Dada!

So Cullen just looked me right in the eyes, extended his arms, and said "DADA". Not the first time he's said that, but definitely the first time I felt like he actually meant it and understood what he was saying. That just pretty much made my year.

Cullen: Eight Months Old

Cullen was eight months old yesterday! As I say every month, time flies and he is growing up way too quickly.

This month:
-Cullen is starting to crawl. He gets up on all fours, moves backwards, wiggles around the room, puts his butt way up in the air, etc. He's almost able to move from point A to point B, but he's not QUITE there.

-He's eating solids twice a day.
-On his eight month birthday, I officially ran out of breast milk. He has been drinking about 1/4 breast milk and 3/4 formula in his bottle this month. It's hard for me to accept the fact that I'm done nursing. I'm proud that I made it this far, but wish I could go a little bit longer. Not having to pump any more is definitely a relief though!
-Cullen has 2 bottom front teeth. One broke through at the end of his 7th month and the second one followed closely behind at the beginning of his 8th month.
-He's more selective about what he laughs at and when he laughs. He still laughs all the time, but it's not 'on command' any more.

-He slept through the night a few times at the end of 7 months, but our trip to Louisiana completely derailed his sleeping through the night. The past 2 weeks, we are back on track and he usually sleeps from 7/7:30 pm to anytime between 6:45 and 8 am! YES!!!!
-Naps are an entirely different story. Typically he takes 3 very short naps (20-30 minutes). And it's never easy getting him to sleep.
-He is desperate to eat anything mommy and daddy are eating. He's tried our potatoes, popsicles (LOVES these), rice, and pasta.
-His favorite toy is his musical table by Leapfrog that the O'Hairs got him for Christmas. I think we have a little musician on our hands, following in daddy's footsteps.

-He likes to make weird noises with his mouth, like fart noises and clicking.
-He still sleeps on his tummy.
-He is 'talking' alot and he is quite loud. Still lots of ma-ma, ba-ba, wa-wa, etc.
-He still loves his exersaucer and loves to dance, especially in the exersaucer.
-I think I've gotten a few 'kisses' out of him. It's hard to tell for sure, but I'm going to pretend like it's true.
-This may be TMI, but the minute his diaper is removed, he goes right for his 'package' and will not let go. True boy!
-On that note, his diapers are HORRIBLE now a days with all of this solid food. The more disgusted our  faces are and the more we rant and rave about the diaper, the harder Cullen laughs. He finds it hilarious!

Packing for Louisiana

 Silly boy, hamming it up for the camera

 Posing in the nude

Huge Hershey chocolate bar from Uncle Don for Christmas!

Sleeping boy (picture taken by Mimi) - a rare sight

Unpacking from our trip to Louisiana

 Reading with daddy

 Bath time with Mommy

We love you SO MUCH cutie pie!

Christmas 2010

We had a great time in Louisiana for the holidays! We were there for about 10 days, splitting our time between Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Ruston. Cullen did well on 3 of the 4 flights. Cullen had a hard time sleeping while on the vacation, but besides that, we had a wonderful time with family. Here are pictures from Christmas in Louisiana.

Unfortunately my mom lost her camera Christmas morning so we didn't get too many pictures on Christmas Day.
Hanging out with Uncle Dave in Baton Rouge

 Christmas morning

Hanging out with his Great Grandma and Great Papa Christmas day

Trying out mommy's old high chair

Christmas party in New Orleans for the Saints-Falcons game, hanging out with Mimi

Grandpa Roy and cousin Bradley

Uncle Don

Christmas PJs

 Playing with all his toys. His grandparents spoiled him rotten!

Morning guitar with daddy

Cowboy photo shoot by Mimi

And last but not least, the Kirklands for New Years Eve, meeting sweet baby Reid!