Little Scholar

On Columbus Day, the Library of Congress opened its beautiful Main Reading Room to the public. Grandmar and Pappy were in town, so we decided to explore.  The Great Hall of the Jefferson Building is one of the grandest places in DC.

The Main Reading Room is equally as exquisite, with its domed ceiling, marble columns, and wooden desks.

We got to roam the massive card catalog room which houses 22,000 drawers and 22 million cards. Seeing the card catalog felt like stepping back in time, since we now use the computer to find and check out library books. No cards have been added since 1980. 

 You can't leave the library without reading.

We even visited the reading room just for children. H is ready to go back for story time.

7 and 8 Months

As I noted, I have really dropped the ball on my updates. Therefore, this is a 7 and 8 month combo package.

H, you are a busy, determined little boy. You started crawling three days after your 7 month birthday and haven't slowed down since. If you see something you want, you will crawl over, under, or around anything in your way. What types of things will cause you to crawl across the house? Let's see: the recycling, remotes, cell phones, leaves that have been tracked in from outside, lint, shoes, and anything that could be dangerous. What about all of your brightly colored, noise-making toys? Meh...those are for babies, and you would much rather play with the things Mama and Daddy describe as "nos."

You pull up on everything and can even balance with just one hand. You can also clap and give high fives.

Your baby language is expanding. With the addition of consonants, coos and squeals have given way to bababababas and dadadadadas. I am working hard on that "m" sound, but it doesn't look like we will get a "mama" any time soon.

You still love to go outside and have recently learned the joy of the infant swings in the neighborhood park.

In the past two weeks, your interest in food has grown, probably because your pincher grasp has improved. In addition to purees you now eat pieces of fruits and vegetables and Puffs -- you go crazy for Puffs.

Sleep has been a once step forward, two steps back process. You were doing well, but then you started sitting up in your sleep and getting stuck in that position. I admit, this was a little funny at first. However, the laughs stopped soon after this happened at 11 pm, 1 am, 3 am, 5 am, you get the picture. Your Daddy and I were overjoyed when you stopped sitting up and instead started rolling over and sleeping on your stomach.

We may not be well rested, but what we lack in sleep, you make up for in the smiles you give. It seems like you never meet a stranger and you are quick to greet everyone with that toothless grin. 

Speaking of toothless, it seems like you may not be without teeth for long. For now, we are enjoying blaming your very infrequent crankiness on teething and tiredness.

You are a delightful baby. You have grown and changed so much during the past two months. We can't wait to see what you will do next.

Deep South Tour, Part 4 -- Tuscaloosa

C and I met at the University of Alabama. We both have so many fond memories of the Capstone and could not wait to take Henry to his first game day experience. He loved his first tailgate on the quad.

We got to see some of our Capstone Men and Women friends. 

H even got to meet more cousins.

There was plenty of time for father and son talks about the rich Crimson tradition, including 14 National Championships.

The Tide beat the Western Kentucky Hill Toppers 35 to 0. It was the perfect finale to our two week vacation.

 

At the time of writing this, our Bama boys remain undefeated and we have high hopes of winning number 15. Roll Tide!

Deep South Tour, Part 3 -- Mississippi

After our time in Alabama, we packed up the car and drove west to see the Campbell family in Mississippi. We made it just in time for the annual Prairie Arts Festival and 5k Run.

H had a great time with Bevie and Papa and he got to meet Aunt B for the first time.

 

He took his first trip to Papa's gravel pit and enjoyed watching all the action. He even got his on safety vest. Papa was proud to introduce H to all his staff.

H spent some time on the golf course, during his first trip to Old Waverly. Thanks to Bevie, C and I enjoyed some time at the pool as well.

H met lots of family during his Mississippi visit.

We even took a day trip to the Mississippi Delta to visit his Great Mama Janet. These two hit it off the second they met. We ate a delicious lunch and H was all smiles the entire visit. He loves his MJ!

After a fun, family-filled week - we packed up and headed back to Alabama. This time to Tuscaloosa, where it all began!

Deep South Tour, Part 2 -- Alabama

Oh my, it has been a long time since I last updated. Isn't a neglected blog so sad? I am going to work in overdrive to catch up, and vow to never get this behind again. But let's be honest, I am sure I will be writing another apology for the silence note by Christmas.

Back to our August Deep South Tour. The hurricane cut our beach trip short, but all that meant was more time at Gradmar and Pappy's house where H got to meet lots of new friends and enjoy small town living.

We took daily walks around the block and made visits to the neighborhood community garden to pick peppers and okra and cut fresh flowers.

We had a constant stream of good friends coming to meet H.

We spent some quality time with Archie, who did his best to ignore the baby who invaded his territory.

H went to college to visit Professor Pappy at work.

Our sweet neighbors hosted a "Sip and See" so H could meet dear family friends.

Finally, we got to cap off our visit with a birthday celebration for Aunt S. We love her so much.

And just like that, we were off for a visit in Mississippi.