6 Months

I can't believe how fast time flies! Preston is now 6 months old. We had his checkup today and he is getting to be such a big boy. He is 17lbs 4oz and 27inches long. Just above 50th percentile for weight and 70th percentile for height. We gave him all his shots for the first time and he was such a champ. He didn't cry on the first shot but when the needles kept coming he just looked at me and cried. As soon as I picked him up he stopped crying and has been ok since. He is sound asleep now which makes his parents very happy.
Preston is sleeping from about 7pm to 8:30 or 9am but wakes up for one or 2 feedings, usually around 11 and then 3am. Sometimes he'll skip the 11pm feeding and only wake up at 3am. We can't wait for him to start skipping this feeding too!
We gave him rice cereal for the first time on August 7th. He did ok but then I totally slacked off continuing to feed him. He has been having oatmeal mixed with peas, carrots, or prunes and my milk once a day for the last 2 weeks, and just this week we added a morning feeding.
First time eating rice cereal



Preston's favorite thing to do is bounce. Even when he is not in his bouncer he will try to bounce if you are holding him on your lap. He just drops and you better hope you are holding on tight.
He sat up for the first time unsupported on August 20th. He was pretty wobbily but is now much more sturdy.

He can roll all over the floor, and his crib. He just discovered his toes on September 2nd and this is what I walked in to when I was getting him up from his nap. He didn't want to let go!

Preston's hair started getting really long on top and when he'd wake up he'd have a "Conan" puff. We decided he needed his first haircut.
Before

During


After

Could he be any cuter?!
When Aaron was training in Chicago it was our Anniversary. I wanted to write a nice letter to give him when he got home so I stuck Preston in his bouncer. After a few minutes he starting whining, trying to get my attention. I knew he was fine, just bugging me for attention, so I ignored him and kept writing. After about 5 minutes of just letting him whine I looked up to see this.

No wonder he wanted my attention!!! I guess he is too big for me to skip buckling him in. What a sweetheart.
Last weekend we went down to visit Aaron's parents and say goodbye to Aaron's Grandma Mabel who suffered her 2nd stroke and heart attack and has been "sleeping" ever since. We were sad to say goodbye but grateful for the amazing, kind-hearted woman that she is and for the impact she had on Aaron.
While in Manteca Preston had a great time with Grandma Carter. Here he is on his 6 month birthday playing with Grandma.

We absolutely adore our sweet boy. It has been an incredible 6 months being his parents and we look forward to many more firsts as he eats more, learns to crawl (he really wants to), and gets some teeth.

We love you Preston!

Triton

Triton came into our lives on Christmas Eve 2002. My parents got him from the pound when he was 2 or 3 years old. From day one he was the perfect dog and the perfect fit for our family. He was well trained: he never ran away, he always waited at the door to come in or go out until he was directed, he would sit and shake. He was always waiting, happily, at the door when you came home. He loved to play tug-a-war. One of his best tricks was when we would put carrots on his nose and tell him to sit, and then "get it" and he would toss up the carrot and catch it in his mouth. He also loved to eat apple cores, or anything, for that matter. He loved to be with the family and put up with a lot from all the kids that come and go around our house. He was my dad's buddy and would follow him around as he worked in the yard. He got sick at the end of July and never got better. We still don't quite know what went wrong. He was our friend and companion, he was part of the family. We love him and will miss him.
Preston and Triton

Tug-a-war on the beach in Monterey, July 15, 2010



Hiking at Rock City, January 2009

Playing with Tommy

Putting up with Kayden

This was the last time I saw Triton, on August 18th. He wasn't feeling too well and you can tell he is looking old.





He will always be a part of our family.