Lock Your Cupboards

Everett has gotten very bored with his toys lately. So he ventured into the kitchen and opened up some cupboards. After a round or two with the waffle iron, I helped him open some cupboards with some safer supplies. A future baker?

Notice how he is using the rolling pin properly in this one! Not staged!

Jammies

I realized that Everett is almost always in his jammies when I take pictures. It's because he and I are both at our best very early in the morning. This first picture is a personal favorite. He has gotten very brave lately. The second one is his newest form of transportation. Perfect crab walk form.

Don't Put All Your Everetts in One Basket

As most of you know, I have taken to calling my son "Dennis the Menace" lately. His curiosity combined with his indestructibility have created many a hectic day for Mommy. Though he learned to clap in March, he has recently rediscovered it and does it constantly. He even says "Yay!" every now and then. I put him down for a nap and when I came to check on him later, I found him sitting up in his crib clapping and smiling. Clearly the boy likes to celebrate!

And he is starting to wave. It is quite possibly the sweetest thing I have ever seen. It's a bit sideways, but it is a legitimate wave. And that gets a "Hi!" every now and then. No other real words, just lots of DADADADADADA. But when we ask, "Where is Daddy or Mommy or Zoe or Ball?" he turns and looks at whatever we asked about. Smart as a whip!

These pictures are from a morning when out of nowhere, Everett crawled over to a basket I have in the family room filled with bibs, burp cloths, and diapers and just climbed in. Nothing gets in his way!

All Capped Out

Everett wore his cap yesterday on our trip to the zoo. It was one of those bizarre days in the desert because we got stuck in the rain and the temperature dropped 25 degrees before our eyes. Everett loved walking in the rain and he kept his cap on all day!

Bubbles!

Everett and I got the old bubbles out the other day. He enjoyed them immensely. He showed off some interesting stretching moves. I swear he was a yoga instructor is a past life.

(I think he had eaten a bubble when I took this shot.)

These Are a Few of His Favorite Things

Everett is quite obsessed with a few things at the moment.

1. Climbing on the treadmill
2. Cheerios
3. Playing in Mommy and Daddy's bathroom (see pictures below)

Overall, I think the introduction to chicken went well. I made him chicken, sweet potato, and apples and chicken, mango, and brown rice. He definitely needs it mixed with veggies, but I think he liked it. He is getting his 4th tooth!

I decided to put my old lady shower cap on him and this is him catching a peek at himself in the mirror.

Like Mother, Like Son

This picture brings a tear to my eye. Even though I didn't have any when I was pregnant, I am certain it runs through his veins as it does mine.

Stats

Our boy is 9 months old!

He had a well check-up today and the doctor said he was "Perfect". He weighed in at 24 lbs (91st percentile) and is 30 1/4 inches long (96th percentile). We have no idea where he is getting his height from! Everything looks great and I can start feeding him some meats so we'll be trying some chicken this weekend. Zoe also had a doctor's appointment today and she was told she needs to go on a diet and lose 3 lbs. Obviously she's been doing some emotional eating!

VACATION!

We took our first official family vacation to celebrate my first Mother's day. We drove to San Diego, CA (6 hour drive). Everett did great in the car, proving that he is already taking after his Mom & Dad and is a natural-born roadtripping traveler! We stayed in Coronado at Loews Resort on the bay. It was a lovely hotel and Zoe was quite a hit in the lobby and even got invited to a wedding. She, of course, relished all the attention.

We went to SeaWorld on Friday despite a very cool and overcast day. Living in Phoenix, we take it for granted that it's sunny and warm everyday so I was freezing, but the sun did peek out later. Everett seemed to enjoy the park - he loves people watching and although the animals were doing lots of tricks, he found enjoyment in various inanimate objects (exit signs and such). He did like watching Daddy feed the dolphins and loved the aquarium where he reached out for all the fish. He was a bit hesitant at Pete the Penguin though (can you blame him....kinda shady).

Seeing Shamu!

Ready to go back to the hotel.

Half Boy, Half Fish

Everett really enjoyed himself in the hotel pool. It was the first time he got to put his swimming lessons to use. He loved watching the older kids play and sipped the pool water several times (it was saltier than the swim school's pool and therefore tastier?).

Everyone at the pool fell in love with Everett's floaty device. It was the talk of the day. All of the adults wished they made an XL size.

I Wish They All Could Be California Boys

At almost 9 months old, Everett got to see the Pacific Ocean. He loved strolling along the beach and was fascinated by the sand, but when Daddy dipped his toes in - it was time to go!

He fell asleep in my arms as we walked back to the car and then completely passed out back in the room.

Mother's Day

We enjoyed a fantastic Mother's Day brunch at Hotel del Coronado and then took a little walk before we got back in the car and headed home. It was a great trip!

So many new things to pull-up on!

Zoe loved the balcony.

The Latest

I forgot to mention Everett's latest milestones in the last posts...he is up and cruising! (Walking while holding onto furniture), he has three teeth, and he turns the pages in his books when we read. He is such a little boy!

Family Fun Day

We got out early today and did a 5.8 mile hike in the mountains less than 10 miles from our house. It was a gorgeous morning and Everett did great. He loves to be outdoors.

Funny that the one person who didn't physically do anything fell fast asleep in the last half of the hike.....

Goofing Around with Momma

I love this picture. What a ham!

Everett's pointer finger gets quite a daily workout since he points to EVERYTHING!

I can't believe how fast he's growing up!

Best Buds

Zoe has really taken a liking to Everett (even though he bumped her in the family rankings). Since he is all over the place and she is so skiddish, I rarely get good photos of them, but these are terrific.





He loves to grab for her wagging tail and her paws and she loves to cover him with kisses. She often sleeps in his room and he looks for her when I say her name. It is a very sweet friendship indeed.

Spiderman, spiderman....

I'm attempting to show you what 3 minutes with Everett is like. First, he weasels his way past the barrier we were forced to put up to keep him in the family room, then he takes off up the stairs, stops at the landing to feel proud of himself and then continues upward stopping only to hang on the railing. He has no fear and is way to independent for his own good!