#RedBalloonsForRyan.

I've been meaning to post about Beau's one year check up and his birthday party from this past weekend, and I will, but something else is tugging on my heart strings.  If you search the hashtag redballoonsforryan you will know what I'm talking about. Prepare for tear filled eyes.  Jacqui and Dan lost there 3 year old little boy in an accident this past weekend. You can read more about the story here.  I don't know this family personally. I didn't even know about Jacqui's blog or instagram until a few days ago. All of the days since have been filled with love from other instagram mommas, or bloggers.  My feed filled with a little red haired boy, or a red balloon.  With captions of prayer, of heartache for a mother who will never hold her child again.  Something I can't even fathom happening to us. The thing about it though, I don't know if I have ever seen a community rally around someone so much, so quickly, and with so much passion. Family, friends, and total strangers alike.  There are auctions, go fund me accounts, and products in Etsy shops with 100% of the proceeds going to the family, among other things.  The support and the love that are surrounding this family is indescribable, and while it's a terrible situation, it's nice to know that there is good in the world and you can still count on a stranger to lift you up.

Say a prayer, hug your loved ones a little tighter, show your support.

#redballoonsforrayn

11 months

I figured that I better write Beau's eleven month post before I post his 12 month post tomorrow.  What???? How did the time fly so quickly?

Month eleven was probably the least active as far as physical change goes.  Beau did finally pop out his second tooth on March 12th.  A full month after the first tooth came. He never got any more the rest of the month though and didn't seem to be teething to much in general.  His weight was around 18 - 19 pounds.  The only reason I really know this is because we had him back in the doctors office for his ears again.  This time was a full blown ear infection and he went on some stronger antibiotics.  Thankfully that seemed to do the trick.

He wasn't walking yet, but getting braver and braver attempting to let go of things and ease his way on to something else nearby.  He figured out how to open the baby gate so we had to lock the lock.  To me, he is all boy.  I think we are going to have our hands full with this one!

Here's some photos of month eleven.

All smiles about finally growing into his hat. 

Showing off his curls! 

See how cute they are Momma!

Where's Beau?

Who needs toys when you have the kitchen cabinets?

10 Months

Whew! Late again, oh well, I think you should expect it by now.  Technically Beau didn't have a 10 month birthday as February only had 28 days and he was born on the 30th.  HA!

This month was a fun one though, Beau is such a ham.  He has such a personality and quite the attitude as well.

This month didn't bring anymore teeth but Beau did finally master the real crawl.  He is getting around much faster now and is standing up on everything.  He will take steps when holding on to something but will also let go and stand by himself for a second or two. He has mastered the art of stair climbing and gave Mom a major panic attack when she turned around and saw him halfway up the stairs.  I'd officially say that we have entered the bumps and bruises stage, luckily we haven't had any major collisions as of yet.

This month also brought on our first bout of sickness.  Beau got his first ear infection and had a fever and cold like symptoms.  Thankfully he was only down for about two days and we had our little guy back up and running.

Other than that the month flew by, February is always short and sweet but double as much with a fun little boy on your hands.

Showing Dad how to REALLY fix his truck. 

Momma's laundry buddy. 

First time shopping like a big boy and riding in the cart. 

Climbed all the way to the top step with Grampy. 

Valentine's Day, less than thrilled. He got it from his momma.

After that sneaking stair climb I mentioned.  No big deal. 

Snuggles with Grams on a cold afternoon visit. 

Trying to figure out how to do it himself. 

Smiles at mom before work and daycare. 

9 months

Well, well, well, look who is late to Beau's nine month update.  Me of course.  In my defense, I've been soaking up my sweet baby!!  He is so fun!  He has such a personality!  He fake laughs now which is hilarious.

We had his nine month check up last Tuesday. He was 18.7 pounds (25th percentile) and 29.5 inches long (95th percentile.) I would have guessed that he weighed more, it sure does feel that way when I'm carrying him around.

He still is not truly crawling, he still just worms around.  I think he knows what he needs to do but he doesn't seem interested.  Right now he is more interested in pulling himself up on anything and everything.  He will sit on his knees, but can pull himself right up to his feet too. If those to feats are any indication he will be walking in no time.  Other major physical feats include going from laying to sitting.  Tough work people!

If I would have wrote this post a week ago I would have told you that Beau was still toothless but at nine months and six days, February 5th, 2014; a tooth FINALLY made it's way through!!!!! I never thought we would see the day.  At his doctors appointment the doctor told us that she could definitely tell it was trying to break through and that we should be able to see it within a month.  I was so glad to see it the next day!  He wasn't sleeping very well but that night we were back to normal scheduled sleeps!  Thank YOU tooth!

I'll leave you with a nine month photo dump and like always I'll try harder to post on time!

P.S. Don't keep your fingers crossed.

He loves to eat. 

Playing before bed.

Cheese

Showing off his curl. 

Rooting for the Broncos.  Thankfully they won this game...

Blanket baby. 

I was trying to capture how curly his hair
is sometimes but it's to light in pictures. 

Standing practice! 

He rules the roost. 

8 Months and a Christmas Recap

Well, here we are well into the New Year and six days late on Beau's eight month update post. Someday I will figure out that I need to write the post a few days before and then I can post it on time. Maybe 2014 will bring be some motivation to be better at this blogging thing!

I'm not sure where Beau is at as far as height and weight go, we don't have our next check up until early February. If I had to guess about weight I would say he is probably around 18 to 19 pounds.  I have no guess for his length, but if his pants are any indication we will still be in the 95th percentile next month.

Little man still has no teeth, and still shows all signs of teething.  We have felt a few bumps and lumps on his lower gums but nothing that ever makes it way through, in fact, it seems that the exact opposite happens and they disappear.  Hopefully by month nine we will have something to show for all the drool and chewing.  We want to start feeding him more but are nervous to test the waters to much with more solid foods.  Slow and steady for now, we will work up to more when we can I suppose.

You can no longer call me a liar in the crawling department, well sort of you can, but Beau is mobile.  He can get himself anywhere he wants to go, it sort of a scoot/crawl. He plants his arms and then pushes off with his feet, falls back down on his belly and then starts all over again.  It looks like a lot of work to me, but if it works it works.  He is also wanting to pull himself up on things and will bounce and move his feet in some what of a walking fashion when you let him stand up.  He getting better at balancing while standing too.

I think that month eight has been my favorite yet.  Beau is getting to be really fun, his personality is really starting to show.  He is funny, has some sass, and I think that both his dad and myself are starting to pick out a little bit of a temper and attitude.  This month has been filled with more smiles and giggles though so it makes up for it! We also got to celebrate Beau's first Christmas, complete with a full blown teething session, so we had a small grouch on our hands. Nonetheless,  it was very fun to see his reaction to the gifts and the Christmas tree but he wore out fast.  I think he will be a little bit more fun next year, this time around he was more interested in eating the wrapping paper. Still fun!!! The kid made out like a bandit and we have toys for days now! If he gets bored we can just get something new out.  He also got a plethora of clothes; which is very much appreciated as he is growing so quickly.

I'll leave you with the month in pictures...

He is eating strawberry out of a mesh feeder.
He loves this thing. 

All bundled because it is an Artic winter here.

Our tree, Beau's first.  I think this is my favorite tree
of all the Christmas' that Mark and I have shared. 

Meeting Santa.  He wanted to tug right on his beard.
This is at a party that my mom's office had for kids. 

This was at the same party opening his gift. 

Cussing at the paper

And here is some of that temper/attitude coming out! 

Trouble. 

Serious Trouble. 

The one present he got a little bit early.
The best present in mom's opinion. 

A little Santa snooze on Christmas Eve. 

Christmas Eve family photo. 

Those pesky teeth. 

Kisses!!!!  

Sleepy Head on Christmas morning.

Not too long after this is what happened! 

And lastly, a little bit paci drunk on his eight month birthday!