Graham at 10 Months and the Shutdown

At 10 months, we already find ourselves saying "remember when Graham did _____."  We can not believe how fast 10 months have gone and how much G has changed.  He seems to learn something new every day. He is a happy, confident boy.  He is now playing games with us. If he sees the bathroom door open he will crawl there as quick as he can. However, he will look back at us and laugh as to say "I am going to beat you there."  He loves to play chase.  Peek a boo is also a favorite past time that makes him giggle and giggle.

G is crawling and climbing like a pro.  He also learned how to bend his knees to get down...he is unstoppable and literally climbing up the walls.  He is a busy, busy explorer.  He loves to take things out of the cupboards: taking out the spice jars, unrolling half of the paper towels, and always, always reaching up to pull down the dish cloth hanging on the oven door.  I tend to call him by his middle name when he is getting a little too busy: Conrad. He really lives up to this name.  To be brave.  Whenever he gets scared of something, he will be reserved but will always go and discover the new thing/experience.

He is eating finger foods well with his cute little pincer grasp.  Every time he gets a bite in he is pretty proud of himself and lets us know by humming and grunting.  He is decidedly left handed like Trent.  Trent is pretty happy about this.  His favorite food right now has to be a smoothie.  He learned how to use a straw last month and loves to practice it. He gets pretty upset when a smoothie is taken away.

G has also learned how to shake his head no.  When you finish reading a book, he will shake his head no to tell you that he wants another.  (That kid can sit through book after book)  Shaking his head is so cute.  I am sure that will change.  I love that when he shakes his head no it is not mad but more like saying "no thank you."

We dressed up for talk like a pirate day for free donuts.

I could not resist.

Some good friends are letting us borrow this firetruck after G loved it while visiting their home.  He was so sad when he was off it.  He would sit there forever just hoping that someone would push him.  I guess one day he was too tired of waiting so he just started to push off with his feet.  Now he goes back and forth around the living room.  Note: monkey man is always a good bud that G uses as a pillow, biting toy, and confidant.

Trying to get on it by himself.  He will also push it but it gets going a little too fast for him to walk with.

Trent has been home for a few weeks due to the government shut down.  We are using up this time well by spending a lot of family time and having a staycation.  We have attended a few museums and gone on many outings.  It has been fun for Trent to see G's day to day activity.  G is going to miss him when he goes back to work.  Trent is sporting a shutdown beard.  He will not shave until he goes back to work.

Playing in fountains at the National Geographic Museum

Picketing the capital and house buildings

Picnicing

National Building Museum

The Building Museum was providing free admission for federal employees during the shutdown. We decided to attend. They had a fun room for young children to build and explore.  We may have had more fun than Graham.