What a week!
Silas turned on Tuesday. We had a nice evening Monday night opening presents as a family of three at home. Tuesday Silas spent the day at his grandma’s with his cousins, Parker & Chandler, and Aunt Anita from Ohio. Luckily Laura was able to get off early, and we were able to all eat dinner and spend the evening with Laura’s family. Jarrett was able to fly a kite for the first time in his life. It ended up being a long day, but Silas was as happy as could be playing outside even till well after bedtime. Wednesday, we took Silas for his 1 year photo shoot (and first professional). He was not very cooperative. He was a little uneasy on the back drop, not giving up the smiles, and refused to do his “tricks.” We were still able to get some cute ones thanks to props and tickles. Thursday and Friday were more low key as were the temperatures that kept us more in doors. Silas just loves being outside these days, keeping him in was a little rough. He loves to go one walks/runs in the stroller or to just push around his “walker.” He has still not taken any steps on his own, but he is getting more confident in standing unassisted. He has also gotten to the top of the stairs and turned around to go down feet first unassisted (this was while Jarrett was sweeping on the stairs). Silas has also started to use “Maaaaama” to refer to Laura and has reportedly used “baw” in reference to a ball. Today we spent the afternoon with family, “like family,” and some neighbors to celebrate Silas in our lives and watch him get messy with cake. Unfortunately he did not really get into the cake….he liked the whipped cream icing a bit, spit out the cake, and got messy more at the hands of Uncle Timmy & Daddy. Silas was more then happy to have several helpings of the fresh fruit salad; getting a bit dirty eating it from the remnants of cake still on his hands. It was a fun day enjoying the outdoors & guests.
We are beginning to look at “big boy” car seats. He has been rolling over proficiently for awhile now and is sitting up on his own. He is just beginning to get up on his hands and knees and rock…once in awhile a lunge forward. He has got a pretty good army crawl working to get him to the things he wants and half the time should not have. We are continually adding baby proof products in our home. Silas loves to be outside and to play with his toys, especially a fisher price little people farm. 
He is still a very happy baby, even while he broke his first teeth (he is up to 2 on the bottom). 
We suspect he is working on a tooth or two on the top now as evidenced by the drool and increased chewing. He still sleeps great, had a few rough early mornings here recently with the time change, but I think we are getting pretty adjusted now. Silas has also started the adventure of solid foods. He loves to eat squash, carrots, sweet potato, peas, green beans, asparagus, and banana. He has a rough time with broccoli, although he seemed to like it the first time he art it. He also does not care for the baby puffs thus far, 
he wont even stick them in his mouth himself (even though everything else he gets his hands on goes right there). We look forward to expanding to fruits soon.
At the end of October was the annual youth retreat to Kentucky. It was an adventure this year trying to serve in various capacities and meet the needs of a 7 month old. We were blessed to have a friend volunteer to watch him during activities we were involved in so we would be able to focus. It turned out he slept most of the time we were busy. It was a wonderful retreat! We had a great time with the students and the teaching was wonderful. Our senior pastor taught out of Colossians…we learned so much, but to sum up quickly- deep roots, dehydration, amnesty.
We are very much enjoying our time now together as a family. Silas is such a joy in our lives and we can see how with his loving & happy spirit he has brought joy to many others also. We are really enjoying this stage Silas is in, although it is beginning to be more work keeping him out of things and starting to discipline (he has teeth and bites now). We will try to stay more up to date with updates. The holiday’s do get so busy, but they should bring a lot to write about.
Our nephew Jackson Wade Horne was born on July 2nd. We have made several trips out to visit the new 
family. It has been fun already to have the cousins together and we look forward to the years ahead raising them up as good buddies and friends. The new family is settling in to their new lives nicely.
Laura started back to work while Jarrett was gone. It has been a smooth transition. Work itself has gone well for her, but the preparation for those days is more then expected. The routine for those days is getting easier. Silas enjoys the undivided attention of very loving family & and friends while mom is away.
Silas has been growing like a weed and is 15lbs. He is laughing and has become ticklish. He also just
Silas had his first plane ride and vacation last week as we spent time out in Rhode Island with the Garrison family. We are grateful for their hospitality while we visited at their vacation home on the bay. We had a wonderful time visiting, boating, sailing, shopping, relaxing, and eating (including fresh lobster!!!). Time there was a good break from busy normal life and filled with encouragement and fellowship.
It was a hot week, but that did not keep us down. Silas and Laura joined some friends at a water park/pool at the Y in Fishers several times this last week. Silas liked the big pool better than the frigged, zero entry pool. He even fell asleep while Laura held him in the big pool the second day. They were quick trips just about an hour in the morning before it got too hot and to keep Silas from getting too much sun exposure. He is covered though with swim shorts, a UV50 shirt, UV swim hat, and his sunglasses. It was a good way to cool down.
