We've got an elephant on the move

Yesterday James was grumpy. No idea why, but grumpy. So late in the day when he was sick of being in the house we bundled him up and took him out to see his best friend the tree, because after all, a visit with your best friend always cheers you up. He was happy to play in the wet dreary weather. And the best thing? His ADORABLE elephant coat he was wearing. I got this as a baby shower gift more than a year ago. I've been so excited for him to fit into it.

I told you this coat was the cutest. The little man wearing it isn't bad either.
Look! He has an elephant tail!



Luckily after a grumpy day yesterday he was much happier today. The visit to the tree must have done the trick.

Arrrr Matey! Happy Halloween!

For his first Halloween my little man is a pirate.

Isn't he fierce?


Yesterday I met my mother-in-law and sister-in-law at a local nursery. The neatest thing here was the pirate ship they set up each year for Halloween! Perfect for my little pirate.
Kisses from Grandma, doesn't he look thrilled? And we walked through the hay bale maze. James showed Auntie Chelsea the way.

Exploring the pirate ship

Preview picture {birthday invitation photoshoot}

Are you getting sick of preview pictures yet? Hope not. I promise to post Halloween photos tomorrow!

Yesterday James and I headed off to the woods to get some photos for his 1st birthday party invitation! I'll show you the finished piece a little closer to his party.

It was a lovely day, as you can see.

New addition to our home

I was thrilled to add these canvas wrapped photos to our home. Each time we walk by I grin. So does James. It adds a pop of such beautiful color to this side of our living room.

Stomping in wet leaves is great fun

Today when E got home from work James was super excited to show him his new favorite game. Walking back and forth (and back and forth) in the wet leaves. He was squealing and laughing and acting super silly and happy. I ran inside to grab my camera.

Glad that even though the cold fall weather arrived my boy is still happy to play outside.

11 months with Wolfy {my baby is no longer a baby}

The other day someone asked me how old James was and I said "almost a year." What?! How did this happen so quickly? When James was one month old I thought that he'd never reach a year. The days ticked by so slowly. Lots of feedings, lots of naps, lots and lots of poopy diapers.

Eleven months later he is a happy, wild, silly, on-the-go boy who is getting more bonks on the head than I'd like.

In the last month James has started WALKING! Oh my gosh, he's a toddler! James is very funny about walking, and has done nearly everything in reverse of his fellow baby friends. First he never crawled. Because of that, he very rarely pulls up to things. He also never cruised (holding onto something like the couch and walking along it). Instead he just plows forward, at almost running speed towards everything. Because he never crawled, he is not accustom to being on his hands and knees. So when he falls forward he face plants, and cries and cries (rightfully so!). I hope he figures out how to catch himself here pretty soon.

And because he never cruised, if you put him up to something thinking "he'll hold on" he often twists away and starts walking (and falling on his face) before you know what hit you.

Other milestones that he hit this month are some of the most fun yet. He said his first words the other morning! Yes, WORDS! We were walking down the hall and saw Mabel. I said "Mabel" and he said "Ma-dle" and then I said "kitty" and he repeated AGAIN and said "kibby". Since that fateful day, he hasn't repeated any words, much to his daddy's disappointment, who didn't hear his first worlds.

James is loving to use his cute little pointer finger to investigate everything. He will ever so gently touch everything around him expertly with one little finger. He is waving hello and goodbye and will often wave on command. He is in love with helicopters, airplanes and geese. When we take our morning walks he will often be the first to spot these things and the grin that spreads across his face just kills me. He's so cute.

He's still a fantastic sleeper and has recently started sleeping in a touch longer. Now he goes to bed at 7:00 pm and we often don't hear a peep from him until 7:30 the next morning. (Que the singing angels! Seriously, this is so fantastic.) He also takes two naps, one at ten am that lasts until noonish, and other at 2:45 that lasts until 4:00.

What a great kid he's becoming. Every day I adore him a little more. And in 31 days from today I'll be crying and celebrating the first year of my beautiful baby's life.



Pensive.
After the photo shoot James and E had story time. The only book he'll sit through? Noisy Peekaboo. He loves it.
AND, a walking video! The lighting is horrid in this, sorry about that. The only room that is big enough for James to walk in is the basement, hence the bad lighting. And for more walking videos, I uploaded two more (shorter ones) here and here.

James's new bath trick

I seem to think the days of sink bathing are coming to a close...

A preview of what's to come...

Next Sunday will be James's first Halloween. He won't be trick or treating, he won't be staying up late and eating way too much sugar, but he will be dressing up.

Today I had a play date with my Mommy group and the invite said "the monsters are to arrive dressed up". Perfect! He'll get a couple of uses out of his costume.

Here is a little preview. More to come next week.

Then and Now {walker}

29 years ago James's Daddy rocked his walker:
Today James rocks his walker:

Love affair with fall

I am seriously in love with fall. Not just a light passing love. No, a deep profound life-long love. And in Utah it doesn't disappoint.

This afternoon I had a Mommy meet-up at Temple Quarry trail. I met a few new friends and chatted with a few ladies I've met a handful of times.

James showed off his walking, we spotted a mountain goat high up on the cliffs (one of the best things about the Temple Quarry trail is there are almost always mountain goats!), and enjoyed the spectacular weather and crazy red leaves. Seriously, they looked neon.

Amazing way to spend a Tuesday. And two blog posts in one day? Yep, I rock just that much. ;) Scroll down if you haven't seen the rejection zone post!
One of my Mommy friends offered to take some photos of us. I love it when that happens. And you might notice James's eyes are closed in this photo (click the photo to make it bigger). Yep, he was doing his happy sequel where he closes his eyes super tightly. Goofy boy.
I was trying to get him to walk to me (which he ALWAYS does) but he wouldn't. Guess he knew the camera was out.