Eight Months

I made notes to include on this post throughout the month. Looking back at the items/accomplishments I listed:
-pulling up in crib
- scooting
- rolling to move
I'm amazed at how much Porter accomplished this month! Who needs to scoot or roll anymore when you can speed crawl?!? He is on the move! Watch out dog tails, electrical outlets, cords & shoes- Porter is out to get you & put you in his mouth.

Porter can pull himself up to stand now. He gets cocky & holds on with only one hand. At first it looks like he's riding a bull with one arm flailing. He's taking a few steps while holding onto the coffee table, couch etc. He's got a few bruises to show for his bravery. I'm trying to be calm during all the bumps, bruises & crying- I know there is more to come.

Porter had an ear infection that would not go away (literally- he had it since Sept. 18). After 4 rounds of antibiotics & antibiotic shots Porter had tubes put in his ears Nov. 8th. It has changed our lives!!!! He feels so much better. Drum
roll please.... HE IS SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!! Carl & I are still adjusting to it. I wake up & check the monitor several times through the night- I think that will always happen.

Porter has started saying dada. I have announced I will be going by da da. I'm doing lots of momma drills.

Big stuff for the month:
Standing
Crawling
Eating lots
Saying/yelling da da
Weight- about 20 pounds
Pappy came to visit

Porter & I went to Houston to meet my great Aunt Consuelo & for Liana's baby shower. He was great on the trip except for a poop explosion on the way home that I don't want to relive.

His personality is starting to show more & more. He's a funny kid. He laughs a lot which is the best sound on earth!!!

As we enter the holiday season I am so very thankful for Porter. He has brought us so much joy & love. This is going to be the best Thanksgiving & Christmas ever!!!

Seven Months

Again I am a little behind.....

This will be mostly pictures too. I promise to be better about 8 months!!

Highlights for month SEVEN:
- Porter was baptized Sept. 23. It was a fun weekend with the Grandparents, uncles & Godparents (Mandy Shoemaker & Justin Palmer)
-Porter, Chatty & I went to the blessing of the animals at church
- we had a little boy/mom/puppy sleepover with Greyson, Carey & Minnie while the dads went to Austin to a UT game
-We spent Mondays at library story time. Porter loves books and other babies!!!
- Lots of eating in month 7! Now eating 3 meals a day.
- Sitting like a champ by himself.

We are so lucky and blessed to have such an adorable baby with a great demeanor! He's really easy going. He wakes up smiling! I can't stop kissing & hugging him!!!

Coming up in month EIGHT- he's on the move!!!!

Six Months

I am really behind on blogging. School and life got really busy. This post will be mostly pictures. Seven month update will have more details.

Six month stats:
Weight- 18.5 pounds
Height- 27 inches

Blessing of Animals

Thursday October 4th was St. Francis of Assisi day. St. Francis is the patron saint of all animals. Our church had a service yesterday for the blessing of pets. Growing up we did this at my elementary school, Sacred Heart. I remember my mom bringing all of our animals: 2 parakeets, a fish, a cat, a dog and Brad (he wasnt in school yet). I have great memories of this so I wanted to do this with Porter.

Since it was just going to be me & Porter I decided I could only handle 1 dog. Chatty was selected as the representative for the Crowder family pups.

On the way there Porter cried, Chatty jumped around the car and it looked like it was going to rain. Not a strong start. After I got my crew out of the car the service started. We were outside gathered around the big church bell. I was the youngest person there by about 30ish years. Once they rang the bell Porter started screaming. The super dramatic cry with the added touch of bottom lip stuck out as far as possible.  Naturally, the crowd of grandmothers turned to look at us.  This is the moment Chatty decides to take care of business.  I had to make sure everyone saw me pick it up- I didnt want them to think I was the kind of dog owner that would leave it.  While Father Bill was telling the story of St. Francis Chatty had one of her reverse coughing attacks.  It's real loud and sounds like she is choking.  It happens when she gets really excited.  Let's just say my group caused a lot of distractions.

When the service was over I asked a disgruntled teen who looked really not excited to be there to take our picture.  I needed to have documentation of this.  The little boy who handed out programs was upset with me that I wouldn't return my program to him but Porter had eaten half of it.

So after this fifteen minute event I really appreciate my mom loading up our whole animal crew and Brad to do this when we were little.

We will do this again next year........ it will be Brewsters turn to go.

Five Months!!

I know I say this every month but time really is flying! Porter is five months old today, Aug. 13, 2012. We don't have a doctors visit this month so no official weigh in but I feel safe in guessing he weighs close to twenty pounds. He's a big boy or so we are frequently told.

Here's what's new this month:
Porter definitely has a personality of his own. He still talks all the time. He laughs and smiles a bunch which pretty much melts your heart. He lights up when one of us or the dogs walk in the room.
He is trying to do a lot of big boy things like hold his bottle and stand without our help. Standing and sitting still need a spotter but I think we are close to him being able to do it on his own.
He is starting to reach our and grab things around him. He can put his pacifier in and out of his mouth and is pretty cocky about it. He reached out Sunday afternoon and knocked his dad's drink over. I think he just wanted to let us know he could.
He has discovered his feet and is constantly grabbing the left foot. He hasn't tried putting his feet in his mouth- yet.
He loves to stick his tongue out all the time. We think he likes feeling his teeth. He looks like a little lizard.
Brewster (our little brown dog) has secured his place as Porter's best friend. If Porter is crying Brewster can help make him stop by laying next to Porter. Chatty is warming up to him too. Carl & I spend a lot of time trying to prevent Porter from being slobbered to death by the dogs.
I want to make sure to remember this forever- when Porter & I are out running errands or on a walk etc and he is in the Ergo carrier on my chest with his right arm he always rubs it up and down my left arm as if he is reassuring me that he's ok. He did it the whole way through Central Market Sunday. I am literally tearing up writing this.

This month:
Porter went to our friend Greyson's 2nd birthday party. Turns out there are all boys in the Dallas area friend group. We are in lots of trouble next year when all the boys are mobile!
We went to San Antonio/New Braunfels to see all the grandparents. Grandma & Grandpa (Pat & Ken) had a sip & see for their friends and extended family to meet Porter. No surprise, he was a hit!
I started back to work last Thursday & Porter started daycare. We love the lady and her family that watch Porter. Thursday was a little rough for me.....

We are excited to see how Porter grows this month & the new things he learns. I think we need to baby proof sooner rather than later.....

(i am not sure what order the pictures will post since I am doing this from my phone so here's what the pictures are of: boys and mamas is from Greyson's party, family pic from sip & see, standing with only the help of the ottoman last weekend and his five month pictures from today)

Porter's Uncles

Porter is very lucky to have two uncles who love him very much.

Uncle Halen & Porter share a birthday week which is a real big deal in my family. Their birthdays are a day apart (Porter 3/13 & Halen 3/14). I think it might be a little while until they share a birthday party. They also share a name-Porter is Halen's middle name. Halen is so sweet & loving to Porter! It pretty much melts my heart! He is always willing to hold Porter & sings to him a lot.

Uncle Brad was a little apprehensive about holding Brad but now he's a pro. It's so sweet to see them together and of course this melts my heart too. Brad even found a Johnny Cash song for Porter with his name in it. Porter loves the song!

Both uncles have big plans on all the things they are going to teach Porter: surfing, wake-boarding, skateboarding, motorcycles, travel etc. Halen said they are going to have a "man camp" for Porter during the summers when he gets older to teach him all this and more. I am a little nervous......

I know my mom would be so proud of her boys and how great they are to my little boy!

Rolling.....

Porter rolled over for the first time today!!!!! It happened twice! I think my clapping and cheering for him might have scared him a little and brought an end to the rolling. Looks like I am already that crazy cheering mom. No real big surprise right?!?

(picture is right after 1st roll)