get caught up

So in baby land, 2 months seems like 2 years...they grow up so fast.  They are constantly changing and growing and developing.  Here is a brief rundown of what August has been up to.

August started feeding himself.  This video is his first time trying finger foods around 9 months.  He's a pro now and eats about 75% of his meals with his hands.

August was a tiger for his 1st Halloween.  Our church has a 'fall festival' on Halloween every year so we took August to that.  It was so much fun hanging out with our loving church family and seeing all the kiddos dressed up.  I think we might make that a family tradition.

 

August's best bud, Baba, celebrated his 1st birthday.  I can't believe it's already been a year!

 

 We drove to Texas for Thanksgiving with Justin's dad and youngest sister, Kaethe.  All of Justin's extended family (on his dad's side) was there, so August got to hang out with Opa and Melba, Tia Cathy, Tio John, cousin Jamie, Tia Pringle, and Tio Michael.  Kaethe took some amazing photos (as usual).

August learned how to clap. 


August's Godparents came out and visited.  Unfortunately, this is the only picture I have from their trip here and they're not even in it.

 

 Christina introduced us to this awesome video that August loves to dance to.

KENYA VIDEO

August has gotten pretty good at climbing on and over things.  He likes to make everyday objects (like chairs and boxes) into obstacle courses.

He's still not walking on his own yet, but he will with "assistance".  Here's a video of him in action. 

Let's see...what else has happened?  August has 4 teeth now (2 in 2 days, that was rough!).  He's starting to sign when he's hungry.  He got his first cold, saw his first deer, went to his first jazz concert (and danced the whole time), survived his first road trip, and was afraid of something for the first time (our singing/dancing Christmas flamingo, which he loves now).  I'm sure I'm missing lots, but that pretty much sums up the last 2 months.  The next 2 posts will probabaly be Christmas and then his birthday.  Man does time fly!  I can't believe he's almost 1 already.

Florida trip #3

We are getting ready to head back to Florida again in a few days to spend Christmas with my family.  These are from our last trip back in October.

August loves music, band music especially.  Bill found a website with all the university fight songs on it.  I'm not sure what school's song is playing here, but august is not particular.

Mom and Bill wanted to take August out on the boat.  They got him his own life vest, but the smallest one they could find was about as big as he is.  Poor guy could barely move.

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Gotta love the crazy bedhead and weird facial expressions.

While I was there, my mom and sister helped me throw a baby shower for my long time friend, Daniella.  She is expecting her first baby boy right around August's birthday.

August had fun making faces at nanna and bill and sissy through the windows.

August played with a hose for the first time.  He LOVES water.

In Memory

It's been over 2 months since my last post.  Lots has happened since then...many really great things, but one really awful.  The really awful thing is part of the reason it's been so long.

August and I went to Florida for the first 2 weeks in October (we had an amazing time and I'll write a separate post for the trip), but a few days after we got back August was attacked by our dog, Grizzly Bear.  I can't even put into words what a terrifying, heart-wrenching experience that was.  I'll spare you the details, but on that day our baby was wounded and we lost our family pet.

I could write a whole blog about dealing with the shame and guilt and pain parent's deal with when their kids get hurt, but I wanted this post to be about Grizzly Bear...to honor his memory and say an official goodbye.

(And FYI, August is totally fine.  He has a scar on his cheek that will probably be there for a while, but nothing major.  I'm sure you'll notice it in future pictures.)
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Grizzly Bear a.k.a. Grizz Bizz, a.k.a. Bizz Beez, was adopted by us about 3 years ago at the age of 2.  He was found wondering around Ocala, Florida covered in bugs and mats.  He was my first dog ever, and I quickly learned that I am a CAT person.   Lucky for me, pekingese are probably the closest dog breed to a cat, so it worked.

Being cat like, Grizzly was very independent and liked to just do his own thing.  He loved to be outside.  When we lived in Florida, we didn't have a yard, so we would often take him to the local dog park.  He loved running around and chasing other dogs, but the poor guy could never keep up.  His chest would collect so much slobber and dirt that he would gross out all the other dog owners.  Once we moved to Albuquerque, he was content just chilling in the yard all day. 

He also loved going for walks, but would usually end up being carried back or riding in the bottom of the stroller.  Grizzly Bear wasn't the most affectionate dog, but he had his moments.  People sitting on the floor would often find him trying to make a seat out of their lap.  He was an expert guard dog, and loved to protect people.  He also loved protecting his toys and food, which led to his downfall and that dreaded day.

Grizzly Bear, you were my first dog EVER.  I'm not gonna lie, having you around stressed me out sometimes, but you also brought me lots of smiles.  I will miss you my dog...especially every time food falls on the floor or the cats throw up.  Love you.