Food, wonderful food!

Hey Porter...

How are you buddy?! I love that you can sit up all by yourself. It's great, right?! You look as proud as a peacock, son. What else have you been up to?

Wow, neat!

Well, we had to start all over with solid foods at 6 months because of some tummy troubles but you're well on your way to a colorful and well-rounded diet!

We're still not sure what was making him sick but baby led weaning seems to be the best thing for him.

Here's what Porter is eating so far:

• Cheerios (sprinkle these babies over anything and ta-da! Suddenly it's edible.)
• sweet potatoes roasted in cinnamon and nutmeg
• scrambled eggs with garlic, onion, paprika, salt, and pepper
• bread
• tomato
• turkey/chicken
• meatballs
• green beans
• banana
• avocado
• ham
• hash browns
• peas
• blueberry applesauce (that's what is finger painted all over his tray in some pictures, we had to use up the rest of the "baby food" somehow! He had a TON of fun with that meal.)

Baby Blessing

Hi there! How are you? We have a lot to catch up on!

We had Porter's blessing on November 11th and were so fortunate to have many loved ones come and celebrate this special boy! The blessing, given by Ben that morning at church, was very sweet and Porter was quite the well-behaved little man. Granted, he was a little older than is typical for a baby blessing...apparently he was trying to sit up when he wasn't supposed to. Porter, we love every bit of your strength and love for everyone around you!

Mr. Owl...

...how much longer until we get some snow in Utah?

The new zoo in town...and other tidbits

Up in the mountains we had quite the little blizzard come our way! The snow only stuck around for a day or two, but it was fun while it lasted!

"I can't put my arms down!"

These 2 are almost a year and a half apart! I think Julia and Porter are finally friends rather than frienemies...no more boppin him on the head!

The lion is content...as long as he has his binky.

I was pretty excited for Halloween this year, mostly because we have Porter and I don't feel as silly dressing up and going all out for this holiday that is pretty much centered on CANDY. Luckily for my tummy we just went out to say "Hey!" to the neighbors and show off our costumes!

This year we decided to actually carve some pumpkins, I'd forgotten how fun it is!

(Sorry, Ben's is determined to be sideways.)

Welcome Home Ben!

in a semi-surprising turn of events Ben came home on Tuesday instead of today! he graduated early, so the air force was anxious to get him back home. for a couple of weeks now we've been wondering whether he would actually be coming home early. talk about nerve-wracking! his itinerary kept changing so even on the day he flew in i was skeptical.

i think Porter has been ready for rice cereal for a couple weeks, but we waited until Ben came home which was right around the 4 month mark anyway. it was a sweet bonding moment!

sometimes I can't believe Porter's cheeks are really that cute. it looks like he's stashing a bunch of food in there!

someone is a little bit unsure...but it didn't take long for them to be thick as thieves.

Sleep...good boy.

I'm not a fan of the term "sleep training" it sounds like something you'd do with a dog. But it is what it is...and that's what we're doing now. I wasn't expecting to be in this stage for a little while but I can't argue with Porter. As much as I've loved co-sleeping for the past few months, IT IS TIME. I'm also not a fan of listening to Porter-boy cry his heart out. All. Night. Long. But after a lot of reading, thinking, and praying (mostly praying, this is the hardest decision I've ever faced!) the cry-it-out method presented itself as the best method for Porter. Now I'll be praying that we can  stop in this stage just long enough to wave "Hello, Goodbye!" and move on. What's that you say? "Good Luck!" Yes, I know two exhausted people that really could use it!!!

Sunday best.

I love Sundays. Even though my new job doesn't come with days off, I like that we get dressed in our Sunday best and walk to church. Afterward I feel like there's more oomph in the rest of the day. Naps are more relaxing, silence is more peaceful, and maybe...just maybe Porter manages to be that much more beautiful in my eyes. You don't have to agree (though I argue it'd be hard not to) because I'm more than a little biased, and also an incurable romantic. How do you enjoy Sunday?

Good things.

Just a few of the good things happening for us this summer:

Ben graduated from the Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Apprentice course at Sheppard AFB in Texas. KC-135 In-Flight Refueling training goes from September 12-26. He comes home on the 27th! That's only 3 weeks away!

A nap for Porter. Anywhere, anytime, and with anyone is a good thing and I'll take it! Teething has been hard for all of us.

A camping trip with our good friends the Despains!

Visits with family and extra snuggle time for Porter! 

This picture with Sarah is sadly the best picture of the Brigham City Temple open house that I have right now. The parking garage? Really Effie!? I guess I can justify it by saying that it was really bright out and you can't take pictures in the temple.

Just chillin on the floor with a good friend. Owen and Porter are practically the same exact age if you count their due dates. Their birthdays are 3 months apart though; Owen was born 3 months before Porter. Finally they meet!

Porter has a pretty easy job of making me smile while Ben is away. I mean, come on. He just has to lay there and look adorable in whatever I dress him in. I can't help but smile at him in his little tank top.

Home grown summer squash is one of my favorite things. Of all the yummy vegetables, this is the best!

Uncle Mike was kind enough to come along on a hike around Causey Reservoir. A chance to get out of Salt Lake City and hike up a mountain? I practically had to TWIST his arm!

I have to appreciate exceptional food when I find it out and about. This place in Ogden called Warren's is my new favorite place that serves fry sauce. For some of you who may not know what that is...it's something found in abundance in Utah and each burger joint has a slightly different recipe for it. Also, I've found one of my new favorite desserts. Funnel cake fries!