Ten months old!

I missed blogging about Tristan's 9 month birthday, so I'm catching up with his ten month (even though it really isn't until Wednesday). At his 9 (actually 9.5 month) appointment, Tristan weighed 18.8 lbs (14%) and was 28 1/2 inches long (51%). He's still getting into everything, especially the things he isn't supposed to get into...of course! I tell him no with my stern look and firm voice and he just looks at me smiling and giggling. Oh my... We've been eating new foods, especially adding some finger foods, which usually ends up in a big mess. He's gotta learn somehow, I guess! He now likes cottage cheese, sliced cheese, wheat bread, peaches, green peas (loves!), sometimes green beans, and sometimes oatmeal. He still LOVES to play outside. He even cries when we come back in. What are we going to do when it gets too cold to go outside?? Here are some pictures to brighten you day :)


Nine month pic :)


Ten month pic :)


He didn't fall here -- he's just pulling the bear on top of him. Funny boy!


Where is Tristan?


There he is!


Playing outside once again. We brought out our tunnel this time to play!





Precious, handsome, funny, adorable, opinionated, stubborn, temperamental, needy, perfect son of mine!

First Saturday in Austin

So, today was our first Saturday as a family in the state capital of Texas! We couldn't just stay at our apartment all day, so we threw out Tristan's napping schedule and went to town! First we had to look at some of the markets around. There is a "farmer's market" store called Sprouts that we visited first. Sales on produce are great, but the rest of the store -- a little too expensive for us. Pretty much all organic foods, but it sure was interesting to see. Next, we went to an Asian market, which made us feel like we were back in China :) It was crazy how the smell brought back so many memories of our life there! We couldn't believe some of the foods we saw there -- we haven't seen much of that since being overseas. And I got to buy a fresh steamed bun, and it was delicious! Afterwards, we did decide to come back and let Tristan nap and have some lunch. We then decided to go to Zilker Park, which is a very nice park here in Austin. They even have a hot spring that stays at 68 degrees year-round that many people were swimming in today despite the cool weather. We also took a train ride around the park. Tristan did great as long as I was stuffing him with yogurt chips. He wasn't all that keen on just sitting there and looking at the pretty scenery. What were we thinking?! Anyways, afterwards, back at the apartment, we decided to put up on of his Christmas presents -- a tent! He really enjoyed it, as you can see in the pictures :)


Enjoying the swing at the park!


The family after the train ride. Sorry for the bad picture!


The tent and tunnel! We set it up in the living room to try out, but the tent (minus the tunnel -- that is folded up in his closet for now)is now set up in the corner of our dining room with the rest of his toys. Just think of it as a toy tent :) Please ignore the TV stand. We are going to mount the TV on the wall as soon as we borrow a drill. We really aren't that tacky!

Christmas in Kansas!

This Christmas, Tristan and I were able to go to Kansas with parents to visit my mom's side of the family. Sadly, Nate couldn't come with us due to his job, but he was happy we were able to go. After almost 8 hours in the car with a 9 month old, we made it there! We had eighteen adults, a 7 year old, 3 year old, 2 year old, and three under the age of one in one house! It was chaotic, but lots of fun at the same time. Here are some pictures of our stay there:


The three babies with their mommies! On left is my sister with Cooper (9 months old). Middle is me with Tristan (9 1/2 months old). On right, is my cousin-in-law with Laine (8 months old).


Trying to get a good picture of Grandma with her great-grandchildren (hard with three babies!)


Take twenty. A little better even though there aren't many smiles...they were all tired by this point...


Two of the grandmothers (my mom with Tristan on the left) trying to get their grandbabies to sleep -- it didn't quite work :)


Grandmas with their grandbabies -- don't they look proud?!


My Aunt Kaye with Tristan and Laine -- her great-nephew and great-niece.


Random picture of Tristan doing his thing...he was called "Wild Man" by the end of the weekend. Ignore the wet shirt -- he's drooling a lot right now :)


My cousin Rachel with Tristan -- he looks a little tired, but he's just fooling you!

Had a great time with the family -- can't wait for next year!

Tristan's Best Friend

At one of my baby showers, a friend gave me a huge teddy bear, which we have used to monitor Tristan's monthly growth. Now, Tristan absolutely LOVES this bear :) He loves for the bear to lay on top of him. He'll just peek out his head and kick his feet. It is so funny watching him with this bear. He is just a funny child!


Here I am!


I love this bear so much!


Oh, I'm so exhausted!


Do I look like a redneck baby?

Peaceful Being Outside

The past week has been somewhat of a challenge for our little guy, Tristan. Nathan moved to Austin this past Monday to start training for his new job, and Trist and I are staying with my parents until the school semester is over, in which I can resign from my teaching job. I don't think Tristan understands where his dad is, and he may be having some separation anxiety. Twice I've had to rock him to sleep for a nap, which I haven't had to do that in several months...two mornings so far, he's woken up at 5:00ish, crying pitifully, so he ended up sleeping on me for about another hour...and he's woken up twice about 10:30 pm for no reason and won't go back to sleep without me rocking him. On top of all that, he wants me, me, me all the time. A little needy, I would say. But, anyways, one place he is always happy is outside. So, today, we decided to play some outside and he just had the best time. He REALLY wanted to touch the barbed-wire fence, but I would stop him. That didn't stop him, however -- he would just try try again :) I have a very strong-willed child...but I wouldn't trade him for the world!

eight months and a troublemaker...

Tristan is now eight months old and moving like crazy! He is one active boy, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I may say that I wish he was a little more laid-back, but honestly, he is so much fun the way he is! So curious and so funny! He loves to play games, such as chase (me crawling behind him), and he loves to crawl over and through things, as the pictures will show. He also has a strong personality, something he didn't get from his mom! He is also now learning how to make different noises with his mouth, other than just babbling, and just thinks that is the coolest thing. He loves to eat! He has tried (homemade): bananas, sweet potatoes, carrots, pears, avocado, split peas, and pinto beans. He has also tried baby puffs, which he enjoys although he gags himself quite often. We've tried cheerios, but after a choking scare, we are holding off on those for a while. Anyways, I can't believe he is only four months away from being one!!!


This is his eight month picture with the bear.


Tristan, once again, got himself stuck under a chair. He wasn't happy at all and I actually had a hard time getting him unstuck! Nate said he looked like a gymnast in training :)


Playing with the laundry hamper.


Having fun climbing between the night stand and the chair.


Nate said he looks like a jedi here. My son...the jedi.


cutie :)!!!


Before looking at me, he laid there forever...just so content...have no idea why.


He's my boy!!!

Going to the Zoo!

So, Tristan had his first trip to the zoo! His Aunt Sarah also came along. It was a beautiful day and the temperature was perfect. He was very good the whole time even though I'm not sure he was really too interested in the animals. I'm sure that will all change once he gets a little older!

We're on our way to the zoo!


Dad and Tristan looking at all the birds.


He thought the snakes were pretty cool...


...and the lizards...


...and the fish.


He especially liked the goats!


By this time, he was getting pretty tired (although the only afternoon nap he actually took was the 15 minutes home and then was a very active happy baby until past 7:00 that night!)


Tristan with Aunt Sarah


The happy fam :)