Walking in circles

Dec 13 - Today I woke up around 8am. Daddy came and got me from my crib since he didn't have to go into work today. Mommy fed me and I was ready to play. I had the best time playing with my activity table and all my toys. Mommy started to clean the house and Daddy was playing on his computer so I kept myself occupied.

I got a nice surprise when Grandmommy came to visit. She is good at surprising me with visits. She came to wrap some of her Christmas presents and leave them at our house and also to just spend some time with me. After she was done wrapping presents she played with me for a little while. She bounced me on her legs and sang to me. Then everyone ate lunch and Mommy nursed me to sleep. I slept for a long time. When I woke up I was ready for my second solid meal of the day. Grandmommy fed me. I got a little messy today. I showed her my new game while I am in the high chair. I rock back and forth until Mommy says "Freeze!" Then I stop and take a bite and start rocking again. Grandmommy thought that was funny.

I hung out with them for a little while longer until it was time for all of us to leave. Grandmommy was heading to Granddaddy's school so she said goodbye and gave me a kiss for her and one for Granddaddy. Mommy and I got in the van and went to the dump and then the grocery store. I was really good in the store and held a couple of coupons for Mommy. I, of course, tore them up. Ok, so I am not the best coupon holder. But I did really well while Mommy pushed me all around the store. I also flirted big time with the checkout girl.

When we left the store it was freezing! It was so windy and cold and the van was parked so far away. But you know what? I didn't care. I thought it was funny. The wind made me laugh. Mommy would go "Brrrrrrrrrrrr" and I would laugh. Everything was funny. Mommy put me in the van and then put the groceries in the back. We got home and Mommy took me inside and only went out to grab tonight's dinner from the van. She said that it is cold enough to leave the rest outside.

I played the rest of the evening. Daddy got home from school and they sat and had dinner. I was cruising along the tv stand and then walked from the tv stand toward the activity table and then turned and headed back to the tv stand. When I got back to the tv stand Mommy and Daddy both started cheering and clapping. I didn't even know they were looking at me. I got so excited that I started to walk again but then fell down. I was happy that I made them so happy. If I keep getting that reaction I am going to have to walk more.

It wasn't too long after that and it was time for bed. I was in bed at 9:30pm.

A new way to drink - oh the things I learn with Daddy

Dec 12 - This morning Daddy came and got me from my crib. He changed me and brought me out to the family room to Mommy. After breakfast Mommy got dressed all nice and gave Daddy a bunch of instructions and then kissed me goodbye. She told me that she had to go to a funeral for her friend's mom and that she wanted me to be good for Daddy. Then she left.

I didn't cry when she left because I was too busy watching Daddy play on the Wii. He fed me breakfast and gave me a bottle of milk. We played and just enjoyed guy time. I took a very short nap in the swing but sat in the swing for a long time awake. We watched football and he gave me another bottle filled with water. He showed me a new way of drinking. Instead of sucking on the bottle nipple he squeezed the bottle and squirted the water in my mouth. I would open my mouth over and over again for him to do this. I liked it. He also squirted me in the face. I liked that too. I laughed as he sprayed me. Its a good thing I like the water.

Daddy had just gotten done feeding me my second meal when Mommy got back home. I was fed, happy, and a mess. Daddy and I showed her our new game with the water. She was surprised I didn't mind being squirted in the face. I continued to play with the bottle of water and managed to squirt myself and get my clothes soaked. I also managed to bite almost the whole nipple off. Mommy changed me into dryer clothes. After more play time it was time for a bath. Daddy read me a story about one of the 101 Dalmatians while Mommy got me clean. My rash is almost gone. Thank God. I went to sleep around 10pm.

Down in front

Dec 11 - I slept in til after 9am. Mommy came and got me, fed me and then let me play so she could get some tickets online for some concert she wanted to go to. She seemed pretty excited about it. The day was pretty much same old, same old. Just hanging out, eating, sleeping, etc. When Daddy got home from work we played together. Then Mommy gave me some more food. I think it was the citrus from the pear/pineapple mix that gave me a really bad diaper rash. It was so painful and I cried as Mommy tried to clean me up and put some cream on. Mommy and Daddy both felt so bad for me.

As it got later it was time to get ready for the Caps game. Mommy put me in my Caps shirt and we drove to the game. I did really well sitting in Mommy's lap for the first and second period. I started to squirm a little toward the end of the second. I crawled into Daddy's lap for the third period. I really was tired of sitting at that point and wanted to stand but Daddy said "Down in front." Mommy fed me while I sat in Daddy's lap. It was messy and I didn't eat much with everything going on. The Caps ended up losing. They have hit a slump recently.

I slept on the way home. Mommy woke me up and changed me for bed and fed me one last time in the glider. Then I went to bed.

Lazy Friday

Dec 10 - Today was one of those lazy days at home. Mommy did a few things around the house but mostly it was just one of those days to enjoy being at home, warm and safe. It was a jammies day. Mommy and I didn't do much of anything. When Daddy got home from work he joined us in our lazy day. I played a little with the animals. Salem and I chased my rattle ball around the room. I played on the couch, crawling over Apollo. And I tried to touch Church but he is just too fast. That was pretty much it. Not a very memorable day but it is good to have a lazy one every now and then.

Red Loster is the best

Dec 9 - Today Mommy and I slept in. Then we were out the door for a fun-filled day. We hopped in the van and after a quick stop for gas we headed to Waldorf. I like the van a lot. I can see out of the window and watched the cars and trees pass by. It usually makes me so sleepy. So I took a nap on the way.

When I woke up we were in the Target parking lot and Grandmommy was sitting next to me. I was very happy to see her. We walked inside and Mommy put me in a cart. Grandmommy pushed me in the cart and kept me occupied while Mommy tried on a few things. Then we went around the store and ended up at the toy section. I liked seeing what all the toys could do. I think Mommy and Grandmommy might have gotten a few things in the cart when I wasn't looking. I am getting excited for Christmas.

After Target, Grandmommy, Mommy, and I got in the van and drove over to Red Lobster. This was my second trip to Red Lobster. I was only two months old when Ms. Heather, Mommy, and Daddy took me for Mommy's birthday. I was on my best behavior today. Mommy sat me in a highchair and gave me my own plate. She gave me tiny pieces of their famous biscuits and I fed myself. Then when Mommy and Grandmommy's plates came I got to have some of Grandmommy's baked potato. I ate everything and also my own turkey and sweet potato that Mommy brought from home. Now I was full and ready to take another nap. We dropped Grandmommy back off at her car and she kissed me goodbye. I slept the whole way home and for a long time after we were home.

When I woke up I was ready to play. Mommy had been wrapping more Christmas presents so I hung out in the dining room area with her. Daddy even had dinner with her at the table. I played hide-n-seek with Salem. I found him in one of the boxes in the living room. I also played with the yellow rattle ball, chasing it all over the family room until it was time for bed.

My first Christmas present experience

Dec 8 - This morning Mommy and I decided to take it easy before group. We just hung out and did some chores around the house. I watched Mommy do the dishes and laundry and get lunch ready for the both of us. I took a quick nap before group and then we were off. Mommy swung by the dump on the way. We were running a little late but when we got inside and out of the cold, rainy weather we were both surprised that the group room was empty. Mommy and I got settled in and she got me a undressed and into a clean diaper. Ms. Betty came in and I went over to her and started talking. I know I have said it before but I love Ms. Betty. She always is so kind to me and very interested in what I am trying to do now. She really cares about me.

So Ms. Betty asked what was new and Mommy asked her, "How many steps does it take to consider it walking?" Ms. Betty answered with a smile on her face, "I think it is walking if he takes one step and then tries to take another one. Why?" Mommy told her about my five steps and she got really excited and tried to get me to walk to her. I didn't walk to her but I did show off a little walking from the door of the store to the scale.

I weighed in at 17lbs 1oz. I got to play with Violet and Caleb and Hunter. It was a small group since it was so rainy and we left a little early. We had to get to the grocery store. I enjoyed the grocery trip but kept trying to eat things I wasn't supposed to and I was getting tired so I kept slouching in the cart. Mommy had to put a gallon of milk on each side of me to keep me sitting upright.

We got home and Mommy put me in my crib for a nap. It was a short nap. Mommy had been wrapping Christmas presents and I hung out on the floor of the dining room as Mommy finished wrapping a really big present. When she got done she told me that this one was mine and put it on the floor. A few minutes later I went over to it and grabbed part of the pretty wrapping paper and tore it. Mommy said Oh No! And then picked me up and laughed. She told me that it was mine, I don't see the problem.

After that, we just played and hung out until bedtime. Daddy had me laughing a lot. He picked me up and swung me back and forth like a pendulum. It was fun.

Five steps is a record

Today I slept til after 9am. Mommy came and got me, dressed me, and fed me. Then it was out the door to get to my playdate. Caylee and her mom invited us over to her house instead of meeting at the library. When we got there Noah and his mom were all already there and Sam and his mom got there a few minutes after us.

We all had a great time playing with all the toys. Caylee's doggies were outside of the back door so I played with them through the glass. Noah, Sam, and I really enjoyed playing on the doggies cages too. Caylee even let me eat in her booster seat. We all had so much fun that I got really tired and after Mommy nursed me I fell asleep in her lap while everyone else kept talking and playing. When I woke up it was just Caylee's mommy, Mommy and me. Everyone else left and Caylee went to take a nap. I wasn't really ready to wake up so I was a little cranky but I held out while Mommy and Ms. Dana talked. Then we said good bye and headed home.

Daddy was home when we got home. After a little play time we all ate lunch. Mommy told me that I should nap in my crib like a big boy again. So I did. It wasn't a long nap, maybe an hour. I was still really tired when Daddy came and got me from my room. I cried as he tried to calm me down but I just really wanted Mommy. Sorry, Daddy. Mommy fed me and I felt a little better. I started to play again. I was hanging out by the Christmas tree and the toy box and then walked the farthest that I have walked yet. I took about five steps and Mommy and Daddy saw me do it. They were both really impressed and Mommy told me to come to her so I crawled over to her and she picked me up and kissed me and told me that I was such a big boy. Mommy makes me so happy.

After Daddy made dinner and Mommy fed me my dinner Mommy got to cleaning the kitchen. I sat in my high chair and watched Daddy play the Wii. Then Mommy let me down to explore. I had a good time until it was time for bed. I was in bed at 9:30pm.

Everyone loves a slinky

Dec 6 - Today I woke up around 8am. I haven't had to cry for Mommy to come get me for a while now. I have been so good about getting enough sleep and waking up happy and then playing in my crib like a good boy until Mommy comes and gets me. Mommy always tells me how proud she is of me when I do that.

We had breakfast and just enjoyed a day of doing nothing. Mommy said that she wasn't feeling way too great and didn't have any energy to go out or anything so we just stayed in our jammies all day and played. Most of the day I played with my toys as Mommy laid on the couch and played on the computer. She did play with the nesting balls and the activity table. She fed me some bread, cheese, and even let me get a couple of licks of her lollipop (it was yummy).

I took a short morning nap on Mommy's lap but when it was time to take my afternoon nap Mommy said that I did so well yesterday sleeping in my crib that we were going to try it again today. And you know what? I slept for about two hours in my crib like a good little boy. I was a little cranky when I woke up though.

Mommy and I just hung out until Daddy got home. He and I showered together quickly because the water was really cold since Daddy and Mommy had talked too long while the shower was running and wasted all the hot water. Brrrrrrr! But Mommy found that one of the kids from the party had hid a plastic slinky in the hall closet so I got to play with that while Mommy lotioned me and got me dressed for bed. We watched the end of the hockey game and at 10pm I was in bed.

Major recovery day - ten months old.

Dec 5 - After getting to bed so late the night I was wiped out today and so was Mommy and Daddy. I don't really think that any of us actually woke up today. We were just walking/crawling zombies. Mommy at least put the furniture back and cleaned up all the trash and recycling and swept up the kitchen and dining room. But the rest of the day was spent napping and relaxing.

I had started to get pretty fussy in the afternoon and told Mommy that I was ready for my nap. She needed a break and decided to try to let me nap in my crib. To her surprise, I went to sleep pretty quickly in my crib and napped for a couple of hours. Mommy really appreciated the break since she wasn't feeling great today. When I woke up, she thanked me for napping in my crib.

Mommy and Daddy had a bunch of leftovers from the party so they ate that all day. They brought my pack n play, activity table and toys back in to the family room as well as the rug. It got pretty cold in the house since Mommy forgot to turn the heat back on and the rug makes the floor warmer.

Daddy and I hung out and play Wii while Mommy snuck out to go help out Ms. Heather for an hour. I didn't even notice she was gone until she got back. I went to bed around 8:30pm.

The Christmas party is finally here

Dec 4 - Wow! Today was one long, busy day. We started by me waking up around 8am. Mommy got me dressed and we off to the mall. We had to pick up the gifts for the party tonight. That didn't take too long. Then Mommy grabbed breakfast in the food court and fed me in the car. We headed over to the church in Clinton where Great Aunt Marian was having her funeral. I slept in the car on the way there but was woken up to go inside. I saw Chachi, Grandma, Uncle Sean, Aunt Lynn, and Aunt Erin. When it was time for the service to start Mommy and I said in the Children's Chapel. It is an isolated room away from the rest of the congregation but with a big picture window and a speaker so you can hear what is being said. There was another little boy, he was eight months old, in there with his family. I did pretty well since I had puffs, toys, and my pacifier but it was a long service.

When it was over Mommy and I rode in the long funeral procession to the cemetery. Again, I fell asleep but Mommy couldn't leave me in the car by myself so she had to wake me again to go to the grave site and pay our last respects. We said goodbye to the family as they went back to the DiLorenzo's house because we had to get home and feed me.

Once we were home, we ate, and Daddy got home. The two of them got everything else done and the food prepped for the party. Mr. Rashaad, Ms. Shalese, Ms. Shayla, and Aidan were the first to arrive. They came early to help decorate the tree. Aidan, Ms. Shalese and Mommy did a great job. Then everyone else started to arrive. I wasn't the only kid either. David, Aidan, Gavin, CJ, and Kenzie were all there too. Everyone seemed to have a good time and I got passed around to a bunch of different people or just crawled around on the floor. There was one point where I showed off a little and tried to take a couple of steps so everyone could see. Ms. Denise and Ms. Nicole were especially surprised. Toward the end of the evening I was getting really tired and just sat with Daddy on the couch. He told me that I was doing great! He let me play with his hat.

I ended up getting really tired before everyone left but Mommy said that it was time for bed when it was past 10pm so she kissed me good night, put me in my crib and told me to get some sleep. I cried for a little while since I could still hear them having a good time but after a few minutes I crashed.

Cleaning day

Dec 3 - Today was the big cleaning day. Ms. Bridget couldn't come clean the house for the party because she had a family emergency but her replacement Ms. Vicky was here from 9:30am to 3:15pm. I had only woken up about 15 mins before she got here. She did everything. I watched her go from room to room doing her thing but Mommy also had to keep picking me up and moving me so I wasn't in her way.

Mommy got a few things done today too. She put out the Christmas stuff for the bathroom and moved a few things out of the family room. But mostly she just played with me and let me nap.

When Daddy got home we got a few more things done and hung out until it was time to get dressed. Mommy put me in a nice collar shirt, brown pants, and brown shoes so I would look nice for Great Aunt Marian's viewing. Daddy drove us in the van and of course I slept on the way there. When we got there it was packed! So many people had come to pay their respects to this fantastic woman. We found Grandma, Gavin, Aidan, Aunt Lynn, Uncle Sean, and Chachi. I occupied my time with a pack of tissues. Grandma held me for a little while and I played on one of the couches with Mommy and Daddy for a while. We did go up and said our goodbyes to Great Aunt Marian. We stayed til the end and then got in the van.

Instead of going straight home like I wanted we stopped at the grocery store in Oxon Hill. It took forever for Mommy to run in while Daddy and I waited in the van. Mommy had to get a few last minute things for the party and when she finally came out she had quiet a story about the people in the store. We finally got home. I wasn't happy about being woken up again but Mommy had to feed me and change me. I finally got to sleep in my bed.

My first visit with Santa

Dec 2 - Today I woke up around 9am and we got out of the house around 10ish. Mommy and I had some errands to run. Mommy knew that we were going to the mall so she dressed me in my really Christmas-y jammies since I was going to meet Santa. The first thing we did was take my picture with Santa so I wouldn't be tired or fussy. Mommy was a little worried since some kids are afraid of Santa but not me! I am used to facial hair with the men in our family. I sat on Santa's lap and just starred at him. Mommy tired to get me to look at the camera but I was so busy looking at Santa's long white beard. I finally did look at the camera and smiled a little. Mommy said that she thought the picture was perfect. I had that devilish little grin. The same grin that Daddy has. She bought a ton of pictures.

Then we went to F.Y.E. to preorder Eclipse for the party. Then we went to the bank, Petsmart, and then Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Every where we went I was told how cute I was in my jammies. Mommy let me play with a Santa pillow and a Rudolf singing reindeer but they were too expensive to buy. We headed home and called Aunt Lynn on the way. She said she was going to come over to help out with any prep for the party.

Daddy got home right after we did. He said he needed some time to unwind before he could help Mommy with party stuff. So Mommy put me on the floor and I followed her around as she cleaned and moved furniture and put stuff away. When Daddy started to help he help Mommy put up the tree. They moved it into the family room and plugged it in. It was really pretty especially with the silver star on top. They said that they wouldn't decorate it until the party so I wouldn't try to pull off any of the ornaments.

Aunt Lynn showed up with Aidan and Gavin. The boys sat at the table and ate while Aunt Lynn and Mommy decorated the mantle. Grandma had found Mommy's little Christmas tree that she had when she was in college. It has tiny lights, tiny bulbs, and a tiny star to go on top. Aunt Lynn put all the baby food in a cabinet so they had more counter space and also did the dishes. She helped Mommy out a lot even though she didn't think she did. I played with Aidan as they were doing all of this while Gavin sat at the table playing with his truck. But I made sure that when Daddy, Aunt Lynn, and Mommy were looking I took a couple of steps off the couch. Mommy got so excited that she yelled, "look, look!" She startled me so I dropped down on my butt. But at least they saw I was trying. The trio went home and Mommy continued working on her list of things to do until it was time to put me to bed.

A slow day

Dec 1 - This morning was pretty slow. Mommy was getting a slow start and really debated about leaving the house at all. She had a bunch of things that needed to get done for the party this weekend but didn't have the energy or motivation to do anything, it didn't help that it was rainy and miserable, so we just played at home. I napped in Mommy's lap til a little after 1pm. When I woke up Mommy said that she decided that we were going to go to group after all.

We hopped in the car and headed down the road. Ms. Betty was really happy to see me and asked Mommy how I did with my blood work from a couple weeks back. She told them all about the experience and that my blood work came back great. I weighed in at 16lbs 15oz today but Mommy says she is done worrying about my weight. She told Ms. Denise that I am a happy, healthy, active little boy that needs to enjoy being skinny now because my predetermined genetics would kick in eventually. I enjoyed playing with my buddies from group. Mommy told Ms. Betty that Sam started walking. James got his first tooth. It seems we are all getting bigger and growing up.

After group Mommy and I went home. We didn't do much else today. I stayed up til Daddy got home from school.

A picture of me with all my brothers.

Playtime with Chachi

Nov 30 - Today Mommy had to wake me up in order to get to our playdate at the library. Mommy fed me in the car in the parking lot at the library. When we went inside we met Sam and Noah and were told that Caylee and her mommy were sick and weren't coming. The three of us played on the busy box and the boat. Sam took a few steps today. I will really have to start practicing now if I want to keep up.

I had a lot of fun at the library. Ms. Erin thought that I was too vocal and said that we were going to get kicked out but Mommy said that I was fine. I also picked some new books off the shelf to take home. I found an area that I could look down at the people on the first floor. I liked that area cause I could also bang on the glass a little and it had fish painted on the glass.

After we said goodbye to Noah and Sam Mommy and I decided to stop by Grandma and Chachi's house. Grandma was home from work and held me for a while. She was really glad to see me. We watched her cat Tom hide under the carpet. Silly kitty. Then we went downstairs to visit Aunt Lynn, Aidan, and Gavin. Aidan had a giant Caps eagle claw that he used to cover my head. I thought that was funny. I also got to play with this really cool book and talks and lights up when you open it. Aunt Lynn said that I got was more excited about that book than Gavin did and so I should keep it.

It was time for the boys to have lunch so we went upstairs but Mommy said that we hadn't seen Chachi yet. So Mommy and I went upstairs to the computer room where Chachi was. He was happy to see me too. He got on the floor with me and rolled around with me. Then I got on the bed and played with his fish pillow. I laughed and laughed while playing with that pillow. Mommy also showed Chachi my blog so it looks like I will have a new follower. Chachi and I had so much fun playing together that we lost track of time. By the time we went back downstairs Aunt Lynn had already gotten done feeding the kids and went downstairs for nap time. That wasn't a bad idea. Mommy and I said goodbye to Grandma and got in the car to go home.

I slept in the car for a while. Then ate, played with Daddy, watched Mommy get a few things done and ate some more. Overall, it was a pretty fun day.

A new tree for me

Nov 29 - Today I slept in til about 10am. When I finally woke up I woke up to the smiling face of Mommy next to my crib and Grandmommy at the end of my crib. They told me that they were waiting for me to wake up. I was so excited to see Grandmommy. That was a great surprise.

Grandmommy had come over to help out since Mommy hadn't been feeling great and she had a ton of things to do. So after some play time with Grandmommy it was time to get to the list. One of the new things on the list was get a new Christmas tree since the mouse had made a house in our old one. So we got in Mommy's car and after Grandmommy fed me we went to Walmart. We got exactly what Mommy wanted. It was a prelit 7.5 foot tall Christmas tree with white lights. It will be really pretty. We had some trouble fitting it into Mommy's car but Mommy was determined. Grandmommy had to ride in the back with me. We stopped at McDonalds to get lunch before heading home. I was tired and ready for a nap. Mommy was also tired so when I fell asleep on her lap, Mommy cuddled up with me and slept too. Grandmommy kissed us both goodbye so we could get some rest.

The nap wasn't too long since we both woke up when the phone rang. We still needed to run some errands so we went to the grocery store. I was getting so hungry that I tried to eat the frozen pizza I was supposed to be guarding. Once we got home and got the groceries away we ate dinner.

Daddy got home from school and played with me. He had me up on the couch and threw my little beach ball to me. I kept trying to zerbert it. Mommy and Daddy would laugh at me so I would do it again. I am such a clown.