A Whole Year Old!

James has been with us for a whole year, although it seems like he's been a part of our family forever. We are having so much fun having a little person in our family again. James is bursting with love, curiosity, and goodness. I hope he's enjoying being in our family as much as we love him being in it. He sure enjoyed ripping the paper off his presents, but was worried about the lighted candle on his cake. Jeremy had to help James blow out his birthday candle.

Happy First Birthday Sweet Baby James!

Walkin' Like He's Big Stuff

Jamesy loves being free to roam on his own. He is perfecting his walking skills and already beginning to put on some speed. All of our kids have walked early. Probably to escape the constant barrage of kisses and snuggles we slather on them (read snugglefest post).

Baby Tricks

James has to find a balance in life. Between helping me with all the chores, learning new baby skills, and playing with Dad, I sometimes wonder whether or not James is taking enough personal time during his day to reflect on his blessings. I guess that's something that comes with age. Along with the knowledge that socks are not food.

Warning: this could get messy

Our family likes to occasionally make waffles with chocolate sauce for dinner. I know I know that this is not the healthiest dinner ever. We just love having it when we're in the mood for chocolate. This was the first time James had tried waffles with chocolate sauce. Jamesy loved them. He was panting and flapping his arms for us to put it the food on his tray faster. I don't think I've ever seen him eat with such gusto. The bib says it all in this photo. This boy went straight into the tub after this yummy meal.

My Little Scout

I bought this shirt long ago when Carter was a baby, so all my boys have had a turn being my little scout. Carter is almost 8 now. He will actually be a cub scout soon. Time speeds on. But mohawks are timeless. I spiked James's hair just so he would look spiffy for the camera. He's a very happy boy. We are constantly delighted that James is a part of our family.

Feet are GOOD

I love when James plays with his feet. It is utterly adorable. I wish I could live these sweet and simple moments over again later in life when they're not as fresh in my mind. Jamesy has been pulling himself up to stand for the last couple of months. And this week he started taking his first steps on his own. He's figuring out that feet are good for so many things! We are all excited for James and his new skills.

Too Early for Christmas But...

This little hat is from a Christmas bear I've had since I was little. Madison pried the hat off the bear and stuck it on James. He looks way cuter in the hat than the bear ever did!

A newfound hobby...

James has discovered the TP. He keeps unraveling it and making a trail of it from the bathroom to various rooms in the house. He also likes to tear pieces of it off and make a big pile. Oh the fun that can be had when your older siblings don't close the bathroom door... I won't write about the other thing he's discovered in the bathroom, I'll just try to make sure the bathroom door is shut at all times.

We'll miss you Grammie Terrie!

My mom is heading back to CA, but we loved having her here to visit. Eventually she'll live up here. Until then we'll just be missing her greatly and looking forward to her next visit.

Boys in a Wagon

Here are some cutie-patootie boys in a wagon. James and Keegan enjoyed being pulled around by each of us as we played outside in the yard. Jamesy loves to watch what's going on from his lil red wagon. I probably took about a bajillion pictures of him riding in it, but I'll just post a few.

Washington summers are the BEST! The weather in the summer is so good here that it really makes up for all the inclement weather that happens during the other seasons. We were missing the WA summer temperatures when we were sizzling in CA last month.

Squeaky Clean

I like to put things 1 2 and 3 to work. It's good for them. I did offer the incentive of pool time after they washed Grandma's van and our van. Plus a couple of dollars each. Remember we just had a long car trip.... and we had the bug guts to prove it.

James has been getting increasingly messy during meal times and has been getting mini-baths in the sink. His baby body is soooo cute. I love when his tummy is big from eating and is bigger than his booty. It makes me smile. He loves water, as long as it's not too cold. He's a bit of a lightweight and doesn't have much chub-a-bub to keep him warm. When he's done getting clean I wrap him up in a big towel and give him warm snuggles.

Quality James time

James likes spending time with his newly adoring fans-cousins, uncles, aunts, and especially Grandma Leann. He loves to go exploring on his hands and knees and pretty much has to have a chaperone wherever he goes now. It's a hard knock life to be adored by all.

Relaxing the day away....

James is consistently busy learning new things. This industrious nature makes him tired. Here he is taking time to relax. Oh to be a sweet baby without a care in the world- he must sleep so soundly. I had to get a picture of his wee piggy toes as well. I like to pretend I'm eating them sometimes because it makes James laugh.

GOT DROOL?

I know my other kids drooled when they were babies, but the stuff is everywhere and I just don't remember it being this prolific in the past. On my shirt, on his carseat, on himself, on the floor. James is the never-ending drool factory. How does such a little being produce that much fluid? I'm confounded. And damp.

Watching the game

James has a great view to watch the boys' baseball games when dad is around, but he does get a little distracted by the greenery. Everything goes in the mouth right now for slobbers. James is a human vacuum. He'll find a piece of fuzz on the floor so small that I'll think- surely he won't pick that up and eat it. Then he does.

6 months old and places to go

James has gained some skills over the past couple weeks- crawling skills. It must be a thrilling experience to realize you have the freedom to get from here to there and have become more independent. I can't say I'm remembering what it was like when I started crawling, but I did feel a sense of independence when I finally got my license at the ripe old age of twenty. I think we can't remember all the things we accomplish as babies because the things we've done since then would pale by comparison.

James at 5 months

Here's our family's main source of entertainment- Jamesy James. He's beginning to roll the places he wants to be, he loves to eat his toes, and he's going for a record in drooling. All objects within his grasp go directly into his mouth for slobbers. He's got a smile for just about anyone right now. He's a happy and content little baby. Jeremy and I are so grateful for our James.

Floor Time

James spends a good amount of his time playing on the floor. Luckily nobody in our family has stepped on him yet. His newest baby work includes- practicing his rolling skills, drooling buckets, and smiling at everyone who stops to chat with him.