Look at me Grow.

Things here are going well. I can't believe how fast time has gone. It's amazing that Joel just turned 7 months. At his last doctor's appointment he was 19 lbs 27 inches. He had his shots and while he did get a bump on his leg he seemed to be okay. So much better than the first time!

He continues to grow and get smarter every day. It's amazing how much his vocabulary has grown. And now he'll mimic the sounds I make. So I'll make each of the vowel sounds repeatedly. And then he'll do it. It's funny because now sometimes he'll "talk" himself to sleep. We'll hear him in his bed babbling and then he'll fall asleep. Crazy kid.

Tj continues to stay busy. Vintage takes up a lot of time. But he loves flying and still likes the people he works with. He's made some good friends there. When he's not working he is Joel's favorite toy. Joel loves playing with his Dad and Tj seems to enjoy playing with Joel.

Anyhow, here are some recent pictures of Joel.


Joel is now pushing up on his hands and knees
and will even rock back and forth. Sometimes
he lunges forward so you have to make sure his
path is clear. Any day now we expect him to
start crawling. Ready, set, go!

Joel is still teething. Look at those

gums! Sometimes he bites so hard

on whatever he can find it makes him

cry. It's so sad! We all just want

these teeth to cut through!

Joel has mastered the art of sitting

up. He's content playing on the floor

with his toys or his books. He's such

a happy kid and so easy going.

Playing with Dad. He still loves to
stand and now he'll bounce too.
He doesn't pull himself up yet but
if you let go he will balance for a few
seconds before he wobbles and fall.

Christmas

Joel's First Christmas!

Joel's with all the gifts. Merry Christmas!

Joel and Mommy looking at a book.

Playing with his new toy. So much fun!

Opening gifts with Dado.

New Jammies!

Look what I can do Ma!

Joel's Newest Feat

It's time for Joel's breakfast.

Lifting his bottle to feed himself.

Almost there!

Made it!

So part of me is really excited that he's learned to feed himself. But in all honesty part of me is a little sad. He's growing so quickly. I know it's just part of life but it's hard to believe that my baby is becoming less of a baby everyday. However, I received the advice that to raise independent children you should never do anything that they can do for themselves. So I let him grow and suppress the urge to do everything for him especially once he can do it for himself. And in the meantime I just try and enjoy every day knowing that tomorrow will bring something new and different but just as exciting.

Getting Big, Growing Up

So yeah, I realized this week that Joel really is getting big. It's incredible how much he's growing. I know every mom must believe that her baby is amazing and now I realize why. It's unbelievable to see them go from a helpless newborn who relies on you for literally everything to them slowly gaining their independence and their personality emerging. Joel has always been a good baby and even now he's just really easygoing. I think he makes me laugh every day.
He has discovered his tongue and thinks it's funny to chew on it. He's also learned how to bounce. It's pretty amusing. His newest noise this week is grunting~ although it's not just limited to when he's filling his diaper. He's getting really strong too. Toys he couldn't push or pull on two weeks ago he now has no problem with. It's pretty surreal.
Anyhow, here are some pics from this week.

Joel's favorite teethers right now are carrots.
Of course once his teeth finally cut he won't be able to use
those but for now he loves them.

Hanging Out Watching Momma.
It's kind of nice because he is actually getting preferences.
And right now he seems to prefer momma.
It's fun now but I don't think it will take long for the novelty to wear off.

Joel is getting really strong.

He'll now pull himself up when he's laying propped against pillows.

He also will lean down to pick stuff up when he's standing in your

lap and then pull himself back to standing. It's pretty fun!