New Buddy...

Clayton and his new buddy Karis
Clayton and Karis having puzzle time

Clayton starting going to my friend Carrie's house last week when I went back to school. She is heaven sent! I have enjoyed being back at school, but miss him like crazy!!! I think he would be just fine sitting in the middle of my classroom in his exersaucer :) Let me just tell you that we can leave school at 2:45 and I am out the door maybe one second after 2:45. Thank goodness Carrie lives 2 minutes from school...can't beat that. I will tell you that Carrie has made the whole experience a lot easier. Anyone who knows me knows that NO ONE has watched my baby except my mom...and I very RARELY leave him, so that should give you a clue as to how great Clayton's sitter Carrie is. He took to her so fast, he just loves her. It is such a relief to see him smile at her in the mornings. He comes home with a journal daily, and has a full day of puzzles, games, walks to the park, swinging, and LOTS of hugs and kisses. He is the only one she has besides her almost two year old, so he gets lots of attention and spoiling, which I love! This brings me to Clayton's new little buddy Karis. She is an absolute doll and just loves Clayton! I think both her and her mommy are in love with Clayton too, but who wouldn't be right!? Clayton loves them as well...I thank God every night that he sent them to us. We love Mrs. Carrie!!!

Who needs toys???

Who me??

For some reason everytime we go to a store I think my baby "needs" something...a new toy or outfit. I just love to spoil him rotten of course...yet Clayton's favorite "toys" lately seem to be non-toys! He absolutely LOVES plastic cups, tupperware, wrapped granola bars, empty water bottles...you get the idea. It is so cute and hilarious to watch him with a plastic cup...he just chews, talks, and has a big time. Here are a few pictures of Clayton and his favorite "toys".

Clayton's First Guitar Lesson...

One of the most treasured items I have of my dad's is his guitar. The reason I hold it so dear to my heart is because music was one of his loves and more importantly just because it belonged to him, a little piece of him. He was such a talented musician and very respected among musicians in this area. His talent was so natural...he couldn't read music, but played by ear. He could hear a song and just play it. He also had an amazing singing voice. Scott has always wanted to play and took a few lessons from my dad, so I wanted him to have it. Both Scott and I would love for Clayton to take lessons if he is interested, and we will definitely play my dad's music for him. Hopefully he will inherit my dad's musical talent. The other night Scott was strumming around on the guitar and Clayton was mesmerized by the sound and started grabbing at the strings...he is fast and grabby these days :) So I of course snapped a few priceless pictures of this priceless first guitar "lesson".

6 month highlights...

Look at those pretty baby blues!

Clayton, Daddy, and Penelope snuggling

Clayton sitting up at the table like a big boy...he loves it :)

Look at me mommy

At his 6 month check up this month...he weighed 16 lbs, and was 27 inches long!!! He started out at 18 3/4 inches, so he has really gotten long, he is all legs! It is so hard to believe that my little man is soon to be 7 months old! Where does the time go? Each and every new stage is so much fun. We are so blessed to have this beautiful, healthy baby boy!!!

Month 6 highlights:

*peas for the first time...loves them

*1st fourth of July...party at our good friends The Bray's (Scott and Clayton wore their matching Daddy-son dharma shirts

*began saying "ba ba ba"

* Mommy's first whole day away for school...Grammy stayed with him

*trip to the zoo with mommy and daddy

*This one is definitely NOT a highlight, but he had a double ear infection and spiked a temp of 104 degrees which scared mommy and daddy to death...he was one sick baby boy :( We spent a week sitting up rocking all night...so pitiful :(

*Started Water Babies class...LOVES IT!

*1st time sitting in a highchair at a restaurant

*1st time sitting in the front of the cart at the grocery

*Loves sitting up at the table pounding with his hands :)

*starting to say "ma ma ma"