Happy 9 Month Birthday!

It's so hard to believe Beckett is nine months old.  (I have probably started each monthly birthday post with the same opening line, and I will probably be saying that when he is 16, and 20, and 40, and so on...)  But really, 9 months?  He's the light of our lives and his personality grows more each day.

So here's what he's up to these days:

• Cruising all over the place.  He's taken a couple of wobbly steps between Shonn and me, or to the couch, but mostly, he wants to hang on to things.
• Eating some table foods.  He loves meats - ham, chicken, steak (we went out for dinner last night and he had a little of my steak to celebrate his bday), and even venison.  He feeds himself but has a little difficulty making it to his mouth every time.
• Smiling, laughing, babbling (we have the recognizable mama and dada, but not really in association with us...).
• Recognizing objects ("Where's Lexi?").
• Recognizing himself in the mirror.
• Reaching for faces - especially baby faces! (He will "kiss" real babies and also babies in books. We have no idea where he learned this!)
• Showing favoritism toward certain toys (Also known as "do NOT try to take this little ball out of my hand unless you want to hear me scream!")
• Playing independently.  (He loves to focus on manipulating small objects and also banging things to make noise.)
• Splashing and loving bathtime. (He really loves his mini rubber duckies and also this floating, singing duck Uncle Jay got him for Christmas.)
• Snuggling.
• Singing.

He's such a happy baby and we are so blessed.

JEANious

Not only are these new jeans adorable, they're smart. Leave it to the Gap to create something functional and simultaneously trendy. Beckett has outgrown my favorite distressed jeans (sigh), so we were looking for a replacement pair this weekend. We found these at the Gap. The reverse cuff is a darling railroad stripe, and the pockets do have a little distressing. I'm not overly worried about the lack of "wear" on these babies, though...there will definitely be more wearing to come. Why more than usual?, you might be wondering?  Well, because these are size 12-18 months. No, they really ARE 12-18 months.  And here's why they might actually be WORN from 12-18 months: They are adjustable waist! And not in the weird stretchy-waist band way. There are hidden buttons with adjusters:

And they look cute on!

They are called "Playdate Straight", which made me like them even more, and you can get your very own pair (or at least a pair for your baby) right here:     Cute AND Smart

Monkey See...

Beckett has really started mimicking what he sees and hears. In these pics, we were playing, "Monkey See, Monkey Do!" (I named the game that primarily because it went with his PJs. I know you're surprised.) It's so cute, though, because I'll make a short, high-pitched sound, and then he'll repeat. Then I'll make a lower laughing sound, and he'll try to do the same thing. This has also led into his favorite game, which is the "React to my Terrible Cough." He coughs, I gasp. He coughs again, I gasp louder. This continues until he becomes bored, which is usually a good 10 coughs later!

Smile Update!

Beckett has a top tooth!

The top two teeth have been pushing on his gums for about a week.  He's become a little chewing drool monster, but he never fussed at all.  Yesterday morning, the top right tooth was all the way through his gums!

We were at Denny's in Tuscola in these pictures.  Yesterday, Mom, B, and I went to Champaign to find something for an upcoming event.  Mom had some luck, but I didn't really find anything that would work. On our way back, we stopped in Tuscola to exchange some things at Carter's. We were starving, so we ate at the retro Denny's right by the outlet mall. (It was actually my second breakfast of the day - we met Dad for breakfast at Red Apple before leaving town.)

Beckett enjoyed a snack of mashed potatoes, and he is showing his creative side by demonstrating other uses for spoons, below.

The BEST part of the day was that I forgot to pack a stroller. (I swear, by the time he is 18, I'll remember to pack everything...)  So I got to hold him ALL DAY LONG. It was wonderful squish time.  He even fell asleep on my shoulder while I walked around.  I'm sure more experienced moms everywhere were looking at me like I was nuts.

Oh well. I was so thankful Mom and I could spend some time together, too.  We had some great conversations and a lot of fun.  It was a wonderful day!

New Year's Eve

Here's our family, ready for some exciting adventures in 2012!

Beckett, Shonn, and I celebrated New Year's Eve with our friends the Waldens, the Holts, the Johnsons, and the Uppencamps.  We looked around and commented on how much can change in a year... Last year at this time, Jayme and I were both pregnant, Adam and Abbie were on a cruise, and Heath and Heather weren't even in our group yet.  Now, Adam and Abbie have moved to Indy, Allison and Chris are expecting number 2, and Jayme and I were chasing little rascals all night.  This is the third year we have all been in small group together, and we've become very close.  2012 promises to be a year full of new surprises and additions - I can't wait to see what's in store for all of us!

It was a wonderful evening.  We got there around 6:30, and Allison had all the decorations ready to go.  It was super-cute - very pinterest-worthy, as you will see in the following exhibit: (Need I remind you that Allison is the one who did the adorable M&M Holiday party just a few weeks ago? Talent, I tell ya.)

There was a ton of food, including my disastrous, and very UNpinterest worthy Ball-Drop Cupcakes.  I saw the idea on pinterest and chose to ignore the fact that they were created by a lady who makes cupcakes FOR HER JOB.  In my "project", I had all the wrong supplies and failed to read the full directions, so my cupcakes and cake pops remained separate desserts.  (You'll see the softball-sized cake pops in the upper right corner.  Softball similarity was one of the problems.)  Cute idea.  Major Fail.  Oh well - there was plenty to go around!
We had a great time watching the kids and playing my all-time favorite, Would You Rather.  If you aren't familiar with this game, you must immediately check it out. 
Here are some pics from the night.

Beckett was very interested in Hadleigh and Braylon. He loved playing with them both.

"Hey, cutie...Want a ride? I get 100 miles to the gallon on this hog."

"Where's Chris?"

Beckett: "Alright, c'mon! He isn't looking!" Hadleigh: "But your Ice Cream Truck doesn't match my outfit!"

Beckett: "This thing has some power!" Hadleigh: "Please."

THEN THINGS GOT SERIOUS...  Beckett leaned over, pushed Hadeigh down, and being the excellent parent that I am, I grabbed my camera instead of helping the poor girl up.  This is what ensued... And it wasn't even midnight yet...

Luckily, Aunt Abbie intervened.  Isn't she pretty?

 Before I knew it, Beckett was back on his Ice Cream Truck, cruising for more interesting activities.

He and Braylon found something exciting in the popping ball toy Jayme brought. (Again, in display of my superior parenting skills, I didn't bring any toys, which is probably why my child kept taking everyone else's. He did share his food, though...For the record...)  Here is Jayme and Braylon. Such cuties - both of them!

After a while, the toys got boring and Beckett needed to PARTY! He was walking all over the place, having a great time, singing and screaming with the party hat Aaron found and so lovingly placed on his head.  It definitely made for some cute pics!

  Shonn had some exciting party activities up his sleeve, too.  As you can see, Beckett is screaming. (In delight.)

Back on his feet, crusing for some more games and friends. With his eyes closed.

And he lost the Ice Cream Truck. (Hetold me he thought it made him look a little creepy.)

I love this picture. :)

Dad was leading Beckett to the yummy snacks in the kitchen...

...and then he realized Beckett was just following Hadleigh:

But his Number One Girl (at least for another year or two?), MOMMY, was there to intercept and give him a New Year's squish. (And some smooches.)

Sadly, I didn't get any kisses quite like Hadleigh did...

After a few more rounds of walking through the house, Beckett and Braylon got in their jammies.

The grown-ups laughed and made some very important decisions in Would You Rather...

Here's Heather and Abbie! Heath and Heather had a date night dinner before joining us. Their kiddo, Braylon, was at his Grandma's house.

Approximately 3 hours past his bedtime, Beckett was pretty much over the whole New Year's Eve celebration. (Plus Hadleigh was no where to be found.)

And not too long after, he crashed. (Please note that even though I forgot to bring toys to the party and neglected to prevent my child from attacking the other little people in the room, his hair did look pretty amazing...)

What a great night.  We are so blessed and are lookiing forward to what 2012 may bring!
xo

New Website!

Kestrel Design finished the Hild Landscaping website and it looks great!  They were very professional and easy to work with. Shonn put a ton of time into specifying what he wanted for the site, and I think it looks great. I would TOTALLY hire him. :)

Check it out:
www.hildlandscaping.com

Meeting Colin!



What, mom? We're just talking!

Beckett: So, what's good here?
Colin: Oh my.

PLEASE let me hug you!

Let's shake hands!

 Beckett and I got to have lunch with Miss Krista and her little guy, Colin, today! It was such a treat to see her, and of course to meet Colin. He is such a doll, all smiles and sugar. He was content the whole time in his pumpkin seat, making eyes at me. :) Beckett was very interested in him and wanted to hug and squeeze (and maybe eat) him. They were cute together. I wish I had more time to spend with Krista - everytime we catch up, it's like no time has passed. She is a great friend and has been a big part of my life.