Why have 1 b-day party when you can have two?!

"I woke up at 9:05 this morning. Then Great Aunt E, Auntie E, Miss N, and N's (very sweet) parents came to visit/meet me. Unbeknownst to Mommy, they brought b-day presents for me- what a surprise!!!! And, you'd think, on top of getting spoiled with gifts, that after sleeping in till 9, and getting lavished with attention, that I would be a happy little camper. Nope. Had to leave the remaining present extravaganza to Mommy and take a much needed nap from 11:20-1:30. But, let me tell you, that nap did me a whole lot of good (and cuteness)."

"Check out my new car from Auntie E and Miss N. Zooomm!".
"I also like to do this with it."

(Mommy side note: this car flies across carpet.)
"Do you like how I'm modeling my studly new camping outfit from Auntie E and Miss N?"
REI clothes just don't get cuter for babies! This is a sneak peek of the outfit ;)

"Even though N's parents barely know me, they've been spoiling me with gifts since I was born. They were so fun to play with. I love my new puzzle and the boat (especially the piano keys)!"

"And Great Auntie E got me another puzzle as well. It has all the animals that Mommy's been trying to teach me. I played with my puzzles the rest of the day!"

"I'm such a stud. I wore my new vest all afternoon."

"I love picking up twigs in the yard."

"Mommy took me to the park and pushed me high up in the swing!"

"And we played peek-a-boo on the playground."

Thanks for coming to visit and for the great gifts!!!!!

Oh, Bugger!!!!!

Well, we almost made it the whole first year without E getting really sick. The poor little thing has had a terrible cold & ear infection for the last couple of days. Dad is rarely sick, and just happened to bring home a cold at the end of last week. When he says he's sick, he is really, really sick (I'm not sure if he even remembers the last day he took a sick-day from work). E seems to have managed to get Dad's super-powered anti-sick gene; but, unfortunately, this one has gotten the best of both of them. I thought he's been 'sick' before when his nose would run for two days, but this is an entirely different ball game: 100+ fever, runny nose, very raw throat, coughing, ear infection, loss of appetite, lack of interest in toys. It is soooo hard to see him suffer and not understand what is going on. I've never so much in my life wanted to volunteer myself to take the cold away from someone- I just wish it would hop off him and make me miserable instead. I have to admit though, him cuddling with us, wanting to be held all the time, and loving to be rocked in the glider like when he was tiny is just the cutest thing. Hopefully, with the medicine his pediatrican started him on yesterday, he'll be feeling better in a couple of days.

Out for a stroller ride and much needed fresh air.

Stroller and car rides seem to sooth him.

Ever seen E upset? Happy little camper, huh?!? (ha- he looks like the little pug I've always wanted when he wrinkles up his cheeky face- so cute!)

This has pretty much how the last couple of days have been

Dad was a huge help the last couple days- mostly just keeping me calm. He's been trying every which way he knows how to keep the little one smiling and happy. He's made funny faces, gotten medicine, and this: www.diapers.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?productId=21015. I thought it was super sweet of him to buy a $20 nose sucker, but I laugh at the idea that it is pretty much just an expensive bulb sucker (which we got for free) and nasal spray ($3). Quite honestly, our kid can't even sit for a second for the bulb aspirator (not like I can blame him)- not sure how this and the music is supposed to be more enjoyable. The reviews are off the charts for this product- not sure if we should give it a try or return it. What do you think??? Props, though, to my husband for once again splurging on the little guy. What a nice daddy!

Happy 10 Months, Little One!!!

E's 10month photo.

These were the originals, but since I had the extra blanket, I had to redo.

I thought these were super cute pics.

"bye-bye"

9 Months and Counting

Our little 9month old turns 10months tomorrow! Had to post a few last 9mth pics and videos. It has been such a fun month! What I thought was a really mobile boy has become a 'I want to be down and walking all the time'. And we just have to take the tumbles and bumps as they come. Just within the last 1.5weeks he really doesn't want to be held anymore, sit in his highchair or stroller, and prefers to cruise around the house holding onto furniture, walls, and cabinets. And, now he is getting used to holding onto one of us with just one hand while padding around the house. His teeth just keep on coming. We are now onto his top two front teeth poking through, so 8, and who knows how many more he's got hiding. Waves (really cute with his arms held out) and hi-fives. Still smiling and giggling without end. Although he isn't speaking yet, he seemingly recognizes an incredible amount of vocabulary and will look, grab, gesture, or walk to the object. He loves to look at books right now, especially ones with real baby pictures in them and ones that are touch and feel. And, I still get my story time- usually about 5-8 throughout the course of the day. Our library has an incredible children's section, and story/song time for babies that we've been going to (now that swine-flu has seem to flown away), and he loves it and has a couple of buddies there. Fortunately, his one-nap one day seemed to be a one-time event for right now (knock on wood). He is an incredible sleeper, but I think it is from all the walking, cruising, playing, laughing, growing and learning (and cuddles with mommy and daddy).

One-hand walking with Daddy.

Latest walking-video. One handed.

We went sledding the other day, again, for probably the last time of the year.

Pretty obvious that he loves it.

GEARING UP: We (I am) are looking forward to our first family camptrip. Since I've always loved being outdoors, I want my boys to grow up close to it as well; so, I am making sure that E goes camping before he is One. Yes, this means squeezing it in before his birthday- ha.

This little boy has slept in nothing but his posh crib since he's been home from the hospital.

I want to make sure that he'll sleep just fine without the comfort of his crib, so I've started getting him accustomed to sleeping in his play-pen during naps.
Introduced him to our hotel away from home. Ha- set this up in the family room. So gigantic (it is no single-person NorthFace) that I wasn't able to fully fit the 'wings' and screen room up. I think it is 16x15 with a 7'ish centerheight. It is a great 'cabin'- the inside divides in two rooms- with space for a queen size air mattress on either side.
Let him play with his toys in the tent for the afternoon.

He learned what a flashlight is. We turned off the lights, found his toys in the dark, made finger-puppets on the wall, and...

...glowed in the dark.