Backyard Blooms

This post is brought to you by James - not because he's writing it (it's still me, Jennie), but because all of the pictures I'm about to post are a result of his tender loving care for our plants.  My black thumb of death did not contribute one iota to our backyard.

All these lilies came from our Aunt Wyllene, and have grown to be the stars of the backyard at the moment.  My mother has only told me 100 times that they will come back next year (which I think is her warning to me to not kill them).

Speaking of perennials, guess what did come back this year (that wasn't supposed to)?  My Shasta Daisies!!  Ms. Leron gave me this plant last year, and not only did it survive but it also returned for yet another summer with the Sassers.  It's an annual (plus I severely neglected it), so it was quite the surprise…

Our potted plants are not picture worthy yet, but they will be soon. All this rain, ugh - it's like a flippin' rainforest in the back yard. (I know, I know, I'm from Texas, I'm not supposed to EVER complain about rain….)

The garden is doing it's thing, and I can't wait to actually eat something from it.  We have peppers, tomatoes and beans (plus lots of herbs).

You know who's on the naughty list this year?  Well, and was last year, too? Our hydrangeas. What's a girl gotta do to get some hydrangea blooms around here!  I have the hubby researching it.  They're one of my favorite flowers, but obviously are not happy in their current location.  

So I might not grow plants, but I think we can agree that I grow cute kids.  Am I right?  Look at JB hanging out while Mama takes pictures.

I think the poor thing is like his Mama when it comes to plants and gardening. I get this face every time I set him in the grass.  Not a fan…

Thanks, James, for keeping our backyard looking so lovely!  

James Benjamin - 9 Months Old!

James Benjamin is NINE MONTHS OLD!

(And has no interest in laying down for pictures.)

This little guy is on the move.  At the beginning of the month, JB was still rocking back and forth and rolling around.  As we wondered, "will he ever crawl?", he suddenly took off and hasn't slowed down since.  Two days after he started crawling, he crawled over to the couch and pulled up to a standing position. As I looked at him with my mouth dropped open, he let go with one hand and stood there like, "What?  Is this supposed to be hard or something?"  By the next day, he was raising his little leg up on the stairs, demonstrating his new climbing skills.  AAACK!  

For the most part, the new mobility is a lot of fun.  He likes to "chase" (us, the kitties, Enda), explore, climb all over Dad, and stand up/drop down/stand up/drop down all day long.  On the other hand, he's had several bumps and bruises.  I wish we could bubble wrap his noggin - is that possible?  Diaper and wardrobe changes are a struggle (he's so strong!!)  We've finally put him in the big bath tub without any props, and he loves to roam around and play. This leads to me saying "please sit down on your bottom" about 20 times each bath.   Mama's nerves are fried.  :)

It's amazing how much older he looks now that he's mobile.  His face looks older, too, as he starts to imitate and garner attention (fake coughs, pats his mouth with his hand to make funny noises, "talks", plays "peekaboo", waves, etc).  His two little teeth are very prominent and make the cutest grin.  I could seriously just eat him up…if he would stay still long enough for me to do it!

Actually, in the few moments that he lets us hold him, he has started to cuddle.  He'll lay his head on my shoulder, bury his face into my neck, bite our noses (is that a kiss?), reach with his little arms for a pick up.  Be still my heart….

Whew, now that I've wiped a tear from my eye, here we go - his nine month stats!

JB's Measurements:

• Weight: 17 lbs 8 oz (20th percentile)
• Height: 27 3/4 inches (25th percentile)

At 9 Months Old, JB...

…Eats 4 liquid meals a day, and 3 solid meals a day. He's still on a 4-hour nursing/bottle schedule, and eats more and more real foods (as long as it's blended).  He'll tolerate chunky solids, but (other than Puffs) has zero interest in finger foods. New favorite foods this month: a spinach, sweet potato and onion combo; mashed avocado and banana combo; puffs; YOGURT.  (Is it possible to overdose on probiotics?  I think JB would eat yogurt every meal, every day.)

…Sleeps through the night.  I finally feel confident saying that, after nearly a month of zero middle-of-the night feedings.  There are still some fitful nights of whining / talking / crib crawling, but nothing that led to backsliding in the sleep department.  Napping has been somewhat confusing this month, as JB is trying to drop his third nap (but really still needs it to avoid a complete meltdown by 6PM.)

...Wears 6 month, 6-9 month,  6-12 month, and 9 month clothes. He's all over the place depending on brand.  He is still in size 3 diapers, when we can wrestle one on him.

…Loves danger (just kidding - but it seems that way!); chewing on anything he can get his hands on; his taggie and his monster; paper; dropping things/knocking things over; moving and standing.

…Does not like wasting 30 seconds of his newfound mobility to put on a new diaper or clothes.

...Has mixed emotions about going out to eat.  Sometimes a restaurant can provide great people watching (and JB will hang over his high chair and stare at the neighboring table for the entire meal - it's funny/awkward).  Sometimes he gets SO MAD that Mama won't let him down on the dirty floor.  We've gotten good at eating very quickly.

Month 9 Milestones:

• Crawled
• Pull Up to Standing
• First Flight (to Texas!)
• First Fever (102.2 for 1 day, but it was still scary)
• Waved!  

Where to next?

Month Nine -  and he's off!  JB is moving so much (and moving so close to that one year mark…) 

iPhone Photos

Previous Updates on JB:

• Birth Story
• One Month
• Two Months
• Three Months
• Four Months
• Five Months
• Six Months
• 7 Months
• 8 Months

#tbt (like waaaaaay back)

Here's some Throwback Thursday action for you, plus - a real treat - an attempt to recreate the tbt pic (brought to you by a woman who refuses to discard ANYTHING: my sweet Mother.)

When we visited Texas a few weekends ago, JB used my old wooden high chair (which severely lacked any type of strap or harness or any general safety feature, how did we survive?)  This led to me looking for pictures of me in this same high chair.  And that led to this:

Little 8 month old Jennie Beth.  

As we decided to snap a picture of JB in the high chair for comparison, my Mother exclaims, "OH, I still have that outfit!"   WHAT???  Yes, friends, 30++ years later, my mother was able to bring out this little romper from this very picture.  (She also believes this pillow is packed away, even though we no longer have the couch.  My grandparents brought the fabric back from Japan, so this is a somewhat acceptable excuse for hoarding.)

We got JB into the outfit, tried to set up the picture best we could, and took a shot.  Here you go:

Little 8 month old James Benjamin.  

Yes, I know, I know, we are IDENTICAL TWINS.  (Joking, I realize he doesn't favor me at all in this picture.  Well, or in most pictures.)

If you had fun with these comparisons, then hold onto your britches when I tell you this:  my Mother wasn't the only one who saved pictures and outfits.  Ms. Leron did the same thing.  Look out for another #tbt / comparison post with the boys, coming soon!

You've Got to Have Friends

We have lots of good friends here in Georgia.  (Actually, we have lots of great friends all over the country, but a good group of buddies also reside here in the ATL.)  We went into the weekend without any planned activities, but ended up seeing lots of people!  Yea for impromptu gathering (that includes good food.)

Brian and Carl came by on Saturday, and we managed to get some burgers on the grill in time for lunch. Cousin Katelyn joined us, too!  JB enjoyed so much attention all afternoon. He's really into funny faces/sounds right now, and this group was happy to oblige.

Enda was also thrilled one of her best labradoodle friends, Hudson, came to play.  There would be 10 minutes of frantic chasing and running, followed by Hudson collapsing at the water bowl and Enda returning to her perch to obsess over the bees in the hostas.

Our neighbors sent out a text later to let us know they were making margaritas and tacos for supper.  And these guys don't mess around - margaritas from scratch, tacos from scratch, and homemade tortillas (from Pappasitos, but - holy guacamole - were they good.) JB had fun trying out all their baby's toys, and playing with his friends Everett and Clementine.

Yea for Tacos!

Guy talk

On Sunday we headed to church. When we asked "did JB cry", the sweet nursery worker, Ms. Joyce, replied "well…not the whole time…"  That's success, right??  Afterwards we went to Costco just in time for samples.  In the afternoon, we decided to crash our friends' Sunday by heading over their way.  We had a great time, just catching up and letting the kiddos play.

It's amazing how other people's toys are so fascinating for JB.  He has baskets full of toys at home, but what does he want to play with at our house?  Anything else he can find (and if it's dangerous, a definite bonus.)

Little Reagan was so sweet with JB, even when he tried to grab her hair, nose, or whatever he could get his little hands on.

Just another shot of the cute kiddos to add to the collection.  I love to see how these friends are growing up together, just like their  daddies.  :)

Friends definitely make the weekends sweeter and more fun.  So thankful for them!

JB's Texas Weekend

After a really great weekend, we are back home from Texas.  We survived the flights (although not without a little bit of stress and drama because someone is not content sitting in a seat for more than 2 minutes.)  We survived JB's first fever and illness (he's following his Mama's tradition of getting sick when away from home). And, both JB and I enjoyed days of hugs, kisses, cuddles, and being taken care of.

My boys don't usually write on my blog, but today I want JB to give an update. I asked him about the highlights from his recent Texas trip, and here is what he said:

1. Playing with my Gran Gran:  My Gran Gran has really scruffy whiskers, and I love to tug and pull on them.  He also makes a lot of funny sounds.  Even when I was intent to be a grumpy pants, Gran Gran could trick me and make me laugh.   I was sad to not see my Dad on Father's Day, but glad I got to see my Grand.  

Give me those whiskers!

2. Cuddling with Grammy: Something happened, y'all, for the first time ever.  I got sick.  I had a fever, Mama took my temperature waaaaaaay too many times, I got Tylenol (which is tasty), and I threw up my solids all day.   Fortunately, my Grammy was there to save the day (because Mama was pretty freaked out, especially by the temperature-taking part.)  Grammy held me as much as I wanted - which was a lot - and by the next day I was all better!

Cuddles with Grammy

3. Watching Mama Eat Good Food:  WAIT, this was not a highlight of my trip!  Quit writing that, Mama, this is not your post! This was one of my least favorite parts - watching all the big people eat Poppa Rollo's pizza and brisket and beef tenderloin and ribs and potato salad, right in front of me.   (The only good part of this was getting to see the big people, like my Uncle Kelly, Uncle Marty, and Auntie Shawntel.  I did enjoy that part.)  

4. Trying New Things: Now, some of the adults, like Grammy and Gran Gran, are nice and let me try what they are eating and drinking (despite Mama's objections).  I was reacquainted with iced tea.  I might take a sippy cup if it was filled with peach ice tea.  I was only so-so on the Pho noodles (they were too hard to get off my fingers and into my mouth.)  

"what, it won't hurt him!!"

Um, I'm not eating that.

5. KITTIES!  Grammy and Gran Gran have two kitties, and one is friendly like my kitties at home.  Charlie let me pet her and pull her ears and "love" on her all weekend long.  (And, I believe in "tough love", y'all, so you know she was a patient kitty…)

The kitty says "MEOW"

6. Swinging with Mama:   I wish we had a swing at our house.  Someone needs to buy me a swing <cough, cough, DAD>, because I looooooove to sway back and forth and let the wind blow my hair.  I particularly enjoy when someone is there to try and grab my feet (but I'm quick and don't let them!)    

So, there you have JB's highlights from the weekend.  And mine, too.  I loved spending the time with my family, even if we never left the house and hung out (well, and ate - we did a lot of that) all day long!