I'm 9 months!

Jameson is a very happy 9 month old.  I can't believe how fast he's growing and how quickly his first birthday is approaching.  Just prior to turning 9 months, he started standing in his Pack-n-play at daycare and we subsequently lowered his crib mattress.  Good thing because later that same night as lowering it, we watched him stand on the video monitor.  Some other developmental milestones accompanying 9 months include: proficient crawling, pulling himself up to a standing position, lowering himself back down, cruising, waving good-bye, making various vocal noises including a lot of "clucking" sounds.  He doesn't seem as interested in specific toys, often picking them up to then dropping them and happily moving on to another.  He is very captivated by discovering his gross motor abilities.  Jameson is a good eater.  He hasn't rejected any foods yet, although we think he had a minor reaction to peas.  He still really likes his baths and his dogs (we've even seen some early efforts at him trying to play fetch with them!) :)

At his 9mo wellness check, he measured 18lbs 1.5oz, and 28in long.  He's steadily following his own percentile curve, but is on the littler end :)  The doctor was super impressed with how social and happy he is!

Some big shoes to fill!

Matching fans for a fun Sunday afternoon of football...and as Jameson's Uncle Matthew says, we were wearing our Sunday best :)

Trip to Michigan, Oct 2-8

Jameson and I took our first solo trip (missing daddy).  We flew to Wisconsin and stayed the night with grandma and grandpa. The next morning, we drove with grandma up and over to East Jordan, MI to visit Aunt Natalie and Uncle Matthew.  In Michigan, we enjoyed some fall weather with fall festivities: apple picking, a pumpkin patch and football!  The challenges of flying with a 9 month old by myself and taking two 10 hour road trips (about a 10-11 hour drive between homes in Wisconsin and Michigan) were tough, but totally worth it.  We had a blast and can't wait to go back!

One of the most exciting moments was that upon our arrival Jameson got a gift from his Aunt Natalie and Uncle Matthew - a picture frame which said, "Cousins are forever" and had a picture of an ultrasound!!!!!  Aunt Natalie surprised us with news that she's pregnant!  We can't wait to meet their sweet little one due April 24 (just 2 days after Jameson's Aunt Karen is due with her third little bundle of joy!...it's going to be a busy month!)

Jameson showing Uncle Matthew just how much fun he has on the swing.  (Too bad we had to leave Michigan before those apples made it into a pie!)

More practice in a high chair.

Breakfast at the apple orchard.

I love you Grandma!!!

Fun in the Pumpkin Patch.

Out to lunch with grandpa and grandma before having to fly back home. It was a perfect fall day to eat outside.

The affection between Rufus and Jameson apparently grew stronger with distance :)

Weekend in Vail, Sept 28

Pitstop in the mountains along our drive to Vail.

I was glad that pitstop could include coffee! :)  It had already been a long morning... shortly after getting on the highway leaving Fort Collins, we realized that we had forgotten Jameson's Pack n' Play, so we had to turn around to get it.  After spending another half hour at the house feeding Jameson, we were back on the road for about an hour and a half before realizing that we also forgot the metal-frame backpack for carrying Jameson to go hiking.  And so it begins....right?

We happened to drive by an awesome park and put Jameson on a baby swing and assisted him down a slide for the first time.  He loved both!

What a gorgeous afternoon to play at the park.

When he swung, each time he flew forward he had the biggest grin and giggle.  It was contagious, for sure!

Enjoying being a kid again.

Yes, it is a heated pool, but I still can't wait until Jameson is old enough to go in the hot tub!

A look ahead at our hike.

The changing fall color was one of the reasons for the trip.  The Aspens were beautiful, and while we thought we timed it perfectly with the height of the fall foliage, the Aspens were only just starting to change.