Things That Happened In September:

September was kind of the first month that I felt like we were really able to establish a routine. We only took one trip this month, so that helped. Here are some things that happened in September:

* We went to Stone Park with Babi and Grandpa Brian for a picnic, swinging, and some bocce ball. It was a beautiful Labor Day weekend celebration!

* After months of "Mama Mama Mama", Eric finally said "Dada" when speaking of and to Peter. Now he says it all the time! I'm happy that Peter can share in the heartsickness when Eric doesn't feel like going to bed and (now) cries "DA-DA!!!" as well as "MA-MA!"

* Eric clapped for the first time! We spent a whole day clapping together. On the same day, we went to the firm picnic at Sertoma Park and had a very nice time chatting with Peter's coworkers and their families.

* Eric FINALLY started going to sleep in his crib all night without crying. He doesn't do it EVERY night, but it's usually a maximum of 3-5 minutes, and usually minimal fussing for just a few seconds. The only problem is that he goes to bed a lot earlier. With Daddy working long hours, this can mean not a whole lot of time for them to be together.

* Eric has started to eat more true solids. He really likes cinnamon raisin bread, rice cakes, wheat ritz crackers, graham crackers, Annie's Cheddar Bunnies, Kashi granola bars, and especially CHEESE!

* At Eric's doctor's appointment on the 9th, he weighed 16 lb, 10 oz (5th percentile)...so still a little guy, but strong. Oh, and his head circumference is in the 50th percentile...so he's got a nice big brain. :)

* We quietly celebrated Peter's 27th Birthday (Never Forget) on the 11th. We spent the day together as a family and made a nice dinner to celebrate.

* We went to Des Moines for our dear friends Mara and Jon's Baby Reveal party. They're having a boy!! I know Eric will be excited to play with his new other best friend!! While we were there, we got to play with Evan some, too! He's such a sweet boy!!

* We celebrated Grandpa Brian's birthday by going to the Beaverdale Fall Festival parade, and going out for pizza for dinner. The same day, we went shopping with Grandma Maggie and Aunt Catherine. It was a busy, but great day!

* Mama and Eric went to Cedar Rapids to spend time with family and be there for Babi and Deda's burial. It was a wonderful reminder of how important the love of family is. I know Babi and Deda are happy together, free from pain and illness, but will always miss them terribly. I love when something happens that reminds me of either of them, and am so thankful they got to meet Eric. I will, of course, teach him all about them.

* We stayed with Aunt Carla and Uncle Eric on our way back west, and Eric and Evan took a bath together in the big people tub! It was fun to watch them splash, but both boys were kind of grumpy. :)

* We went to Kindermusik for the first time! Unfortunately, it was during Eric's nap time, so Eric was a little squirly, but he LOVED the instruments...especially the egg shakers. He's got a lot of experience with those, because they're one of his favorite toys at Babi and Grandpa Brian's.

* Aunt Catherine came to stay with Eric so Mama and Daddy could go out to dinner at Bev's and then to the Sioux City Symphony do an entire Dvorak concert, complete with a solo cellist! This was our first date night out in Sioux City since he's been born, and we were so happy Catherine could come spend time with him! He did great and went to bed without any fuss!! I think Catherine had fun, too, though I'm told she got pretty wet at bath time...(he really likes to splash).

* Okay, so mobility. Wow! Eric made strides (hahaha) in this department this month. I'm writing this on October 8th, and he's gone SO much further in balance and walking. But, Eric stood up on his own so well this month and even took up to 8 steps all by himself! We are so proud of him and can't believe how determined he is!

Here are some pictures: