Half a Year

I can't believe my sweet baby boy is already 6 months old. These 6 months flew, and he is already well on his way to turning a year and I don't know how i feel about that. When i found out Andy was a boy, I was kind of devastated. I wanted all girls. I knew girls. I can admit this now, because it was obviously a hormonal, irrational fear, because I seriously cannot get enough of my baby boy. He has my heart in a way his sisters don't. (they both have my heart in different ways too, obviously. I wish everyone could at least have one of each!)

At 6 months old, Andy:

• Loves me more than anybody else. I'm sure that will change when he realizes Daddy is into sports/can actually play said sports with him. But for now, I will take being his most favorite thing on the face of this planet.
• He still loves to nurse, and only nurse. He will take a bottle, but not very well, and he pretty much hates baby food. Except bananas. He will sort of eat those.
• He had his first camping trip, and handled it like a champ.
• He can roll front to back, is good at arching his way out of his bouncer, and can sit up on his own for a couple of seconds before toppling over and getting very upset about it
• He smiles very easily, but it takes a lot for him to laugh, and when he does laugh its pretty much just a chuckle.
• One time he chuckles pretty good is when i am wiping his bum after pooping. Seriously. He just sits and chuckles as i clean him up. Whether it tickles, or he is rubbing it in that he just pooped, I don't know. But its adorable and hilarious.  
• He makes the most adorable baby sounds, and I just can't get enough of his cute little voice!
• He sleeps super well. I can put him in his crib at nap and bed time, and he will just grab his blanket, put it over his face, and falls asleep almost immediately. Sometimes he sleeps all night, but usually he wakes up between 4 and 6:30, eats, and then falls back to sleep. I definitely don't hate it. The only time he has been up multiple times lately is over the 4th, when he was cutting a serious tooth and was miserable. 
• He loves to grab things. Anytime i am holding him and i take a drink of something, he is quick to grab my cup or water bottle and slobber all over it, and he likes his toys very much. 
• He loves to stand look around. i need to get him one of those jumper bouncy things. He also hates to be in my ergo. He might like it better if it faced forward, but he hates being confined and facing me. Yet he loves to be held. Come on boy. Mama can only do so much!
• He has two adorable bottom teeth, and surprisingly has only bitten me a couple of times. I think he must know if he starts to bite, its bye bye nursing, hello bottle. 

I sure do love my little boy. I can't get enough of his fuzzy head and big blue eyes. He is my favorite little dude in the whole wide world!!

A New Decade.

As I sit here on the eve of aging a new decade, I can't help but reflect on what a fantastic 10  years of my life my 20s were; by far the best decade I ever had. I had a lot of ups and plenty of downs, but honestly, I had a great 10 years. I'm feeling all sentimental about turning 30 tomorrow, so I decided to make a list of 10 big things that happened to me in my 20s.

1. At 20 years old, my missionary left me for two years, and it was super hard and crappy at times, but it was totally worth every hardship. (spoiler: I waited.)
2. I moved away for the first time in my life and attended SUU. This was the best thing I could have done. I learned how to get by myself, and I made the closest friends. I came out of the shell that high school put me in and really discovered who Caitlin Bingham was. 
   
3. I went to California and saw the ocean for the first time with my roomates for Spring Break one year. It was such a fun road trip and I loved seeing the beautiful ocean. 
   
4. I went on a tour with the Tabernacle Choir, and flew on an airplane and left the country the for the first time in my life. We were only in Canada for less than 24 hours, but it still counts. The tour was such a wonderful, spiritual experience, and it is something I will always hold close to my heart and treasure forever. The best part was turning 21 on tour, and having a bus full of choir members sing to me. I also saw my boyfriend on his mission, and that was pretty  awkward cool too. 
   
5. I went through the temple for the first time, and it was such a wonderful experience, and it is a day I still think of fondly, because I was equal parts uplifted and confused. 
6. I was married to my best friend and love of my life in my 20s, and that was hands-down the best thing I have ever done. Our wedding day was so wonderful, and I couldn't believe that after years of knowing each other, dating, and waiting for him on his mission, I was FINALLY marrying Sam Tappana.
   
7. Sam and I bought two great cars in our family; our honda accord (lola) and our Honda Pilot (rosie.)
8. I became a real grown up in my 20s, when we decided to buy our house. I mean, we actually had a mortgage and had to really be self sufficient!! .
9. I ran my first half marathon, and it is something I NEVER thought it would EVER do, but I did it and I am still really proud of myself for putting my mind to something and accomplishing that goal.
10. I became a mom in my 20s, 3 times. First at 25, then 27, and again at 29 and out of everything that I have done in my 20s, this one by far is the one I am most proud of. 
    

My 20s were great, and I can't wait to see what kind of adventures I will have in these next 10 years.