We spent our last day in Indiana at an old favorite restaurant with all Grandparents (IN ones, we never forget Kona Gramps). There still was no cousin for Milo, but we had to leave. We're still waiting to meet Sam's new baby, but it's not ready to meet us. 
This was our last night with Auntie K. Milo was having some naked time fun. Now we're home where it's nice to be in our space and see our Murphy. We had such a nice time visiting everyone and having many hands to snatch up our adventurer. 
After opening gifts at Grandma and Grandpa's, we went with Nonna to Cousin Eric's house for dinner and more gifts. Here is Lyman with Cousins Loren and Taylor who change so much everytime we see them.
Here is some of the family pictured. We were a large group when all assembled. Eric's spacious home was filled 11 kids! 
The day after Christmas, we went to Jason, Corinne, and Karen's home to meet their new arrival, Harrison. We had a great time in their lovely, new home. Not pictured is their sweetie Chole who is always fun to be around. 
Milo is an expert puller upper, and now he can stand for a few seconds as well. More people than I can count have suggested this means he'll walk earlier; I hope not. I want to keep him a baby! I'll be that crazy mom in the book Nonna loves where the mom crawls into her grown son's room at night to watch him sleep. No. I'll be ok, with Lyman's help, I'll let my son grow stong and independent, but I think I'll always miss the baby sweetness. Others complain about diapers, cost of formula, feeding kids every meal, you know, doing everything for them. I don't care. I'm happy to wipe his butt and feed him out of the tiny jar with the tiny spoon. 
Mommy and Milo under the Christmas tree at Grandma Penny and Grandpa Dave's house.
Milo got to this present from Emmett days before Christmas, He was too excited about the wrappings to wait. 
Grandma and Grandpa have a cuddle.
My girls... Auntie K and Godmother Kathy and I were able to spend a lot of time together. 
Christmas morning with Nonna at Penny and Dave's.
We took these photos several weeks ago, and I waited to post them so some gifts wouldn't be spoiled. I'm so pleased with how adorable Milo is!
Milo ate lemons for the first time this week. Despite his reaction, he kept going back for more!
Milo loves Indiana! Here he is all snug bug in his hat Nonna gave him.
Milo loved Grandma Betty's cat. This was one cat who came around for a second look at him then he took off.
K and Mom beat everyone at karaoke. Look at the cute bonnet K made.
We have spent lots of time with Kathy and Andy!
Milo pulled himself up to stand twice two weeks ago, and then he stopped. I was thinking it was a fluke of passion.No. He's vertical now! I think he must love to pull up and see things from a new perspective. Now we can even bait him with something, and he'll cruise over to get it. Ah, it's bittersweet to watch my tiny baby become a big boy. Tonight he feel asleep in my arms after finishing his bottle, and I saw that tiny baby again.
Milo has almost outgrown his second tub! Bathtime is still one of his favorite times of the day. He's so happy there....
but I think it's pretty clear here that he's ready to get out.
Milo turned nine months this past week. He's quite a remarkable little guy properly crawling on his hands and knees, squealing up a storm, chasing Murphy and now pulling up to standing! He pulled up for Daddy this morning, and he showed me what he could do this afternoon. He is pictured here at the Getty Villa where we took Grandma Penny on one of her last days here. He really loved that patterned stone floor.
Grandma Penny helped give Milo is first haircut this week. I was frustrated by his "rooster hair", so we gave it a snip. He's cute as ever.
Mom, Milo and I had a very happy Thanksgiving; I hope you and your families did too! 
Wednesday evening and Thursday morning we were busy in the kitchen making these fabulous desserts with Milo underfoot. We were so impressed with ourselves (good food doesn't usually come out of our kitchens when we're in there) so we documented. We made Paula Dean's pumpkin pie, Cousin Tracy's cranberry salad and Emeril's apple and cherry crumble pie. 
We ate dinner with some fellow Hoosiers. Lesli and I went to high school together, and now lives with her husband Ivan not far from us. Her mom, dad and sister flew in as well. Here is sister Kristen cutting the bird. 
Just look at Milo in his adorable new outfit from Grandma (and you too Grandpa!) enjoying the patio on a cool California fall day. 
We had a great weekend around here. Friday night, mom and I watched a movie and called it an early night, but Saturday was a big day. We dropped Milo off at Jenny's where he spent the day playing with Maddie and Sophie while Mom and I ate lunch at a delicious Tuscan place. Then we saw Wicked, which was a thrilling experience. I forget how much I love the theatre, but I always tear up when the lights go down. Sunday brought Lyman home. It was a disaster at first. In my rush to get out of the house on time, I didn't check his flight status. He was grounded 45 mins from home due to fog. It took me a while to get everyone in the welcoming committee dropped off before I could head over to get him and drive us home again. Once he was here, we had a lovely time together. Short, but sweet.
Our Milo is going to be nine months next week. Impossible. It seemed overnight we went from having a little blob of an infant to this moving and adventuring boy. Here he is ready for his outing with Mom, Dad and Grandma.
Milo loves to feed himself the few bottles he drinks a day. This week, he threw down his bedtime bottle; he was probably stuffed from the three stage 3 foods he eats for dinner! 
He's all ready for bed in his warm, winter fuzzy jim jams.Good night!
