the pediatrician and getting three shots.  Yikes...not how I'd want to spend my half birthday! 

Everyday it seems like Beau is getting stronger and learning something new.  Recently his baby babble has turned into real words...well, more or less.  So far he's picked up "B's" and "D's" and "P's."  I'm still waiting to hear him practice his "M's." 

Also, he's begun pulling himself to standing (and not just in the bathtub anymore).  He just LOVES standing like a big boy! 

And bathtime is still one of his favorite times of the day.  Little guy just loves to splash that water everywhere! 

Finally, he's really starting to crawl.  Well...scoot more than crawl.  And he's become pretty efficient about it too.  The other day he managed to scoot himself off his blanket, onto the rug, and finally all the way onto the wood floor (about 10-15 feet)!  One issue - he can only scoot BACKWARDS!  It's pretty funny to watch.  But hey, if it gets him where he wants to go... 

You've got to be kidding me...

Beau said another word today...

"Pa Pa" 

I don't even want to talk about it. 

Insult to Injury

Last night Beau didn't sleep so well. (It's either his allergies - damn pollen! - or his teething - damn teeth!)

So MOMMY got up to soothe him at 11:00 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. And MOMMY started her day early at 6:00 a.m. because Beau was up and at 'em. And MOMMY feed him, changed his diaper, and put on his clothes. And MOMMY brought him to grandma and grandpa's for the day. And MOMMY called to check in on him to make sure he was feeling good and napping well. And MOMMY picked him up when she was done with work.

And when MOMMY picked him up, you know what new (and first) word Beau said?

DA DA!

Sheesh.  Video to follow, I'm sure...

Splish Splash I Was Taking a Bath

I think this video is self-explanatory...



Oh, one note about bath time...Recently Beau has begun trying to pull himself to standing. However, the only place he wants to practice this new trick? You guessed it - the bath tub - right when he is at his slipperest. (Not sure if that's even a word...but I like it.) This new trick has brought us much pride and even more shagrin. Really Beau, you couldn't practice on the carpet or in your crib? Sheesh.

My New Favorite Trick!

It seems like Beau learns something new and exciting everyday. Well one of his newest tricks is cute, loud, and wet. Yes, wet. All of this video was shot before lunch on one day. Notice how his shirt changes and eventually disappears. And now...Beau's new favorite trick...

Here comes Peter Cottontail!

Is this all for me?! 

I LOVE IT! 

Thanks mommy and daddy! 

We had a WONDERFUL Easter weekend...but man, are we tired.  Aunt Lizzy came in on Thursday and spent the day with Beau and I on Good Friday.  Shopping on Magazine Street; lunch at St. James Cheese Company; ice cream at The Creole Creamery on Prytania.  And if that wasn't enough, we made a trip to New Orleans East to pick up crawfish for the next day. 

Aunt Lizzy got me a stylin' new shirt on her last ski trip to Vail. 

Yo, yo, yo...waiting on those snow bunnies. 

Saturday we hosted a crawfish boil for the Brian clan (Deb and Tom came in Friday evening) and my family, plus Nanny and the boys.  The crawfish were delicious...Billy did such a great job!

Spending time with Grandma Debbie

Loving the new book Auntie M gave him. 

Easter Sunday involved mass at Our Lady of the Lake and then a big party at our place.  Beau got his first Easter basket from mom and dad.  He also received little gifts from all his aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. 

Ok, this was not staged...as soon as he got the toy he immediately took off the top two rings and placed them on his feet for safe keeping.  Too cute! 

What I'd do? 

If Easter was this big of a celebration, I can't imagine what Christmas is going to be like this year!! 

The three WTBs on Easter Sunday. 

Five Months!

Such a happy kiddo

So Beau made five months today! 

Man, this time last year I was utterly exhausted, my clothes weren't fitting right and I was dealing with throwing up everyday.  Flash forward to today, well...I'm utterly exhausted, my clothes aren't fitting right and I'm dealing with spit up everyday.  Wait.  That sounds pretty similar. 

I love how expressive his eyebrows are!

Anywho...Beau is growing and growing everyday.  He's learning new tricks and having fun practicing them.  Recently all he wants to do is sit up like a big boy.  He's such a show off.  Also, he's learned to roll from his back to his belly.  Pretty cute - until he does it at 2:30am in the morning and gets "stuck" in his crib.  He's experiementing with new foods.  Bananas are, without a doubt, his favorite.  Finally, today I caught him doing his own version of the army crawl.  He had his eyes on something just out of reach and he was damned and determined to get it.  That something?  The remote control.  Figures - just like a man! 

Mmmmm....

....carrots!

"You say, 'potato.' I say, 'No, thank you.'"

I have to say I've been looking forward to the day Beau tried his first solids.  And, not just rice cereal (does that stuff even taste like anything at all?)  So after getting the go ahead from his pediatrician (and then waiting a few more days for good meausure) we got out the bowls, spoons, and - mmmm - rice cereal.  (PS - this is his game face.  He's ready for anything!)

Well, as suspected he was ready for the challenge.  He wasn't 100% on the whole "don't thrust out your tongue for every bite" thing.  But all in all he did well.  He didn't seem too crazy about the taste.  But with each spoonful he optomistically and cheerfully opened wide! 

So, rice cereal was a success...on to bigger and better things.  First up, sweet potatoes! 

Well...this face pretty much sums up the sweet potato experience. 

I'm glad to announce "Sweet Potatoes - Take Two" was far more successful.  Next up...bananas!!

The Many Faces of Beau

Still so little, but oh so many expressions!  Beau hung out with his grandparents while mommy and daddy went to the hospital to meet Beau's new friend, (Chad and Emma's little boy) Andrew Schiele Vaught.  While we were away Grandpa took out the camera and, as usual, Beau did not disappoint. 

Here is his "let's play!" face. 

Here is his "up to no good" face. 

Here is his "What are you looking at, punk!" face. 

And finally, here is his, "I just love you." face. 

Sitting pretty

Ta da! 

So he's not quite sitting up straight yet, but this is pretty close. 

I read an article once where they called this position the "tripod".  The article said to help your baby sit up by teaching him to balance and support his weight on his arms. 

This evening Billy and I figured we'd let Beau try it out and, to our surprise...he loved it!  He stayed in this position for several minutes (plenty long enough for mommy to grab the camera to capture the moment!) I guess we now have a new trick to practice! 

Of course, it couldn't last forever...

PS - Check out the ears...looking more and more like his daddy every day ;)