March 15, 2010

First Birthday

Mom and dad had big birthday party plans for me later in the week, so we were pretty mellow on my actual birthday. Aunt Sheila came over for dinner and cake. We were also thrilled to receive a visit from Angela and Richard. I was a bit tired during dinner, but I knew something good was coming, so I held it together. At one point, mom tried to give me a taste of her salmon, which was DISGUSTING! I couldn't believe she put it in my mouth. I looked to our guests for sympathy and to see if they could do anything about this terrible taste, but nobody came to my rescue. Actually, many of them laughed! Here it was, my birthday and they were feeding me awful things and laughing at my reaction.

Well, I am happy to report that things did get better. After dinner, mom and dad brought out my own personal piece of cake. As mom put me in the high chair, I saw it in the distance and started to grunt and tense up...

At first, I tried to grab the entire piece, which nearly gave dad a heart attack!
After I ate most of the piece, I went to a very happy place...

But, I wanted more and I was sure the lady behind the camera could do something about it...

Well, I didn't get more cake, but I did manage to find some crumbs to lick up on my highchair tray.

After cake, I cleaned up, dad gave me a faux-hawk, and it was time for presents. Mom helped me open a gift of books from her and dad. Afterwards, we got a surprise visit from Linda, who also had a present for me! It was a beautiful book of James Herriot stories. I can't wait to read all of them.

Sleepy Head

My grandpa calls me "Monkey Boy," because of the way that I screech. So, he got me these jammies, which mom and dad think are cursed. They believe that when I wear them, I take on all characteristics of a monkey. For example, the last two nights that I wore them, I was unable to get to sleep at my normal time. I was up for hours, playing and screeching all over the house. When they tried to put me to bed, I crawled all over and kicked them like crazy. Dad said, "Burn those monkey jammies!" but I have saved them and plan to try them out again really soon.

Here I am, a little sleepy in the morning, after a long night. Playing with my phone from my friend Chloe.

Family Visit & Baby Mozart

On March 7th, I got to meet some of my family members from Michigan. Great Aunt Eileen and Cousin Clare joined us for dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Miller's house. It didn't take long for me to warm up to these two beautiful women.

In no time I was showing them many of my latest skills. One of my favorite things to do is play the piano. Grandma Kathy has a grand piano, which she kindly lets me play with great gusto. Sometimes, I even play in just my diaper...

On Tuesday, March 9th, I was cruising around Grandma and Grandpa Miller's house in my diaper, when I decided to start walking with only one hand to support me. This was also the same night as the diaper piano playing. As you can see, I wasn't quite ready to rush home and go to bed when mom came to pick me up.

It Feels Like Spring!

Last week, the weather finally warmed up and it was time to break out the shorts and sandals. Our neighbor, Maya, got me these awesome sunglasses and so I was ready to enjoy the goregous day with dad and mom.

3-7-10

Play Time

In the last month, mom and dad have brought out some new toys that I love playing with. We got a kid's work bench from our friend Chloe. She said that she loved it when she was my age, and I am having a blast with it too!
If you press on the screws, they make construction noises. (Pictures are from 2/27/10) There is a secret cupboard where I put my hammer.

There are also containers to put some of my other toys for safe keeping. I mostly take them all out, then mom puts them back for me.

Dad was so excited the other day! He found a "new" toy for me at the Salvation Army. It is perfect for my age. It has various levers that I can push, turn and flip to get animals to pop up.

(2/28/10)

At Grandma and Grandpa Miller's house I have have a green ball that I like to play with. The other night when mom picked me up, I showed her some of my new skills. I am beginning to learned to pass the ball back to someone. Well, I actually just sweep the ball to a side and if it heads towards someone, then all the better. That night, I also practiced kicking the ball. I would run up to the ball (holding on to someone's hands, of course), then take an extra big step when I got to the ball. This, usually, successfully moved the ball ahead of us, so I could chase it down again. (3/2/10)

Discovering my tongue

We went to dinner at our friend Richard's house on a Friday night in late February. It was nearing my bedtime, but I hardly noticed. My girlfriend Angela kept me very entertained. We played like crazy! I showed her how I crawl and walk, we looked in the mirror together, but the best part of the night was when she taught me that I had a tongue...

First, she stuck out her tongue at me and I stared in awe:
"Hey, wait!" I thought, "Do I have one of those?" "I think I do!"

"Is this what you are supposed to do?"

Now we are getting the hang of it...

Oh, this girl is so much fun!

More pics from 2/20

Here are some more pictures from our visit with Aunt April on 2/20. We went to Cline Winery to see if the venue would work for our friend Kat's wedding. In many of the pictures, I am reaching for something or looking into the distance. Usually, I am looking at the awesome fountains they had around the property (see the second picture).

Biting

I have quite a few teeth now and more on the way, so naturally I want to try them out. However, mom doesn't like that I keep tyring them out on her shoulder. Here is usually how it happens...
1. We are happily hanging out...
2. I lean in and get the urge to bite...

3. Mom pulls me away and says "No" firmly...

4. I smile or look at her seriously for a second, then try to go back for more...

5. She says "No" sooner this time...

6. This time I stop and check out who may have been watching...

7. I decide I am not going to bite any more for the moment...
(notice the wet mark I left on mommy's shirt) For the record, mom was a terrible biter when she was little. There are legendary stories that many family members are eager to tell. I guess this is a little bit of "what goes around, comes around."