Andrew's New Trick

Andrew has learned a new trick. I was at the Wilson's house (my pastor's family) tonight when Andrew decided it was time for him to stand up in the middle of the floor. Since he has been crawling, he has always had to pull up on something to come to standing. Well, no longer. As we were just sitting around talking, I looked over and saw Andrew sitting in the middle of the kitchen floor. He then leaned forward and got on his hands and feet, the "bear walk" position. He walked his little hands back and stood straight up. I was so shocked! I clapped for him and he looked at me like, "why are you clapping?" And just to make sure that he wasn't fooling me, he did that several more times for us. Wow! He is getting so big and so VERY mobile. Hopefully I can keep up with him now!

some thoughts ...

This past weekend has been one of the best that I have had in a long time. On Saturday, I went to a friends house for the day. We had a jewlery party (what girl doesn't like to look at and buy jewelry!) and then a baby shower for a friend from Union. It was so nice to just hang out and visit with friends. Congratualtions to Steve and Lauren Chipman ... they are going to have a little boy, Tucker, at the end of August. Her due date is August 28th, which was my due date with Andrew. So, maybe he will be early, like Andrew.

Sunday was another fabulous day. After church, I headed up to Jackson, TN to visit with friends and family. I meet up with Drew Herndon, a dear friend of Jonathan's and I. Drew had been working on a sweet gift for Andrew and I. He had gotten friends of ours to write letters .. a letter to me and a letter to Andrew, had then put in a book format. Those two books are one of the most precious gifts that I have ever received. As I sat and read through them last night, I just wept with each letter. Thank you to each of you who wrote a letter. You will never know just how much they mean to me and hopefully how much they will mean to Andrew.


After meeting up with Drew, I then went to visit some more dear friends, The Wysors. Jody and Carrie were our "watch care" parents when Jonathan and I were students at Union. They have two precious boys, Sam and Will. It was so fun just to hang out and catch up. And their boys did such a great job playing with Andrew.

Jody, Andrew, and Sam - hanging out.

My last visit was with Tobey, Lem, and little Maja. Maja is Tobey and Lem's new little puppy. She is a puggle, a pug and beagle mix! She is too cute. Andrew had a fun time playing with her.

Andrew and Maja, playing on the stairs

Andrew getting some kisses from Maja

And then today when I picked Andrew up from his daycare, I got a paper saying that he is moving up to the next class next week. How did this happen? When did my little baby become a little boy? It took my breath away to think that it is already time for him to move up. He isn't quite old enough to be in that room just yet (i think they have to be 12 months - so he is very close), but they are moving him up since he is so mobile. That boy can move! He walks everywhere and anywhere! And the hardest thing about him moving up ... I have to buy his first school supplies! Isn't that crazy! Or is it just me? My how time flies!

Please keep my parents in your prayers. They will be flying back to the States at the end of the week. As we are so excited for them to be back here, it is hard for them to say bye to their home of 12 years.

New Couch

Here are the pictures of our new couch. We love it! The ottoman has removable lids that hide two compartments, that I'm sure will have toys in them soon!

A view of the couch and ottoman.

Another view of the couch. It is a dark brown leather.The armless chair that matches. This is Andrew's favorite!

Andrew and his cheesy grin playing in the ottoman, and Avery climbing in.

Avery hiding in the ottoman!

These Feet are Made for Walking ...

Hope that you enjoyed the video. Sorry that it is sideways ... I forgot to turn it the right way! I had to take this at Andrew's school. He likes to show off for all the ladies there! And he walks a little bit better since the carpet isn't very plush. Isn't he a cutie?!?!

Long awaited post...

Well, prepare yourself. This is going to be a long post. We have been busy since I last wrote. The biggest news that we have in our house is that Andrew is walking. He doesn't stand up from the middle of the room and just take off walking... yet. He will pull up on whatever is close and then will take off to whatever he is wanting. It is very cute to see him walking and balancing himself. And one of the things that happens is he falls. One day, I picked him up from his school with note on his little activity sheet about him falling onto a toy. He had a little bruise on his forehead and cheek.

Battle wounds

The Fourth of July ... this is one of my favorite holidays. I just like a little red, white, and blue. And usually the 4th means spending time with family. And that is just what we did. Family reunion on the Stonecipher side of the family. We went up to an Illinois state park for the weekend. It was fun to see and visit with everyone!

Andrew and I sporting our red, white, and blue

Andrew giving his cousin, Carson a hug

So happy!

Sitting in the bicycle cart. Andrew liked riding in this while Matt was riding him around.

Playing in the pool. He was so excited about it!

Strolling with Grandpa!

Tyler's "WOW" face at dinner!

Even though we weren't in the south (and now where near my dad) ... we did find some pretty good BBQ for dinner. I got some ribs and tried to share them with Andrew. He just never seemed to get a rib that had meat on it! I don't always share ribs very well!

Yummy Rib!

Gnawing on the rib

We went to see the fireworks at Southern Illinois University. And Andrew really liked to see them, as you can tell.
Oh, WOW!

Andrew and Mommy watching the fireworks

Watching the fireworks, while waiting patiently for his bottle. I love the expression on his face!
Drinking some good ol' formula!

Some of our friends gave Andrew a new toy ... this Pluto. Andrew loves pushing and riding Pluto around the living room!

Cheese!

Andrew has learned to climb down stairs, on his belly. Well, he attempted to climb down from his changing table the same way! Eeek! Don't worry, he was never in danger of falling to the ground. I'm just glad that he couldn't get his foot on a sturdy spot -- he would have been down in no time at all.

This past weekend we went to my Mema's house for the day. It was great to get to see her. She lives in middle TN on a farm. She has baby chicks and Andrew and Avery liked to see them.

Oh, my Mommy! This is a cute little chick!

Family picture with the chick!

Avery and Andrew

We went down to the creek to cool off. It was fun to play in the very cold water! Andrew liked playing with the water bottle!

Sitting in the chair in the creek.

Father's Day

Andrew and I had an okay Father's day. Of course, we missed Jonathan a lot that day, but thanks to all who took the time to make this day okay for us. We went to lunch with some dear friends and then just hung out at home. And then, after church that evening, we went to McDonald's with some of the youth. I thought that it would be fun to take Andrew down the slide. Hmm, those playplaces are getting smaller! :) It was a work out getting him up and then back down. He even got to meet Ronald (well, the statue of him, anyway). Enjoy the pictures!

Father's Day 2008

Andrew and Ronald

Us coming down the slide. See? Doesn't it look small? Well, at least for me?!

Andrew posing for the camera
All smiles ...

** Please keep scrolling down. I have been busy posting. Don't want you to miss a picture! :)**

Some pictures from June

My little mischievous little boy ... I am sure that I will see this look A LOT in the future!

Andrew and I took a trip to see the Stonecipher's in June. We went up to visit and for Tyler's (Jonathan's brother Matt's oldest child) 4th birthday party. His birthday was actually on Father's day, but the party was the weekend before that. Andrew was a champ with travelling. I made the trip in very good time and he slept the whole way. I kept thinking that I would just stop whenever he woke up ... and he didn't until I got off the interstate in Troy. It did make the trip nice. The following pictures are from the birthday party.

This is Jonathan's grandpa ... Grandpa Richards. He had his hands full with Andrew and Carson (Matt's second little boy). Please keep Grandpa in your prayers. We have recently found out that he has esophageal cancer -- he had been having difficulty swallowing and had lost a lot of weight. He now has a feeding tube so that he gets all the nutrition that he needs. I will keep you updated as we get more information.

Andrew and Jonathan's Uncle Mark
Tyler -- thinking, "mmm, I bet this cake is good!"
The cute little birthday boy!
The Stonecipher cousins ... Andrew is 10 months, Carson is 15 months and Tyler is 4 years.

Cheesy smiles from Andrew and Carson!

My son, deep in thought. He has the expression a lot. I think he gets that from his dad!
Chillin' out on the side of the pool. The water was very cold, but eventually he sat down in it.
Grandpa (Jonathan's dad) with his boys! And just to jog your memory, look here for the first picture of the three boys after Andrew was born. My how fast they grow up!

Andrew and his cute little teeth! He actually has four teeth, two up top and two on the bottom. He only likes to show the bottom ones.