Hide and seek

Today was pretty cool. Grandmommy came to visit. I always have fun when Grandmommy is around. I showed off for her letting her know how easily I pull my self up on everything. I climbed the fireplace hearth and crawled back down again. I played with her on the floor and was really good for her as she held me while Mommy washed the dishes. I thought it was funny when I hit Grandmommy with Duckie and made him quack.

I needed to take a nap so Mommy put me in my crib. I wasn't very happy with that part but after a while I finally fell asleep. When I woke up, I really wanted Mommy so she held me for a while and Grandmommy helped fold clothes. Then Daddy came. I said hi to him and we finished putting all the clothes away as Daddy showered. Grandmommy left shortly after that. I started to play around on the floor and discovered a new way to play with my jumper. I can hide under it.

We called Granddaddy real quick to wish him a happy birthday (today is the real day). He was really glad that he got to spend time with us this past weekend and is looking forward to spending more time with us this weekend at CJ's birthday party. Then Mommy and I played in the pack n' play. Mommy is on the outside and I am on the inside and me put our faces against the mesh. It makes me laugh. I also pulled myself up in the pack n' play and tried to lift myself up a little. I am strong. Shortly after that, it was time for bed.

On a sad note, Ms. Donna came over today to share some really sad news. Her husband, Mr. Dan, passed away from a heart attack. Mr. Dan was really nice and we had a good time during our outing at the pool.

Uh-huh, its Daddy's holiday

Sept 6 - Today was not the best day ever. We woke up at 6am! Mommy and I came out to the couch and played for a while. Daddy slept in which is nice since Labor Day is his holiday. When he woke up, he made breakfast. Then it was time to just relax and enjoy doing nothing. But I didn't want to do nothing. I am a growing, moving, excited little boy that likes to do things, go places, and see people. We did nothing today and so I let Mommy and Daddy hear about it. I would play for a little while but I did a lot of fussing too. I might have been a little tired cause I wasn't sitting up and crawling as well as I usually do. In fact, I fell over a bunch of times today. One time, I was trying to stand up using my toy box and I fell over. I bumped my head and Daddy picked me up to soothe me. I was crying and really wanted Mommy. Mommy walked over to me, looked at me and asked, "Are you ok?" I answered, "Uh-huh." And then Mommy and Daddy started to laugh at me. I didn't understand why they were laughing at me.

Daddy gave me a nice bath and Mommy got me ready for bed. But I didn't want to go to bed. So I gave Mommy a hard time for a while. I was pushing the limits and when she would tell me it was time to go to sleep I would just smile at her. Finally, Mommy pulled rank and told me that enough was enough, Mommy and Daddy needed there time together and she and Daddy kissed me goodnight and she placed me in my crib. I DID NOT LIKE THAT! I cried and cried to get her to come back but it was no use. The Mommy had spoken. I finally gave up and went to sleep.

Birthday party for Granddaddy

Sept 5 - This morning when Mommy came to get me out of my crib this is how she found me. Legs through the bars, hands on the rail, just waiting for someone to rescue me. Mommy thought I was cute.

Today was so much fun. We were invited up to Aunt Kati and Uncle Mike's house to celebrate Granddaddy's birthday. Everyone was there - Ryan, Kasey, Haley, Uncle Dave, Aunt Erin, CJ, Kenzie, Grandmommy, and of course, Granddaddy. We started in the living room where I showed everyone how well I sit up. I also played a little with CJ's Rescue Heroes. Then we went up to Kasey's new room. It was really cool. I liked her poke-a-dot comforter and her sparkly pillow. I just loved all the colors. Then I helped Aunt Kati make a dessert for everyone.

Then we went down to the pool. Mommy and I got in the pool for a few minutes. Haley held me on the steps of the pool. Then Kasey held me for a few minutes. She walked me around in the pool and I guess she bounced me a little too much cause I lost my lunch, all over her. She handed me back to Mommy (who was laughing, by the way) as Kasey got out of the pool and got hosed off my Aunt Kati. We got out shortly after that cause it was a little chilly. Mommy wrapped me a big warm towel and then Grandmommy held me for a while.

Mommy got me changed into dry clothes and then Grandmommy held me while Mommy and Daddy ate. I got passed around a bit, I visited with almost everyone, Aunt Erin wasn't feeling great so she stayed away. I watched everyone playing football and really paid attention to how Uncle Dave and Uncle Mike toss the football.

I also spent a little time with Kenzie as Granddaddy and Mommy held us so we could see each other. Granddaddy told me I was such a great little boy, always so happy. We watched as CJ helped blow out Granddaddy's candles.

It was getting late so we had to say our goodbyes. I cried for a little while in the car on the way home but slept for most of the trip. Once we got home, it was a quick change into the my sleeper and off to dreamland. Today was a good day.

Nicky-proofing shopping

Sept 4 - Today we were supposed to get out of the house really early and start the Nicky-proofing shopping but Daddy didn't sleep well last night so we didn't get out of the house til about 3:30 or so in the afternoon. Until then we just kinda played around. I followed Mommy around the house, every time she left the room, I followed. I went all over the place. I also played in my pack n' play for a little bit and the jumper. But nothing really exciting.

Once we got out of the house we headed to Babies R Us to get a bunch of supplies to make the house safer for me. Mommy and Daddy got soft corners for the tv stand and the dining room table and latches for the drawers and gummy rails and padding for the fireplace hearth. They went all out. Then Mommy and I stayed in the car as Daddy ran into the pet store to get a cat door cause the new rule is that I am not allowed in the pet room so Daddy is going to install a door. Then a quick trip to Best Buy to get a wireless router. This way we get rid of the long cord that runs across the carpet that I have recently discovered and think is funny to try to chew on as Mommy says, "NO!"

When we got home a few of the new safety devises got installed. I played around with Mommy and just enjoyed my many toys. Mommy and Daddy were playing with me in my room and look what I tried for the first time! I rode my Giraffe rocking horse for the first time, and liked it. I also had fun playing with the baby that lives in the refrigerator. He looks a lot like me. It is good to be me. I was pretty tired though so I went to bed early.

Shopping and hanging with my friends

Sept 3 - Today was pretty great. Mommy and I played at home early this morning then got ready to go see our friend Rashaad. We met him at the Target in Bowie. Mommy sat me in the shopping cart basket like a big boy again. We strolled around the store getting things for Rashaad and just a few things for me. Mommy bought me a new book and Rashaad even bought me this really cool car seat carrier toy with a frog. It is the same one my friend Nathan has. I like it and Rashaad thought it was cool. I also tested out a walker on display and Mommy thinks she might look for one that is really cheap at a yard sale.

After Target we ran into PetSmart and then headed over to Olive Garden. I sat in the high chair and while Mommy and Rashaad enjoyed their pasta I ate my pears. I also played with my toys and just was a great little guy in the big crowded restaurant even though it was getting close to nap time. After the meal, Mommy put me in the car and we went home to see Daddy. It is the start of the three day weekend! So excited that I get to spend that much time with Daddy. We played around a bit but then headed to the boardwalk to meet up with Ms. Denise, Mr. Bryan, Ms. Nicole, and Eleanor and David.

I hadn't seen David in a long time! It was great to see them and I tried so hard to stay in a good mood but it was past my bedtime. I did have enough energy to smile for this great group photo. But it was getting really late and I was about to go into full meltdown mode so Mommy got me into the car and we were home at 9pm and I was asleep within minutes after that.

Smile

Today was a nice day in the house. We decided not to go anywhere to make sure we were home when Daddy got home. This morning Heather dropped by to share all her wedding pictures with Mommy. She played with me a little and told me that I have my mommy's great smile. Mommy also got me to take a quick nap in the crib while they were hanging out.

After she left, I started my crawling tour of the house. I went every where. I followed Mommy into the kitchen and crawled all the way down the hall. Mommy wanted to see where I would go. She closed all the doors in the hall so I couldn't go into any rooms. No fair! One thing of note today was that Mommy put me in the pack n' play a bunch of times for short periods and I didn't mind. I would play with all my toys including my panda bear stuffed animal, Ducky, and my ABC dog which I actually figured out how to turn on by myself today and did it twice.

When Daddy got home I got really happy! I missed him yesterday. So he and I had our guy time while Mommy did the dishes. Daddy and I had a crawling race to the end of the carpet. Daddy won - this time. I helped Mommy and Daddy cook dinner and just hung out enjoying my family. After dinner, Mommy gave me a quick bath. I splashed so much, I soaked Mommy. She didn't mind. Then it was time for bed.

A very important job

Sept 1 - Mommy had an agenda today. She had a list of things she wanted to get done so we packed up the diaper bag and headed out. We went to Bowie and Mommy and I played in the car as we waited for the stores to open. We went to Macy's first looking for a gift for Heather and Josh for their wedding (back in June). No luck. But a lot of the people that worked there told me I was cute. I flirted.

Then over to Bed Bath and Beyond. I sat in the cart like a big boy as we looked for something for cousin Nicole's wedding. We got her two gifts - one for the shower and one for the wedding. We also got them wrapped while we were there by this really nice lady who also thought I was cute.

Then it was over to Target again looking for Heather and Josh but Mommy settled on a gift card.

By then I was really tired so Mommy drove back to Calvert as I slept. We had to make a stop at the emissions place to get Daddy's printout of his results but that only took a minute. Then to get Mommy an oil change for her car.

Finally we got to do something fun cause it was finally time for group. I got to see Sam for the first time in weeks. He is crawling too and trying to stand. His mommy says he is pulling up on his crib too and he walks if you hold his hands. Nathan and Eleanor were there today too. I went wondering around the room as if I owned every blanket, diaper bag, and carseat there. Mommy kept telling me "That is not yours" and pulling me away from stuff. I lost a little weight this week - 3 ounces. I am 15lbs 2oz. But Kelly, the substitute lactation consultant, told Mommy that with as active as I am she is not surprised and not to worry.

After group, I was getting tired again but we had to go grocery shopping. Mommy let me ride in the cart again. I was super good. I sat in the cart, playing with my toy. Then Mommy gave me a really important job. I was the guarder of the bread. I was supposed to protect it from getting crushed by all the other groceries so it sat next to me in the cart. There was one rule though, I wasn't allowed to chew on the plastic. It was difficult, and Mommy had to remind me the rule a couple times, but I was one damn good guarder of the bread!

We headed home, Mommy put away the groceries and we played for a while. I did a lot of standing and playing with my shapes on the top of the toy box. I even tested my limits by putting my arms in the air as if I were saying "Look, Mom, no hands." Of course she is always right behind me to catch me in case I start to fall.

I went to bed early though cause I missed out on some sleep today.

Look what I can do now

Aug 31 - This morning when Mommy came to get me from my crib I showed her that I am learning. I put my hands on the bars of the crib and started to lift. I only lifted my butt a little off the mattress but Mommy saw that I have set a new goal. While she was watching me she also noticed that when I lose my balance and start to fall, I am now starting to reach out to catch myself. She told me that I have good reflexes.

Mommy thought about going out today and doing a few things but the later it got the more Mommy decided that we should be home when Daddy gets home since I didn't get to see him yesterday. I did the regular stuff - playing, crawling, napping, etc. I practiced on the toy box again and Mommy noticed that I am already standing on my whole foot more as opposed to standing on my tippy-toes or even on the side of my foot. A little later Mommy took me back to my room, set me in my crib again with a few toys and I played a little. But then I remembered my goal. So I scooted over to the bars and UP I went. All by myself I stood up in my crib! Hurray! Mommy was so proud.

As soon as Daddy got home we took him into my room and I showed him what I learned. He was amazed! He and I got to have some guy time together and he told me that he missed me yesterday.

Mommy gave me a new fruit today. I got to try pears and wow are they so good. So much better than bananas.

Then we got a couple of visitors. First, the gutter guys came. We got new gutters installed on our house. The dogs didn't like them. Then Grandma stopped by on her way home from work. She brought me the coolest thing ever. Her name is Sophie and she is a teething giraffe. I love her.

Later in the evening Mommy was trying to read her newspaper from the county but Apollo and I had other plans. She lost.

All and all, it was a good day.

Mommy babysits

Aug 30 - This morning Mommy got a call from Aunt Lynn to come over and watch Gavin and Aidan while she went to fill out paper work for her new job. So Mommy and I packed up quickly and headed over to the house. Mommy, Aidan, Gavin, and I spent the next couple of hours playing in the Aidan and Gavin's room. They have all kinds of toys I have never seen before but Mommy would take a lot of them and tell me they were too big for me. I didn't like that. But there were a lot that I could play with too so it was ok. We watched Toy Story and played really well together. Mommy was pleased. I was having so much fun I forgot to nap!

Chachi made lunch for the boys... PB&J! Then for desert Mommy gave them each half a cupcake. They just ate the icing but it looked pretty good. By then Aunt Lynn came home. It was time to quiet down and take a nap so Aidan went upstairs to his room while Gavin slept on Aunt Lynn's lap and I slept on Mommy's lap downstairs on the couch.

After nap time I played with Aunt Lynn on her bed. Mommy showed her how I can play rough too, just like the big kids. We rolled around and Mommy bounced me on the bed. I just giggled and giggled. So much fun.

Uncle Sean got home from work and it was getting close to dinner time so we all got in the car and went to Ruby Tuesday. I sat in a highchair again right next to Gavin in another highchair. Mommy gave me a little more water from her glass but I didn't really like it. Aunt Lynn also gave me just a small taste of apple juice, since I already have had apples, I did like that. I wasn't the happiest person there because I was getting really tired. Mommy felt bad so she tried to comfort me. When it was time to leave Mommy got me in my carseat and I screamed really loud to let her know that I was ready for bed. Once the car started to move I was out like a light!

When we got home I was up for a little while but no long.

Giddy-up, Apollo

Aug 29 - Today was an inside, lazy, relaxing day. Mommy, Daddy and I did a lot of playing and napping to recover from yesterday's yard sale. I had a good time. I played with Daddy, I rode Apollo, and I practiced standing using the toy box again. I am already getting better about standing for longer periods of time. Mommy and Daddy talked a lot about how we are going to Nicky-proof the house as Mommy and Daddy kept steering me back to the carpet.

Mommy gave me my second day of bananas and it is official. I do NOT like bananas. I made some pretty awful faces so Mommy stopped. She told me we will give up on them and move on to a new fruit.
I took a shower with Daddy. It has been a while since I had a shower but Daddy thinks I like my bathtime more so it might be a while til my next shower. By the end of the day I started to get a little fussy because we didn't go anywhere today but its ok, I am sure we will do something tomorrow.

Yard Sale

Today we woke up really early. Mommy grabbed me and we got in the van, which was full of stuff, and Daddy drove us over to Grandma's house. I had breakfast in the van and then watched Daddy, Mommy, Uncle Sean, and Grandma load the trailer full of stuff for the huge yard sale we were going to. We got to the Calvert Fairgrounds around 9am. Daddy and Mommy unpacked the van and set up our tables while Uncle Sean, Aunt Lynn, and Grandma unpacked the trailer and set up their stuff. We were there for hours but over all it wasn't bad. Mommy and I stayed in the shade and I even got my nap in the back of the van. A couple people asked how much I was and Mommy either told them I was
n't for sale or that I am priceless. Aww. When we were done, we packed what was left back in the van and went to get something to eat at Heavenly Chicken with our sale money.

Later in the afternoon I was playing on the floor and got the unopened bag of potato chips. I played and banged on that bag for a while. I liked how it crinkled. Mommy and Daddy were surprised I didn't pop it. I also stood myself up again. I am getting stronger and stronger.
After a very eventful day we all took a nap on the couch.Daddy fed me my first taste of bananas today. I am not quite sure if I like them or not yet. I made a face that led Daddy to believe I didn't but Mommy said we will know better on the second day since I had to get used to the new taste.I was asleep around 9pm.

The sky is falling!

Aug 27 - This morning was noisy! I woke up around 8am to hear a lot of ruckus above my head. Today was the day we got our new roof! It wasn't too bad since they started at 6:45am and I slept through the first hour of work. I even napped through the noise a little later. The doggies, especially Apollo, took the noise a lot worse than I did. He hid the entire time the workers were here.

Mommy and I fixed the workers some ice tea and ice water, well, I watched her make it. They were done around noon. Mommy and I spent the day playing inside on the floor. I think I wore Mommy out chasing after me. I am on the go now, big time. I can get off the carpet in just a second. I am fast!

When Daddy got home I showed him how fast I am. I would crawl over to the toy bin next to the fireplace and he would pick me up and put me back in the middle of the carpet and then I would crawl back to the toy bin in just a second. Mommy could see that I wanted the toy bin so she brought it to the middle of the carpet where it was a little safer and I used it to pull myself up with a little help from Mommy. I stood up next to the toy bin for a long time, playing with my shapes on the top of the bin. I liked the way the shapes sounded on the top of the bin. Then I sat down on my butt to rest for a minute but hopped right back up to do it again, this time with NO HELP! That's right! I stood up, by myself. Mommy was right there the whole time in case my legs gave out and I fell but I stood for a long time and loved it. Mommy was so happy for me. So was Daddy.

After all that standing I was pretty tired but it was off to the farmer's market at the boardwalk to meet Aunt Lynn, Aidan, and Gavin. Aidan wanted a watermelon so they got one. We raced up and down the boardwalk and I watched everybody else eat italian ice. I had a good time but I was getting hungry and tired. So we said goodbye and headed home. Mommy and I talked the whole way, well, sort of. It was more like screaming. We got home and got changed for bed, ate and went to bed.

Road trip

Aug 26 - This morning Mommy's friend Rashaad came over to the house. He helped Mommy get everything packed for a road trip up to B-More to see her other friend Eric. Eric had surgery recently and is pretty much stuck on the couch for the next couple of weeks. So we decided to visit.

On the ride up I was really good and slept most of the way there. When we got to Eric's house we were greeted by his dog Niko. She is a black lab, very playful but barks a lot. That's ok. I wasn't scared. Mommy let me get on the floor and crawl around and Niko would come over and sniff me. She even licked my ear. Mommy brought my crawl ball and Niko was scared of it! Mommy thought that was funny and chased Niko with it. Silly Mommy. Mommy and her friends talked for a while, but after a few hours I told her I was tired and Rashaad, Mommy, and I got in the car and headed home. I slept for a while in the car but since we got stuck in traffic it took a long time to get home.

When we got home I spent some quality time with Daddy since I didn't see him yesterday.