Go Bruins

This was close to the end of the game and Palmer could barely keep his eyes open!

Nothing like dinner from sonic at 10:00 pm! 

{Belmont Basketball Game 1-23-14}

He Did It

Let me start by saying that I have honestly not been away from Beau and Palmer very much at all.  One of the blessings of being with my precious boys, is that I get to witness so many special moments....and lots of ordinary moments too.  I can think of three times that Raleigh and I have gone out without the boys since Palmer has been born....Beyonce concert in July, Fun concert in September and errands yesterday.  Oh, and the memorial service that hospice had for my dad.  So four.

Yesterday my mom played with the boys while Raleigh and I ran two errands...exchange a pair of jeans at the mall and buy diapers at Target.

Wouldn't you know that while we were gone, Palmer pulled to a standing position for the first time?! I missed it, but I'm glad my mom was there to see it.  I posted a few days ago that Palmer had pulled up on the dishwasher, but he wasn't exactly standing because the dishwasher is so low.

Yesterday, Palmer pulled all the way up on Nana's ottoman.  We don't have a picture of it, but I did get a picture today.

Early this morning, I was sitting in the chair drinking a cup of coffee and Palmer was playing on the rug.  Nana was upstairs getting ready to leave for work and Beau was still asleep.  Then, all of a sudden he did it again! Pulled himself right up!

Way to go Palmer! 

{Pulled up to stand with Nana 1-20-14}

{Captured photo 1-21-14} 

Crazy Weather

Yesterday the boys spent the entire day playing outside with Nana...with no coats. And today it is snowing! Crazy weather!  Thankful for the warm temperatures yesterday and the pretty flurries today! 

A Big Day

Today was a big day for Palmer! 

He pulled up on the dishwasher! Go Palmer go! 

I know it is hard to tell in the pictures, but you can see his little knees are off the ground.  The boys were helping me unload the dishwasher, and all of a sudden Palmer pulled to his knees and then got up.  I rushed for my phone to take a picture, but they aren't great.  The dishwasher is obviously pretty low, so he wasn't exactly standing, but it was definitely the first time he has pulled himself up.    

Rock Out Beau

(Please ignore the cookie crumbs on Beau's mouth.)
If you come to our house, you will probably hear Oceans by Hillsong (along with a few others) on repeat! I know the song has pretty much gone viral, but if you haven't had a chance to hear it, take a listen below.

Palmer {at 8 months}

 Tomorrow little Palmer will turn 9 months old! Don't grow up too fast little guy! 

We had his 9 month check up today and here are his stats: 

17 pounds 10 oz

27 7/8 inches

Just for fun, at the same age I weighed 17 lb 7 oz and was 27 inches long.  Beau weighed 17 lb 8 oz and was 27 4/5 inches long.

Palmer still has two little teeth, although his top two teeth are making their way in.  The top teeth have broken through the gum and are coming in more each day.  Interestingly, Beau had 8 teeth at 9 months old... 4 on top and 4 on the bottom. 

Palmer is still wearing size 3 diapers and 9-12 month clothes.  I will say that some larger sizes fit him as well.  The second picture below is size 12-18 months from Gymboree, and it fits well.  I feel like sizing varies so much by brand, so it can be hard to say an exact size.  

My mom and I had his feet measured in late December, and he wears a size 3 shoe.  So cute! 

Palmer is starting to eat a lot of table foods and seems to enjoy eating what the rest of us eat at dinner.  He has had quite a few things but his favorites seem to be eggs, cheerios, squash soup, noodles, and black beans.  Tonight we had faux fried rice...the "rice" was actually cauliflower that I grated on the cheese grater.  The rest of the recipe is pretty standard...sesame oil, soy sauce, peas, carrots, and eggs.  Palmer loved this dish! Lots of new flavors and sodium!    

He still hasn't quite mastered the sippy cup, but he sure has fun trying!  He can definitely drink out of it when I remove the no spill valve.  But then, of course, usually quite a bit of water spills.  When I leave the no spill valve in, he hasn't quite gotten the hang of it.  Sippy cups are so complex these days....so many options and variations.  I may just start giving him one just like Beau's, because that is the one he always wants. :) 

Palmer has been learning how to exert his personality recently, and is trying lots of different voices.  He really likes this new scream voice that the rest of us are not too fond of.  LOL! 

Speaking of voices, it is so fun to hear him babble.  I missed the babbling stage with Beau, so it is neat to hear Palmer experiment with his voice.  Love hearing him say babababa, mamama, dadadada, lalalalala, etc. 

Palmer isn't quite pulling up, but he sure does try.  He can get himself up onto his knees, but not all the way to standing.  It is so fun to just watch him grow and change.  I just can't believe it is happening so fast! 

One new thing that Palmer has learned in the last couple of weeks is how to get to a sitting position from laying down.  Instead of needing assistance to sit back up, he can do it all on his own.  I can tell he really likes this independence.  

Also this month Palmer has starting taking baths in the big tub.  We found a non-skid mat for the tub and he and Beau can now take baths together.  

We love you Palmer! We pray everyday that you will ask Jesus into your heart at a young age and follow after Him all the days of your life! Oh, and if you could learn how to fold your hands during prayers, that would be great! LOL! Beau thinks you aren't participating in prayers when your hands aren't folded and it bothers him a lot a little. Ha! 

New Move

I have no idea what this is called, but it is Palmer's new move. Maybe he has been sneaking away to yoga class. 

Perspective

Like most things in life,  the way you view the temperature has a lot to do with perspective! After many days in a row of below freezing temperatures, 48 degrees felt like a heat wave! What do you do during a heat wave?  Play outside of course! 

  

Then we of course had to relax and watch the big game! Way to go Manning and the Broncos! 

The Baby Box

Social media has helped spread this video far and wide this week.  Most of my friends in the adoption community have seen this video, but it has also been shared by lots of folks outside the adoption world this week.  If you haven't watched the video, take 3 minutes and watch.  The director of the movie, Brian Ivie, came to know Christ while producing the film.  

I am in no way an expert on the cultural stigmas in Korea that make the baby box necessary, but if you are looking to learn more, I've compiled some helpful links that you can check out!

Above all, pray for Pastor Lee and his wife as they care for babies that might otherwise be left on the streets.

My friend Karen traveled to Korea in 2012 and was able to meet Pastor Lee.  Here are a few of her posts that might help give a little background on the Baby Box:
Abandoned Babies in Korea: A Little Background
A Box. For Babies.
Our Visit to The Baby Box Church
Links to Learn More 

Pastor Eddie Byun in Korea recently interviewed Pastor Lee. The article below gives a great synopsis of the ministry and ways you can get involved.  Specific prayer requests are listed.
Update on Baby Box and Simple Ways You Can Support

Learn more about Pastor Lee here and consider supporting financially through Kindred Image.

Us at 8 Months

Just for fun, here is a look at each of us at 8 months old! 

Raleigh at 8 months 

me at 8 months

Beau at 8 months 

 Palmer at 8 months 

7 Month Portraits

Thanks Brandon for capturing little Palmer at 7 months! 

Christmas Cheer {Brothers and Cousins}

Thanks Brandon for capturing these special moments! 

P.S. My nickname from my parents has always been Tiger.  Apparently when I was little, I would growl like a tiger when I got upset.  I would say this is Palmer's tiger face! Go get 'em Palmer!