The Pumpkin Patch

We took a trip with some friends to Red Bluff Farm in Folsom to the annual Pumpkin Festival. Beau had a blast. He crawled through the pumpkin patch, strolled through the numerous tents, and petted the farm animals. His practice at the fair really paid off...this time petting animals required no coaxing from Mom.

A Day at the Fair

Hunting season opened October 1st, so Billy was out at the lease taking care of business.  But what about me and Beau?  What were we to do?  Well, Paw Paw Mike reminded us that it was that time of year again - time for the St. Tammany Parish Fair!  What fun! We loaded up the car and took off for the fairgrounds. 



We just missed the sheep shearing.  But the kids were so sweet to help Beau touch and pet the animals. 



Beau had so much fun getting to look at and pet all the animals.  Of course, he liked some more than others.  His favorite was the goats.  Maybe he thought they looked like big dogs...with horns. 



"That is one big dog, Mommy."





"Hey, what are you looking at?"



The little chickens were pretty neat too. 

As for the cows...well, maybe their size was a little intimidating for the little guy.  He didn't want to pet them and was content watching from afar. 

"Maw maw, do not...I repeat...do not let go."

Beau also got to ride on the carousel for the first time.  Again, not really sure what to make of that one!  By the time he warmed up to the idea of spinning round and round on a horse, the ride was over.  Oh well, maybe next year we'll have better luck. 

On the Lakefront

We had our first snap of cool (notice I didn't say "cold") weather a couple weeks ago.  It was gorgeous.  And, as Beau was not letting me get any work done, I decided we should take a ride out to the lakefront and enjoy the beautiful weather.  (Not to mention I thought the trip might tucker him out just a tad.) 

While he HATED...I repeat...HATED the swings, he did enjoy crawling around and playing in the grass.  He's a quick little sucker these days and it's hard to get a decent picture of him while I make attempts (often futile) to stop him from falling, tripping, sliding, skidding, etc.  Luckily, I was able to get a few cute shots of our excursion. 

Eleven Months!

That's right...just one more month before Beau celebrates his FIRST BIRTHDAY!  Oh where has the time gone?! 

It's been particularly busy around the Brian residence with work, birthday parties, and of course, football season.  As a result I have been remiss in my picture taking duties.  (Not to mention that with Beau's new found speed, agility, and trickiness, I need to have one hand available at all times to prevent the next near disaster!)  So, to make up for the lack of photo documentation, I figured I'd give you a little insight on our eleven month old with some of his current likes and dislikes. 

LIKES

*  Sitting on items that he likes.  Yep, Beau crawls up to a favorite item or item of interest and turns, aims his rearend at the item, and sits.  Then he smiles and claps.  Items have included special toys, dad's shoes, Murphy, Murphy's food bowl, Murphy's water bowl, and then more Murphy.  Man, that dog is a good sport!

*  Speaking of clapping, this has become one of Beau's favorite forms of expression.  Give him the toy  he wants, he applauds.  Feed him something particularly tasty, he applauds.  Sing him just the right song for that moment, he applauds.  It's so endearing. 

*  Beau's fine motor skill have really developed over the last several weeks.  And to practice this new dexterity one of his favorite new pasttimes is opening the battery case from our remote controls.  And, if he's really feeling fiesty, he'll remove the batteries too!  So safe, I know. 

*  While we have NO idea what he is saying, Beau is constantly having conversations with us.  Now, I'm not talking about baby babble.  No, this form of communication goes much further.  He will look you in the eyes and say, "Dadada, fiiiiiisssss, ne ne ne, waaaa."  And then look to you for your response.  Mine is usually, "You don't say..."  Because, seriously, what else am I supposed to say to that?

 *  Climbing on top of items and crawling under them.  He has been doing the army crawl under items for a couple months now.  The tighter the fit, the more excited he gets.  He's been climbing for quite some time too.  But now he has learned to push items together to get higher.  For instance, the other day he pushed my laptop case in front of the sofa so that he had a little help climbing onto the cushions.  Oh yes, Beau can now climb on to the sofa with little or no help.  Problem is, he hasn't master getting down.  Huge problem now as he likes to leap headfirst. 

*  Walking behind his dumptruck.  The dumptruck provided endless hours of entertainment when it was used to push buttons and make funny noises.  But, once he discovered that he could stand behind it, push it and walk - well that was really exciting!  His first venture actually took him about 2/3 around the living room.  He squealed with pride and delight the whole way. 

*  Pushing his John Deere tractor around the living room.  Also, he tries to say "vvvrrroooommm" but all he gets out is the "ooooommmmm."  Too cute. 

DISLIKES

*  Diaper changes.  Oh this one is fairly new but it's brutal.  I suppose he hates having his diaper changed because it means a break from his playing ways.  The only time he seems to appreciate a diaper change is usually when it's a particularly dirty one.  Then he has actually been known to smile and laugh at the changer's disgust. 
*  Dinner.  Yep, dinner.  Not breakfast.  Not lunch.  Not snacktime.  Dinner.  Our little guy is a hungry, hungry hippo.  His breakfast has been known to include an entire bowl of cream of wheat AND a whole banana AND an eight ounce bottle.  Lunch has been an entire grilled cheese sandwich AND a whole nectarine AND an eight ounce bottle.  Dinner?  Well I guess by then he is just tired of eating.  Oh well.  If he wasn't such a good eater the rest of the day, I might be worried. 

*  The locks on the cabinet doors.  After months of opening and shutting the doors and, of course, crawling in and out of the cabinets and removing everything within reach, the cabinets have been officially "child proofed" and Beau is none too happy about it.  Of course, this doesn't stop him from reaching his little arm in as far as he can to try to grasp something.  This isn't a problem, until I later open the cabinet and those items which have been precariously teetering on the edge come crashing out. 



First Haircut

I've been putting off Beau's first haircut for quite some time.  However, when strangers at the grocery started to comment on his "cute mullet" I figured it was time for action.  On top of his mullet issues he had "wings" over his ears.  It was getting to the point where he would fiddle with his ears all day because his hair tickled him so. 

The "before".  A little rough around teh edges. 

So off to Supercuts we went.  (I apologize ahead of time for the unneccesary and copious amounts of cleavage in these shots.  No, not mine.  I couldn't predict what his hair stylist would be wearing...) 

What did you get me into?

That wasn't so bad. 

Now that I have a big boy haircut, I need big boy product. 

The final look...I think he likes it!

So a few notes.  First, Beau did great.  He didn't cry at all.  He was, however, extremely wiggly so I was not able to get any shots of the actual haircut.  Someone had to hold him down!  Second, despite her obviously questionable fashion sense, the stylist was great.  She was so sweet to Beau and did a very good job.  Ok, so maybe I was mildly horrified when she gave him a bottle of product to suck on.  But, I had afterall, that same day, witnessed him eating a leaf.  So, no big deal.  Finally, I didn't realize how hard it would be on me and Billy for Beau to get his first haircut!  He no longer looks like a baby boy.  He is officially a "little boy" now.  Oh Beau, slow down! 

Sweet Dreams

One of the highlights of my night is to check on Beau before I go to sleep.  No matter how he falls asleep, he's never in the same place when I check.  I started taking pictures so that I could show Billy when I came back down.  He had the idea of compiling the photos because, frankly, some of them are pretty stinkin funny.  Here is a small selection...

In the corner and at the ready

The only time he appreciates the pacifier is in a dead sleep

Check out that hair!

I love this one because HE wrapped himself in that blanket. 

Bottoms up!

Is Beau missing an arm?  Nope, it's tucked up under him.  This cannot be comfy!

Nine Months!

This Monday marked Beau's nine month birthday. 

And today we headed to the pediatrician for his well baby checkup.  Do you know what the best part of the nine month check up is? 

NO SHOTS! 

 

That's right.  You just go in and hang out with the doctor and make sure all is well.  Ahhhhh...

Beau's pediatrician, Dr. Pamela Richard (she's the best!)

It appears that Beau had a bit of a growth spurt recently.  While his weight is still hovering in the 25th-50th percentile, his height is now just above the 75th.  Looks like we've got a long and lean one on our hands! 

And now, for your viewing pleasure, a few shots from the last week. 

Hanging out in my pajama pants.  I'm such a big boy! 

Crawling...it's what I do. 

Climbing the stairs.  I LOVE this! 

My new favorite toy!  A big ole dump truck! 

Mmmmm...

Beau had his first popsicle the other day. 

It was immediately followed by his first brain freeze.  Doh! 

I'm learning too

Beau has marked a lot of milestones in the last month or so and I am so proud of him.  However, I'm learning that these milestones aren't exactly what I expected them to be. 

Crawling...

What I thought it meant - My little bugger is getting to be stronger and more independent.  It's so cute. 

What I have discovered - I crawl almost as much as he does; however, my knees are old and not up for the task.  I am battered and bruised and exhausted.  Gates are worthless - he can knock them down with his freakish strength (Ok, not ALL of them...but I have seen him do it).  Sometimes I wish he would just sit down. 

Feeding himself...

What I thought it meant - Mark another notch in the "Mr. Independent" belt.  Now he can enjoy cheerios and little bits of banana and mango.  Hooray for my healthy eater! 

What I have discovered - Sure he can feed himself Cheerios.  But he can also feed himself pet hair, pine straw, dirt, etc.  If I thought my floors were clean before, Beau is constantly reminding me that they are full of "little treasures" perfect for stuffing in a little mouth.

Climbing...

What I thought it meant - Sure, we'll have to put up that gate at the stairs, but my little dude can climb up the stairs.  He's a bruiser, but he's so talented. 

What I have discovered - Gates are worthless (see above).  Also, climbing is not limited to the stairs.  It is fun to climb anything above ankle height.  This includes the fireplace, the tub, and Murphy.  Get in his way, he will climb up you.  I'm not kidding. 

Understanding that "no" means "no"...

What I thought it meant - How fantastic!  He hears "no" and he knows it means to stop what he is doing.  Genius.  And, we don't even have to scream "no" anymore.  Just a few shakes of the head and he usually gets the gist. 

What I have discovered - Yep, he knows that "no" means.  And sure, he actually listens most of the time.  But, he knows what "no" means.  He might not be able to say "no" but he sure can shake his head!  "Beau, here are your peas."  Violently shakes head.  "Beau, time for bed."  Violently shakes head.  "Beau, that's Murphy's bowl."  Violently shakes head.  Who knew he understood us so well...or that he was so opinionated!