Throwback Friday?

My brother unearthed this picture of me and 2 of my friends from the early 80s, I believe. 
I'm thinking he also took a picture of this picture with his phone to post it, lol

Too funny.

I will try to start posting about the little guy again, now that he just turned 4! Last month!  Here's a sneak peek at some of his cuteness, hanging out with his godfather in May of this year:

Catching up - November, part 2

A few days after the baptism, Grandma and Granddad B came down to see me.  It was almost Thanksgiving!  They bought me a cool football shirt that I got to wear.  Grandma made the turkey and Mommy helped with all the sides.  We had a great meal! 

I started to warm up to Grandma a little quicker this time, but Granddad is still scary. 

Here are some pictures of me eating!

I ate some turkey and I liked the cranberry sauce.  I wasn't sure what to do with the mashed potatoes, but the peas were YUMMY!  Grandma makes them better than Mommy does, but don't tell her! 
This weekend topped off a long exciting month for me!  Can't wait to see what's next!

Catching up - November

 I turned 1 this month!  Happy Birthday to me!!!!!!!!

This has been a busy month!  I have gone to the doctor for my 12 month checkup, had the second half of my flu shot, had a birthday party, got baptized, and then had my first Thanksgiving where I could eat real food!

The dr visit was good - I was 22 lbs, 5 oz (50th percentile), my head came down to the 50th percentile, but my height was 30" (I think?), which is still in the 75th percentile.  I got some shots, this time in my arm!  Sneaky nurses... they also took blood from my finger - they only poked it once, and then she squeezed it a million times to get the vial filled up!  But I got a sticker and Mommy was off work that day, so it was all good.  Daddy had a dr visit that morning too - for allergy tests.  He had LOTS of shots!  He looked like a pin cushion!  He is allergic to mold and dust, so he will have to start getting weekly allergy shots soon.

Mommy and Daddy bought me this awesome chair for my birthday!  Now I can hang and watch TV with everyone (or use it as a catapult to get onto the love seat, you know, whatever!).  

 

The next day, there was a party for me!  We went to the clubhouse in our complex and my high chair was there, and all my grandparents, and some other people I didn't even know! There was a bunch of food and some of my toys and then I had CAKE for the first time!  There's a picture of it here!

How cool is that?  Mickey Mouse Clubhouse was the theme - there were pictures of Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Minnie, Daisy, and Pluto everywhere!  My friend Caroline from swim class was there, and I met Alexander and we all played.  It was a fun time, and I got to crawl around and check out all kinds of  neat things.  I even helped Mommy clean up by finding a random tissue under the refrigerator!  Here are some more pics from the party!

The following weekend, more people came down to see me!  I was baptized at Good Shepherd Catholic Church and had my godmother, Julie (and her now-fiance Ian) and my godfather David (and his girlfriend Stephanie, his mom Mary, and his dad Jim) there.  Grandmom and Grandpop H also came that day!  Great Grandmom H wanted to come, but she didn't feel well, and we thank her for not getting the rest of us sick!

We all met at the church, but I fell asleep on the way there.  After all, this is my naptime!   So when I woke up, mommy changed me into this white outfit that Julie bought (thanks Julie!).  Then we went inside the church, and I got to walk down the aisle behind the priest!  He was very nice.  We sat near the front so that we could go up to the altar when it was time.   There was a little girl getting baptized the same day, but she was much younger.  

When we stood up there, the priest said some things, and then Mommy leaned me over, but I didn't want to! Then the priest poured cold water on my head! This was not fun! What was going on? But everyone else was smiling, so I guess it was ok. I sat through most of the rest of the service, but then I started getting antsy, so Daddy took me out into the hallway.

After the service was over, we all went back to our house and Mommy cut up this HUGE sandwich and we had CAKE again too! This time, I knew exactly what to do with it - SMASH! Right into my mouth/face! It was great! SO sweet!

 

We had a great time talking with everyone, plus, we got to watch some football. :)  

 

 

 

First Year birthday Pics

I'm blowing this popsicle joint!

Mommy wants to compare this to my senior portrait

Catching up - October

I had first of 2 flu shots (the 1st year you have to get 2, not sure why).   I am definitely testing my  balance and ability to stand without holding on to anyone/anything. I try out new sounds all the time and will babble to myself for awhile sometimes!

I got that 8th tooth Mommy knew was coming in!  Now when you look at me you can see all 8 when I smile!

I am trying to walk - I take 2 steps or so and plop down - and it's so funny - I laugh and laugh!


I went to play with other kids twice this week - Mommy said it was interesting to see me react - one boy kept taking every toy I started playing with, but then his arms got full and I finally had something to play with.  His dad kept telling him to share, but he didn't want to.

I decided I will be Mickey Mouse for Halloween - I tried on my costume and saw myself in the mirror, and I like it! Mommy and Daddy just need to order something for my arms and legs now so I'm not too cold.

The movie Cats and Dogs with the animals talking - is SO FUNNY!!!  I laugh and laugh and laugh!!!

By the 25th, I was  trying to walk - taking up to 4 steps now and then falling.  My least favorite word is "no", I doesn't like to be out of sight of either Mommy or Daddy, and when they are both home, they both need to be in my sights at all times!

Happy Halloween!

Catching up - September

September highlights:

 


I turned 10 months - aren't I cute???. I walk if someone hold my hands, and I’m definitely cruising along the furniture. Mommy thinks I may be cutting another tooth too, with the way my mouth is like a waterfall. I can point and cross my fingers (only on one hand), roll my tongue (sideways!) I like Special K cereal – I like to eat whatever Mommy’s eating.

I’ve been giving them a hard time going to sleep. I don’t like the word “no” at all. Sometimes I cry when they tell me that. I also scared them by climbing up 3 steps – hehe!

Mommy and Daddy are having a hard time figuring out how to put the stupid childproof locks on the cabinets! Daddy had a championship game for hockey too, and he didn’t win, but I had fun. The one girl who comes to watch her boyfriend play – I liked her. She had long red hair. I crawled around for awhile, and then went up to her and crawled up to standing at her knees. She smiled at me and talked to me! Then she picked me up – Mommy couldn’t believe I let her hold me so long. Then she tried to give me back to Mommy at the end of the game when it was time to go, but I like her – I didn’t want to go! Then we went outside, and Meg brought her dog and I petted it and it licked me! She licked my face and I laughed! It tickled. So fun!

I went to my first birthday party – Happy Birthday Caroline! It was at Gymboree. We got there late b/c I took a late nap that day. We started a new session of swim class, and I got to be an example! I am walking very well up the ramp at the pool to get out now!

Catching up - July's end and August

By the end of July, I discovered that I LOVE avocado! I got my 6th tooth, and I’ve been really clingy.

I am pulling up to standing pretty regularly, trying to cruise but not quite there yet, hate getting my diaper changed – I roll over on the changing table - it's like a wrestling match. I eat some regular solid food now, stage 3 jarred stuff, but I’m more a savory flavor guy, I don't like sweets! Mommy says she’s not sure we’re related.

I also don’t like it when Mommy or Daddy go away – they call it separation anxiety, and I’ve recently started biting, but they keep saying “no” when I do that.

In August, I could pull to stand regularly and I crawl using my knees now (not just commando style). Then I could walk a little if Mommy or Daddy hold my hands and walk behind me – it is FUN!

I also like grapes (but now Mommy knows why they say to peel the skins!) I am also very good at eating cheerios and puffs by himself (although hot and cold on purees, you just never know).

I still have problems with the separation anxiety – Grandma and Granddad were here over the weekend and I wouldn't go to them much if at all – I only want Mommy or Daddy.

Grandma and Granddad came to visit me another weekend, and Grandma came to swim class to take pictures this time! We used lifejackets today in the beginning of class and I didn't fuss about putting it on - and I floated on my back all by myself in it for awhile! I was also reaching for the wall and holding on to it today (which I have not previously been doing).

I also discovered that I can scream/screech at random times and everyone looks at me! Everyone says I startle them. Here is my 9 month picture:

My first trip to Gravely!

Today Mommy and Daddy took me to Gravely  - a field out by the airport where you can watch planes.  I saw those BIG planes fly over, and every time I saw one, I grabbed on to Mommy or Daddy real tight, started shaking, and just followed the plane until it landed.  Then I would say "buh" (Daddy's translation: Baby's version of Holy Crap!).

We also walked to the river and I saw the water, then Mommy put out a blanket on the grass and we sat there and watched more planes.  I also got to watch a bunch of other kids playing with their families.

After that, we ran some errands and went to Chili's to eat dinner - I got some avocado and had some corn.  It was really good, but I was more interested in the people around me, especially the little boy who was a year or so older than me.  Everyone around us said I was a really good and quiet baby (I had them fooled!)! 

Mommy realizes we need to do a lot of filling in - and we will.  I have a bunch of monthly pictures to show you all (if you haven't seen them on facebook already).  We will talk to you all soon!

July part 3!

7/19 - Mommy and I were sitting on the floor in her and Daddy's room, and looking in the full length mirror on the door.  She stood up to walk away, and I watched her in the mirror - then looked for her in person to make sure she was still there. :)   We played peek-a-boo for awhile that day!

 

That same night, we tried avocado for dinner.  Mommy had to call some friends to see how to open it (she doesn't eat it and didn't know how to open it for me!) :)   But it was really yummy!  Then she put the rest of it into a container with a tiny bit of lemon juice to keep it from going brown.  I ate this for the next 2-3 days until I finished it all!  I really like when Mommy feeds it to me on a fork. 

 

7/20 - I said "dada" and "daddy" and "baby" today!  I know who daddy is, but I only say baby every so often now.  I also get embarrassed when they ask me to say it!

 

That tricky 6th tooth finally came through - on the upper left side!  Now I have 4 teeth on top and 2 on the bottom, and Daddy said he thinks he sees another one getting ready to come through on the bottom.  I am also BITING everything i can put in my mouth, including Mommy and Daddy's arms and shoulders!  They don't like it when I do that.  But I forget. 

7/22 - 7/24 - We took another drive up to Philly. I don't mind the trip but I get tired of being buckled in my car seat after a while. Mommy and Daddy stop to give me a break and let me stretch my legs. The hotel was very nice and the bed was really big!!! On Saturday we went to the Phillies game but it was too hot. I did get a cool certificate that said it was my first Phillies game. Daddy framed it with the ticket and he is going to hang it in my room. Mommy also bought me a little Phillie Phanatic. Maybe next time we go the weather will be a little bit better and I will get to meet him (although I'm not sure how much I will like him at first. He's really big!) I also got to see Grandmom and Grandpop H, Uncle Jonathan and some of Daddy's friends. It was fun but I was VERY happy to be back home! 

 

7/24 - I tried honeydew melon (Mommy put some in my mesh feeder) and liked it!  It's kinda like watermelon - juicy!   Thank you to Grandpop for sharing with me :)

 

7/25 - I faked Mommy  out at bedtime.  I pretended I was asleep, and as soon as she put me down my eyes popped open and I smiled and started crawling around!  hahaha!  But then she picked me up and rocked and I couldn't stay awake any longer.  I was a tired boy and I fell asleep.

 

7/26 - at dinner tonight, I ate 1/2 of a banana!  That's alot!  I also had some watermelon and some puffs.

7/27 - I tried toast!  It takes me awhile to chew and swallow a little piece but I like it!  We also had some savory chicken and vegetables from a jar - that was really good!!! 

 

I have a new trick too - I'm now pulling up to standing regularly in crib, on couch, chairs, etc.  I've

tried a few times to move my arms down the couch without the legs following, but it doesn't work.  Mommy and Daddy said I will soon be "cruising!"  I'm also learning how to sit/fall down on my own too, so I doesn't get stuck standing too long!  I did that one day at the gate to the kitchen and had to cry until Daddy came to get me.

 

7/28 - Mommy tried to give me some of the mixed fruit in yogurt from the jar, but it was too sweet for me - yucky!

 

Mommy and Daddy have been having a lot of fun making me laugh! 

I like when they get down onto the floor and play with me. I watch them toss my rings or the O-Ball in the air, play with my stuffed animals (especially Grover and Skipper from the Penguins of Madagascar) and roll my cups on the floor. We also like to play hide and seek a lot.

Daddy is very happy that I don't wake up crying from my nap anymore. Usually I will just lay there for a little bit and watch TV with him. It's either Nickelodeon, Disney Channel or ESPN (well at least until hockey season starts again.)

8 months old! (late post)

Happy 8 month birthday to me!  Look how happy I am!

Daddy's getting pretty creative with these circles on my chest :)

And no more laying down on the job - I'll be sitting for these pictures until further notice.

July, Part 2?

Here's what's happened in the beginning part of July!

 

July 5 - Mommy took me to the pool in the complex again - and I made a friend - he's 12.  Hopefully I will see him again some time!  I did really well in the pool again - I love it there!

July 9th - Happy 8 month birthday to me!

7/11 - Mommy took me to my first swim class at the big indoor pool at the Rec Center.  "Grandma Sandy" is our swim teacher.  She told us some rules, then we all walked down the (wheelchair) ramp into the pool.  We did 3 bounces to get warmed up and then we played some games, sang some songs, kicked while the grownups were moving us on our tummies and our backs!  There are really cool lights on the ceiling!  And there's a room off to the side of the pool where the lifeguards keep the bright orange colored vests - I kept looking in there!  Mommy's friend came to the class with her husband and daughter, Caroline.  Caroline didn't like the pool very much.  She cried a lot.  Some of the songs we sang were Wheels on the Bus, Ring around the Rosie, and the Hokey Pokey.  I really liked the Hokey Pokey - it was so much fun!  But this whole thing tired me out, and I slept for a 1/2 hour in the car on the way home... Mommy kept driving around so I wouldn't wake up. 

July 13th - Mommy and Daddy had pasta for dinner - so I got to have some of it (plain).  It was good, but it has kind of a weird texture!  During this next week, I got to have watermelon at dinner!  I like that it's very juicy and I can suck all the water out and then eat what's left.  :)  I also ate about 1/4 of a banana each night!

 

7/17 - This wasn't such a good day :(  Mommy and I were playing on her bed, and I got to crawling too fast and went BOOM, right over the edge!  I hit my head on the floor and had a small cut and a big bump!  Mommy called it a goose egg.  It really scared me, and I think it scared Mommy and Daddy too.  But 20 minutes later, I was fine - just playing with all my toys!  But Mommy said "no more Billys jumpin on the bed"... I thought it was monkeys?

 

The next day, I went to swim class again!  This time Caroline didn't cry - she seemed to like it.  Grandma Sandy told us she won't be here next week, but we would have a someone else fill in - and her name is Sandy too!  Mommy cracked up at this, but I don't get it. But as long as I get to play in the water, I'm fine!  I LOVE the water!  Today the adults learned how to get into the pool with us if there isn't a ramp to walk down.  They were also trying to get me to hold onto the wall, but I didn't want to.  Oh, and we did Humpty Dumpty!  When he falls, I get to go into the water!!!!

I can sit up all by myself!

Thanks to Aunt Panda for the pictures.  We will miss you!

I have been trying SO hard to learn to sit up on my own, and yesterday I finally did it!  Here are a couple of action shots: 

Almost there...

All the way up!

What?  Did I do something special??

Mommy and Daddy said they were so proud of me.  I like to practice my new skill now!!! :) 

Eating solid foods, kinda

Mommy had another post about what I was eating, but she couldn't keep it up, so we're just going to tell you that I am a good eater most of the time.  I've had carrots, green beans, peas, squash, apples, bananas (not a fan), beef and gravy, turkey and gravy, chicken and gravy, blueberries (mixed with apples), pears (not a fan), peaches (not a fan), corn, sweet potatoes, and maybe some other things we can't remember.  I'm also eating those Gerber Puffs and Baby Mum Mums (we're fans of the original and vegetable, but haven't tried banana yet!), but Mommy will break them up first before I can have them so that I don't choke.

We went out to eat at several places - Outback, Subway, Don Pablo's - and each time, I wanted to eat while Mommy and Daddy were eating!  So, they had brought along some of my food, and I scarfed it down like they didn't feed me all day!

The other big thing is that I have at least 4 more teeth coming in on the top!  3 are through, the last one is trying to break in.  All that has happened in about 3 days!  It's not all fun, as it hurts a lot.  In fact, I slept for a couple of hours the other night, but  then woke everyone up at midnight and kept them up until 4.  The motrin didn't help, and neither did a bottle or chewing on any of my rings.  I hope they come in soon and my mouth stops hurting!

I am adorable!

Random June notes

It's been nice outside around dusk, so Mommy and I have been going outside for short periods of time to blow bubbles on the porch!  At first, I didn't know what these were, but then I realized I could catch them and they would disappear.  How FUN!!

I've also started commando crawling (with my tummy on the ground like a soldier!) and I get faster everyday!  Daddy once accidentally knocked over his empty Gatorade bottle, and that's now my favorite toy to chase around on the floor!  Towards the end of the month, Mommy and Daddy had to put away the CDs and DVDs and their racks because I thought it would be fun to use them to pull up on, but they said it was dangerous.   Mommy and Daddy had installed some gates last month, but they were leaving the gate part open because I couldn't really get there, but now they keep them closed so I can't get anywhere to get in trouble!

Mommy said she's been waiting for this other milestone - when I sleep on my tummy, I stick my butt in the air.  She thinks it's funny, but I don't get it.

Also towards the end of the month, I started to figure out how to sit up - I am on my tummy, I get on my knees  with my butt in the air, and I rock forward and back, then turn my hips to sit on my butt.  I'm really trying to get this to work, but I have trouble pushing my body off the ground with my hands.  I LOVE to sit up, but Mommy and Daddy usually have to put me that way.  I did manage to get back up once, but I was pushing off Mommy's legs. I will figure it out someday!

We miss you Grandpop D!

After we took my 7 month picture and posted it, Daddy's Grandpop passed away.  We went up to PA for the funeral and so that we could be with family.  Here is a picture of me with Daddy and his Grandpop.

  
He was sick for a long time, but it is still very strange that he is gone.  Mommy and Daddy miss him very much.  He talked about me all the time!

During this trip, I was all out of sorts - napping 30 minutes here and there.  They introduced me to so many new people and we were at a bunch of different places.  I knew something was up because everyone seemed sad, so I tried to be good.  I took my bottles when I was supposed to, but sleeping in the hotel was scary because they didn't have any nightlights there!  So Daddy bought some one day at Target.

We also met up with some of Daddy's friends - BJ, Brian & Leslie and their kids, Clark (who is only a week older than me!) & Chloe - and Uncle Jonathan and Khara!  It was fun to meet Clark! We watched the Phillies game on these HUGE TVs at Champps and ate some good food!

Here is another picture of Mommy and Daddy with Grandpop D shortly after they got engaged!

  We miss you!

7 months old!

 

How cute am I?  I am laughing like crazy here!  

I love my Mommy and Daddy!

Gated in

I finally learned how to creep further and further, so Mommy and Daddy decided it was time to gate me in!

They ordered this cool playyard for me.  Look at all my toys!  They put it on top of those mats so that it doesn't slide around.  I like it because I don't have to chase my ball or other toys as far, LOL.

Mommy also ordered these gates and extension to keep me in the living room.  So far, I don't mind them.  It's been fun to crawl around everywhere.  The other day, Daddy left his empty bottle of Gatorade on the floor, and I batted it.  I ended up all over the living room chasing that bottle.  Daddy said my hands were too little to grab it and that's why I couldn't catch it!

Memorial Day weekend

We started a bedtime routine the week before Memorial Day.  First we take a bath in the little tub - I play with my rubber ducky and the cup Mommy uses to wash/rinse my hair!  It is fun.  I am such a big boy that I SIT UP in the bath everynight now!

After that, we put on jammies and a nighttime diaper and Mommy reads me 2 books in my room.  Then we will go get a bottle - sometimes we will sit downstairs with Daddy and sometimes we just have it up in my room.  I drink the whole thing, and I usually fall asleep.  But when I don't, we listen to the music from one of my toys and I curl up and fall asleep on Mommy and then we go to bed.

On Memorial Day weekend, Grandma and Granddad B came to visit me!  They came on Saturday and Mommy had me all ready to go to the pool.  Here are some pictures of me all ready to go!  Like my hats???

I LOVED it! It was great! We went to the big pool and we were in the little pool for a bit too.  I like watching the kids play and splash, and on Monday we went back and I splashed too!  Here I am sitting on the chair for Grandma!

After swimming on Saturday, we all went to Outback and had a yummy dinner.  I of course wanted to eat anything on the table that I could get my hands on, but Mommy said no.  She did have some peas for me though, and I ate those while Grandma cut her food and she ate a little at a time.   On Sunday, they came over again.  We were going to go to a basketball game, but I was really tired and cranky, and we decided to stay home.  I had a fun weekend though!

I've also been learning how to move around!  I'm "creeping" to get forward - like a commando crawl on my tummy where I use my arms to pull myself forward.  I'm trying to use my legs, but I can't figure out how to get them to work when I want them too yet!

old post

I have still been teething a lot.  I chew on everything I can put into my mouth.  Mommy and Daddy try not to give me the Tylenol more than once/day.  I have a few teething rings that are kept in the refrigerator, and this toothbrush thing Mommy bought that I really like to chew on!  I really just want to be close to mommy and daddy most of the time though.

The other night, there was a HUGE noise outside when I was sleeping!  And there was light!  They told me it was a thunderstorm with thunder (the boomy noises) and lightning (the quick light flashes).  I did pretty well.  I just watched it and woke up when it was too loud, but I didn't cry!

I have been turning on my tummy - can go in a complete circle, but usually I just go backwards when trying to go forward.