Archer is all over the place now. The speediest caterpillar I've ever seen. If he hears water running anywhere in the house he switches to turbo speed to get there because he loves baths, showers, and splashing in water so much. He is also drawn to doors and curtains. I think it might be because his small effort can cause such a big effect on those items, he'll spend a long time swinging them open and shut. A couple days after he began this army crawling business, he started clapping too. It seems like he's been trying to say "Amen" after we pray for meals which is sweet. Sometimes when Quinn isn't in the same room as him he'll say, "Nin nin" and go looking for her, I'm suspecting that means Quinn. And he may be picking up, "no" which sounds more like "nah", from his sister...hmmm. He's a big fan of lift the flap books and likes it when I stand him up by the bookshelf so he can choose books to read. Our favorite time of day with him is in the early morning. Jonathan eats some breakfast while I nurse Archer. Archer is always extra chatty and giggly at that time and he's all cozy in his jammies. He likes trying to sip Jonathan's coffee mug and peeks out the window when Jonathan heads to the bus stop. He's still an enthusiastic eater and likes many flavors. He's starting to master drinking from a regular cup as long as I hold it.

Archer went to his first concert at a birthday party last weekend. We took him to swim at the pool and he still loves it. He also went to the children's museum for the first time when we went with some friends. I can't believe he'll be ten months tomorrow!

I've been walking with the kids and Shinobi to meet Jonathan on his walk home from the bus stop now that the sun isn't setting so early. Jonathan has been working hard to build us a shoe bench for our front door area. It just needs another coat of paint and I think it's ready - I'm so excited! I went to a friend's baby shower and we met with the fabulous Hvass family in Salem. We also watched the Duck game with some friends last week. We've been keeping busy with our home group and women's Bible study too. It's a pretty sweet season of life.

Archer has had a busy week. He was, in fact, saying "more" the other day and continues to say it frequently and with gusto at mealtimes. 

Two days ago, he started to inchworm scoot forward a tiny bit but it seemed like it could be a fluke. Yesterday, he was going slow and steady. Today, he is starting to explore all over the place with an inchworm army crawl. His greatest motivators are getting to books or whatever sissy is holding. Uh oh, game changer!

This video is from yesterday:

This Christmas was a memorable one. Sadly, we were all sick at various times throughout the week. But, it was also nice to start some new traditions with our little family of four. This was our first Christmas morning at our house and it was so special. We went to church Christmas Eve night, had dinner, the kids put on their Christmas jammies, and we woke up for some tasty breakfast and opening gifts before heading to Eugene mid-morning. We stuck with the same gift strategy we've done in the past (something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read). Quinn got swim lessons, ballet lessons with a leotard, a head lamp, and an Away in the Manger book (her favorite Christmas song). Archer got a dump truck, swim lessons, a hat I crocheted, and the book "Tiny Baby Jesus". Both got pouches in their stockings. Pouches have been Quinn's most repeated gift request for months when asked what she wants for Christmas. Who knew pureed fruit and vegetables in a little squeeze package were so desirable. Quinn made Archer a plastic bottle filled with colorful beads that has been very popular. Archer (or maybe it was me) made Quinn some playsilks with this tutorial and they are a huge hit too. Jonathan got me the best spatula in the world and I got him the best mug in the world. We are very luxurious, obviously. We also bought matching Patagonia houdini jackets in November that we are counting too. 

All dressed up: Archer wore a shirt Jonathan wore for his first Christmas that his mom made and Quinn wore a necklace of wood beads she painted with a sparkly cardigan she picked out and a fun dress from Great June.

We had a fun time in Eugene with both families. It was nice having more kids around this year. We spent a lot of the days after Christmas recovering from sickness and playing with new toys. Jonathan had New Year's Eve and New Year's Day mostly off so we got to have some family fun and some friends over. 

Archer had his nine month check-up today. He's grown an inch and a half in three months keeping him in the 90th percentile for height, and he remains in the 50th for weight and head circumference. Quinn grew an inch in three months. They're growing before my very eyes! Archer shouted what I think is "more" at me multiple times during lunch today as soon as he swallowed a mouthful of food. If it continues, we might call it his first word. These two make us laugh so hard!

We enjoyed a few more Christmas activities the past couple weeks. Quinn saw Pirate Santa at a waffle party we went to - a long, strange story - but she thought he was pretty cool. Jonathan's parents took Quinn to Storybook Land and she enjoyed all the treats and sights. Our neighbor girl planned a Frosty the Snowman party that was quite a hit. Quinn had her last music class. I think taking the sports class was good practice because she had no worries about joining in with this class. Some highlights were playing drums and testing out a trumpet, french horn, and flute. We went with some friends to visit Santa on Friday. Archer was not a fan.

Yesterday, Quinn and I joined the neighbor moms and kids for a performance of Mary Poppins. Quinn insisted on wearing her costume. She was completely mesmerized the whole two hours. She would mouth the words to the songs she knew and clap at all the right times. She would shout out characters' names when they first appeared on stage. It was pretty special. 

Jonathan got some man-time with Archer while we were out, which was nice. Archer Man will be nine months on Christmas Eve and it's boggling my mind. He's seeming a lot less baby-ish these days which is breaking my heart. I swear he's signed "more" a couple times during meals and I think he's really trying to communicate with us in other ways too. Today we've been cooking up gifts in the kitchen and putting final touches on presents. Jonathan has the whole week off and we are all looking forward to it.

It's been a full, blessed couple of weeks. We had a lovely Thanksgiving in Eugene. We've still been running a lot. It was such a gorgeous November! Quinn's been joining Jonathan for about 1/3 mile of his Saturday morning run - so precious! It was all her idea too.

Quinn helped me plan a cookie exchange party. I've hosted a few over the years for my friends to attend, but since Quinn is always throwing parties for her stuffed animals, I decided this year's should be a mother-child party. She picked half a dozen buddies and helped me make paper invitations, scrubbed my great great aunt's tea set, made bracelets for party favors, and helped bake the cookies. I had guests bring a dozen cookies to donate (our church hosts a foster care Christmas party that needs cookies) and a dozen to trade. The kids decorated the cookies Quinn and I made while the moms sipped hot drinks. It was a pleasant little event.

Quinn and Jonathan went to a father-daughter dance at our church. They had a blast and she came home with wide eyes and lots of singing and twirling. Such a formative occasion for these two.

We got our Christmas tree this past weekend. Jonathan and I can laugh about the experience now, but it wasn't our favorite in the moment for various reasons (love you, hubs!). The kids seemed to enjoy themselves though and it's so nice having our cute little tree set up. Both kids are enjoying playing with the nativity set and Quinn was eager to get the Jesse tree Advent routine going again and the Christmas decorations up.