Jace - 9 months

Jace turned 9 months a couple weeks ago.  As the photos show, he smiles nearly all the time!  Even over the past couple weeks, when we could tell he was slightly miserable from working on 4 new teeth, he was still his sweet, happy self.  What a stud.

More on the teeth... he first just had one of his I teeth coming in... hillbilly style.  Then we noticed the other one was coming in as well...changed to the vampire look.  One of his front 2 teeth is now poking in as well but all of them have a little ways to go.

Jace just started crawling this past week, a week or so after turning 9 months.  He also pulled himself up to the ottoman the other day but has yet to do it again.

At his 9 month checkup, he weighed 22 pounds, 6 ounces and was 29 inches long.  These measurements, along with head circumference, were all in the 85th-86th percentile...quite proportionate!

He waves all the time and has started to give kisses as well.  He's still a bit stingy on the kisses but he will soon catch on that his mama needs several a day!  He seems to be in awe of his big sister and wonders how she can move so quickly.  He loves to watch her!

He also has the eating thing down like a champ!  He eats plenty of baby food, his favorites being the fruits!  We have tried a few table foods and so far we know he loves macaroni and cheese!  He also loves ice cream!

We put up the Christmas tree last week and he has been doing great with it!  The only times he goes for the tree is when he is in the living room by himself.  So apparently, we have sneaky one on our hands!

This last picture shows what happens on nearly an every day basis.  The poor boy gets woken up from his morning nap quite frequently so we can get out of the house and attend one of Ruby's activities.  And somehow, some way... he doesn't mind and is still just as happy as can be.  Love you, Jacer.  

Ruby meets Herky

We attended an Iowa women's volleyball game a couple weeks ago and Ruby got to meet Herky for the first time!  Jace also seemed quite enthralled with Herky but didn't officially get to meet him.  Next time Jacer!  

Sioux Falls...Sibley...Dallas

A couple of weeks ago we drove to Sioux Falls and spent a few days with my siblings.  Paul did some moonlighting at Avera so he was busy most of the time, but it was nice to see my family for a bit while he worked.  
Ruby loved playing with her cousin Tate and we even got to watch him that Friday while Kenny and Carrie were working.

We also met up with our friends Julie and Kiera one of the mornings.  We went to the Butterfly House.

Ruby loves the sting rays in the aquarium portion of the Butterfly House.  Jace was also quite fascinated!

Paul flew to Dallas that Sunday for a conference.  So the kids and I then spent a few days in Sibley at my parents.  

Ruby and Grandpa Bill building a snowman with the little snow that they received.  

Grandpa definitely has "the touch."  Jace isn't a big snuggler but he fell asleep like this!

The potty chair I keep in our van comes in quite handy!  I'm sure Ruby's buns got a little chilly but she didn't complain!  

We returned to Coralville on Tuesday and we counted down the days until we got to pick up daddy at the airport in "Cedar Rabbits."  Ruby was so excited.  Paul got Ruby and Jace each a monkey from Dallas.

Halloween

Ruby got to pick her Halloween costume this year and she decided to be an elephant.  She also insisted that Jace be an elephant with her.  Paul says he's going to make them dress alike each year from here on out.  I'm kind of doubting that will go over well in years to come!  ;)

The Coralville/NL/IC area sure takes Halloween seriously.  There were SO many activities and events to go to and we hit up our fair share of them.  Needless to say, Ruby and Jace had plenty of opportunities to wear their elephant costumes.  After one of the first events, where Ruby was called "Buddy" multiple times, we did add a pink tutu to her elephant costume so she would look a little more "girly!"  I attended several of the events by myself so I wasn't able to capture too many pictures.

Ruby and her friend, Clara

We did carve a couple pumpkins, although Ruby really didn't want to get her hands dirty at all.  She was intrigued but Paul and I ended up doing most of the work!  

Halloween ended up being a bit rainy and chilly but Paul and Ruby still managed to trick-or-treat up and down most of Dempster Drive.  Jace and I joined them for the last half hour.  Both kids were very excited with their bowl of candy.  Ruby has quite the sweet tooth and I'm guessing Jace will as well!

Van Arendonks in Iowa

We were so excited to hear that our good friends, The Van Arendonks, were headed to Iowa from Baltimore a few weeks ago.  They always have plenty of people to see but were gracious enough to allow us to join them for a Friday full of fun!  We met them at Grinnell at Uncle Bill's Pumpkin Farm.  Despite the wind which made the temperature seem even colder than it was, the kids had great fun.

The giant pillow was a highlight for most of the kids... and dads.  Paul and Kyle had a competition to see who could throw their 2 year old the highest.  

These two cuties are just shy of a month apart.  It was our first time meeting Hadley and she sure took a liking to Jace!  Her crawling and eating abilities are a bit more advanced than Jace's at this point but I think Jace has her in the weight category!  

Ruby and Amira chatting like little old ladies ;)

Then we were able to join them in Pella at Kyle's parent's house.  Dale and Faith are so generous.  Not only did they bring a picnic lunch to the Pumpkin Farm, they also made a delicious meal for us that evening.  Our other good friends, The Kallemeyns, were also able to join us!

 The girls very intently coloring before supper.  

Amira, Ruby, Lauren, and Anika

Amira, Anika, and Ruby

The gang :)  Wish we could do this more often!