this was our second trip out to the daffodil field, back in march. rivers was not at all interested in smiling for the camera. no matter what either jeremy or i did he just didn't think it was funny. he is all boy- you sit him in some plants and dirt and all he cares about is eating it. even without a big smile, i still got some great pictures of him.

when i came in to get rivers out of his crib this morning, i found my big boy standing, holding on to his crib rail. when he saw me, i got a big smile, and i'm sure it meant 'hi mom, look at me!' he was so proud, as was i, and thankfully jeremy had lowered his crib mattress a few weeks back.

lately when i've gone in to his room to get him, he's been sitting up with just his little head poking up and his big eyes looking at me. he has been able to pull himself up for maybe a week or so now, but today was a first as far as the crib goes.

i know i promised pictures, but i'm sorry, i still don't have any ready yet. BUT i do have some very exciting news! rivers has his first tooth popping through!!! jeremy found it today when rivers took a big bite out of his finger! its his front right one- just barely showing, but its there! also, we took rivers to the playground for the first time today. he loved swinging, until it almost put him to sleep. then it was back home, which he fell asleep in the car of course. so he had a short morning nap, but then slept for 3 hours this afternoon. growing teeth, i'm sure, is not an easy job.

my oh my! my little man is 9 months old today! i can hardly believe it but with his recent milestones- i can believe it! he is all over the place now and does not want to have to stay still for one minute. diaper changing is next to impossible. forget crawling- he's ready to walk! grammy has created a monster! he loves to hold onto fingers and walk all over the house. he's so proud of himself and will throw a fit if you try to plop him down on his knees or bottom. he is also coming along with pulling himself up. very scary! all of sudden he thinks he's so grown up. i keep looking at him wondering where my baby has gone. i'll try to get some more pictures up this weekend. i am very behind in my editing and should have a bunch to post.

shame on me for not posting the news sooner! rivers is officially crawling!!! that's right- he's all over the place and he's unstoppable! he took his first few moves forward this past friday. by sunday he was into full blown crawling- from one room to the next. now that he has this new found freedom of movement he hates to be put somewhere that he's unable to move. he is no longer a big fan of the exersaucer- we can still trick him into going in it, but we have to make it look really fun before putting him in there. and of course, he doesn't want to stay in it for very long.

since grammy is visiting this week i am taking advantage of having a free, full time babysitter and working full time this week. its been sad to be away from rivers for such a long period of time, but its reassuring to know he's in such good hands. i can't ask for a better sitter, seeing as though i know she loves him just as much as i do! and he's been doing just fine without me there, as sad (and happy) as i am to say that.

so rivers has been keeping himself, grammy, and the animals all busy crawling everywhere and chasing after them. grammy found out that rivers loves to walk! he holds on to her fingers and walks from one room to the next. the first day they did this he was laughing so loud and hard! it was the cutest thing i've ever seen! he was just so tickled by the whole process of walking! he is such a trip- its amazing to see the world through the eyes of an 8 month old. i would never even think twice about walking until i saw him so filled with wonder and excitement over such a simple thing. he brings so much joy to my life- no matter what has happened throughout the day, as soon as i see that beautiful face everything else fades away!

well despite the ear infections (again) rivers is coming right along with his attempts at crawling. he is now able to pull himself forward! so he can now officially, move in any direction he so chooses. of course at this point in time, going backwards and rolling from side to side is still the easiest and fastest way for one to get to where they want to go! although i know my life will soon be changed forever, when rivers has this new found freedom of movement, i can't help but be so proud and excited of my little guy for finally figuring out how to move forward! way to go, rivers- we know you'll keep moving forward and i'm sure, you'll never look back!