More Cute Things...

We love that Clayton is old enough to understand us...to some extent!

He has recently learned to wave "hi" and "bye-bye"...it started with the full arm wave and has become the CUTEST little hand wave, where he opens and closes his cute little hand.  I. die. everytime.

Yesterday we were in the bathroom taking his swimsuit off and I was standing in the doorway telling him to come here (to get him out of the bathroom), to which he looked at the floor, back at me, then waved bye-bye! 

Clayton has also discovered how silly it is to blink. Yes- blink.  He loves to blink slow, then look at me and laugh.  He picked that up all on his own!

He also knows when he is in trouble (like when he reaches behind the tv stand and unplugs it!), and when we tell him NO, he smiles and laughs.  What a little stinker! He knows he's cute!

Lastly, he is currently obsessed with: pancakes, scrambled egg (yolks), jelly bread, Maria cookies, & pizza.  (Yes...we gave our 10 m.o. pizza...but he LOVED it!)

April 2012

Seriously...where did April go?

Well, we started off the month with General Conference.  We relaxed at home and watched it on t.v.

Then we took a trip out to San Diego!  We went for the Padres opening day. (Robert's early birthday present) and it just happened to be Easter weekend.  

We left Wednesday afternoon and got in around 9:30.  On the way out I had the chills really bad and bad back pain.  I knew that pain and had called my mom to let her know I'd have to go to urgent care the next morning.  (Thank goodness I am still on my mom's insurance out there.) That night I could hardly sleep and had a bad fever.  So she and I got up bright and early & found out what I was sure of- I had a UTI but it had gotten up into my kidneys so bad that I could hardly walk from pain, was throwing up and had a 104 fever.  

I was sad that I couldn't go with Robert to the game that day, but my brother Adam kindly took my place while my mom stayed home with us and took care of Clayton while I laid miserably on the couch.  (Thanks Mom!)

The next day I was determined not to let this trip be a waste- so we went to the beach.  

It was cold, windy and crowded.  (Of course!) But Clayton loved kicking in the sand and letting it fall through his hands.  That night we visited with my brothers & sister-in-laws and nieces and nephew.

It was a decent trip, but I am still upset that I practically ruined it because I wasn't able to do most of things we planned on doing. At least Clayton had a fun visit to Nana's!

Clayton had his 9 months check-up.  (No shots!)

He was 20 lbs. & 28 in.

He is still a very happy boy, a huge flirt, and a tough loves-to wrestle boy!

We also went in to the pool for the first time.  (triple digits in april- seriously?!)
& are excited to share some big news with everyone once we make some definite decisions!

The Little Things...

Because some things Clayton does are too cute not to share...here are some favorite things Clayton has been doing recently....

• This past Sunday we were sitting in Sacrament meeting singing the opening hymn & Clayton started singing.  "Ahhhhh Ohhhhh Gahhhh Bahhahhhh" He stopped and looked up at me, smiled, then continued singing.  
• He learned to "kiss" and loves to put his whole open mouth on my cheek. 
• His big smile is more of a, BIG OPEN MOUTH!!! smile.  (gets us every time)

• He's the biggest flirt & knows he's so cute.  He is familiar with complete strangers coming up to us in stores and talking to him about how cute he is.  To which he does BIG OPEN MOUTH!!!
• While playing, he will just stop, lay down on his tummy, and rest for a minute or two.  He also does this on his back, and when I notice & smile at him, he will roll until he runs into something.
• He loves to read and will point to things with his cute little finger while yelling something.
• And my favorite part of the day...after he wakes up, I go in and give him his bottle then he proceeds to cuddle with me while I rub his back.

March 2012

March 1st was a glorious day...or should I say night.

Robert made dinner.

(I actually asked him a few months ago if he even knew how to cook!)

He, being true to his Mexican heritage, made chorizo burritos. (It happened to be on sale)

Such a chef!

The first weekend of the month, my mom went out to Gilbert & so Clayton and I went up to spend time with his Nana & cousins.

We had fun just relaxing! So nice to visit & not have things to go and do, sometimes!

Clayton was a bit fussy because he was teething- 4 new teeth in 2 weeks! Holy chompers! 

We also discovered his love for fresh fruit!

His personal favorites: avocado, banana & apples.

We celebrated St. Patrick's Day...

& had green pancakes, eggs (per Melcher tradition) & green milk!

Then we packed up and headed to the Reid Park Zoo! (Clayton's first trip to any zoo!)

It was small, but perfect because Clayton is still a bit too young to really understand how cool the animals are.  But we had a fun time anyway!

Clayton had his first behind-the-wheel

(please don't call CPS on us- he really wasn't driving....despite the intent look on that cute face!)

Then....something happened.....

Clayton started CRAWLING!  

He got fast really quick and was zooming around everywhere before we knew it!

His 8 month photo

(crawling, climber & pulls to standing)

He loves to being mobile & we still can't believe he's already old enough to be doing it!

February 2012

This month seemed to fly by!

Clayton turned 7 months. (whaaaa?!) I know, crazy.  No check-up this month, so his chalkboard reads:
first heart day
LOVES "da-da-da"
almost crawling

He loves to move around in a circle & go backwards, but hasn't quite got the forward motion down.

We got him a new car seat (this picture is in his old infant one), because, in true Melcher fashion- he reached the height limit before the weight limit.  

ESPN's College Gameday came to the U of A, so Robert got up bright and early to go to the taping. (I would've gone, but no one was able to stay with Clayton)  He now has gone to College Gameday for football & basketball!

Can you spot him?  I'll give you a hint, he's wearing his hat backwards.

We also celebrated Valentine's Day.  Our good friend Wendy Larson photographed and designed his card we sent out.  She's amazing, she also did his birth announcements. Here's her shop: 

www.stemandleaf.etsy.com

I made some pretty cookies that morning, as well as chocolate covered strawberries.

Clayton's very first Valentine came from his Nana all the way in California.

I have been keeping busy, and enjoying skyping with my best friend in Texas.

Blogging on my craft blog.

(You can go and check out Clayton's room, there.)

And enjoying this handsome little man.  

I have been getting lots of cuddles the past few days, poor baby has THREE teeth coming in!

Hope your February was full of love, like ours!

Updates

Just wanted to get in a quick update before February is up & I have a recap of that.

Firstly, I restocked the shop. Full of beautiful flowers with beautiful names! (wink, wink)  I have been trying to post more often on my craft blog. And I am currently debating holding a "jeans & accessories" party to get my business out there locally, as well as get to know the ladies in our new ward better.

Speaking of new ward- in case you didn't know we moved in November.  We love our new place and our new ward is awesome & huge.  We both got callings early, I am on the Relief Society Meeting Committee (I plan all the meetings including Super Saturday!) and Robert is a Home Teaching Advisor.  And I somehow got asked to speak...without Robert.  I was pretty nervous, but afterwards I got lots of compliments, so it made me feel good!

We are still obsessed with our little handsome man.  And I am often surprised at how much he acts...well- like a little man!

robert & clayton watching a video on the computer (something sports related, I'm sure)

After staying with Clarissa & Mark, we decided the white noise while Clayton slept wasn't cutting it, and did what they do- turn on some music!  He listens to Beethoven and when I wakes up- I walk into this:

SOOOO HAPPY!  Unfortunately he started teething again, but has been a champ and been sleeping pretty decent.

I finally decided to just get a new phone rather than wait for my plan to completely expire (in March), because I was sick of having a phone the would sporadically not work for days.  (Not to mention unsafe in case something bad were to happen!)

I am grateful for it, but said to have given up my 619 number........I hope San Diego doesn't think I have turned my back on it!

Anywoo- a full February update will come next week!

For Now...

Don't worry, I know I'm missing a lot- but for now here is the current update.

6 months: 

17.5 lbs & 27 inches

He can rotate around on his tummy (and scooch backwards), he LOVES sweet potatoes & he laughs, laughs, laughs and laughs so more!

We love our happy little boy!  We are so grateful for the joy he brings us everyday!

Also: he got a jumper (late Christmas present) and now he tries to jump even we are holding him!