One half of a year

Past-time for Seth's 6 month update. I'm think the monthly updates are going to be a first-baby phenomenon since I can't keep up with them and I only have one child!
It has been a wonderful month this month-one of my favorites so far. I love our laughing, smiling, happy, curious Seth.

• 17 lbs 15 oz (60th percentile) [heavier than his 19 month old cousin who was born prematurely!]
• 27 inches tall (69th percentile)
• 17 1/2 inches head circumference (83rd percentile)- big brain, smart child
• eats 2 meals of solids plus a lunchtime snack
• loves pears and squash the best, or sucking on a peach or apple
• can sit independently for at least 30 seconds
• loves to blow raspberries with his tongue
• can say lots of sounds, but his go-to babbling is "da da"
• is a full-blown chewer of ANYTHING and EVERYTHING
• gives huge slobbery kisses
• loves to stand with help
• loves songs, fav= How Much is that Doggie in the Window and Pandora Toddler channel
• loves books, especially his dinosaur book
• mesmerized by anything electronic
• smiles at himself in the mirror
• pivots in a circle and can scoot backwards a little bit
• able to put put his pacifier in by himself after several tries
• naps 3-4 times a day with several 1 hr+ naps a week (finally!!)
• bedtime 7:15, pacifier replacement 10pm, milk 4am, wake-up 6 or 7am
• loves his carseat and is a good car rider

Master Stephen

This overdue post is brought to you by Seth’s nap and my dear hubby uploading the pile of photos on our camera.

You may remember a blog post sometime last year or some facebook status updates from Stephen despairing about the horribleness of grad school. It turns out things got a little less horrible and a few weeks ago we got to celebrate this:

I’m so proud of Stephen for finishing, even though it wasn’t quite what he expected. He was a hard worker, a team player, a question asker, a sacrificer of sleep and time, and a great husband and dad all along the way!
Thanks to Stephen’s entire family for coming to DC to celebrate his hard work! At the diploma ceremony Stephen’s brothers were not afraid to be vocal with their congratulations, drawing laughs from the crowd and a grin from the woman awarding the diploma. The next day we had a great time at the National Mall listening to Michael Bloomberg and a host of others. 

So what’s next? Stephen will stay at his current job until we find a job somewhere with a lower cost of living and closer to family. We’ve been searching for a few months, but are starting to ramp up our efforts. The ideal position would be in budgeting in a municipal government office, but we’ll take what we can get.
Congrats again, honey!

Seven for Sunday

In 3 more weeks I tell myself I'll have more time to blog because in 3 more weeks school is out! When school is out I can focus 100% on my favorite things: Stephen, Seth, family, and church. Luckily I'm doing an okay job on focusing on these things which is why I haven't had time to blog.

I am so far behind on all of the happy times we've had in the last month including: Stephen's STELLAR accomplishment of graduating from the George Washington University with a Masters of Public Administration, a fantastic visit from Stephen's family, an update on our SIX MONTH OLD, and the coolest bday present ever.

So until I have time to give those events the blog space they deserve, here are seven highlights from this week:

1. Stephen's brother, Ben, entered the Missionary Training Center to prepare for his LDS mission to Carlsbad, California. So very proud :)
2. Seth learned how to say "ma ma ma ma" in church today!
3. Seth got much better at pivoting in a circle on his tummy.
4. Juicy pear/vanilla custard gelati and brownie fudge/chocolate custard/oreo blendini at Rita's...Mmmazing!
5. Played a clarinet and violin duet of Joy to the World with my BFF (it may or may not have sounded a little like an elementary school orchestra, but it was so fun and awesome!)
6. Took a friend from church visiting teaching for her first time ever. Good experience.
7. Found a job for Stephen to apply for that's within 4 hours of my parents' house (as opposed to 7, 8, 9, or more hours away).