time to baby proof...

August officially started crawling Tuesday.  These videos are of his first few attempts. 





He's already into everything!  He especially enjoys chasing the pets around.  He's caught and tackled Duggie a few times already and is really trying to get Grizz (I just hope he never catches him cause I'm afraid what might happen).  Anyone interested in adopting a bear?

bouncy

August finally figured out how to bounce and he loooooves it!

ranch videos

Hindi Ranch

Last weekend, we took a trip out to a sheep ranch with Justin's family.  It's Justin's sister's boyfriend's step-father's family's ranch (did you get that? ;)). While we were out there, we took advantage of the amazing setting to do a cowboy themed photoshoot.  Kaethe's amazing talent combined with August's cuteness is almost too much to handle...

An

 

We had an amazing, relaxing time out in the middle of nowhere.  Got to see some shooting stars, hang out with the fam, pet a sheep, hang out with cows, eat yummy food, pick fruit, almost get bit by a rattler, and find a huge spider in my car.  We even brough the Grizz along with us and he did a pretty good job being a dog.  

 

Thanks Genny and Joachim for having us!

Also, did I mention Kaethe is amazing?  Check out her website for more of her pics or for info on booking a photoshoot - http://www.kmariphotography.com.

A Tribute to the Godparents

 

While I was pregnant, Justin and I thought long and hard about Godparents; if August needed them, what a Godparent really means, and who could possibly fill that roll.  After some research on the true definition of a Godparent (basically ones who invest in the spiritual/religious upbringing of the child), it was pretty easy to decide. 

Greg and Christina (pictured above with August) are two of the most genuine, loving, and interesting people we have ever had the priveledge of knowing.  And even though they are 2,000 miles away, they have already invested in August and loved him in so many ways!  

Before August was born (or many soon after?), they sent us a Jesus Storytime Bible, which does an amazing job of translating the bible into short stories that reflect God's love for us and Christ's sacrifice throughout all of time.  We have already read through it with him once and will continue to do so throughout his childhood.  While we were in town in April, they lavished August with lots of gifts, and most recently they sent August his first "instraument" (Greg is an amazing musician).  Here are some pictures of August enjoying his new piano.

A while ago, Justin purchased "an original song" from Greg at a silent auction at a church fundraiser.  Instead of a song, Greg wrote some kid prayers for August.  Greg, I hope you don't mind me sharing these on here, but they are too good not to.

God, you are in charge of the highs and the lows

You are god of my skin and god of my bones 

When I get scared or feel all alone

You are in charge of the highs and the lows

You are God of me whole

God I can't see you but I know you're there

You're in [insert place here] and everywhere  (ex: You're in the world; You're in my room, etc.)

And you listen to our prayers

God is big

God is love

God loves me

God has big love for me

Sometimes life is hard

Sometimes life is good

But in everything I should

Seek the lord in all

So help me to trust

To bring my fears to you

And life may still be hard

But I will seek you in it all

 

We love you guys so much and wish you were closer!  Thank you for blessing us and August so much!.

p.s. the pictures are on their way ;)

One year ago...

On this day 1 year ago we had our 20 week ultrasound and got to see August and found out he was a boy.  I just went back and read the post from that day while holding my precious boy in my arms.  I can't believe it's been a year since that day.  I remember it like it was yesterday...the fear of what they might find, the excitement and anticipation of getting to see the baby and find out the sex, the brief disappointment of not having a girl, the immense joy and love that filled my heart the first time I saw his face on the screen.  On that day, I knew he was a blessing, but I had no idea how much.  August is the sweetest, happiest, cutest little boy in the world and I get to be his mom.  He brings me so much joy every day and every day I thank God for blessing me with him.

http://bbrichter.blogspot.com/2009/08/its-boy.html

updated ticker

Check it out to the left.  Excited to see my family soon!

a few weeks old...

I'm a little behind on posting these.

August's eyes are still as blue as can be.

He still blows raspberries ALL THE TIME!  He is going to be an amazing trumpet player one day ;)



Baba and August are starting to really interact.  Baba is all over the place, crawling and climbing, so Jen is holding him back a bit so he doesn't knock August over.



August goes through new face/sound phases.  This one only lasted a week.  The last only stuck around a few days and I unfortunately didn't catch it on film.  He was scrunching up his nose and breathing in and out really quickly (which I swear is something my little sis used to do when she was a baby).

Last weekend, we took a fun trip out to a sheep ranch with Justn's family.  I have some fun videos and lots of amazing pictures (thanks Kaethe!) to post...hopefully soon.

learning to crawl

August is so close to crawling.  Here are a few videos of his progress.  These are about a week old, so he's made even more progress since these were taken.