Lots of housework

Dec 17 - I slept in til about 9:30am! I told you I was exhausted. And when I did wake up I just played in my crib and didn't make a peep. Mommy came to check on me and I was sitting up, sucking on my pacifier, playing with my blanket. Mommy told me that I was such a good boy and we started our day.

After breakfast Mommy told me that we have a lot to do around the house today. We started in my room and I watched as she straightened up and grabbed my dirty laundry. Then we went to her room and I played with the baby in the mirror while she changed the sheets, got her dirty clothes, changed her closet wardrobe to her winter clothes, put her summer clothes in the plastic bins under the bed, and dusted. She was running around constantly tidying up. Off to do the dishes and put all the clean clothes away. I was a good little helper until I started to get really hungry.

She nursed me and I started to fall asleep. She knew that I needed to eat my lunch before I went to sleep so she put me in my highchair. I just wanted to sleep but she told me I had to eat first. I ate a little and she finally caved. She layed me back in her lap and I went to sleep for a while.

When I woke up Daddy was home and he had wrapped a bunch of Christmas presents for Mommy and me. I found them on the floor but before I could tear into them Mommy picked me up and told me, "not till Christmas." I followed her around again while she finished doing a few more things and cooking dinner. I was playing in the fridge with my lemon and investigating all the things on the fridge door. I found the taco sauce bottle and dropped it, breaking it. Mommy grabbed me before I could "investigate" the glass and brought me into the family room and put me in my highchair while she cleaned it up. It was time to eat anyway. Mommy gave Daddy his dinner and then started to feed me. I was about half way through my meal when Daddy came over and took over so Mommy could eat. After I was done I played with Daddy. I watched him play ping pong and played with my toys. After a long day of being Mommy's little helper it was time to call it a night. I was asleep a little after 8:30pm.

Pool day in the snow

Dec 16 - I slept til about 8am. Daddy came in and got me from my crib. He didn't go into work today because he wasn't feeling great and didn't want to deal with traffic this afternoon from the snow we are supposed to get. He got me changed and handed me over to Mommy. After I ate, Mommy left me with daddy so she could get everything ready for the pool. That's right, today was a pool day. Mommy and Ms. Andrea had talked about going to the pool today during our playdate at the library. So we packed up, said goodbye to Daddy and headed to the pool. When we got there it had just started to flurry.

We got me changed into my swim trunks and looked around for Ms. Andrea. We didn't see her but we found Ms. Erin and Sam! We didn't know they were even coming. What a nice surprise. We walked out to the kiddie pool and there was Ms. Andrea and Noah and Ms. Dana and Caylee. I didn't know they were coming either. So we had the whole group together to swim. We had so much fun. I splashed around and played on the big snake. Sam and Noah played on the bottom of the slides. Caylee and I played on the ropes by the purple slide. Then Mommy and I showed off and went down the purple slide together so everyone could see how much fun I think it is. But even with all that moving around it still gets cold in the kiddie pool. So we all moved over to the therapy pool where it is so much warmer.

They have a bench against the wall so Sam walked along the wall. Noah relaxed and laid back against Ms. Andrea and Caylee just held on to her mommy. I did a little of all three. Mommy set up the camera on a timer while Ms. Andrea held me. Mommy hit the button, jumped in the pool, swam over to us, and held me all before the camera took the picture. Well, it took two tries.

Caylee, Noah and I were getting kinda tired so we said goodbye to Sam and Ms. Erin, since they wanted to stay, got our stuff, and went to the locker room to change. Mommy got ready while I banged on the bench in the middle of the room. Then she changed me into dry clothes and my snow suit. We got outside and it was snowing. It was so pretty. We said goodbye to Noah and Caylee and Mommy got me in the car with the heat on while she brushed the snow off the car. Then she brushed the snow off Ms. Erin's car so it wouldn't be too much when they decided to leave.

I was exhausted and slept the whole way home. Mommy didn't want to wake me up so she tried to carry me in the carseat inside. Unfortunately, as soon as she pulled the carseat out of the car and I got a little snow on my face I woke up. I was so tired so I told her how unhappy I was that I was awake. She fed me and I went back to sleep.

After my nap I was still a little cranky. I played a little and ate but I was still really tired. Mommy and Daddy gave me a bath to get all of the chlorine off of me. I played in the tub with my little ducks while Daddy read me the story of Pinocchio. Mommy dried me off and changed me for bed. I was asleep at 8:30pm! That is how tired I was.

More food please!

Dec 15 - So we pretty much took it easy this morning. No running around or doing a bunch of chores but just played with all my toys and looking out of the sliding glass doors. Ms. Bridget didn't come today since the last cleaning took so long for the party. Mommy said we were over budget and that she would have to try to make sure that the house is clean for Christmas. She did a little laundry but mostly hung out with me.

After talking with Noah's mommy yesterday about how much Noah is eating she decided to see if I wanted more food for breakfast and lunch. I usually eat a fruit/oatmeal mix and a fruit for breakfast but today Mommy offered me an extra fruit for breakfast and I gobbled that up too.

We both go dressed and drove to group. We were the first ones there again. Ms. Betty was happy to see me as always. When I got on the scale I was 17lbs 8.6oz. That was about 7oz more than last week! Must have been that extra fruit for breakfast. I ate a little and played with Caleb, Hunter, and Violet. It was a small group today. The four of us shared toys and has a good time. Violet always brings the best toys. She brought these cool octopus teethers and I could fit the whole thing in my mouth, well almost. Violet is becoming one of my best pals. She is really good at sharing and hands me her toys all the time. I am not so good at sharing and just take everything that I want. Mommy and I will have to work on that. Violet is very nice and I enjoy playing with her. Ms. Betty even called her my girlfriend.

I have to be careful around Caleb and Hunter since I am so much older than them. They are both about 5 months old and just learning to sit up. I remember when I was just learning to sit up. Ah, the good old days.

Mommy and I stopped off at CVS to get some wipes for me. Then we ran into PNC to deposit a check. They have a prize wheel there that I just love. Mommy spins it and I just laugh uncontrollably.

We got home and swung by Ms. Donna's house. I played on her new kitchen floor while Mocha kept sniffing at me. Ms. Donna showed me her singing snowman. We had to get back home because Uncle Sean was coming over to pick up tickets for tonight's Caps game. Uncle Sean held me for a little while and talked to Mommy but he didn't stay long. I was hungry and tired so Mommy hurried and fed me before I fell asleep. I napped for a while. I kept Mommy company in the kitchen while she made dinner. Mommy was almost done with dinner when Daddy got home from school. And after a little play time with him I was ready for bed.

Playdate with Noah

Today I woke up a little before 8am. After eating I practiced walking a little. Mommy still makes a big deal when I walk a few steps so that I keep trying. She says that she can already see that I am getting stronger and more confident.

Mommy put me in my crib so I could play with my Eeyore and other toys as she put my clothes away. I kept throwing Eeyore out of the crib and she kept throwing him back in the crib. It was a fun little game. Then Mommy got me dressed and we got in the car to go to our play date at the library. Only Noah and his Mommy were there today. Ms. Erin and Sam didn't feel like going out today and Ms. Dana and Caylee had company over. That's ok cause Noah and I had a great time just the two of us. We played on the busy box and pulled books off the shelves. We also played with these big foam letters. Noah and I both tried to bite on them. I showed Ms. Andrea that I am starting to walk. She is very nice. She read a story to me. Then Noah and I both ate. I was really hungry since I hadn't had my breakfast meal yet. I stood up while Mommy fed me. She again told me that I had great balance. It wasn't too long after that we said goodbye to Noah and Ms. Andrea.

We headed home and I fell asleep in the car. I slept for a while and Mommy had brought her laptop out to the car to keep her busy while she waited for me to wake up. After a few hours of napping in the car we finally went inside. Mommy brought the groceries inside from yesterday and put everything away as I played with my lemon in the fridge. I also found some of Mommy's frozen milk in the freezer and tried to drink it but got very frustrated that I wasn't getting anything. I was so hungry.

Mommy saw that it was time to eat. She sat me in my highchair and fed me. Daddy got home while I was eating and gave me a kiss hello. Mommy and I finished eating and it was time to play. I spent some time sitting with Daddy in his chair. I played with my ABC dog repeatedly hitting the button. He would go "A-B-C-D-E, A-B-C-D, A-B-C-D-E." Daddy told me that there was more to that song if I would just wait to hit the button but I thought it was more fun this way.

I also watched Daddy play on the Wii while Mommy got dinner ready and straightened up the pantry. I took a nap at 6pm but it was short and when I woke up I was still really tired. I could decide if I wanted to play or sleep and yelled at Mommy because I was so tired. She eventually put me down and I continued to play on my activity table. I tried walking again and took a few steps that Mommy actually got on video. I was ready for bed at 10pm.

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.