11 Months!

Chase is only 2 days away from his 11 month milestone. "They" always say that once you have kids, time flies. Well let me just be one of "them" and say that indeed, this year is literally flying by. Every day with Chase is so much fun. He is getting more inquisitive by the minute and I love to just sit and watch him investigate all the little things in life. He is really quite independent and driven. When it comes to walking, I find that he makes the most progression when he doesn't realize I am watching him and he is able to focus on his own. As soon as he knows I have been watching him, he laughs and wants to play.

Last week Chase got his first Chuck'E'Cheese experience....he had a blast while I was having visions of the years to come...Chuck'E'Cheese, Disneyland, Sea World...oh the list goes on (and I'm a little scare by it all)!

Monica & Sofia

Hey Chuck, do you know how to start this thing? The Pulliams & Merrills came over for football last week and Chase didn't want Uncle Ryan to put him down! Stephine got some bonding time in with little Skylar... Future firefighter? Chase is a little early for Halloween...

More tunnel time...Chase loves his tunnel! I took this video a couple of days ago and already it is outdated... he is so much faster now!

Peek A Boo

It's Christmas Time at Costco! Last weekend, we took our weekly trip to Costco. Sadly, this is always one of the highlights of my week. Tells you a lot, doesn't it? So, there our little family was, trekking through the aisles in search of a great deal when when we stumbled upon the Christmas aisles in full effect (keep in mind we still have 3 digit weather!) and found the greatest play thing ever....For $30 bucks we got a tent, a clubhouse, and two tunnels. All of which look ridiculous in my family room but Chase is in LOVE....here he is playing peek a boo in his tent. I see many a fort being built in our future!

I had to cut the video a little short so my computer didn't freak out upon upload...

Busy!

What a couple of weeks this has been. From birthdays to showers, to moving to my dad's for a week so our house could be replumbed (all I can say about that is DUST)....this has been a very busy month so far. We have had so much fun wrapping up the summer with friends and family. The weather is still in triple digits, but there is a part of me that is ok with that because we are going to celebrate Chase's first birthday outdoors and I definitely want the weather to be warm enough!

Chase is charging right ahead in his attempts at walking. He pushes everything he can across the floor (a video would be appropriate...I'll work on that!) and he is so proud of his every move. He is still too wabbly to stand on his own but he is definitely preparing. He also cut his top two teeth so he has a total of four chompers. The last two were a breeze compared to the first two...let's hope that trend continues!

My attempt at getting a picture of Chase's top teeth. I think I failed...but he's cute anyway!

Here Chase is with his emotion flashcards. Apparently he would rather crawl on his emotions rather than work on them. I think I may write to Baby Einstein to let them know that "intended for ages 9 months and up" is only if you intend to let your infant eat them. Chase is eating Pho for his first time. If you are in Vegas, try Saigon 8 over at Eastern & the 215. It is really good - and that is saying a lot because I am usually not a fan! Loving that Chase holds his own bottle - nothing like multi tasking (driving and feeding at same time)!

Mike is training for the LV Ragner Relay race. This means running in 100+ degree weather...yet he still looks happy post run! @ Blair & Kyle's birthday brunch, but the only pic I took is of Ry & Steph! @ Theresa's house for girls night + baby. Chase LOVED this wire basket...

I think he wanted to make it his new home...

Uh...ma...Aunty Sam is squishing me!

HAPPY!

Harley & Chase had some good bonding time...

@ Colleen's baby shower. Her due date is the same as Chase's (although he decided not to hold out for a November bday!).

Baby Skylar is getting so big! Look at her pretty pink cheeks!

Mama Erin & Skylar

One of them has certainly grown...

Unbelievable what a difference 10 months makes!

Miscellaneous...

It's been a while since I've updated (for me anyway!) so I will just post some of the pics from our recent adventures. Chase is getting such a little personality - I think he may even be talking back to me at times. He is very verbal, cooing, babbling, and "talking" a ton. He is also starting to really get the hang of cruising. I think he will be walking very soon and then the real fun begins!

Look Ma, I can cruise!

This past Saturday was unseasonably cool so I let Chase do a little exploring out in the yard... Meanwhile, Rigley enjoyed a bit of shade... Still not sure about the "real" grass... This picture is of Chase's monitor. I love watching the little guy sleep. The video monitor may be the best baby invention ever! Last week I took Chase to the water park with his new play friend Alister...Chase has NO fear when it comes to water...Seriously, he was crawling around with the 8 year olds like they should be friends. He looks so determined in this picture!

Another favorite spot...

We went to LA two weekends ago to visit Pete & Katy, to celebrate our 6th anniversary, so Mike could attend a course with a doc, for a little R&R, and to hand out with this guy in Santa Monica...His tap dancing metal dude captured Chase's attention for sure.

I think Pete & Katy look quite comfortable strolling with Chase at the Farmer's Market...don't you?

For our Anniversary, Pete & Katy sent this romantic spread up to our room...THANKS GUYS!!!!!

Could he be any cuter?

I have never done the Runyon Trail so what better time than with a baby....and without his jogging stroller?! We made it anyways and got to check out some pretty incredible views...

Pete, Mike & little girl Zoe! Mike ran the trail and Zoe decided it would be fun to follow him. I cannot tell you the panic that set in when Pete, Katy & I thought we had lost her. We were quite the threesome running all over the trail screaming her name. She had no clue how she scared her mama!

Again, Katy looks quite comfortable with a baby!