Rockin' & Walkin'!

Even though I have been taking steps since about 7 1/2 months- mommy & daddy have not really considered me a walker until a week or so ago. Mommy's criteria was that I would not only walk towards objects and people, but I would walk into nothingness- you know...those large voids in the middle of rooms where nothing exists, except pathways for people to walk!! Well- now that I am doing that and my walk to crawl ratio is about 70/30- I guess it is time to consider me a toddler- because I am toddling around everywhere! I kinda look like I had a milk formula bender the night before and am still recovering from the hangover- but of course, this is not the case. Changing direction is still giving me some problems- but never fear, I am working on that. I am having a lot of fun getting my legs nice & strong and soon enough I will be scampering off to get into trouble on un-wobbly, trouble makin' legs!

The music sounds good- but, to me, the smack of my little bare feet on the hardwood floors is the sweetest sound ever!!

I Got The Beat

In the evening, mere minutes after finishing my dinner, mommy strips me down to my diaper (because I LOVE being nakee) and we rumpus. Mommy does not think I know that we do this in order to wear me out so I sleep better, but I am wise to her scheme. I don't care WHY we do it...I just really enjoy this time of day! I probably fit more smiles & giggles into this 30 minutes before bath time than at any other point during the day. Well- each day our rumpusing is something different. It can range from a kiss or tickle-fest, to upside down play and hide & seek, to multiple trips up & down our stairs. Well- tonight, mommy put on the iPod and we rocked out to some cool tunes. I was trying to show mommy my walking skills, but instead- I ended up jammin' out & dancing to a wide array of music. The two songs that really got my blood pumping and my limbs groovin' were "Paradise City" by Guns N' Roses and "4 Minutes" from Justin Timberlake & Madonna. As much as I like the "kiddie" music playlist that mommy has made for me on the iPod- I think I enjoy the adult music with a lot of bass & cool beat just a bit more. I think I enjoy it so much that it just takes over my whole body- which is evident from the video, because after dancing, I could not even crawl straight!!!!!

Sick Again...Are You Kidding Me???

Well...believe it or not- we are sick YET AGAIN!!!! This is my third sickness in 3 weeks and it is getting just a bit ridiculous! I guess the good thing is that this illness is not a stomach bug- 'cause that was awful. This week we just have colds. I am one runny, feverish, stuffy, red, snotty, coughing, puffy, sneezing mess! I can tell that I look a mess, because every time mommy looks at me- I can see it in her eyes. You know that look your mamma gives you...It is a mix of sympathy, worry, care, and frustration that she really cannot do anything to help you- all in one glance. Yup- that is the look that I have been getting from her for the past 2 days- but today is the day that she actually looked like she was going to cry after one of my awful coughing fits. I even overheard daddy saying how bad he felt, that I was pitiful ,and that it was hard for daddy to see me this way. I am a trooper, though and am still eating full meals and playing in between mommy cuddle sessions. I gotta tell you- even though I am in good spirits, I am getting frustrated at getting sickness after sickness. This better be the last darn sickness we get this winter!!

10 Months & 10 Things

So...on my 10 month birthday, I thought I would look back over the last few months and share with you 10 things NEW things that you might not know about me.

1. I am starting to speak some words, even though I do not typically associate them with things/people yet. MaMa and DaDa are words that I say very often. The only thing I consistently say & associate with something is "Num Num Num" when mommy puts me in my highchair and I am waiting for my food. Yupper- I am a piggy!

2. I have started to use the sign language sign for "milk"- but I use it when I want either milk or water...so, I guess, actually I am signing "drink." The way I sign it kinda reminds people of my wave, so it can get a bit confusing at times when I want to say hello and a sippy cup is shoved in my face!!

3. I am now walking like a big boy, without lunging or falling down a lot. It has become more second nature and I do it without thinking about it...but I still like to crawl because I get to my destination a heck of a lot quicker.

4. Ever since my two first teeth came in, I have been doing this odd thing with my lips and tongue. It makes me look like an old man and I am told that it is super goofy looking! I either get my top lip caught behind my teeth, so it looks like I only have a bottom lip- or I flick my tongue over the top of my new teefers because it feels cool. Both make mommy giggle at me.

5. I like to sit on my bum with my feet out in front of me and bang my heels on the hardwood floor. Sometimes I even like to shimmy my body around in circles- all the while banging away!

6. I do not eat baby food any longer. I am a full time "table food" eater and I am loving every minute of it. I have yet to meet a food that I do not like and I gobble down everything with great gusto! If mommy tries to stop feeding me before I am adequately full, I pitch a fit and scream a bit. I also prefer to feed myself. I will allow mommy or daddy to feed me if it is something like yogurt or applesauce- but given the choice, I would much rather use that perfected pincer grasp- or better yet, just shove a ton of food into my mouth all at once. Yupper- I am a piggy!

7. One of my favorite things to do is to take every single book off the bookshelf, make a huge pile on the floor, and then step and climb up the books. Oh- and I like to have the books read to me too...but mostly prefer to just be a tornado of mess with my books.

8. I have started throwing tiny fits/temper tantrums. If mommy or daddy take something away from me or if they try to move me away from a situation I should not be in...then I arch my back and scream or I become limp as can be so it is virtually impossible to be picked up. Ahhh...the joys of becoming a toddler!

9. I get much joy out of chasing my cat Mia around the house. I have never caught her yet- but I am getting pretty speedy and I know I will give her a run for her money pretty soon- much to her dismay!

10. I am a bit of a climbing monkey. If I can step on something, sometimes a toy- but mainly a mommy or daddy body part, and then pull myself up onto a chair, couch, or ottoman- I am happy as a clam. The only problem is- once I am up on the furniture- I do not know what to do and cannot get down on my own!!

And here is one to grow on- I am just about ready to move on up to size 5 diapers. Mommy has been debating every day whether she should do it or not- but is going to try to finish the final box of 4's first. I am not really a big boy- it is just those darn thighs are what always push me up into the next size diaper!!!


Obviously there are many other "quirks" that make up Jack Samuel Ryan- but these are just some of the major ones for now. Ten months old- can you believe it???????

Baby Daniel

Mommy and I went to visit Miss Jodi, Maggie, and my buddy Daniel today! Dan was born on November 17th and was not an extremely large baby at birth- but he is just like me and he likes his food- because he weighs a whopping 13 lbs already!! Goodness, I mean- I only weight about 20lbs and I have a good 8 months on him! I fear that he is gonna steam roll me in a couple of months. That's OK- I don't always have to be the alpha in my relationships with friends- but that is a role that I have been most comfortable with up to this point. I guess I will just have to learn!! Dan is just like his older sister, Maggie-lots of personality! Maggie kept me busy showing me all of her cool toys- and Dan kept me amused listening to his baby gurglings and showing me his numerous hand and facial gestures. He is such a cutie. I cannot wait until he gets a bit bigger and can move around and pay with me...we are gonna have so much fun and get in so much trouble. Watch out, mamma and daddy & Miss Jodi & Mr. Jim...Daniel and I are gonna tear it up!!!!

"The Castle"

CiCi and Bud were supposed to come visit us today- but daddy has been sick with a cold and mommy did not want the grandparents to catch it...so we went to them instead. They had spent the night with Uncle Sammy and Jenna- so I got to go to the magical place that mommy calls "The Castle." This is the neighborhood where mommy grew up. It is the historical (or hysterical as CiCi calls it) section of New Castle, Delaware. The buildings here are hundreds of years old and there are even some streets that are made of cobblestones!! Bud and CiCi still own their house there, even thought they live in Avalon- but Uncle Sammy & Jenna live there for the time being. It is a cool place and the Delaware River is even in the backyard!!!! We walked Hoover down by the river and had some fun! I got to crawl around on the grass- but just had to be careful to not crawl through the "doggy landmines." Mommy bundled me up while we were outside because it was a bit chilly today, so when we went back into the house and my hat came off...that is when the hair magic began. Check out my rockin' hat head hair 'do!! Pretty stylin', huh??

Uncle Sam & Jenna came home from running errands after we go back from our walk and I got to spend a bit of time with them as well!! They got me a way cool Puma tracksuit that makes me look like a Baby Beastie...mommy is so excited for me to wear it! Once I have outgrown it, I will share it with baby MoLuke, because it is just too cool!! I also got to meet Jenna's Boxer puppy, Ruby! She is just like me- cute and a bit excitable! She jumped up a lot- but I did not mind. I am letting her use me as practice so she gets used to little ones around the house- that way when Sam & Jenna's baby gets here this summer- Ruby will be very well behaved.

I had a goofy time with everyone and the visit was a great end to a perfect weekend!

Baby Michael's Christening

First of all, I know the picture here does not look anything like a Christening shot- but that is because my goofy mamma forgot her camera in the rush to get us out the door and to the Christening party on time. So...we decided to post a picture of my new shoes that I got to wear to the party!

I got to meet my newest cousin, the guest of honor, Michael. I am told that he is to be called Tripp- but I only heard people calling him Michael, so I am a bit confused! I had been a real bugger all day leading up to the party, not sleeping, and fussing a ton...but I pulled it together once we got to Uncle Michael & Aunt Kim's house. The first person I saw once we were there was Nana and Grandpop. Boy was it good to see them!! Nana made a big deal about what a big boy I am becoming. You betcha, Nana!!!! I am starting to eat mommy and daddy out of house & home so I can grow up big & strong!

The next thing I did was to say hello to all my other relatives, like Aunt Court n& Aunt Ashley...but I was super duper looking forward to seeing the little guys!! I am at the age where I just want to interact with other little people like me. Adults are great & all- but there is just something about playing with the little tots like me that makes me oh so happy!! I, as usual, accosted Owen...but then, in an unusual turn of events, my 1 1/2 year old girl cousin Sienna (Michael's sister) manhandled me a bit!!!! She was gentle about it- but boy were the tables turned when I was not the "alpha" baby!!!!! She tried to get my paci- but I was not having any of that!! I am not a selfish baby- but I do not share my paci with anyone!!!

I had a fun time and I got to stay up late to boot!! The repercussions of my late night partying were not as bad as they have been in the past, but they were still enough to disrupt my (as well as mommy's) sleep. Hopefully I am becoming a bit more flexible and can party hardy like this a bit more...especially with all of my fun family!

Interior Decorator

So, my time cooped up in the house surviving sickness forced me to look to avenues other than simply plying with my toys to keep me occupied. Mommy tried to keep me entertained- but she was just trying to hold it together for herself- so we had a lot of down time. I feel as though I used this time quite productively. I tried to help my parents with some interior decorating. Actually- at first it just started out that I would push around my big toys, that were supposed to remain stationary. Mommy and daddy even had to temporarily take away my new chair that Mommom and Poppy gave me because I was pushing it all over the hardwood floor, scratching the floors and also coming dangerously close to falling down the step in between the living and family rooms. Not only would I do this with my toys, but I would find a piece of furniture that was not too heavy and I would reposition it for them!! How nice of me, right?? Mommy walked in on me quite a few times while I was moving the bamboo woven box in the dining room. She always knew what I was doing before even catching me in the act because she could hear me grunting to move it from the other room!! I guess if I want to surprise mommy and daddy with a new room layout, I will have to learn how to keep my grunting to a minimum!!

Ahhh...There Is Life Outside The Sick House

How wonderful!!! Mommy and I went on our first outing today since contracting that awful tummy sickness. I am happy to say that (I hope) we are all better now!!!! it is the first day that mommy has had no lingering symptoms and I feel pretty darn good too! The only bummer is that the minute daddy got rid of the stomach bug- he got a cold. At least mommy and I have not gotten that one...knock on wood!!

Our outing was only a quick trip to Target- but Target has never looked so good! We went there to just get some essentials, but then just walked around the store for a while enjoying our time away from the house that contained us for a whole week while sick! Mommy even bought me a toy because I handled my first major illness like a big boy! I got a Foofa doll, from Yo Gabba Gabba!!!!!!!! Foofa you might ask?? Isn't she a pink girl? Well yes- indeed she is!!! Mommy and daddy are running an equal opportunity household. So, If I deserve it and a pink flowery doll makes me smile- then they will indulge me within reason! I just love how she is so happy, always smiling, and also she is a great dancer. The lady behind us in line did look at me a little funny- but I didn't care!!!!

After Target and my much needed nap (my outing sure did wear me out) mommy and I went for a nice walk around the neighborhood. It was such a warm day and I sure do miss my walks. This thing called winter is the pits!! Hopefully we will not have an extended winter and we can resume our daily walk when the temperature warms up a bit.

Oh- one more important thing that I have failed to mention over the last few weeks...I am now in my big boy car seat!!! Mommy decided that I looked like a sausage, stuffed into my infant car seat- so I got upgraded to my toddler one. Now I have so much room and sit a bit higher- so I am in kiddie heaven! All the more reason for mommy and I to get back to our schedule of an outing a few times a week!

Cabin Fever

So- when I reported yesterday that we were all feeling better from this dang tummy virus, I was sorely mistaken!! Upon further investigation- it seems as though we were just having a lull in the symptoms, but those little germies were going to wreak their havoc on our family yet again!!!!!! The good thing is that they did not attack me so much- but mommy and daddy fell under their prey. The morning did not start out too well, but the good news was that I got to spend another sick day with my daddy!! It was fun having home during the week- even if he was sick! Mommy told me that I cannot report that everyone is out of the weeds yet, for fear that Murphy's Law will strike- but I will say that we all seemed to be in much better spirits in the early evening. Daddy and I even had a fun jam session with my new tin drum. Daddy is a goof ball and played the drum with a pastic donut on his head. It is rare that an outsider to our family gets to see my daddy being super goofy (even though he is a ham for me all the time) so soak it all in- because who knows when you will see this sight again!! Come to think of it...he was pretty darn silly- so maybe it was just "Cabin Fever!!"

The House Of Sick, Yick, And Ick!!

Ugh...The past few days have been awful!!! Mommy and I started feeling under the weather on Friday- and it has just started to let up today!!! (**Side Note** I heard mommy use this expression "under the weather" this weekend, so I am using it now...but it does not really make a lot of sense to me. I mean- of course we are under the weather- the weather is up in the sky and we are down on the ground, right?? Guess I better use my little fingers for more than blogging and see if I can "Google" it.) We caught some sort of stomach bug and boy did it hit us hard!! I won't go into details, because I will surely gross you out- but let's just say that none of it was pretty. Well- Daddy did a great job taking care of mommy and I on Saturday, but then he got sick on Sunday night. Thank goodness mommy was starting to come out of her icky state, because mommy and I took care of him today. Good thing mommy and daddy were not both sick at the same time, because then would I have had to take care of both of them??? I am a pretty smart little guy- but I am not too sure I would have figured out how to make chicken soup & toast and flush the toilet!!! It seems as thought we have all turned the corner now. I knew I was feeling better when I emptied ALL of my toys onto the floor this afternoon and played HARD! So- Instead of mommy, daddy, and I throwing up- it was just my toys that threw up all over the family room!!!!

Grandparents VS. Germs

Mommom and Poppy came to see us today...they braved all of the sick germs in our house to visit little old me!!!! That makes me feel so special! Mommom is Super busy at work, too...so it was extra meaningful that she risked her health and potential sick days off of work, to come spend some time with me. Not only did they come full well knowing that mommy and I were sick, but they also braved the snowy roads from Maryland to Pennsylvania!!! That is love, I tell ya!!! I was not feeling 100%, but I managed to be cute, adorable, funny, and did a little bit of showin' off for them!! They brought me another chair for my cool table, so when I have a friend over we can both sit & do fun stuff!! Check it out- it has crayons and has primary colors...my fav!! Mommy was glad that they came, because it gave her a little down time since she was feeling awful! The visit was nice...Poppy even let me touch his beer (which, because of my strength- I almost got out of his hands!!!!) and Mommom and I had some good snuggle time. Hope the visit was worth it guys (it sure was for me!!) and I hope you escape unscathed and with no icky tummy virus germs!!!!!

Table For One

Way back in the summer, mommy and CiCi were at a cute little shop in Avalon and mommy fell in love with this tiny little antique kiddie drop leaf table. Never one to go with the norm, mommy of course prefers the older, paint chipping, unique, non-mainstream table as opposed to the Pottery Barn or Ikea sets that most toddlers would have. She thought it would be perfect for me to do art projects and other odds & ends on when I got a little bit older. Well, obviously art is quite important to CiCi since she and Bud were art teachers, so she wanted to buy it for me for Christmas. Well- it has been in Avalon since Christmas, so when CiCi came to visit me this week she brought it with her. Mommy thought she would just put it away until I was a bit older, along with the chair CiCi got to match it, but I informed her that I have other plans for the set and I would like to start playing with them now!!!! I just think it is the greatest thing ever. I loved sitting on the chair when I watched my episode of Yo Gabba Gabba- and I think it is really silly when mommy puts my toy on the table and I throw them off onto the hard wood floor, making a big bang!! Good thing the floors are durable...no dings yet!!!! I am sure I can come up with a few other uses for this chair and table. For now- it makes a good addition to the living room and I think it should stay put!!!!!

9 Month Stats

Today was my 9 month (even though it is actually 9 1/2 months) checkup with the pediatrician! I was lucky to see Dr. Long again and show her my wonderful development! CiCi was still in town and she came along with us. Good thing she did, because there was a little bit a drama!! I am getting ahead of myself, though- so let me start with my new statistics!!!

Height- 49th percentile
Weight- 33rd percentile
Head- 87th percentile

For all of you who are not in the know about baby percentiles- this means that I am no longer a short stack!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am now a bit more average!!! Maybe mommy's genes are starting to take hold in my body and I am starting to sprout up a bit! Last time I went to the doc I was in the 30-35th percentile for height. Guess all the walking that I have been doing has improved my posture and lengthened me, huh??

Doc Long was also surprised at my weight. I gained over 3 lbs in 3 months. She said most babies do not have as much of a weight jump between 6-9 months. She obviously does not understand just how much I love table food!!! Mommy described a typical breakfast, lunch & dinner for me and the doc's eyes bugged out of her head just a little bit. She was shocked at how much I ate. She did encourage mommy to scale back a bit on my breakfast and also told her that I no longer needed to eat baby food. Mommy was not too happy to hear this because she just bought 4 cases of food for me- so doc said to finish that off- then to just feed me whatever the adults are eating, less peanut butter and honey. I even got the go ahead to eat fish, which made mommy very happy because she cooks fish a lot for dinner and it is healthy!!!!

The drama part of the visit came when I had to get blood taken from my finger to check my blood for lead (and something else which mommy currently forgets.) I did OK with the prick and the blood being squeezed out, even though mommy forgot to bring my paci for comfort!!!! Bet that is the last time she forgets that because I did cry a lot longer than I would have if she has just brought my plastic piece of heaven with her!! Lesson learned- right mommy?? Anyway- I digress...After the withdrawal of my blood- I got a nice band-aid from the nurse. Only problem- the band aid did not stop the bleeding and I dribbled all over the floor, mommy's clothes, CiCi and myself. It seemed like a lot of blood and kinda freaked mommy out. I guess I am a good bleeder- because the flow did not stop for a while! Eventually it did stop- but then, about an hour later- when I was playing with one of my toys before nap time- I accidentally re-opened the wound and it started bleeding all over again! Again- it did not want to stop. Mommy tried holding my arm over my head and put pressure on my finger- but to no avail! I was so cranky and tired at this point that she just put me to bed- fully aware that she would need to do hazmat duty afterwards to clean everything up! Well-she was right! The bleeding did stop (just so you are not too scared- it was not spilling out in buckets or anything- but just a slow drip!) while I was napping. Mommy laughed when she changed my sheets and cleaned up my crib area later though...she saw exactly what I had played with before settling down for my nap. There were drops on every single crib rail, my sea horse, my blanket, the toy on my crib, as well as the mirror and even the bumper!!!!!!! Thank goodness for Oxyclean! So- even thought there was more blood than any of us wanted to see- it was a good ped visit and I am just so happy to report that I am growing!!! I just hope that my height gain is accurate and not just a "Oopsie" by the nurse!!! I mean, I was squiggling around a bit when she measured me...

When Daddy Is Away...

We shall play!!!! Actually, we all play when daddy is here too...but it just sounded like a good title!!! Daddy was out of town last week in Chicago and this week he went to California!! (I must say that I am quite jealous- because he gets to see Elknu Paul, Aunt Susan, and cousins Miles & Annie!!) Mommy and I get very lonely when daddy has to be away from us for work- so we like as many visitors as possible to come distract us. That way we don't miss him quite as much! CiCi was the lucky visitor who got to spend some time with me this week. We had a very fun visit planned for her. Mommy wanted to get a few odds & ends at Ikea- so we headed there today! We went at lunchtime so I could have my first bite of Swedish meatballs...and when I say bite, I really mean that I ate about 1/3 of mommy's meal!!! I also got to eat some mashed taters and some Lingenberry jelly. I enjoyed all of it and ate like a champ. I was pretty neat and only got a few dribbles on me- which was quite impressive seeing that mommy forgot my bib!! I definitely think my favorite part of the excursion was the food- but the shopping was not too bad, either. Then we then went to Trader Joe's to get some yummy organic fruit & veggies for me. All of which were fun- but the highlight of the day was not any of our destinations- it was the fact that I got to share all of it with my CiCi!

Strike A Pose

So...Mr. Keyser, photographer extroardinaire, has struck again!!!! When mommy, daddy, and I went to Avalon over Christmas, I got to have an impromptu photo session. I am quite use to having that large black thing in my face since mommy tries to capture every moment of my life- but this session was pretty fun in comparison!! CiCi stood behind the camera and got me laughing with Mr. Parrot and I almost did not realize what was happening. I was still slightly aware that my image was being snapped, though- so I did try to make sure I looked handsome, even with food crumbs on my face. I just think Mr. K's pics are wonderful and he sure does capture the moment so well! I am so lucky that I get to have such a fabulous photographer to take pics of me.

Movin' On Up

As if me crawling around at race car pace and starting to teeter around walking was not enough to stress mommy out and keep her on her toes- I have decided to add another trick to my repertoire...scaling the steps! Yesterday, while mommy was getting me ready for my bath, I spied my cat Mia at the top of the stairs and decided to go after her. Thank goodness mamma was right there, because I was off & up in a flash! I had scaled the first step and was working on the second by the time she joined me on the stairs. With mommy following me as my spotter- I made it to the top not once, but twice!! Daddy got home around this time from watching the Eagles (without me, I might add...I mean- what is up with that?? I thought I was your buddy- we are supposed to stick together and bond over man stuff like that!!) and I did it again for him & uncle Tom. I could tell that they were impressed! Uncle Tom was not so impressed later, though. When daddy was getting me ready for my bath- I had a little poopy diaper. Daddy cleaned me up and passed me off to Tom, sans pants, but I still had a little bit of doodoo on my butt. Uncle Tom was slightly grossed out- but all in all, for not having any kids of his own- I thought he handled it quite well! Whether it is climbing stairs or trying to gross out Uncle Tom- I am turning out to be more and more of a handful every day...so, watch out!!

Christmas Part 4

Well, my month of Christmas has finally come to an end...and it ended with a nice bang!! Aunt Courtney came to our house on Saturday and we headed to Cape May to finish up our holiday celebrations with Nana and Papa. The whole gang was there!! Auntie Nina, Uncle Jeff, Robbie, Owen, Uncle Rick, Aunt Sarah, Maggie, and GiGi. I had a real fun time sharing toys with Maggie. She is 2 years old, so I was trying to get her to show me the ropes. Both Maggie and I liked trying to play with Owen- but I cannot say that Owen shared the same feeling...especially for me. I think that my "in-the-face" tactic of trying to play with him- like shoving my fingers in his face and screeching with joy to be near him, made him a bit wary of me. He is still a "small fry", so I will let it slide for now- but it is my mission to toughen him up when he gets a bit bigger! His older brother Robbie- my oldest cousin, is SOOOOO much FUN!!!! We played peek-a-boo and he definitely kept me amused. He also fed me breakfast like a pro!! Mommy wishes he would come to our house- it would make her job a lot easier to have a fun guy like him around! Boy is Owen lucky to have such a cool brother!

Nana and Papa got me some cool toys and a nice book! Sarah, Rick and Maggie got me an awesome outfit, and GiGi gave me ten whole dollars that I am going to put right into my bank account. Gotta start saving now, right?? I have decided that I am going to save all my money so I can get a cool Mustang like my daddy's!!! (Actually- maybe daddy will let me buy it from him just like my daddy bought it from Papa- that way we can keep it in the family and 3 generations of Ryan's will have owned the same car!!) Mommy was thinking that college is a better investment- but I guess that is an argument better left for a future discussion!!

It was a nice family gathering and I even got to try some homemade mac & cheese! It was yummy! I stayed up late and also slept in to a whopping 8am!!!! I was a party animal!! We had to rush home on Sunday so daddy could see the Eagles play football. I was upset that I could not spend a little more time with the family in Cape May- but I was indeed worn out, so I guess it was all for the best. Thanks to Nana & Papa for the grand finale to the holiday season. We all had such a nice time.What a great first Christmas. I am one lucky little boy. Most people get one night/day of holiday celebrations- but mine has stretched out for weeks!! Thanks to every single friend and family member for making it a fun, food & toy filled, amazing holiday season that I will forever remember. You all have set the bar quite high, though...I just don't think that it could get any better! Thank you all & I love you!

Pillow Diving

So, as you all know- earlier this week I was sick. You'll be happy to know that I no longer have the fever nor the virus and I am back to my old self. The first clue that I was getting back to my normal "lishy" antics was when I was "pillow diving" the other night. Ever since Christmas, because of all the traveling (as well as the teething) I have not been following my typical sleep training bedtime procedures. Mommy is very strict about this night time routine and I typically follow it to perfection- but over the last two weeks, I must admit, I have deviated. Well- with the virus rearing it's ugly head this week...mommy was kind enough to be a little more lenient with me if I woke up, crying and hot with fever. Instead of making me cry myself back to sleep (heaven forbid, huh??) she actually would let me come downstairs for a little extra snuggle time in her arms. I am a smart little guy, though- and I started to see a pattern of how I could get away with some antics! I also wanted to see more CiCi since she came to help mommy with me being sick. This particular night, however- mommy caught onto my little game. If CiCi had not been there, I might have gotten away with it- but they conferred and came to the realization that I was manipulating them!!! Busted- I guess I took it a step too far. Instead of her holding me in her arms, I decided I wanted to get down play...so I squirmed & squirmed in her arms. She just thought I didn't want to be held so much, so she let me get down on the floor. Then I proceeded to smile & look around for something to get into. Since all of my toys had been put away for the night- I did the best I could and used a little imagination when I saw a pillow on the floor that I began burying my face into, having fun and laughing. OOPS...guess I blew my sick cover because (after taping my fun fest) I was whisked away to bed- where I was left to cry!!!!! The audacity!!!! Bummer she caught on that I was feeling better. Now guess what...back to the old rules of sleeping! Oh, well...I had fun while the leniency lasted! They do say that "All good things must come to an end."

Happy Belated, Greta!!

I was feeling a bit under the weather yesterday, so I was not up to singing...Darn virus!! Today was a different story, though!! All mommy had to do was ask for me to sing for you and I was chirping like a bird in no time. Anything at all for my sweet Greta!! I just cannot believe that you are one whole year old. I feel like such a baby compared to you now. Does everything change when you graduate to years instead of months?? You'll have to give me some pointers because my big "0-1" is coming soon and I want to be prepared!!

So- sorry it is a day late, Greta...but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Here is a song and a big toothy drooly grin for you!! Love ya...