An evening with Auntie!

Auntie Jennifer came over for a visit Sunday night. She and Joshua had fun playing.

Joshua is getting big enough that he likes sitting on his truck from Grandma & Grandpa Pershing. I'm still a bit nervous about him sitting on there by himself. (You can see Auntie's hand in most of the pictures)

Duke wanted to see what was going on.

Truckin' is very serious work...

We went outside to show Auntie our new fence.

(Notice all the green tomatoes on the plants behind Joshua)

Talking with his hands just like Auntie!

Hey hey blue eyes...

Video time...

This was from a storm a couple of weeks ago. I've never seen lightening like this. It was amazing to watch.

That bright circle is the moon. There are some dark spots, but keep watching, it's pretty cool.

Auntie Jennifer got Joshua a Tigger. He was very excited to get it as you can see.

Happy boy...

Dinner with Great Grandma & a visit from Kelsey

Tonight we met my Grandma at Cracker Barrel for dinner. Here's a cute picture of Jim, Joshua & Joshua's Great Grandma Barbara. So glad that she lives so close! 

Joshua checking out the rocking chair. He looked so cute in it, but I don't see us spending $79.99 on one for him anytime soon. (Mom/Auntie Jennifer - that doesn't mean you need to get him one either! ;) )

We've been working at getting Joshua to eat or play in his chair while we eat. We had got in the pattern of eating after he went to bed so it was easier for us, but by 7:30 we get pretty hungry and don't want to cook. He's been really receptive to sitting in his chair at home but in a restaurant setting he wants to get down and play. We don't go out to eat much, but have been trying to more so that he gets used to being at a table. Jim often reminds me that he's only 7 & 1/2 months old and not to expect so much. :)

On Friday my cousin Kelsey stopped by the shop to see Joshua. Kelsey lives in Denver, CO and was home for a visit this week.

Kelsey has been nannying for a family that has 2 children. One is a little girl a few weeks older than Joshua.  She did a great job playing with Joshua too! We were so glad to see her, even for just a short visit!

Waving & Spitting

Joshua is doing a really great job waving. If you say "hi Joshua" he will wave to you.

He's also loves spitting ~ which is okay unless we are trying to feed him!

One correction from the last blog... the hat that fits is 24-36 months size. The 12-18 months ones are too small. That boy's got his daddy's head.

Teething, Talking & totally cute pictures :)

So, this has been Joshua most of the day. The poor little thing is teething. He's trying (and has been for weeks now) to get some teeth with NO luck! It just kills me to see him in pain.

Joshua had periods of time of happiness today... here's some of the fun when had.

Grandma & Grandpa Pershing playing with Joshua

We have found a hat that fits! (thanks to the Dewell family). This is a 12-18 month hat.

I know two men that will love this next picture! :)

Joshua likes to be read to. He's attentive & will generally listen well. Lately he's enjoyed banging on books more then listening to them be read. Such a boy!

Hey there blue eyes!

Joshua has really expanded his vocabulary. He says "da da", "hi", "Daddy", & "doggie". I was changing his diaper on Tuesday and Jim came into Joshua's room. Joshua looked up at him and said "hi daddy"! It was so clear. Now, I have to admit, I think he says things all the time, but I'm creative and have bad hearing. ha! So, I don't really believe that he's say something until someone else hears him say it and reacts to it and boy, that's what happened. When he said "hi daddy" Jim had a look on his face very similar to the look he had when Joshua was born. It was a very sweet moment.

He has started to wave, not necessarily when saying hi or when coming or going, but he waves none the less.

Joshua isn't crawling yet, but he sure seems like he wants to. The main problem is his leg gets in the way. He's starting to rock and get over his leg, but then he plants his face into the carpet. He'll get it one of these days and our lives will change drastically. Anyone know how to baby proof a flower shop??

Joshua is no longer the youngest Stephens baby. Dave & Jackie welcomed Baby Ben early Saturday morning. Mom & baby are doing well. We are so happy for all 3 of them. What a beautiful family!

Benjamin Gary Stephens

Born: July 24 at 2:46 a.m.  Weight: 8 lbs, 3 oz.  Length: 21 inches.

Look at all the hair Ben has! Isn't he just precious?

Hard to believe that 7 & 1/2 months ago Joshua smaller this!  (JCS was 7 lb, 14 oz)

Happy Boy!

Family time at the Zoo

We couldn't love this little boy any more. We are so blessed to have him!!

7 months old!

Daddy & Joshua at the zoo.

It was hot enough I wanted to play in the elephant sprinkler fountain!

They have 2 bald eagles ~ they were beautiful!

Daddy showing Joshua the animals ~ look how excited he is!

goats, goats & more goats.... just like grandma & grandpa Stepehns will have :)

I think this is about one of the sweetest pictures I have the Jim & Joshua.

Happy boy!

July fun...

These blue eyes can get him about anything he wants...

Excited to see his monkey (which has been hanging on his jumper for a long time, but just seemed to notice here)

Talking to his monkey...

Joshua has learned how to roll for items...such as Duke's toys. Here he's going for yellow cow.

The stare down... Duke wants him to throw the ball and Joshua just wants to get to the ball.

Splashin' good time!

We got this pool for Joshua a few weeks ago, but haven't had a chance to try it out yet. We don't have any shade in the yard besides one small tree so Jim & I have been looking for an umbrella to put over his pool. Today at Menards we found a umbrella / table combo with 2 chairs.

 How cute is this? Great price too!

We didn't put up the table or the other chair today.

Splashing, splashing, splashing!!!

(Duke is just taking it all in ~ you can see him in the video & the pictures)

Sorry, the video it's the best quality. My camera isn't working currently, so this is off my blackberry.

"I was playing, mommy...did you need something?"