The Latest Firsts

There have been many "firsts" going on in our house lately. Here are some of the highlights :)

The first time Trafton ate pasta and sauce without any help from us

The first time Trafton used a spoon - sort of correctly, I mean, he has the general idea . . .

The first time Trafton slept with a "big boy blanket" instead of the little baby blankets

The first time I made treats for Trafton's class (apparently they were a hit!)

Trafton's first artwork (which is, of course, decorating our fridge)

And, last but not least . . . lots of first steps!

Photo Shoot

At the end of the summer, we had a photo shoot with our friend (and awesome photographer), Brett. Here is the result. It's taken me forever to post them and order prints, but I am finally getting around to it. The individual Trafton shots are some of the best pictures ever taken of our little guy. We took them around Brett's property in Danville. There were a ton of great locations to use and Trafton had a great time cruising around and watching, playing (and sometimes getting knocked over by) Brett and Morgan's large fun-loving dogs.

Fall Festival

This weekend we went to Rohrbach's Fall Festival. Trafton had a wonderful time! We took a hay ride, bought some pumpkins and gourds, and ate all kinds of yummy food (including apple dumplings!). Trafton liked walking around - he's getting better at this walking thing everyday. He even walked around outside a bit and every couple of steps he would just giggle - like, "this is so great that I can even walk around outside!"

"How Tall This Fall?"

Hay Ride!

Trafton and I shared our dinner, then split a huge apple dumpling literally in half. I really don't think I ate any more of it than he did - he loved it!

Beyer Family Fish Fry

Yesterday was our annual fall Fish Fry at Al's Cabin. All the Beyers were able to make it and some friends, too. It was the most perfect fall weather on the mountain - an excellent fall day. Most years it is quite rainy, but this year - not a drop! Daniel and I both took a half day off of work on Friday so we could make it in time to have dinner with Al and enjoy a relaxing night. We had a wonderful time and came back home on Sunday afternoon.

Friday night - I was in the middle of putting Trafton's pajamas on, but he was only interested in climbing the stairs and cuddling up next to Pappy.

Trafton was showing off his walking skills Friday night all around the house.

Several times Trafton would climb the stairs, then put his arms up and make his body stiff as a board and come sliding down. He's never tried that at home, but our stairs are pretty steep and Pappy's carpet is pretty plush.

Frymaster Al gets the fish and fries going. Jonathan tends to the crabcakes and hush puppies.

Trafton had no problem polishing off his plate of fish, fries, and hush puppies. His favorite item was the fresh cut fries. This year Al double-fried the potatoes and I must admit, they were better than ever.

Daniel and Cousin Bob

Aunt Loretta, Kelly, and Nottie

Courtney brought Fire over for a little while - she's a horse that stays on Courtney's property. Lots of us took turns on her. Here is Melissa holding Baby Hassan.

Uncle Don on Fire

Tom, Kevin, Trafton, Daniel

Daniel and Trafton on Fire with Uncle Bob

Me and Trafton up on Fire with Courtney

Uncle Bob, Al, Tom

Kristen and kids: Justin, Jenna, and Michael with Kelly and Nottie

Aunt Loretta with Trafton

Hassan, Bob, Michael, Uncle Bob, Kevin

Trafton didn't do so hot walking outside - he kept falling and getting frustrated by the uneven ground. He also kept attempting to eat things like rocks once he fell down.

Our family - Trafton was just about ready for bed at this point.

We went inside once it got dark so Trafton could have some down time before bed. He happily grabbed his walker and started cruising around the house. When sweet, little Baby Hassan tried to play with the things on Trafton's walker, however, Trafton just couldn't handle that. He lost it and went to hysterics - what a mess! Baby Hassan wasn't fazed at all and just kept on playing. It was pretty hilarious :)

All the Beyers!

Sunday morning relaxing on the porch with Harley, who had just fallen asleep.

16 Months and WALKING!

This past week Trafton turned 16 months. He also started WALKING last week! Trafton was extremely fussy for about a week - it was awful. He didn't want to do anything, include be held by us. He was just miserable. Then, on Saturday, he woke up sweet and started taking steps! Apparently he was just 'walking-frustrated.' It's so much fun watching him toddle around (he falls an awful lot still). He's making different sounds for things now, too, like shhh for shoe, the whooo sound for an owl, and kissing noises when he gets a kiss (sometimes).

He's got most of his teeth - we're only waiting on the last set of molars and one other bottom one for the complete set.

One of Trafton's favorite things to do with Daddy

He was sent home from daycare three times during the first month he was there. We started sending him to a new daycare, Busy Little Beavers, in Danville, and have been really happy with them. This is during the afternoon of the first time had to stay home with a fever. The second and third times he was sent home were for a pretty large lump on his forehead after a hard fall and Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (yuk!).

Playtime on the porch

More porch playtime

Naptime with Daddy

My JETS fans

Playtime with Daddy

Storytime with Daddy

In our backyard after the homecoming parade - Trafton got a pom-pom and some beaded necklaces from the parade participants. Since this day, he likes to wrap things around his neck like necklaces (my yoga strap, his block-threading rope). Kind of strange and a little scary, I have to admit.

After we came home from Scott's wedding, Daniel was so tired and it was Trafton's naptime - they just passed out watching football together.

We don't have the pack-n-play set up in our house anymore, but before we took it down, Trafton just fell asleep playing one evening while we were eating dinner around 6:00.