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.

Bouncing Boy

Preston LOVES bouncing!

Monterey

The week before Aaron started his new job with Accenture we were able to join my family down in Monterey. We had a great time relaxing, going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and playing on the beach. It was the first time Aaron had ever been to Monterey and Preston's First Beach Trip!

My Dad and Triton (yes, Triton got to come too. Looking back we are glad he was there because now he is really sick and we're not sure how long he is going to be around)

If you know Triton, you know he loves tug-a-war


It was pretty cold and windy down at the beach so I've got Preston all bundled up in the Baby Bjorn. Lyndsey, Caitlin and Tommy braved the water and Luke is sleeping under the blanket beside me. Nothing phases that kid.

Aaron enjoying the freezing water

We borrowed some free guest passes from friends and went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Preson was fascinated by all the fish!

Aunt Alyssa helped carry Preston


They have an awesome sea horse exhibit. This crazy seahorse looks more like seaweed!

Preston sporting his sunglasses out on the bay

Daddy and Preston (I love this picture of my smiling boys)

Cool Dude

Cousin Luke is really gaining on Preston. They look to be about the same size now, even though Luke is 2 months younger!

Aaron, Preston and I down at canary row

Aaron and I were able to sneak away for some alone time on the beach before he left to go to San Fransico to start training.

It was a great trip and we can't wait to go back!

My time in Illinois

Aaron here...
So to start off on a sad note, Illinois is the furthest east I have traveled in this country, but at least I'm expanding my horizons! For the past 2 weeks (ending last Friday) I went to St. Charles, IL, (45 minutes outside Chicago) for extended training that Accenture sends all new analysts upon hire. It was a very strenuous 2 weeks with so much information thrown at me, but I learned a ton. I had a great time meeting people from all over the world (literally - I met folks from all over the U.S., Italy, Belgium, South Africa, England, Spain, Turkey, and many others...). There were a few hundred of us all together. Basically, our training consisted of walking through the phases of a fake client project and understanding the individual roles we play as analysts during them. It was very educational and worthwhile, but like I said, it was definitely information overload!

We had our training at the Q Center, which was a college campus remodeled into this gigantic business conference center. Everything is on site, including dining and plenty of activities including tennis, golf, bike trails, soccer/baseball fields, a gym, etc. So, it felt a little like college or summer camp :)

Here's my small but nice (dorm) room:


The Q Center grounds were incredible!




After the first week, a big group of us planned a trip to Chicago, and it was so great. It was such a clean city compared to others I've been to, which was a nice surprise.


One of the highlights was the trip to Willis Tower (formerly known as Sears Tower). It's the 5th tallest standing structure in the world, with amazing panoramic views of the entire city. I got to enjoy the views from the 103rd floor!





They had "Skydeck" views with these glass boxes popped out from the building where you could literally see the ground below and how high up you really are - it was a little freaky to say the least. The pic isn't the best I know, but it's proof that I got in there!


Another cool highlight was the air show that was held along the beach of Lake Michigan. The show featured the Blue Angels and others. My pics don't do it justice - I was a lot closer than it appears.





And of course I didn't forget to have some original Chicago-style deep dish pizza :)


Another great view of the city, right off of Lake Michigan


It was a great experience and I'm glad I went, but oh does it feel good to be back home :)