Collin- 9 months

Oh, how I love this sweet boy so much! He brings such joy to our family each day, especially at a time when we need it most. It's impossible to have a bad day with him around.  He has this way of looking at me, if I do feel grouchy  that says, "hey, what's your problem?" He is just so so content and happy, and it rubs off on anyone around him.
Take this face for example-

Makes you smile, doesn't it? And just look at those chubby cheeks! I must give this kid 35 kisses a day. He has started giving "kisses" back. Really it's just a open mouth spit fest, or maybe he is trying to get me to lay off the kisses by slobbering all over my face, sorta like a "Take that, mom. How do you like it?".

We have spent a lot of time lately doing laundry and Collin loves to help.

I think he pretends he is getting dressed, because he puts everything over his head. It makes doing laundry a lot more enjoyable to have a helper.

We celebrated Easter this past month and I was just not prepared for it. I can't believe how much work it is! There is a lot of planning when it comes to holidays. Getting oufits for everyone, making food, buying candy and treats for Easter baskets, boiling and dyeing eggs, taking pictures, getting Easter decorations out, and planning the day out to fit every side of the family in. Collins Easter basket consisted of a bib and a book. That's it. I know that he is only 8 months and he doesn't realize that he only got 2 things, and that it's not what Easter is about, but still. I would have liked to have a cute little basket filled with cute Easter goodies for him.

                                         Collin's Easter picture

Despite all the work, we had a wonderful Easter. Jake and Ty spent the morning egg hunting, then we had breakfast casserole. Then it was on to church, followed by a yummy Heavenly Ham dinner at Grandpa Stan's house. Then we had another egg hunt with the cousins. We spent what was left of the day back at home, taking pictures and jumping on the trampoline. Collin just watched it all, and smiled for the camera.

                     He's had enough in this picture. Time to throw the thumb in.

The big milestone for this month is standing! We prop Mr. Collin against some furniture and he can stand on his own. He topples over here and there, but for the most part he is steady. Pretty soon he will be pulling himself up to stand and "cruise" the furniture, but for now, he is happy to not always be sitting.

Lately he has been getting a lot better at rolling and moving. He can turn when he is sitting by moving his legs and arms around so he isn't always stuck facing the same direction. He can reach a lot better, and at times he reaches a bit to much and ends up on his belly. When I put him to bed at night on his back, I find him later on his belly with his butt up in the air. I love it when babies sleep this way. It is soo frickin cute! He has also started moving by sitting up first, and then moving himself backwards by pushing against the floor with his hands. He is also tolerating his belly more.

 Jake and Tyler are getting so big, so I'm glad to have another little guy around. Tyler is still loving the big brother role, and the first thing he asks me in the morning is "where is Collin?" Then he goes up to his crib and climbs in with him and talks and plays with him. I listen to it all through the baby monitor and I just love it.  I feel like the boys grew up so fast, so I am glad to have this guy to go through it all again. It's hard to believe in a few months he will be one and the baby stage will be gone. I'm looking foward to the summer with all of them and just hanging out with my boys.