Berit the Bruiser

Today Berit had her first spill that left a mark.  There were some giant tears and a loud sob or two but now (eight hours later) the evidence is nearly gone.

Here she is a few minutes after the tears have dried...

She is getting more mobile and the world is more hazardous. I ordered a gate for the stairs.  Last week she started rolling (back to front) deliberately to cover ground, reach toys and get your attention.  Her crawling is more like a scoot backwards, having not mastered pulling up her knees under her belly.  She grabs ankles when she wants to nurse or get picked up -- pretty cute.  She has been practicing standing and is pulling herself up a lot.  Her daddy walked at nine months -- so it may be closer than we think!  I am watching her roll across the living room as I type...

Tummy time isn't so bad when you get rolling!

Blowing out the candles on Papa's carrot cake

Momma and her Bear on the way to work and "school"

Berit has now eaten bananas, sweet potato (loves! especially warm), butternut squash, acorn squash, mum mums, pears (especially frozen), avocado (not a fan -- yet!) and sips waters like a big kid.

She still fights sleep but does a great job of letting herself stay asleep once she gets there -- especially at night.  We've had numerous nights of 8:30 or 9 pm sleeps until 3 am.  Pretty crazy to think how far we have come (and what seems "great" these days!)

Last weekend the family traveled up the shore, except for Pete who was working three in a row.  We missed him, but it was time to visit friends and family and the fur kids really needed a big woods outing. We stayed with our friends Dan, Bre and Zoe.

Dan was coaching Berit in crawling, but Yukon the protector has to be sure to stay close by - just in case!

Best friend Lingo stayed within close proximity too

Again, I am amazed that the most fun toy is the $4 bag of diaper wipes

Sylvie, the forlorn little giraffe - and the boy dogs.

We got to do a site visit of the latest Arktikos Custom Builders project and see the fine handiwork of Grandpa Doug, Nama Debbie and Uncle Woody.

Bear and Grand-nama Debbie -- she did the American clay walls throughout the cabins

Woody, Rae, Debbie and Berit

Uncle Woody shows Berit the view

She approves!

Woody's beautiful railings

Grandpa Doug's beautiful railings

And there's the bath!

After months of showers, Berit is getting some tub time and enjoying it.  It isn't convenient for the morning routine but is a worthy daytime pursuit.  It also works just before nap time or bed.  We haven't been back to the swimming pool since the double ear infection diagnosis, but soon.  If only it would stop snowing!