Our Exciting Neighborhood!

This was the scene on our street a few years ago. Sheep were hopping over people's fences, walking through yards, and blocking the street. Thankfully the rancher guided them back to the farm before they made it to our yard.

A couple weeks ago Beckett and I went for a walk and found 10 cows in our front yard. Well, they were right across the street- close enough. I went back inside and grabbed the camera. Then a policewoman showed up, made a phone call and escorted them back home.

For the past few weeks we've been seeing these "giant rodents" on our walks. I kept telling Dan about them. But everytime Dan came with us, we'd never see them. Dan was imagining something from the Princess Bride but really they're about the size of a cat. Everytime I'd bring my camera I wouldn't see them either. I was just so curious about what they were- I had a couple different hypotheses. A couple days ago Dan was able to see them and I got a picture. There was a little girl out riding her bike and she told us they are whistle pigs. So I went home and googled it and sure enough- looks just like it. "Whistle pigs" it said is the common name for a rockchuck/woodchuck/groundhog. So the mystery has been solved and our walks are lacking purpose and excitement now. This picture is one of the littler ones.

11 months old

Last weekend we went to Denver so I could go to my cheerleading coach conference. I was a little nervous about being away from Beckett for about 9-10 hours each day- the longest I've left him with someone before that was 3 hours. I left him with Dan and his parents and it turned out fine- I actually didn't even think too much about him. Thankfully that week he started eating a little bit better- but he's still mainly breastfed. However, the first night I left the conference early to put Beckett to bed and the next day Dan brought him during my lunch break so I could feed him- so really we only went like 6 hours- but we're making progress.

At 11 months Beckett is a superb walker- running all over our house. He's a multi-tasker; he likes to snack on-the-go, most often while kicking the soccer ball. He loves exploring and getting into everything. However he trips easily and has to have something to pull himself up. He still army crawls but gets on his hands and knees and can move a couple steps but it's usually only to elevate himself- to pull himself up with something. Beckett loves to wave at everyone and everything- even if they're not looking. He loves giving high fives. Right now he has a fascination with tongues. He likes to blow and make spitting noises. I've been trying to teach him kisses on the cheek but he prefers open mouth kisses on the lips. We'll keep working on that one. Beckett loves being outside and taking stroller rides.

He loves playing the piano. He loves turning on and off light switches. He likes to try to put lids on bottles, open and close doors.

Here he has climbed inside the kitchen cabinet and is "drinking" from the pitcher. Within the last week or two he has started eating better. He still loves smoothies which is what he is fashioning on his face in the pictures below. His recent favorites are graham crackers and watermelon. Real filling I know- but at least he's eating.

He's still quirky and wants to eat like big people. I can get him to eat avocado only if it's served on a tortilla chip. Today Dan had a salmon salad sandwich and he wouldn't eat any of it until we gave him the whole big sandwich. That's how it is with a lot of things- he'll only eat it if it's how we eat it.

A couple weeks ago I finally gave Beckett a haircut. I cut off about an inch with scissors. It wasn't very good because he was turning circles and running around the room. A few days ago a boy told me that Beckett needs another haircut.

These 2 videos show Beckett walking around our living room kicking balls, picking up toys, shaking lights, trying to pull cords and push buttons he's not supposed to. Thrilling stuff.

Memorial Weekend

We went to Denver over the holiday to visit family. Here's some senior pictures I took of April.

Over the weekend the boys went on a bike ride. They came back with only one tacoed wheel and injured person- I guess that's a success. I think they had fun getting out for some exercise.

Here's the whole family- it had been awhile since we've all been together- the first time Alex has seen Beckett.

We tried taking some pictures in the backyard but it was really stormy and dark and didn't work out so well.

One of the nights we went to Bear Lake State park for dinner and to play outside. Here's some pictures of my three little brothers.

Beckett, my mom and I left early because the mosquitoes were ruthless. See the mosquito getting ready to attack.

Beckett with Grandma watching the rest of them play catch and soccer.

Hello?

We got cell phones and so we will be disconnecting our landline soon. The phone Beckett is holding is an old phone and seems to be his new favorite toy. His hair is getting a bit mullety (if that's a word) and Dan thinks we should cut it, but I just love those little curls at the end.

I also just got a new camera and lens, I am way excited to try it out.

Beckett's 10 months

We are excited because recently Beckett has started jabbering, mostly da-da and ba-ba, no ma-ma yet. He also whispers to himself a lot. He's getting really good at walking- but he's still really cautious. He almost runs more than he walks. However he still can't crawl or go from his tummy to sitting or sitting to standing. He can pull himself up if he has something above him to grab onto. So even though he can walk- he doesn't really do it unless you stand him up. I think we'll appreciate that for the next little while. Beckett's recent thing is to put everything up to his ear (here it's just his hand) like he's talking on the phone. He's also starting to learn how to blow kisses.

I figured we needed a naked baby picture- to show off his figure. I went to the doctor today for his weight checkup. He hasn't grown any since last time- he's still 16 pounds and 27.5 inches. The doctor doesn't seem too worried since he's so active and developmentally advanced (at least with walking). But he wants to make sure he doesn't continue with this weight trend. He wants me to come back for another weight check in a month- but I think we can wait till his year check-up. These co-pays start to add up. There were a few things he recommended me do: put butter in all his food, give him pediasure and give him zinc.

Beckett still won't really eat much- he has started to eat a little bit of my oatmeal and smoothies that I make (with a spoon!). He also is pretty good at eating brownies the couple of times I offered it- and to think I wasn't going to give him anything with sugar in it. The doctor asked me if Beckett puts other things in his mouth. I told him everything- especially things he finds off the ground. The doctor said maybe you should try putting real food on the floor- to see if we can get him to eat that way. I tried to take pictures outside of Beckett- but all he wanted to do is eat the leaves.

Denver with the Zolinger's

A couple weeks ago we went to Denver to visit because one of Dan's friends were in town. Of course we got snow (mid May) driving there and coming back. We're headed out to Denver again in a few days- hopefully with good spring weather. While we were in Denver we got to hang out with family and meet Nathan and Julianne's baby girl Addison. I took some family photos of them as well. Addison has the prettiest blue eyes. Here are some of the photos.

Here's Dan and Nathan (they went to high school together). And below I'm showing off Dan's tarp (it's in the bag). Dan was showing it to Nate and I didn't think to get any of it set up. If you don't know about the tarp Dan made for camping, you should ask him about it.

Dan showing off all his lightweight camping gear.

Utah Trip: Photos with the Davis Family

I got to take some family pictures of my cousin Shannon, Jared and their boy Tian. They're a good looking family with beautiful smiles- but the trick was to get Tian to do it for the camera. Beckett could get him to smile- but Beckett wasn't holding the camera. Here are some of them. And Shannon, I will be mailing you a CD shortly.