8 Months Old

Shelby is really growing and changing everyday. She is picking up things and studying them for long periods of time. The TV and DVD player are constant attractions for her and the word no is quickly becoming common in our conversations with her. As we shake our heads at her, she smiles and does the same. Little Shelby is in 9 month clothes, although most of the outfits are still a bit big. She is pulling up on the furniture and us with total ease. Those little feet always seem to be working. Today she let go of me and just stood there for a few seconds before she plopped right down on her behind. Shelby seems to be teething again and this time is a bit worse than before. She is really fussy and has a runny nose to go along with the top front teeth breaking through. Shelby also goes after Gabe with a vengeance now. She tries to keep up with him, but can't really even come close. They roll around on the floor together and laugh, but Shelby usually ends up crying. I guess that is the life of the younger sibling. Shelby really loves the pool and I think we will have a little swimmer on our hands next year with the floaties.

Family Photo Shoot

We had our annual shoot taken a few weeks ago and I am so please with the results. Here are some of my favorites.

Okay, I Know I Keep Switching

Well, I love the Shutterfly site, but I do not like the fact that I have to use U Tube for the video and how I cannot put the pictures in the actual journal part. So, I am going to continue using this blog for our stories and just update the Shutterfly site with all our pictures. That way if anyone wants to order old or new photos, they are there.

New Blog

Here is the link to our new blog: http://theculbertsonfamily.site.shutterfly.com/. It includes all the photos we take, videos and family stories. I am still working on it, but it's mostly done. check it out.

Birthday Party

This weekend we went to a birthday party for a little girl in our play group. There was a face painter there and at first Gabe was a little intimidated. But once he saw that there was a Spiderman face, he was all for it.

And Shelby and I actually posed for a photo, TOGETHER. I am sorry to say we don't get many opportunities like that.

No More Naps

We have been fighting Gabe to go to bed at night for probably a good 4 or 5 months. He would nap and then not go to bed until ten. We would put him in the bed at 8:30 every night, but he got up several times every night. I was not ready to give up my "alone time" during the day so we kept this routine up. Finally, this week I gave in. And you know what? It really hasn't been that bad. Gabe still has his quiet time every afternoon while Shelby sleeps and I am still able to get some things done. But the most beautiful part is that my little boy now goes down by 8 WITHOUT a fight. We are actually having peaceful evenings again and it's so nice. Here is a picture I took from a recent nap. Now we are going to work on getting rid of the pacis.

Sea World...Take 2

Gabe and I went by ourselves to the park this past Tuesday and had a much better time than before. We saw the all the animal exhibits and went from one end of the park to the other. Although it was really hot, it was a lot of fun. We even got to feed the dolphins.

Home

We are home from Janet's funeral services. They were very lovely and she looked beautiful. She was buried in Fulton, MS next to her father. Her mother lives there along with some of her siblings. I want to thank all of you for the cards and prayers you have sent our way over the past week. This has just been a huge shock to us all and I hope the Culbertson and Ragsdale families can begin the healing process now. I know it will never be the same without Janet here with us.