Monday, December 22, 2008

Holiday Greetings!

If you didn't get a Christmas card from us this year it's either on the way or lost...but the first picture is the one we used.

All I want for Christmas...

...is my two front teeth!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

No mistletoe needed...

...Mama gets my kisses for free!


Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Decorating the Tree!

Last year I slept through most of the Christmas excitement but this year I'm taking more of an active role! I was pretty intrigued with the tree at first...I inspected all the ornaments, pulled off a few balls, but after a couple of weeks I've stopped messing with it. I do like to look at all the pretty lights and I'm pretty sure I can see my reflection in those balls!

Big brothers...

...are good for something after all!
Like getting the big box of Cheerios down off the counter for me! I'm a very smart boy and I know just where the food is kept in this house! The problem is that I'm not quite tall enough to actually get any of it. That's where Jonah comes in handy!

This is the life!
And I'm no dainty eater. The more I can fit in my hand, the more that gets crammed in my mouth! Mom and Jonah are trying to teach me how to just get one or two at a time but that kind of thinking seems a little silly to me.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Year in Review




A year ago today I met the world with lots of squalls! I was Mom's itty bitty newborn (at 8 lbs. she thought I was tiny) with lots of dark hair and dark eyes. I was easily startled (mostly by Jonah), a lazy eater (according to Mama) and quite feisty at times. Today I am such an independent little man. Jonah no longer scares me, I eat everything in sight (in fact my parents haven't found a food that I don't like) and I am the sweetest little thing you'll ever meet! I give all my hugs and kisses exclusively to my Mama but lately I've let Dad kiss me goodnight. He's a little prickly so I'm not a huge fan but it makes him happy. I can walk everywhere and insist on doing so. I rarely let people hold me for more than a few seconds before I try to wiggle away and I'm a bit stingy with my smiles. Strangers never get them and people I know have to work hard for them! I love my big brother and I try to do everything he does. And much to my parents dismay, he tries to do everything I do. You see, when I cry I get food or anything else that I want...that strategy doesn't always work for him! I'm also a climber and like to get into anything remotely dangerous (the dishwasher, chairs, boxes) so Mom has to keep a real close eye on me!

12 months!

Mom had a little trouble getting my 12 month photo because I kept trying to dive off the chair. But once she put two cars in my hands I was happy as a clam!
I had my well baby check up today and let's just say I'm glad it's over! (And I think Mom is too!) The visit started out bad with me falling and bonking my head in the waiting room so I was squalling even before I saw the doctor. Then the nurse had to prick my finger and get some blood so I screamed for that as well. But my hemoglobin count turned out excellent (12.9 whatever that means). Mom was trying her best to calm me down but nothing was really working, I was mad! I finally got myself under control when the doctor came to talk to us (with a little help from some Cheerios) but wouldn't you know it, that nurse came back and didn't just give me one shot but 4! Four! And did I mention that this appointment was right in the middle of mine and Jonah's nap time? Mom made our next appointment late in the afternoon so Dad can take us next time... I wonder why?
Okay, okay, get to the stats already! Since my birth I've gained 13 lbs. 11 oz., grown 9.5 inches and my head has grown 4 inches! I weigh 21 lbs. 11 oz. (25%-50%). Yeah, I'm a light weight. I am 30.5 inches long (75%) and my head circumference is 18.5 inches (75%). Healthy as a horse! The bad news is that I have to go back in 3 months for another round of shots, yuck!
In other news, I eat everything! My doctor said that even though I'm still nursing I can have some cow's milk now! And all the other "no no foods before 1 year" like citrus fruits, strawberries, egg whites, peanut products, etc. are a go now! My parents have yet to find a food I do not love!
My doctor was surprised at how well I was walking. I can turn around, change directions, squat to pick things up and even throw balls. But I admit, I do get a little clumsy when I'm tired...hence the fall earlier. But I'm a very active little guy. I've already mastered my new slide! I can climb up it and go down head first all by myself! My parents like to be there "just in case" but I'm a big boy and I like to show them! I have the sweetest giggles too. Lately I've been giving mom lots of hugs. I like to run up to her and fall in her arms. We both think it is so fun. Then I like to walk up to dad and pretend to give him a hug and either keep walking or turn around and go the other way! He doesn't think it's so funny and can usually steal a hug from me anyway. I also like to shake my head "no"....especially at Jonah!