Jump Jump Jump!!

Jump, Jump, Jump...or in my case Spin, Spin, Spin!!! Mommy has introduced me to yet another toy. I have not quite gotten the hang of it yet, though! I am able to sit in it and kinda move my legs and feet around on the smooth & slick hardwood floors. I just do not know how to do the whole jumping thing yet. Mommy tried to teach me- but I was having no part of it. I was just having a good ole time simply moving & spinning. I did spit up a lot today- so you think there is a connection????

Summer Reading

Mommy reads books to me on a daily basis to try to stimulate my mind...but I have to admit that I really like to read trashy celeb magazines. I know that they have no redeeming value what so ever...but I just cannot resist! Mommy likes them too...even though she does not like to admit it to many people. Daddy would much rather see her read a magazine of value- but every time she goes to the grocery store- she comes home with an US Weekly or People. I think I just like all the bright colors and the fact that I can crinkle the pages. The nice, smartly written kiddie books that mommy reads to me every day are just not half as fun to play with a rip apart! Daddy hopes that both mommy and I move onward and upward from this REALLY soon!!!

Rocker Baby

Daddy has discovered a whole new genre of clothing for me and mommy is a little worried...The Rocker Baby Duds!!!! He has ordered me this rocker onesie and also got me a long sleeved AC/DC shirt. Mommy is afraid for the day when she walks in and see's a package containing a black leather Iron Maiden hat and a nasty 80's jean jacket with icky hair band patches on it!!! No- I will give him some credit that he is not that bad, but see...Mommy does have reason to worry- because back in the day when daddy was in high school, he tooled around in his Mustang muscle car, wore his cheesy jean jacket with patches, had a mullet, and listened to his heavy metal. Hopefully some of mommy's musical tastes will make it into my wardrobe as well. I did see her eyeing a cool Beastie Boys onesie and some baby Pumas the other day!!!

4 Month Pediatricians Appointment

I had my 4 month checkup and vaccinations today. I was sooooooo good when they stuck me numerous times. Mamma and daddy were so proud of me. After my 2 month vaccination appointment I was incredibly fussy for the remainder of the day- but not this time! I was in a good mood and only got a little cranky around bedtime, when I think my Tylenol was starting to wear off. Other than the shots, the checkup went really well. The doc said that I was progressing wonderfully and was very impressed with my rolling skills and my strength in general. When Mommy described how I have been inching my way forwards & backward on the floor using my knee's- she said that she thought I would be crawling sooner rather than later. I am gonna take that one day at a time, though- no pressure from anyone, OK??

So- here are my most recent stats...weight- 14 lbs 9.10 oz (45th percentile)...24 1/2 inches length (35th percentile) and 17 inches head circumfrence (75th percentile.) So- in short...I am exactly like my Pappa...average weight, short little legs, and a big ole head! I mean that in a good way- I wanna be just like my daddy!!!!

Here is a video of me talking, trying to gab my paci & having fun on my tummy! Oh, and by the way, today is actually my 4 month birthday- Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday to meeee-heeee, happy birthday to me!!!!!!!

Neglect-O-Matic

I have started using my exersaucer and am liking it OK so far. My cousin Maggie gave it to me once she was done using it. Wasn't that nice of her?? Aunt Susan and Uncle Paul refer to this contraption as the neglect-o-matic, for obvious reasons. I know my cousin Miles loved his and would just get soooooo excited any time he saw it. I on the other hand, am still warming up to it. I get easily overstimulated, so this thing has me on overload. Mommy and daddy are afraid that this toy might be the introduction of ADD into my life. I just go from one thing to the next and get myself all kindsa worked up. I like it at first- but then get a little overwhelmed. I do really like that I am able to flex my leg muscles in it, though!!! If given the option to stand or sit-I will always prefer to stand on my chunky legs- so that is one feature of this toy that I really enjoy!! It is really neat- so I will give it more time to see if a love for it develops.

Sicky Chicky

Let me just start by saying that both mommy and I have been sick for the past 2 days. It has not been fun! You might not be able to tell from these pictures- but my face has been like an oil slick of different fluids. I have been leaking tears from my eyes, snot from my nose, and drool from my mouth. I cannot even begin to tell you how many times mommy has wiped my face from top to bottom. I have been a trooper, though. I am good for the most part, smiling and acting like my happy old self despite all the fluids streaming out of me- but every so often I just have to have a meltdown to let mommy know that I am feeling icky. She feels it to- so I am trying to be good since this is the first time she has been sick and not been able to just crawl in a hole until she is better. She has been focusing all her energy on getting me better & keeping me happy and not really worrying about herself! What a mamma! Daddy is not doing too well, either. He has a pinched nerve in his shoulder/neck area and is in a lot of pain. We are just one big old sloppy mess in the Ryan household! Keep your fingers crossed that we all get better soon...

A Visit From Poppy

I had a very special visitor yesterday...Poppy!! Mommom and Poppy are leaving for France today so when Poppy took Sadie to New Jersey yesterday to be "dogsat" by Lois & Steve, he stopped by to see me on his way home!! Recently we have been traveling to see so many people- so it was such a treat to have a visitor come to us. I am typically in a much better mood in my own abode- so it was great to see Poppy and really be able to enjoy his company. I was very happy and smiling and I had a lot of fun with him. He was lifting me up and twirling me around and I just had a blast. Have fun while you are in France, Poppy & Mommom...you are just leaving today and I miss you already!!!!!! Au Revoir et Bon Voyage!!!

The Kissing Bandit

There are so many pics of CiCi kissing me...but here are just a few to show you her immense love for me. It seems as though she has a preference to the right cheek, huh?? Another thing CiCi does when she kisses me is to breathe in all my baby Jack smells. It is so cute!! Mommy told me that she used to do that to her as well. There was one point when Mommy was a teenager that she limited CiCi to 1 kiss a day because of not monitored, CiCi just smattered Mamma with kisses all day!! What Mom didn't know is that CiCi used to sneak into her room while she was sleeping and kiss her tons. Well, Mamma- just pray that I do not do that to you one day- because you give me about 500 kisses a day and I just do not think that you will be able to limit yourself. Now you know what CiCi felt when you were little!! I won't limit your kisses CiCi...pucker up & feel free to give me as many smackaroos as much as you want!

My "F"avorite Things

I have some favorite things these days...and they all begin with "F." Fingers, Fist, Feet, Flying, Fred the Frog, and Fuzzball Mia! Ever since I discovered my hands I have been shoving my fingers and more often than not, my entire fist, into my mouth. I observe my moving fingers all the time and you can see me thinking about moving them and grasping objects. I also LOVE to play with my feet. I am always grabbing & holding onto them. I love to frustrate Mamma and do it while she is trying to change my diaper. So fun to see her try to maneuver around them while keeping herself free of diaper surprises! Fred the Frog was a gift from Bud and he is my most favorite toy. Quite possibly it is because Fred has special cheeks- as do I!!!! His cheeks light up. While mine do not do that- they are ginormous, so I feel as though we are kindred cheek buddies. My other favorite thing of recent days is our cat Mia. That little furball is so cool and I just really enjoy watching her. I also love petting her when she comes close to me. She will walk past and I will reach my hand out, wide palm & splayed fingers, so I can touch her soft fur. Flying is my last favorite thing of the moment. Mommy holds me over her head and moves me from side to side and up and down. She likes doing this because it is helping her arm muscles become a bit stronger. The one downside for her, though- is the spit. As gravity would dictate...since I am above her and always drooling, it has to go somewhere and down is where it goes- Most of the time directly onto her face, neck, or chest! Sorry, Ma...but thanks for playing airplane with me because I really enjoy it!

My Auntie Nina

Mommy and I had a very nice visit with Auntie Nina today! We went to her house to keep her company because she is pregnant with my little "soon to be" cousin and her doctor has put her on bed rest. She has 3 more months until baby boy Ryan should be here...so she really has to take it easy, because as much as I want to meet him- he just cannot come yet!!She is a cool lady & I love her. We played on the floor and she held me a bit on the couch. It was nice to spend time with her and when she holds me it gets her ready to welcome her little one. I was bummed because I did not get to see my cousin Robbie, nor my God Funcle (God father & uncle) Jeff. Mommy said that we are going to try to visit Aunt Nina once a week so she does not go stir crazy...so maybe next time they will be there!! I know that baby has to stay in her belly a while longer- but I am just so excited that I will have a little partner in crime to hang out with!!

Nakee Time

I LOVE BEING NAKED!!! Every night when Mommy gives me my bath I just have so much fun. Mommy tries to make it a soothing, relaxing time before bed- but I just kick & laugh & splash water all over. After my bath I also love to be wrapped in the nice large warm towel. Then, my daring Mamma, let's me sit un-diapered while she gives me a baby massage. When that is done and she even motions towards my jammies & diapers, I begin to pitch a fit! I just love to be free and untethered from those constricting garments!!! Mommy has postulated that maybe I know that bedtime is coming up next so that is why I cry...but to tell you the truth, I don't even know if I can put all that together in my (almost) 4 month old mind. I won't tell Mommy that, though- because she thinks I am one smart little boy. In actuality- I just like being nekked. Here are some embarrassing pics of me that Mommy insists on posting!! I am mortified...

Our First Family Photo

The "oh-so-wonderful and talented" Mr. Harry Keyser took some family shots of Mommy, Daddy and I over Memorial Day weekend and here are just a few of them! I am going to have to get some more taken soon, though-because I have changed so much. I keep hearing everyone say that I no longer look like a little infant- but now look like a baby. Soon they will be saying the same thing, but that I look like a toddler. I know Mommy is not looking forward to that! She wants to keep me her little baby for as long as possible!!

Harry Keyser is taking photo's professionally and you can see some of his work on http://www.harrykeyser.com/

Sleep Updates

Well...it is pretty much official that I am sleeping on my tummy now. Either that or my side. Occasionally I will still sleep on my back- but I seem to sleep longer and better and actually fall asleep a bit easier if I am placed on my tummy or side. As Mommy mentioned before this kinda freaks her out- especially when I do not turn my head and she finds me face down on the mattress!!!!! I can still breathe- and she knows I am strong enough to adjust my head- but it worries her none the less.
I am also sleeping in my room now during naps. No more pack n' play in the living room!! Mommy has not put me up in my room at night yet- but will do that within the next few days if my naps continue to go as well as they have been. Mommy just turns on the fan at a low speed (because I LOVE breeze on me) and also turns on my white noise machine. I prefer the womb, rain and THUNDER sounds the best!! Can you believe they have a thunder sound and that is my nick name???? Anyway--I will keep you updated on how my sleeping progresses...

For all of you that have not seen my nursery- here area few pics for you. I am always happy and smiling when in my room. I love to stare at the circles on my ceiling and the stripes on my walls. I also really enjoy the pictures above the chair where Mommy nurses me. They are very graphic vibrantly colored animals with letters on them! So cool...I love my room!!!!

Rolling Thunder

OK- I know I posted before about rolling from my tummy to my back- but now I can roll from my back to my tummy!!!!! Mommy had to go show houses yesterday so Daddy came home half a day to watch me. Of course- the first time that Mommy has left me for any length of time in about 3 weeks and I decide to reach a major developmental milestone!! Murphy's Law!!!!!!! I am glad that Daddy was there to witness it, though- since Mommy does get to see most things that happen with me first! Mommy is now stressed out, though- because all I want to do is roll overwhile sleeping. She never thought that I would be doing this at only 3 months and 3 weeks old!!! Before one of my naps today (of which I screamed for 1 hr 30 min before sleeping only 20 minutes) while in the crib- I must have turned over 50+ times, but since I was crying so hard- Mommy would flip me back over. When she wouldn't, I would end up in the corner all cramped with my face in the mesh of the pack 'n play, face down screaming. She kept flipping me so she would not worry because I was exerting all of my energy on crying rather than positioning my head correctly so as to not suffocate. I am good at holding my head up- but for some reason today I was just not doing it at all! After this sleep training thing is over (where Mommy has to let me cry or I do not fall asleep...which has been brutal for her, Daddy, and ME) I know all will be better. Don't worry, Mamma- I am a strong healthy boy and can sleep on my tummy just fine!!!

A Fun Week!

I have sure been up to a lot the last week. I went on a family fun outing to Wal-Mart with Mommy, CiCi and Bud. They treated me to a cool floor mat, fancy puppy slippers, and a cool frog that dangles, lights up and plays music. It was a lot of fun and I was constantly amused. Just walking up and down the aisles gave me gads of things to look at. I also got a new pool and, even though it was a little chilly & breezy, tried it out and then Mommy ended up just giving me my bath in the pool!! So fun! I also tried out my BeBe Pod for the first time. I was sliding all over the place and needed the tray to keep me up at times- but I enjoyed it. I even played with the toy attached to the tray. I am getting soooooooo good at using my hands. My paci fell out the other day and I tried to use the cord attached to it to bring it back to my mouth. I patiently tried & tried for about 5 minutes while Mommy and CiCi watched, but then got frustrated so Mommy ended up putting it back in my mouth for me. I am getting good, though!!