Biggest baby ever!

Okay, maybe he's not the biggest baby ever but West is still off the charts! At his 18 month check-up today, we learned his weight is 31.2 lbs and his height is 36.25 inches. It's wild to think my son is that big and not even 2! The doctor was greeted by Westley announcing "Doctor!" as she came in, after we just told him the doctor would be there soon. It was pretty priceless and the happy welcome pleasantly surprised our pediatrician.
She said he looks great, is right on track in terms of development, eating right,
drinking lots of milk and water, and general health.
It does a mother good to hear these things!

In grown-up land, I have decided this will be the year I actually start school and attempt getting an Associates degree in Business. My application has been accepted, I've selected my classes and have chosen some options for orientation and advising dates/times. If all goes smoothly with financial aid I will be attending Everett Community College for 2-3 classes per semester over 2 years. My schooling will unfortunately be funded by student loans, but the payoff when I can finally start my own Event Coordination business will more than make up for it. I will be taking my classes at night since I will be getting a weekend job once our crazy busy August is over and complete, people are married, birthdays and
anniversaries are celebrated and we can all get some rest.
The prospect of going to school so soon is very exciting so here's hoping everything works out!
On to the next...
August, here we come!

(If anyone is absolutely dying to get me a birthday gift,
Home Depot gift cards are just the right size! Seriously! )

Feeling at home

At last, we've nearly finished unpacking and settling in to our new home in Everett. It's really beginning to feel like home. After we get a few more small pieces of storage furniture, we'll be good to go and I can finally have easy access to my cookbooks!

Westley is really enjoying the space and having to spend less time in baby jail. He's been paroled, so to speak. Christian is enjoying being in his new store and West and I have been enjoying each other a great deal since I've been home with him more. He's constantly running, slipping and sliding on the wood floors, having a great time on walks to the produce stand and exploring the playground at Wiggums Hollow park just down the street.

(A little bath time fun with Daddy there for the soaking!)


(West's favorite morning activity is dancing with Ellen!)

Though most of what he says is gibberish to us, West's vocabulary has expanded quite a bit with new words like bread, Cotton (the name of his favorite bear), butt, turtle, doggy, duck, book, water, hat, nose, eyes and the list goes on. He's also learned to blow kisses and it is the absolute sweetest thing ever! Next week we will have his 18 month check-up. It's hard to believe he's only been here for 18 months since there are many, many days when I look at him and think he has to be at least 2 years old! It's been such a bizarre, incredible, adventurous time in our lives and while it has been extremely difficult at times, I can't remember much of what of life was like before West arrived. His laugh is infectious, his smile so handsome, and he is such an inquisitive, thoughtful child. Lately, now that he knows what a camera is for and how to say "pitcha" (picture), he's really been into modeling. He comes over, touches the camera, says "pitcha" and stands back a bit with a big grin on his face. My little Zoolander.....

While July has been fairly mellow with a nice Independence Day celebration at our good friend's Ranch (Stevie's home, The Pines) and a couple of minor illnesses (West had the croup, an awful thing for a mommy to try to make better), and a lot of unpacking and cleaning our new home, we are looking forward to a busy August full of outdoor activities and a little travel. With 2 out-of-town Weddings, My Birthday day of fun at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, a visit from Aunt Kaijsa, and lots of other birthdays and anniversaries the time is sure to go quickly. This coming weekend West will have his first visit to the Woodland Park Zoo as we all go with a group of friends and 2 Japanese Exchange Students they are hosting.

We are looking forward to more beautiful weather, lots of wedding fun, time with friends and family, grilling and chilling (after we acquire a grill, that is...), and enjoying life as best we can. We hope all of you are happy, healthy, and enjoying your summer days!

Just below you will see West
and my lovely Cousin Rose
enjoying a story.

Just above, say
"Howdy" to Westley the Watermelon Farmer!