Ralphie is 9 Months Old!

(A little late! Though I did take the picture in time, albeit rather hurriedly)

Seriously, Ralphie, nine months is so very big.

And you are living up to every minute of it.

You are sweet as sweet can be, most of the time. Everyone comments on what a happy baby you are.

And you really are. You smile at nearly everyone. You giggle so easily, and during your play time you can be heard singing long strings of syllables.

This last month has been busy for you. You have mastered the army crawl and think you are awesome. You are using your knees more, and have pulled yourself up on objects several times. But, you still seem pretty happy just army crawling!

You talk lots. You talk to yourself and to your toys. It's pretty adorable. You don't babble syllables though, you babble strings of vowels, like you are singing. I love it so much it often makes me stop whatever I am doing and just listen to you, and smile. Your happiness delights me.

And your sadness hurts me. This past month was the first time you have been sick. It wasn't any childhood illness or common cold, just a high fever for almost three days. Your body was fighting something, and fighting hard, because you never had any other symptoms. You were a little fussy, but mostly just silent and sleepy eyed. We nursed a lot. Breast milk is the best medicine. You were so sad looking. Daddy and I snuggled you almost all day for nearly three days. When the fever finally broke and you got back to your happy self it was a relief to us all!

Of course you have ups and downs. You are a little sinner in diapers and the older you get the more evident that becomes. We continue to teach you self control, joy, and patience, and it is teaching Daddy and I to be better people, too.

The older you get the more your personality explodes, as well, and it has been fun to see. You like attention, and flirt with people to get it. You remind me in so many ways of your daddy, and that is just one. You certainly have his people-pleasing abilities!

You are friendly - always have a smile for everyone. You are affectionate - ready for snuggles any time of day. You are a mama's boy.

You learned to wave this month, but don't do it all the time quite yet. Your daddy was the first person you waved to. He came home from work and you smiled at him and waved your little hand. It was precious.

You are a eighteen + pounds, long and lean, and your feet are B-I-G. But they have been big sine Day 1. You are in 6-9 or 9 months clothes, but have started just this week eating almost twice as much solid food, so I suspect you are going to start outgrowing out of them very soon.

As far as that food goes, you mostly just like to do it yourself. You like fruits best. Who doesn't? We finally got you a high chair this past month and you look so cute and grown up sitting there having your dinner with Daddy and me like a little person.

You are a little person. You are precious.

We love seeing who you are, and learning more about you every day. We love you so very much, and even more an last month.

Love,
Mama

Baby, it's cold outside!

"He's adorable, what's his name?"

"Ralphie."

"Ralphie! Like from the Christmas story?"

Well, actually, not really.

Even better is the most recent:

"What's this little guy's name?"

"This is Ralphie."

"You'll shoot your eye out! You'll shoot your eye out!"

Yes, we knew this nickname would strike a chord with A Christmas Story lovers all over the world.

But during our time in Scotland our Ralphie was looking a lot more like Randy. 

You know. The kid brother who gets tipped over in the snow, and can't get back up because his mother has put so much clothing on him?

Here, maybe this will help you remember:

Actually, we were having a good time outside, somebody just got grumpy because he couldn't crawl around like his cousins.

He looks pretty cute though, huh? :)

p.s. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Scotland

Ralphie and I are over half way into our Scotland trip. What a trip it has been! The eight hour trans-Atlantic flight went better than anticipated, despite the tears that choked me as we made our way to the very last row of our plane, and made one last call to Daniel before take-off. Overall, it was long, wearisome, but went better than I had hoped.

Really, Ralphie was a flirt.

He smiled at every single person. He cooed and talked, and was overall adorable. Then, when the lights dimmed, the in-flight movie began, and everyone made themselves as comfortable as could be, he nursed til his eyelids drooped, and then snuggled onto my shoulder for sleep. He woke at landing, and continued the flirting right where he'd left off!



Such a blessing. I whispered thanks continually.

The adrenaline really kicked in when we landed in Edinburgh, and I could not shake the grin from my face. Baggage claim, bus to Ferrytoll, megabus to St. Andrews, cab to 2 Kinkell Terrace, and hugs all around.

This newest little one is as darling as they get.

We made several outings up into town, to the sea, and to church Sunday morning. Ralphie, Sebastian and I went grocery shopping one afternoon, and on another Ralphie and I went up to pick up a few household things. I love the walking!

Yes, it's cold. I rather miss the Southern sunshine, but even this blustery coldness is beautiful in its own way, and I love it for that. It's not fitting that the land of the highlands, Bronte novels, and John Knox should be filled with sunshine, anyway.

I miss my husband terribly. This trip would be complete were he here with us. The movie nights, and late night talks would be fuller with his companionship. We all wish he was here.

 Watching his cousins walk and crawl all around this house, has given my little man ideas. He has put twice the determination into everything he does. I wouldn't be surprised if he is crawling on his hands and knees before we leave for home, and furniture walking before Christmas.

 This beautiful family that we are with has been a blessing to observe and be a part of. They are full of love, in its truest form. I am filled with excitement when I think of what the Lord must hold for their future, and look forward with eager anticipation to see how abundantly he will continue to bless their obedience. <3

My sister is back on her feet and feeling more and more herself every day. This week is sure to be full of adventures!

Fall Festival

Saturday was a busy day for the Wellses. We spent it all in Charlotte. Up before 7, out the door just after 8, and a full day to follow.

We were part of Team Austin, for our lil neighbor in the annual Autism Walk

Here we are: Team Austin!

After the walk we headed back to our old church in Charlotte for their first Fall Festival. It was so wonderful to see familiar faces again! The festival was a huge success, which made the day even better.

Ralphie experienced the classic Little Tikes red car for the first time. I'm not even joking, these pictures are his response without even saying his name! To say he was ecstatic is almost an understatement.

Hill City's music team preforms incognito as the Perfect Melancholies at social events around town. They joined us at King's Cross so we could enjoy live music during the festivities. They're pretty cool.

How did you celebrate fall this year? We're as much in denial about winter coming as we were about fall. Is it just me, or did October vanish in a blink?

There may be even fewer updates here in the next coming weeks. We leave as a family on Monday for a 2 day marriage retreat in Myrtle Beach, SC. We are so excited! We'll arrive home Wednesday evening, and I'll have just enough time to unpack, do laundry and repack, before Ralphie and I cross the Atlantic to visit some of our favorite-est people ever. We'll be playing with cousins, kissing a sweet newborn, and laughing and talking with Auntie and Uncle Peter for nearly three weeks! We are so very excited, though to say we'll "miss" our favorite man in the world...well, "miss" just isn't strong enough. 

Nevertheless, know that the lack of update here, means an over abundance of updates when we get home!