Graduation - Part 3

No, you didn't miss Part 2 (the actual graduation), I haven't collected pictures from our parents yet. Tad has yet another cold (#4?)

For Fred's graduation present I searched for weeks trying to find the right thing. I looked at insect flag punches, canning stuff, everything on my continuous "wish list" I keep for Christmas ideas. I finally ended up with a Red Wings Hockey hat & 2 jump drives - since he not only filled his but stole mine to finish up the semester. I also decided that what he'd probably like the most was time away from everything.

After graduation celebrations were over we packed up and headed to Vernal. I know, it sounds questionable, but it made a great overnight trip! Tad didn't seem to mind the drive at all. We checked into the hotel, got some Mexican food, and then went swimming back at the hotel. Tad loved it! He really liked sitting on the edge kicking his feet in the water and splashing.

I thought he would have a rough night in a strange crib, but he slept through the night. We checked out and drove to McConkie Ranch. It's a private ranch, however, they give public access if you follow the signs. They have a trail marked for hiking to see the petroglyphs. The only time Tad cried during the whole trip was as we headed back to the car from our hike, it was 1 1/2 hours past nap time and he was done. He fell right to sleep as soon as we started to drive.

Since he was still asleep we drove to Jensen to check out the temporary Visitors Center for the Dinosaur Quarry. They have a shuttle that will take you to the construction site and a little hike.

We drove back to Vernal, got some burgers while Tad slept again. :} Such a cooperative little guy!

Our last stop was the Utah Field House to see the dinosaur exhibits.

Graduation - Part 1

Fred graduated on Friday! He got a Bachelor in Zoology and a dual minor - Psychology & Chemistry. I'm so proud of him! ... The studying continues until he takes the MCAT this summer. It'll be a little more relaxed around our house. He'll probably have to find somewhere else to study though so I don't make him start on the long "honey-do" list that's been waiting all semester. :}
I didn't get very good pictures, but once I gather from our parents I'll post some!

Can't leave him alone for a second!

He's on the move! Yesterday was the first day he worked his way down the couch. He was after daddy's laptop today (good motivation!). Earlier I sat him up in his crib and walked to the front room to put something down. By the time I got back to his room he had stood all the way up. His rowdiest trick is to pull the kitchen chair down when he's running around in his walker.

Just 8 month pics ---- and a new smile.

Don't worry grandmas, I'll hopefully get this one printed soon so you have an updated picture. (I think the last one you have is when he was 3 weeks.)

We tried to do a family picture but Tad wouldn't look at the camera - maybe we'll try again after Fred gets a haircut!!!!!
And this is Tad's newest smile - his "Cheeser smile". I think he does it because his top teeth are coming in and he's rubbing his bottom 2 teeth against his gums. He won't do it if I hold the camera up, I was hiding by the side of the couch---- really, I was sitting there in pain because I broke my baby toe. If it bends outwards it's broken right? Stupid boxes in my way!

I need to get a better picture of it because it's so cheesy.

What are you feeding that kid?

Tad had a dr's appointment today. Average weight for an 8 month old is 19.8lbs.... our kid is off the charts, literally- at 27 lbs.!!!!! And 29 inches long. What a chunker! But we don't actually think that he looks that chubby- the rolls aren't as noticeable as I've seen on other babies. Either way he's a very healthy little boy. The doctor said several times he's never seen an 8 month old weigh that much and asked what we were feeding him. He eats just fruits and veggies, maybe once a week he gets a little jar of an actual "meal" (apples & chicken, pasta in sauce, sweet potatoes and turkey, I'm sure these are better flavors than when I was a kid.) The doctor was almost convinced that the nurse had written the wrong weight, Fred and I had looked because we always guess before we go into the dr's (we'd only guessed 21.5 & 22- "Price is Right rules", Fred's mom won with 24.5 as her guess.)

He did have to get shots today and the first one he just kind of stopped and looked at Fred like "What was that?" The second one he finally cried and the third one he screamed. Less than a minute. I was amazed.

He's been fine all evening and loved bathtime. We had to buy some swim shorts so we can post some funny things he does in the tub. Tonight he was shivering and actually kind of chatty.

I'll post his 8 month pictures soon!

Smart? or compulsive like his mom?

Whenever I give Tad some cheerios to play with on his tray he always picks them up and moves them to the side compartment. Sometimes he'll take them back out, but for the most part that's where he leaves them. I have no idea where he learned it (but I love the idea that he'll be a neat freak like me!)
The other weird thing about his cheerios / puff treats is he won't even try to eat them. He HATES anything with texture. Anything that I try to puree in the blender for him has to be completely smooth. Even the tiniest chunk and he'll start to gag to try to get it back out of his mouth. I've tried putting a cheerio in his mouth and he gags - I know he's not choking because I can see it on the edge of his tongue. If I'm eating fruit or veggies I hand him one or put it against his lips and he looks completely disgusted that it touched his tongue.
Hopefully he grows out of it as he gets more teeth! But for now we're pretty entertained.

Forced....

to watch a movie I've been avoiding, by my baby sister.... I get to call her that because she's a foot taller than me and makes more money than me. :}
It started with the Bachelor- dumb I know, but we would get together every Monday night for dinner and the show. It's become a fun weekly EVENT. Since the Bachelor is over we've had to find other things to watch. Crystal told me that I had to watch whatever movie she brought over. I agreed, but she wouldn't tell me for 2 weeks what it was. Last night she came over and said it's not this one..... and held up Twilight. My heart almost stopped. I've avoided the whole vampire saga. I haven't read the books or seen the movies. (I won't read the books or watch the Harry Potter series either.) She said that we weren't watching that one, she had one more in her bag. I figured it was a chic flick that I've said before that I didn't want to watch. She pulls out..... New Moon. I didn't know it could get worse! :}
Fred said we couldn't watch the second one first. So, we ate chicken enchiladas and watched Twilight.
Next week is New Moon - before I come back to my senses. :}
(It wasn't really that bad, but I'm still not going to read the books or even see it in the theatre, I'll only watch them when Crystal forces me to watch them.)