Call it a growth spurt but something happened to our boy recently.  All of a sudden, about 3 weeks ago he woke up to the world.  He is suddenly so aware of everything around him and so interested in people and things.  Physically he is moving more and realizes that he can control his body and make it work for him.  It's so incredible to see!  For anyone keeping score, Tate is now 6 months old!  And on top of all that he is actually more adorable than ever.  I didn't think it possible but it's true.  (See pictures... :) )

 

So our big news is that Tate has hit three huge milestones in the past week and a half.  First, he learned to sit up by himself.  We could tell he had wanted to for a while and finally he made it happen.  At first he could only do it for a few seconds but every time he did it he was better and better at it.  And we would get excited and applaud and then he would get excited and flap his arms and fall over.  It's pretty much the cutest thing I've ever seen.

 

Next, (on the next day in fact) he decided to officially roll over.  He had done it in the past a few times but with no consistency.  But on July 6th he decided to show us what he was made of and this guy rolls and rolls!  Only from his tummy to his back at this point but he's close to going the other way.  The thing is, he still doesn't like to be on his tummy so what's the point in rolling to it, right?

 

And finally, yesterday we decided to try some real food!  We put him in his high chair which in and of itself is pretty funny because he's still so little in there, and we started with rice cereal.  The good news is he likes it!  He really likes it!  It was so cute, he would open his mouth and move his head toward the spoon to get it in there, even though the majority of it came right back out.  We're going to keep trying this for a few days and see what happens before we introduce something else.  Tate has his 6 month Dr. visit tomorrow so we'll ask her how to proceed with that.  He has to get his immunizations which I hate more every time we have to do it but they're important.  I hope he doesn't have any weird reactions...

 

In other news we just got home from Denver.  We went down there on Friday July 6 because I had to work at a conference.  Scott and Tate came with me so they could see the family too.  We were worried about the plane ride but on the way down there we got a row with an extra seat so we got to put Tate's car seat in there which was excellent.  He slept a couple of times and chatted with all of the other passengers, especially since we were in the last row of the plane right next to the bathroom line. 

 

Scott and Tate stayed with my mom while I worked.  It was my first nights away from Tate (I stayed in the hotel in Denver) so that was tough for me but it was good to do so that I can get over this feeling that I need to be with him all the time.  He had a fun time showing off his new tricks and spending time with Grossmama, Grosspapa, Grandpa Paul, Uncle Darren, Aunt Dawn and especially cousins Garrett and Tanner (Kaylie is in Oregon right now.)  Grandma Sallie had to leave for Texas so we missed her but Tate got a really nice book from her and we'll hopefully get to see her soon - definitely at Christmas. 

 

And while we were there, Scott lost all footing for his "I don't believe there are any buffalos here" argument when the whole herd decided to plant themsleves right at Mom's house.  We got some great pictures with our new camera which is the greatest camera ever in my view (it's the Cannon Elph, Power Shot SD 850 IS)

 

So now we're home and hoping to get Tate back into his routine, especially of sleep.  He had a hard time sleeping in Denver but the upside is that he learned how to sleep on his side and flat on his back and now, as I type this, he is laying flat in his crib taking a nap which is a big accomplishment since he just now seems to be getting over his reflux!  We've been off the medicine for almost a week now and he seems to be doing just fine so that's a great great relief :)

 

Hope everyone else is enjoying their summer.  We certainly are :)