On Friday afternoon, Nick and I took Reuben to the pumpkin patch.  Both sets of grandparents decided to come along for the pumpkin fun.  It was a beautiful fall day and we enjoyed putting Reuben in piles of all different kinds of gourds and taking lots of pictures.  He lasted for about 30 minutes until he had enough.  A GREAT time was had by all.  On Saturday, I was looking through some pictures on Facebook and noticing that friends of mine that had gone to the same pumpkin patch as me had pictures of their children with animals.  I was confused…we didn’t see any animals while we were there.  Hmmm….  Well, last night at church I told my friend, Kara, that I felt like a big dork because we completely missed the animals at the pumpkin patch.  She was equally shocked that I had missed them because apparently there was NO possible way that I could miss them.  We quickly figured out that I had not taken my son to the pumpkin patch at all.  I took him to a little produce stand owned by the same people.  If I would have driven 2 miles further down the road, we would have been in pumpkin patch paradise.  So…just another reason to vote for me, Amy Agimudie, for mother of the year  Oh well…enjoy the pictures!

“Ummm, excuse me guys, why are you putting me here?”

“The sun is so BRIGHT!”

*yawn*  ”Being cute is a tough job.”

“Okay, fine, Mom.  Take your picture.  I’m not smiling, though.  This is humiliating.”

Mommy, Daddy, and Reuben Mac

G-pa Mac, Cammie, and Reuben Mac

*Please notice the sign in the background that clearly indicates the location of the pumpkin patch.  We were at 151st and Memorial.  Shall I remind you that Nick and I both have Bachelors AND Masters degrees???*

G-pa Fred, G-ma Z, and Reuben Mac

“G-pa Fred put me on this big metal thing that really seemed to stress Mommy out.  I’m not sure why…”

Strikin a GQ pose

“Who cares about these weird green things when there is hay for me to eat???”

Awww…cute pic of the day

“I like these pumpkins!  They’re just my size!”

“Okay, I’ve taken my pics, eaten some hay, and I’m ready to go!”

Uncle Chad and Auntie Rachel babysat Reuben for a couple hours this afternoon.  Cabos, their weeny dog, was a source of great enjoyment for Reuben while he was there.  Enjoy!

Reuben had the pleasure of watching TU destroy Sam Houston State at his 1st football game ever.  We tailgated with some friends before the game, took a short break at Rachel and Chad’s house, and then went on to the game.  Reuben did SO well!  He LOVES to be outdoors and it was a really nice night out so that helped a lot.  He made it all the way until half way through the 3rd quarter before he was ready to leave.  We were very proud parents and even prouder when Reuben started heckling the Sam Houston players by screaming at the top of his lungs

Intensely watching some football

“Don’t worry guys.  Leave the heckling to me!”

While we were at the tailgate with our friends, the TU cheerleaders were walking around greeting people.  Reuben turned the charm on big time and caused the entire cheer squad to stop and pay all kinds of attention to him.  He was mesmerized by the bright, shiny, golden pom poms.  I grabbed my video camera and captured a little bit of the action.  Reuben is sitting on Jenny’s (his 1st nurse at the hospital) lap.  Excuse the TERRIBLY loud music in the background.  Apparently the tailgaters next to us felt it wasn’t necessary for anyone to have any type of conversation during the tailgate.

My handsome little guy is 7 months old today!  Each month we get to know a little more about Reuben’s personality and preferences.  Reuben is very happy and laid back, he doesn’t like to miss out on anything that is going on around him, and he loves different textures and soothes himself to sleep by scratching/rubbing the different textures around him.  This last month has been a big one for Reuben developmentally.  Here are some of the most exciting milestones:

• Sitting up for extended periods of time.
• Scooting or rolling across the floor to get a desired toy (or Daddy’s guitar).
• 3rd haircut by Miss Liz.
• Eating in his high chair.  His favorite foods so far are sweet potatoes, squash, green beans, and applesauce.  These are his favorite fruits and veggies because they’re the only ones he’s tried  I am very proud to say that he loves them all.  Reuben has mixed emotions about his cereal.  Some days he loves it and some days it makes him gag.  Oh well…I prefer that he love fruits/veggies over carbs!
• Talking, talking, talking all the time.  Reuben’s preferred mode of communication is a very high-pitched scream/squeal.  He doesn’t use this when he’s sad, only when he’s happy.  I think it’s very cute; however, the businessman in the Sprint store we were in last week might disagree.
• Loves to play Peek-a-Boo and cracks up with a good belly laugh when Mommy or Daddy pop up from a hidden place.
• Cut his 1st tooth!  I noticed the tooth for the 1st time on Sunday.  It’s the left of his 2 front bottom teeth.

Dressed just like Daddy in his new basketball shorts from Auntie Shan.

Sitting up like a big boy.

Ready to eat some food.

Loving his first bites of cereal.

Chillin like a villian in his “Mommy’s getting ready” hang out spot.

Daddy and Reuben dressed up for a wedding.

Bath time with Mr. Ducky.

Getting his hur did.

Daddy leading worship for a BCM worship night.

Chillin in the back listening to some tunes.

Hanging out with cousins, Blake and Audrey.

Snuggling with Uncle Harvey,visiting from Trinidad.

A very happy 7 month old

Okay, one more video for your viewing pleasure….

Reuben LOVES it when his daddy comes home.  Tonight when Nick came home, he threw himself down on the bed and Reuben thought it was HILARIOUS.  As any dad would do, Nick did it OVER and OVER again while I grabbed the video camera.  ENJOY!

Reuben has discovered the joy of rolling from back to tummy and tummy to back across the length of the floor.  Apparently he finds it helpful to grunt before he rolls over.

Daddy found a ticklish spot on Reuben’s neck.  While Daddy tortured Reuben by kissing him on either side of his neck, all Reuben could do was helplessly scream.

Reuben is in LOVE with his Praise Baby DVD.  On this particular day, I turned the DVD on and put Reuben in his papasan seat so I could eat lunch.  When I came out of the kitchen, I noticed that Reuben was sitting straight up in his seat watching the show.  He does the same thing when I’m holding him while watching the DVD.  He is so excited, he simply cannot relax.  Anyway, as any mother would do, I laid him back down in his papasan and turned on the video camera.  Luckily, I was able to capture him doing it again

Okay, everyone…go ahead and get out your ballots and put a big check by my name for “Mother of the Year” award.  If you’re not convinced already, I have LOTS of reasons for you in this post.  Ready?

1.  I’m a day late on this blog entry.  Reuben was 6 months old yesterday.

2.  I have a total of like 40 pictures of my sweet boy for the ENTIRE month.  For previous months, I had approximately 40 pictures a DAY.

3.  I have not filled in Reuben’s baby book or his milestone calendar since last month.

4.  Reuben hasn’t had cereal/fruits/vegetables yet.  Not because he isn’t ready…simply because I haven’t had the time to research the process of introducing foods.

Okay, are you convinced yet?  I know…I know…it’s a toss up between me and mother of 18 going on 19, Mrs. Duggar.

Whew…I feel much better with that off my chest.  This has been a BIG month for our family.  I started a new job this month and things have been BUSY, BUSY, BUSY.  I’m loving the flexibility of this new job that allows me to spend a lot more time with Reuben than I could have with my previous job.  Reuben is growing up so quickly.  We took him to the doctor today and he is nearly 16 pounds and 27 inches long.  This month he has started to sit up on his own for 5-10 seconds at a time, blow spit bubbles, push himself up while on his belly so that his arms are fully extended, clearly recognize Mommy and Daddy and respond with a HUGE smile when we walk in the room, giggle when playing or being tickled, and become obsessed with/addicted to his Praise Baby DVD.  Reuben is such a charmer.  I can’t go to the grocery store without several people stopping to admire my sweet little boy and comment on his contentment.  I’m so blessed to have a healthy and happy baby.  God has been so good to me.  Okay, now for the MILLIONS of pictures I took this month…

Hanging out with Daddy…front view…

Hanging out with Daddy…rear view…

When I laid Reuben down for a nap, he was laying on his tummy facing the left side of this picture.  During his nap he managed to flip over and turn side ways.  Fortunately, he stayed asleep.  Usually he does not stay asleep; therefore, we use the wedge located in the upper right hand corner of the crib to keep our sweet baby in place for his night time stretch of sleeping.  It has worked wonders.  Don’t worry friends, the wedge is placed a safe distance away from his face.

Pirate boy.

Loving his tummy time.

Cheering for TU for the first time.

Changed to his jammies but still wide awake to cheer for TU.

* I actually did manage to take some great video this month.  My next blog entry will feature some fun videos of our lil man.  I know you are all on the edge of your seats. *

So, I was testing out a Flip camera that I got for work to make sure I know how to use it.  Reuben was laying on our bed talking/screaming and then this happened… (be sure to watch until the very end)

My dad turned the big 6-0 on July 29th!  To celebrate, we hosted a luau with some friends and family.  The luau was such a fun time to love on my dad and thank him for the amazing man that he is!  Don’t worry though…there was plenty of roasting too!  Several people from from the past and present mailed in letters, cards, pictures, and videos to give to my dad as a surprise.  There were lots of laughs and a good time was had by all.  I’m so thankful that we had the opportunity to celebrate my dad.

The beautiful cake table

A display of pictures of my dad throughout the years

A table full of cards and letters from friends, family, former students, and fellow ministers

Reuben wore his hawaiian shirt for the luau

Soaking in the words of encouragement and funny memories

Steve sharing his Top 10 list

Kind words from Paula

Love from the Serna family

Stories from Dewayne

Family pic   Nice hula skirt, Dad.

Here is the video that Reuben made for his G-pa Mac:

My little boy is 5 months old today!  This month has been so fun!  Reuben has FINALLY started to roll over from tummy to back and back to tummy.  He wants to sit up all the time but can’t quite do it on his own.  He is starting to giggle and still “talks” all the time.  He is definitely going to be a singer or a speaker!  Reuben loves to play games with Mommy and Daddy, read books, and explore his toys.  He is SUCH a GOOD baby.  He is SO laid back and easy going.  I am very thankful that Reuben is more like his daddy than his mommy  Enjoy the pictures…

Taking over Daddy’s spot when he leaves for work

Hey guys!

Hanging out with his new friend, Isaiah

Meeting Halle for the first time

Loving his Jumperoo

NOT loving his Jumperoo

Discovering all the cool toys on his exersaucer

Lounging in his new lawn chair

Sporting his new TU hat from Matt & Jessica

Zoning out to Praise Baby after his bath time

Hanging out in his diaper on Mommy and Daddy’s bed

Swimming for the first time

Soakin in some rays