Our 9-Month Old Little Big Boy

Rudy turned 9-months old on Monday!  Seems unreal to me.  We have made it 9 months (knock on wood) without any major problems or set backs.  Whew!  We had his 9-month wellness check-up on Wednesday morning and he weighed in at 22 lbs (86%) and 30 inches tall (97%).  The doctor seemed impressed by his development and how happy he was :)  We're so lucky to have him.

His expressions have gotten pretty priceless these last several days.  He's a ham.

The doctor suggested we dive right in to table foods...pretty much anything that can be broken into small pieces and/or mashed, as well as dairy products.  Just no peanuts, popcorn, milk, and a few others.  Makes me super nervous, but we'll do our best.  He can't eat baby food forever! 

I don't think I've shared this story, and have hardly talked about it much, either (possibly trying to block it out of my memory).  Long story, short...A few weeks ago, Rudy was chowing on some puffs in his high chair when he tried to put too many in and started coughing, which then turned into no coughing or noise, red face, watery eyes, and me ripping him out of the high chair to pat his back to get the puff unstuck.  Definitely the scariest moment of my life.  A friend that was over commented on how well I handled the situation and that the "old Jen" would have panicked and freaked out...the "old Jen" was inside and was absolutely panicked and freaked out, but phew...I don't want any more scares like that ever, ever again.

Derby weekend was last weekend.  It was sad that we weren't able to be there or have any big Derby party to attend, but we made the most of it.  Here is a picture of Rudy watching the Oaks on Friday night during dinner with me (of course I picked the winner that night without making a bet).  

Here we are on Derby Day.  Grandpa and Grandma Cicci were nice enough to watch Rudy while John and I went out with some friends.  But don't worry, even though we weren't with him for the race, I was sure Rudy still had a Derby hat!  

Rudy wanted nothing to do with the hat, like most.  He would take it off within seconds of putting it on.  Except for this one time when he was ok with it on for about 2 minutes.  Aunt Maria had bought this shirt for Rudy last year when she went to the Derby and it fit perfect for this year!  

Gran and Grandpa Ballweg were lucky enough to go to Kentucky for the weekend and even had tickets for the Oaks and Derby...here they are before heading to the Oaks (what a fabulous hat!)

 And at the Derby...

They brought back this Rudy-sized rocking chair from Ga-Ga's that was my great-grandpa's rocking chair when he was little.  It was perfect for him!

 This picture is just funny and worth sharing.  I was trying to get a picture of him standing up, when Rufus went crazy barking at some innocent people and their dog on a walk.  Big eyes and cheeks!..

NEW HOUSE PICTURES!!

... I finally made it over there with a camera.  We took Rudy and Rufus by the other night, just to get out of the house (and into another house?) and make some decisions about this and that.  Rufus walked right in, hiked his leg, and peed on the wall.  Needless to say, he went right back outside.  At least his territory is marked now... right?? 

 Kitchen view from family room

 Play room

 Hallway that shares a wall with what will be the half-bath

 What will be the half-bath.

All of the bathrooms look about like this.

 Our master bedroom (cozy!)

 Master bath from what will be the doorway 

(John's taking some measurements.  We have been busy trying to figure out the new layout, pricing, plumbing, etc for this room.  Like everything else, it's not been easy!)

 One of the bedrooms that is filled with our cabinets for the kitchen.  As you can see from the picture, some are ivory and others are "ocean floor" -- can't wait to see it all together!

John has been making lots of progress.  He is almost done tearing everything out and, once that is done, it will be a huge relief.  Putting it back together will feel like progress.  Tearing out seems to just make more of a mess, even though its technically progressing.  Grandpa Cicci is getting started this week on running electrical wires, too.  John's cousin, Max, has been helping out quite a bit and as soon as George is finished with school he will be able to help, too -- the dream team! 

We have had steady interest and walk-throughs at the Greenbriar house, but "the one" hasn't shown themselves yet (as far as we can tell).  God has a plan and it will all work out like it should... sometimes I just wish God and my plans were more in sync!