Living With an Eight-Month-Old Is Too Much Fun

These pictures could have been organized better for better effect, but I'm sorry to say this is what you get. And even if they're not beautifully or comically organized, the subject matter is fantastic!

So, living with an eight-month-old turns out to involve messes more so than any previous stage so far. . .

but there is also the sweetness of modeling cute new outfits sent by grandparents and a wonderful great-aunt as well as the progress of learning to drink from a sippy cup . . .

and then there are more messes, of course.

And around all the fun of baby, there are also family celebrations, like a quarter-of-a-century birthday party for Dad . . .

with all the blaze of 25 candles.

And there are also celebrations like seeing off missionaries, like Patrick's cousin Thayne. This is at our last family dinner before he entered the Missionary Training Center. Caleb is progressing lizard/monkey-like by crawling and climbing.

There are also adventures to conquer.
(Please notice the super-cute Tigger overalls from Patrick's parents and his aunt.)

And there are friends, like Juan and Cami, to get reacquainted with.

And there are more messes to consider, while practicing the art of kneeling.

And there is bathtub splashing to do. He was having so much fun splashing here-- that's why the water is all ripply in this picture and why he is so smiley. He was going crazy!

And eventually it's time to face those former dreams and make them come true.

And there's the hard work of a successful garage sale.

Fortunately, we had two sets of friends do the garage sale with us. This was a blessing for me because I'm sure I sold more since they helped fill up the garage, and because Patrick was at work and, as you could see from the previous picture, Caleb was worn out.

And there is the adventure of escaping into the "wild" outdoors . . .

though, of course, it's hard to move very quickly on hands, knees, and bellies, so I could get a picture before they ran away completely.

Here Jay and Libby watch them face the vast outdoors -- so much uncharted (to them) territory to explore!

And there is happiness in the morning for everyone after 9 or 10 hours of sleep for this little rugrat. (Yes, you heard me right, this baby is unquestionably sleeping through the night.)

And there are weekly occasions to dress up and look as grown up as Dad . . . or almost.
(I only wish it weren't so blurry.)

And, yes, there are more opportunities for messes. Especially when there's two.

And there is just general happiness and fun at this stage from all the progress and development and interaction and giggles and cuddles.