11 Months

**Once again a photo disclaimer... The only place I can get Carson to be still and smile is on the stairs, holding on to the railing. So please forgive the bars. Also, I don't expect everyone to read all of this. It is more for me =).

I have four upper teeth now, six total. Mom loves my new toothy grin. I am so good at standing and do it all the time. I’ve started to take a few steps towards Mom or Dad while in the process of falling… At least I am trying it out. I’ve started talking a lot more. I am learning how to make new sounds and I love to hear myself screech and yell! Whenever I am in the bath or shower I scream as loud as I can. It sounds really cool because of the echo. I am so fast going up the stairs and LOVE to do it! The problem is I don’t know how to go down. Every time mom has taken me to the Kids Klub at her gym this month I’ve thrown a fit. They have to go find her to come and get me. Mom’s not sure why I am being such a stinker about it, because I love playing with other kids and am not afraid of strangers. I am finally sleeping through the night now! It only took two nights of crying myself back to sleep. Mom is in heaven! She says she should have done it months ago. I have a new obsession with my hair. I rub it and run my fingers through it all day long, especially when I am eating. I love to rub all my food in it. Speaking of food, I love it. My favorites are pears, lunchmeat, eggs, and of course- as always, Cheerios. I can eat an entire pear by myself in one sitting. My morning routine is always the same. After Mom nurses me I 1) pull the nightlight in my room out of the socket, 2) knock my fan over, and 3) pull all the books out of my book shelve. After those three things are done I’m ready for the day! One of the things I think is really funny is the hose attachment to the vacuum. I love the way the suction feels. Mom puts it on my tummy and hand and I just laugh and laugh. One of the other things I love to do is dunk my head underwater while I am taking my bath. I just do it for two seconds and come back up. Mom thinks it is pretty funny. I have no fear of the water. I am such a happy guy and get a kick out of life!

Monthly Update: January

I can't believe we are in February already. I am trying to think what to write for January, but it's been a pretty slow month so there is not much. It took us each about a week to sleep through the night trying to re-adjust to the Thailand time change. It also took us about that long to re-adjust to going back to work. My cousin passed away from a brain tumor a few weeks ago so we were up in Utah for the funeral. It was obviously a very sad occasion, but it was nice to see a lot of my extended family and my siblings and nieces and nephews. My brother and his wife came up to visit on their way to Rexburg. It was fun having them. I took them into San Fransisco, but of course, it was pouring. We also went to the Jelly Belly Factory. Steve is in the process of putting all new base board up stairs and so far it looks great! We went and saw 27 Dresses last weekend and it was very cute. I liked it, Steve tolerated it. I am excited to see Katherine Heigl doing so well. She attended my home ward in L.A. when we were in Young Woman's together. She was making Under Siege II and attending our church on Sundays. She was very nice. I don't think she is active anymore though. Anyway, we are doing great and love living here, even though It never stops raining! At least it's rain and not snow. I found a new appreciation for California right after our visit to Logan. I wish you all a very happy February.