So long summer

It's hard to believe that over a month has gone by since our last post, but it certainly has not been due to a lack of events to talk about. We've been enjoying the summer, celebrating a birthday and an anniversary, and watching our little one grow right before our eyes. So in an effort to keep this not too lengthy, I'll jump right into what's been going on over the last few weeks.

Health/Development

Let's start off with an update on walking. You might recall Grant took his first steps in June, but he was not really excited about it. At that point he still preferred to crawl and would only walk short, safe distances. Then what seemed like overnight in mid July, he decided that he would rather walk. We have a video of him during those first few days but have had trouble uploading it. I'll try again sometime soon because it is funny to watch since he has his hands up in the air for balance. That lasted for a couple days until he moved his hands out in front of him (a la Frankenstein). Now though, he is basically running and one of his favorite things to do is chase me around the coffee table!

Grant had his 1 year checkup also in mid July. He weighed 19 lbs 14 oz (1oth percentile), length was 30 in (55th percentile) and head circumference was at the 85th percentile.

Here is a picture of Grant trying to "drink" from a glass of water. He really seems to enjoy it although I am not sure how much is actually going in his mouth (vs just down his chin)! Ever since he tried drinking out of the cup, he has wanted to pretend to drink out of empty glasses (he'll even throw in a "mmm"). Its incredible to see how his imagination is starting to grow.

He also is starting say a few words, although not too consistently or always to the appropriate item/person. Occasionally he will answer with a "moo" when you ask him what a cow says. He said "ma ma ma" on Friday when Shannon got home from work, which made her day. He is very good with sign language when he wants more food. Also it's becoming pretty clear that he seems to understand much more than we even realize. For example, when we tell him we are going for a car ride, he will walk over to the door to the garage, and he will walk to his high chair when we say that it is dinner time. Grant is turning out to be a good hugger (but he still gives open mouth kisses). He will snuggle with his stuffed animals when you tell him to give them a hug.

Summer Fun

Swinging at the park

Playing in the back yard with his cool Beach Ball Sprinkler
Thanks Moore Family!

Chillin'

Steamboat Springs

August is typically a busy party month for us because of our anniversary and then Shannon's birthday a week later. We usually try to go somewhere to celebrate and this year we took an extended weekend trip to Steamboat Springs, CO. It was nice to get away and we had fun checking out Steamboat Lake, hiking to Fish Creek Falls, riding the gondola to the top of the mountain and eating way too much good food.

Fish Creek Falls

Rare group shot on bridge at bottom of falls

Grant sticking his feet in the surprisingly cold creek

View from the gondola

View from our hotel

The Children's Museum

Last weekend we went to The Children's Museum in Denver. It's nice because they have a whole section just for children ages 0-4 years. We checked out the rest of the museum before we left and I imagine that we are going to have fun in the next few years (I might have to go back sooner just for the bubble room).

Crawling through a tunnel

Grant kept wanting to go down the slide

Playing with one of the toys

Snuggling with a big bear

Having fun in a little cave

I'll try to do a better job of posting sooner because we have a lot planned in the next few weeks including his first trip to the zoo, a visit by grandparents, and of course the beginning of football season. So stay tuned...