and yes daddy is saying, “can we wipe that blood off your face?” A face plant 5 minutes earlier left baby boy with a bloody lip.  Comes with the territory I guess.

Could these 2 guys be ANY CUTER??

Sheriff vannyB and his Deputy Daddy

van seemed a bit concerned at first,

but quickly got into character..

We had a fun time trick or treating with our cousins tonight.  We also spent some time with them this weekend carving our pumpkins.

First we had to pick one out at the patch..

Then we had to get a’carving!

van helped his Daddy with the hard work.

Apparently I forgot to take a picture of the finished product.  Oops!  Oh well- there’s always next year!

Hope everyone had a Safe and Happy Halloween!

People, when I say we are moving and shaking over here, it’s a bit of an understatement.  vannyB is B-U-S-Y from the time he wakes up till the moment he goes to bed.

His current fav’s are 1) WALKING ON HIS OWN!! 2) walking while holding onto my index fingers 3) throwing whatever he may be carrying at the moment 4) pointing at things and 5) reading his books

Just yesterday van was playing on the floor and went from a sitting position to a standing position all on his own.  And then once he was stable, he walked across the room. Mr. vB and I just looked at each other and grinned from ear to ear!

The Lil’ Dude’s Personality is also starting to shine through!  He can be very serious at times {just like his daddy} and then bust out with a grin and a giggle {like his mommy}!  His laugh makes my heart melt…

And in-case you want to know, Current Stats are 25 lbs and 33″ tall.

We {ok, mostly me} is getting quite excited about the upcoming birthday festivities.  I already teased you with photos of the balloon birthday wreath and the high chair.  I’ve got a few more DIY’s up my sleeve, but I’m not ready to reveal them just yet.

I know, I know.. what a tease!  But I WILL share what van is going to be for Halloween!

Giddy Up!

Last weekend we headed out to the pumpkin patch with our good friends the Hansen’s.

{Parker, van }

{and Taylor}

We had so much fun finding our way through the hay maze..

And played in the pumpkins..

There was also a tractor..

And a swing & slide..

Let’s just say we all had a blast.

And vannyB was sound asleep in his car-seat before we even pulled out of the parking lot!

**UPDATE**

Per Request- Please see the below picture of me this time last year at the Pumpkin Patch!

This one’s for you Amy Cox!!

Here we are another month closer to the Big Day!  10 Months Down, 2 Months to go!

Mr. Butter-Bean, as I am affectionately calling him these days, has busy cruising along any and all vertical services at full speed. I even got to witness his first 2 steps last week! {and by the time this went to press several more steps have been had!} They were super wobbly, but steps none the less!

vanny is also chatting up a storm!  His newest word is “arf” and specifically says it after boots or bailey barks!  He also loves to say bye-bye and has started waving {at himself}.  We are working on that.

ButterBean also likes to “pat his momma” which melts my heart.  He loves to pat me on the back/shoulder with his left hand when I carry him around.

Last but not least, van started back to daycare last Thursday after being out for 5 weeks.  Our beloved daycare provider, Ms. Sutton, needed hip replacement surgery so Mr. vB and I had to “wing it” while she was out.  And let me tell you- THAT WAS STRESSFUL!! But I loved every extra minute with my boy!  Just look at this face…

I LOVE LOVE LOVE him!

{yes- you are correct. By the time you are reading this, van is days away from being 10 months old.  I better get to recap’n his 9th month.}

stats: 23 lbs 14 ozs, 31″ long

milestones: 2 more teeth coming in makes a total of 6 now.  Has also been caught standing on his own.  Is in to everything and does not like it when he is told he cannot do something.  Definitely becoming more and more independent.

likes: crawling up stairs, bath time with dad, feeding himself, carrying around remote controls, putting EVERYTHING into his mouth, and cruising around the furniture

dislikes: diaper changes, being fed with a spoon, and when he is told he cannot play/do something- gets very upset!

I was hoping to have vannyB’s 9 month photo shoot today, but he is under the weather.

His 9 month well-appointment this morning turned into a sick appointment.  Poor Dude has been fighting a 103 fever all weekend.  Hopefully he is on the mend, but in the meantime we’ve been doing a lot of snuggling.

van took his first boat ride this past weekend on his Grandpa’s boat..

This picture sums it up!

He fell asleep 5 minutes in and slept the entire cruise which was almost 1.25 hours!  Crashing waves, wakes and all!

I couldn’t believe it!

On another note, my mums is coming to town this weekend.  I’ve got a long list of things for us to work on including but not limited to:  working on the artwork for my bedroom makeover, finding something fun to hang on the front door, taking van on some adventures, a little sewing, a little gardening, and maybe some shopping?

{Man, we might need more than 2 days!}

I’m very much looking forward to it and should have some good blogging material come Monday!

PS.  Did anyone catch my new bathing suit in the photo above?  I took the plunge and am pretty pleased!

Another month means more cute photos of vannyB…

This month he has learned to say mama, dada, and just starting to say bye-bye.  The first morning that I was home from my work trip I was greeted at 6am by a little voice yelling from his crib, “mamamamama”…How could I not resist running in and scooping up this cutie-patootie?

Let’s see what else… His little teef’ers are coming in, but in their own style. Apparently most kids get their bottom and top front teeth first.  Well vB has gotten his bottom 2 and the teeth to each side of the front teeth- But not the front teeth!  I asked his doctor if this was okay as I feared he may not have any front teeth.  Luckily she reassured me while it was unique, he most probably did have front teeth!

{see fangs above}

Van also has been spotted walking behind his fun new walker borrowed from his friend Peliah, as well as riding on his new Mickey Mouse Airplane.  Forget the toys that don’t make lots of noise or help him to move around!

And we possibly have the next Karate Kid on our hands?

I’m sososo in love with this little dude, but honestly who wouldn’t be?

Last week I was working more like 5 to 9 and I’m pooped!

I spent the majority of the week up in Baltimore for some work training and logged long hours either driving, sitting, or pumping.  You read that correct.  Being a working mom means I had to sneak away every 3 hours or so for a little one on one time with my breast pump.  Here is the end results..

30 or so bags of love for my little dude.

I also got to go to Ikea one night and spend an hour or two roaming the aisles for ideas.  Plus I picked up the new furniture for my office.  Remember that post? It’s finally coming to fruition! Now I just have to sell the existing desk and bookcase to make room for the new stuff!  {Any takers?}

Stay Tuned this week for a bunch of posts- I’ve got a ton of projects to up date you on.

I’ve finally finished the {awesome} pelmet boxes for the living room, got a few ideas up my sleeve for a mini bedroom makeover, and of course will be updating you on the office makeover!

Exciting Stuff Right?!