James the Explorer!

This past week Jeremy went on a much deserved boys fishing trip and James and I headed up to Huntsville to visit with my mom and Papa Steve. I don't know who had a better time, James or Jeremy! Is there anything better than a full four days with grandparents! Too much fun!
Just before Jeremy left for the week James started to really crawl and by the time he returned he had become a full-on crawler. He follows you around the house from room to room. Gone are the days of sitting him on the floor with his toys and having him play - now he is in "explorer" mode. He goes from room to room and investigates everything! It's fun to see what he goes after. I think over the last week he's heard "no" more than any other word - this may become his first word! Of course he wants to see, touch, eat everything that is not for him: dog food, daddy's guitar, etc. Whenever I tell him no, he'll stop, look at me and grin, maybe try to go for it a few more times, then move on. I had to go to the Christian Bookstore immediately and buy a book on discipline - this is new territory for us but I can tell he is already testing us and seeing what his boundaries are. Apparently, I no longer have an infant, but a toddler! What! When did this happen? I didn't think you were considered a toddler until at least 2! But all the things I read are now calling my sweet 8 month old a toddler! Where has the time gone!
As always here are some fun pics of our sweet boy!
coming into his room -
leaving his room :)
James loves to go into the bathroom and pull himself up on the tub - it's the perfect height for him to pull up on -

Look at what I big boy I am mommy!!
James and daddy reading - too sweet!

Making music with his xylophone puppy
Giving the puppy a kiss -