Let's Go Rangers!

PS Doesn't Palmer look so grown up?  That's because he IS.  He now has a tooth and everything.  (And mommy is relieved to know that the renewed waking up in the middle night was temporary due to the cutting of a tooth.  Whew.)
-Bethany

Wordless Wednesday

-Bethany

6 Months Old

Half a year.
When we were doing our newborn photo shoot, we went ahead and scheduled our six month photo shoot.  I remember the photographer saying, six months will be a great time, Palmer will be sitting up and everything.  That was so hard to imagine at the time and now, look at Palmer sitting like a champ.  I know that in six more months Palmer will likely be walking. Again, that's so hard to imagine, but will be a reality before we even know it.  Crazy.

Stats from the doctor:
Height: 27 3/4" (93rd percentile)
Weight: 18 lbs, 10 oz (75th percentile)
Head: 42 1/2 cm (20th percentile)

Likes:
Crawling and moving from all fours to sitting to all fours to sitting

Downward dog yoga pose
Boston
Boston's water bowl

Sophie the giraffe (which reminds me I lost her at the Arboretum on Saturday and need to get a replacement asap)
His two fingers to be used as alternative teething toys

Sippy cups (mostly used as another teething device)

The book Good Night Moon at bedtime

Fisher Price stacking rings

This is my favorite age so far.  Palmer is content, sweet, playful, curious, and active.  He is still a very serious boy, which means that his smiles and laughs are all the more special when they happen.
-Bethany

Boston's Water Bowl

I split the afternoon in the kitchen between cooking and distracting Palmer from his new obsession: Boston's water bowl.  Seriously, obsession.  Palmer kept crawling over to the bowl and if I didn't catch him in time, would knock over all of the water.  And laugh.

He was successful about 4 times and unsuccessful about 10.  I put him across the kitchen and sat him facing the opposite direction.  Immediately, he turned around and crawled back to the bowl.

Someone needs to learn what the word "NO" means.  Pronto.

WHAT'S FOR DINNER:
CHARD CANNELLONI:  I was trying to make this while Palmer kept knocking over the bowl.  I substituted the swiss chard for spinach and mustard greens because that's what we got in the co-op bin and also added beef to half of the dish for my meat-loving hubby.  http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Ricotta-and-Red-Chard-Cannelloni-2165

-Bethany

I'm Sort Of Having Fun...

I took Palmer to the park yesterday and was so excited to introduce him to the swings. (I was also anxious to get us out of the warm-weather rut of being cooped inside with toys.)

On the way to the park, I thought he might enjoy a fast run in the jogging stroller.  Unfortunately, every time I looked at him, he seemed much more fascinated with his toy camel.  I don't think he even noticed the scenery pass him by.  Tough crowd.

When we got the park, I thought for sure he would LOVE the swings.

Well...I'll let you be the judge from the picture.  (Notice how I taught him to hold on tightly and everything.)

It's not that he had a BAD time, it's just that he wasn't that impressed.  And then a bigger kid came up and got on the swing next to Palmer.  Of course, at that point Palmer became much more interested in watching the other kid swing.

(Sigh.)
-Bethany

Wordless Wednesday

-Bethany

So long...

It's a sad sad day.  I am saying good bye to a dear friend.

A few years ago, I brought this branch from the backyard into my living room after being inspired by a design article that touted "bringing the outside in".  I was so proud of myself to discover the interesting branch and even prouder to decorate and not spend a dime.

My dear sweet husband came home and his response: "Why is there a stick in our living room?"

First, it's not a stick.  It's a branch.  Second, it's art.  Don't you love it??

Well, I have loved it for several years and Rick has hated it for several years.  (I won this argument since it's obviously still in the living room.)

Until today.

Palmer is much more mobile and active.  He is scooting across the floor and pulling up on things.  So, good bye to my dear friend.  I fear you might cause some harm with my son.

Don't worry.  I'm just putting you in the garage for safe keeping. I'll bring you out again one day soon.

WHAT'S FOR DINNER:
DR PEPPER BRAISED PULLED PORK:  Pulled pork was served on buns at my friend Anna's birthday party the other night.  The perfect combination of spice and sweetness made for such a tasty meal that I just had to have the recipe.  Pioneer Woman Spicy Dr. Pepper Braised Pork

-Bethany

Helping Hand

Palmer is very helpful these days.

He likes to help with the laundry:

And hold his own bottle:

 And help daddy test-drive a Vespa.  (You may recall the bug Rick got to own a scooter after our trip to Key West.  Last Saturday, Rick informed me that Palmer and he needed to go do "man things" aka go buy a Vespa.  I will admit, it's pretty fun to drive.)

We also snuck in some tailgating "boulevarding" at the SMU football game last weekend.

 Since my alma mater doesn't have a football team, Rick has two graduate degrees from SMU, and both Aunt Amanda and Aunt Samantha are SMU alums...

...we've adopted SMU as our unofficial home team.

 Palmer playing with some of his buddies on the boulevard:

 "Never let me go."

  -Bethany

Wordless Wednesday

-Bethany

Day #70

Remember how I was elated about the fall weather?  Yep, I even pulled out pumpkins for the front porch and started decorating the house for fall.

Well, I jinxed us.  Today, we will break the 1980 record of 69 days over 100 degrees.  Happy 70th day of triple digits.

-Bethany

Outside

We can go outside again!!! If you live in this city, then you know what I'm talking about. Oh my goodness.  This summer's heat was beyond oppressive and it's funny to see the little hop in everybody's step now that the temps have cooled a bit.  It's amazing what 10-20 degrees can do!

Palmer, check it out.  This is what we call GRASS:

 Oh no.  Don't look so sad.

Oh, I see.  You are trying to tell me you need a nap.  Well, let's nap outside!

Another trip to the ballpark (complete with drool marks all over Palmer's baseball outfit):

And lastly, check out the latest video of Palmer on the move.  He is working very hard at crawling every day.  His little knees are bright red with rug burn to prove it. (Side note: From the video, I learned I overuse the "good job".  Hmm.  Good to know.)

-Bethany

Key West

Rick and I went away for the first time together without Palmer.  My friend Jen was married at a beautiful resort in Key West over the weekend.  Gram and PawPaw graciously took care of Palmer while we were away.  Palmer had a ball with them and we were grateful for the mini-vacation.

Ready for the pool:

We rented a scooter and rode around the island.  Ever since our rental, I've caught Rick several times looking up the prices of scooters on Craigslist...

Such a theoretical concept:

Jen and Scott had an awesome sand sculpture created by the beach at the resort.  What a great idea.

The rehearsal dinner was held on a lovely catamaran:

Sadly, my camera died during the wedding, so I don't have pictures of the gorgeous bride and groom.  But, here are a few iphone shots from the big night.  (Adrienne was in town from Doha for the wedding.)

Thanks for including us in your special weekend, Jen and Scott!

-Bethany

Wordless Wednesday

-Bethany

Summer is Almost Over

We hit up a nearby Texas resort last weekend for an annual gathering with some of Rick's fellow college alumni.  While Rick spent his days in meetings for the group's foundation work, Palmer and I explored the property.

We checked out the fish tank and waterfall:

Later, we all hit up the resort water park.  Palmer couldn't resist his feet, even in the water...

 Sophie (of course) came to the pool with us:

The temperature was a cool 106 that day, so we also found a lot of comfort in the shade of the cabana.  Ugh.  How much longer of these temps??

-Bethany