LBB is 16 months old!

My little LBB is 16 months old! He is getting to be such a big boy!

So...at 16 months:

• LBB is still as picky as ever when it comes to food. However, his appetite is slowly expanding to include not just fruit strips and raviolis, but lots of CORN, bread and Ritz crackers as well. :)


• is loving his new room and play area. He's seemed to be having a much better time of getting into a sleep routine now that everything is nice and organized. He has been playing tons and this Mommy doesn't mind one bit...it's easy to get the messes cleaned up now!


• waves Goodbye and Goodnight.


• Loves to look at books and "read" us snippets. He doesn't have much of an attention span when it comes to sitting, so we've found the best times for storytime are at mealtimes and bedtime.


• Gives hugs and kisses all the time. He is a very lovey boy!


• Loves to feed the kitties and PaPa and GiGi's doggie. It's his new little "chore" when he is at their house, and every morning, he is right next to me when it's time for the kitties to eat. He holds the cup, and with just a little bit of guidance feeds them. So cute!


• Loves to color, paint, and is learning how to use scissors.


• Is beginning to be able to do simple puzzles. We're at the beginning process of learning, but he started to figure out that he needed to put the cow where the cow goes and so on.


• His favorite show is "The Fresh Beat Band" on Nick Jr. We allow 2 half hour shows a day, and this is usually one of them. He likes to dance along, but sometimes on his "lazy" days he just likes to watch them and cuddle with Mommy and Daddy.


• Can point to Mommy's nose, and knows where his head is. At storytime, he was able to place the little butterfly on his head, nose, and toes. :) What a smarty-pants.


• Is an amazing sharer. He outshares all the kids in his storytime...it makes this Mommy very proud!


• Still loves to help the children's librarian during storytime. And he also loves using the little parachute...he squeals and laughs and has an absolute blast when they play the parachute game.


• Can run off and on, climbs stairs, and is beginning to be able to step down one or two stairs with our help. He's also a little monkey and climbs on EVERYTHING!!!!


• Can say: MaMa, DaDa, Good, Bob (the name of the squirrel), La (for light), and nods his head yes when he wants to say yes and no when he wants to say no.


• Has been to the zoo, aquarium, airport, and nature center in the past month. He loves to go and see the animals at the zoo and especially loved the Snow Monkeys that day! It was quite a surprise.


• Can drink out of a cup! Most of the time at home now, if he isn't drinking anything that can really stain his clothes or the carpet, LBB drinks exclusively from a regular old cup!

And I kind of think there is more (which I say every month) and I can always update it if I think of more. :) He does so much each day it gets hard to keep track! I definitely need to start writing in this blog more, because not only is it a great way for us to keep friends and family up to date on our life, but it's a really good way for me to remember what I want to put in his memory book and what I want to scrapbook. :)

LBB at One Year

OK. So, since I normally did a monthly post about what LBB was up to, I had to remind myself to do it for this month despite the general busyness that has been going on around here! But, it's not so busy anymore (yay!) and life is returning to it's semi-slower pace. :)

From 11 months to 12 months LBB learned lots, and subsequently, became more of a toddler than a baby. :)

• The day after his birthday, he started walking. He had been taking a few steps here and there, but they were mostly "accidental" steps. The day after his birthday, soon after we got home from the doctor, LBB decided that he was ready to walk. And walk he did. Now he walks almost everywhere, and is finally learning how to stand up from sitting position without having to pull up on something.
• Can use a fork or spoon...when he feels like it. He can "stab" his food and feed himself, but more often than not, he'd prefer us to do the "stabbing" and then hand the fork to him.
• He is a chatty little man. He can say actual words when he feels like it, but, same as with walking and nearly every other developmental milestone, only does it when he really feels like it. :)
• Loves reading aloud to us. He'll take the book out of our hands and begin telling us the story. It's absolutely adorable and yet another affirmation that I am doing a good job of instilling a love of reading.
• Loves to play music. On anything and everything...pots and pans. The wall. The table. You name it...if it's a hard, flat surface, it becomes musical.
• Is a BIG fan of sorting things into containers. It's quite comical, because everything needs to be put in a spot. In the bathtub, instead of playing with his Thomas the Train bath toy, he has to put Thomas in the little blue house. He loves his Schleich animals...especially putting them in empty wipe containers. Books go in bins. Blocks go in baskets. And Little People get put under his bed in the trundle. He is very obsessive about sorting!
• He loves fingerpainting. We got him a little smock at IKEA and it is perfect for fingerpainting...now he doesn't require a bath everytime he paints. Just half the time. LOL!
• Is a very fickle eater...I'm not exaggerating here. I am almost always worrying if he is getting enough to eat. His pediatrician says he will eat when he is hungry. But sometimes I think he is just being stubborn even if he is just hungry. But, when he does eat, he is a big fan of jelly sandwiches and mini beef raviolis. Definitely not the healthiest, but I always keep some of each on hand so if worst comes to worst, he is actually eating something. :( We have also had some issues with milk...when he was born, we had to put him on partial-whey formula because his eczema was so bad and that was the only thing that helped. When we switched over to whole milk, that darn eczema popped back up. We are currently trying out soy milk to see if that helps. Fingers crossed that it does!
• LBB is very good at letting us know what he wants. That's nice!!! A far cry from when he was itty-bitty and had to cry for everything. Now he'll point for his water. Reach for a pacifier (which we are adamently working on making disappear.) And even point to which color he wants next when painting.
• Loves the Christmas tree. And since GiGi showed him how to figure out what is in presents, loves to investigate the gifts under the tree. :)
• And he loves throwing things. Sigh. It was cute at first because he laughed like crazy when he did it. But now, it's everything he sees that gets thrown. We went to the library and my ban-shee little boy was throwing books off the shelf. Same at Barnes and Noble. He gets a kick out of winging his Schleich animals across the room. And laughs hysterically when he throws food on Cat #2. Trouble. With a capital T. :)

That's all I can think of for now. I'm sure I will remember more...if I do, I'll post later. I definitely need to round up the weight and height measurements from his last appointment, but I'm not in the mood to right now. :)

Enchanting

That's the best word I can use to describe this past year.

As my LBB turns one, I look back on this past year and am amazed by so many things...how quick it's flown by. And amazed by every little moment of it. All the smiles. All the sleepless nights. All the hugs. All the cuddles.

The firsts...first Christmas. First smile. First Easter. First time crawling. Those first unsure steps (although he is still being stubborn about this. :) He can walk, he just chooses not to.) His first words. And all the little firsts that quietly slip in each and every day as our LBB learns and explores this world.

He is an amazing kid...and I know I'm most likely biased seeing as how I'm Mommy and all that. But everyday he does something that takes my breath away. Does something that amazes me. And something that just plain makes me laugh. If I were to post everytime he did something that struck me as funny, sweet, smart, or just plain adorable...I'd never leave the computer (and as a result, miss all those funny, sweet, smart, adorable moments!)

Not to say that this first year hasn't been filled with moments of worry. Or moments of pure exhaustion. All those typical first year experiences...worrying if my LBB was eating right. Worrying when he bumps his head. Being exhausted that first month when everything in our world was being turned upside down and we had a newborn that we were cherishing but trying to figure out (the joys of first time parenting. :) ) But in the long run, I wouldn't trade any of those trying moments for a thing...those moments make you cherish all the other moments even more.

The moment I held LBB in my arms after those hours of labor, after those months of waiting, I was convinced I couldn't love him anymore than I did at that moment. But, that's the funny thing about being a mother...each and everyday my love grows more and more for him. What I once thought was insurmountable love is trumped every day when I feel like my heart is about to burst from all the love. When he gives me a big sloppy kiss my heart melts into a puddle of goop. And when he nestles up into my neck as we are saying his goodnight prayers, my eyes get misty and I feel like there is no more perfect place to be. Funny thing, love is. Especially love for your child and from your child. This past year I've learned so much about love from such a small little heaven-sent package.

He teaches me daily that while I am not close to being a perfect mother (but oh how I try!), he is the perfect son. :) He is inquistive. Funny. Loving. Caring. Stubborn. Sweet. Adorable. Flirty. Amusing. Creative. Intelligent. Relentless. Helpful. And he unconditionally loves us. What an amazing thing that is. God's goodness shines through him daily, and I never stop thanking the Lord for that.

Looking back, I am nostalgic over this past year. I miss the little things like him sleeping in our bed every night. The non-stop cuddles. The pure necessity of needing us to be with him. But, looking forward, I am loving every moment of his "growing-up". The independence. The stubborness. The excitement he has for exploring, learning, and creating.

As he grows, I love watching the traits he gets from his daddy and I. I love watching the traits that are purely his own. And I adore watching him develop and fine-tune his personality everyday.

My LBB, on this first birthday of many, I thank God for the gift of you to us. I look forward to this next year of growing, learning, exploring, creating, and just plain having fun. And I am so very thankful for everything that you teach me. For every hug and kiss that you give me. And for every single moment of every single day with you. I can't imagine a more fulfilling job than the one I have of being your Mommy. I love you so very much, my dear little LBB. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

WHAT?!?!?! One more month...

...until I'm the momma of a 1 year old? I need a pause button on the remote control for life. ;) It goes much too fast.

And LBB is growing much too fast. I think he's taken leaps and bounds just from last month. sigh. And along with the leaps and bounds are less cuddles, more play, and more exploration. He's getting so big, and is beginning to need me a little less each day (in his opinion...I disagree. It's still a very big world out there.)

*LBB had went to the doctor a two weeks ago or so and weighed in at 25 pounds 2 ounces! Wowza. Just last month he was 23 pounds 11 ounces, so that is a definite growth spurt. There are some days he wakes up and I swear he grew over night.

*LBB loves trying new foods...the only foods he's shown a dislike for are BBQ sauce, hard boiled egg yolks, and cheese. He'll eat a few cheesy things now and then, but give him a bit of cubed cheese and he is not a happy little man. He really likes spicy foods, but we do try to limit it so it isn't too hard on his little tummy. :)

*Stands by himself once in a while. He did it in library story time...stood there in the middle of the class for easily 3 minutes. Since then he hasn't done it. I've noticed he will do something to show us he can do it, and then wait awhile before it gets placed in his routine. :)

*And the same goes for walking...he's taken 3 or 4 steps by himself a few different times. But in general, he doesn't seem that keen on it. I know he'll do it in his own time...for now, he seems really happy crawling.

*Can say MaMa, DaDa, Nom (when eating), BaBa, Baa (usually when looking at sheep), and is beginning to say Abby (PaPa and GiGi's puppy.)

*Points when he wants something. He is usually very enthusiastic about this!

*Waves hello and goodbye...but he definitely likes "hello" more than "goodbye." He only waves goodbye when he is really in the mood to!

*Reads books like crazy...this isn't anything new, but we easily read at least 5-6 books a day. He is a definite bookworm!

*Loves to help and do what Mommy and Daddy do. He likes to clean. "Vacuums" with his puppy vacuum. Tries to clean the litterbox and toilet...both definite "NO's". Helps load the dishwasher (he puts his kitchen cabinet utensils in there. Cute.)

*Loves fingerpainting, coloring, playing with his Schleich animals, and looking at his Hot Wheels. He is beginning to put blocks together, but really likes taking them apart. :)

*Gives lots of kisses!!! So so so sweet. However, sometimes it is accompanied with a nibble. That's not so sweet.

*Claps for himself. Raises his arms and smiles when he does something good like "Hooray for me!" and like to put one finger up like "I'm number 1!" He's a pretty confident little guy...I'm proud of him for that!

*Likes other kids, but is also a little "eh" when it comes to playing with them. Sometimes he has this look like "I really don't want to play with that person." Usually that look occurs when there is a book in his hand.

*LBB is also learning to share. :) It's the sweetest thing...he will hand us his sippy. Share a piece of his food. Give us a toy. But sometimes he is also very selfish...I think that's all part of toddler-hood. :)

I know there is more. But life is super quick and I sometimes forget to write things down. ;) I got this nice Baby's first year calendar from my mom when he was born and it is practically empty...I'm going to have to try to fill it out from memory and guess on some of the dates. Oy. Silly procrastination!

Here's the Stats for 10 months :)

I told you I'd post them eventually, did't I? :)



So, at 10 months, LBB has taken huge strides! I am amazed everyday with everything he is learning.



First, off, I can't believe that a year ago I was still pregnant with LBB and getting very excited to meet our little man! It amazes me that in less than two months now, he will be a year old. Absolutely crazy!

OK. So onward to the facts, stats, and what LBB has been up to. (And I'm determined to get this post done. I actually started writing it yesterday. But then I ate way too many cookies and got a little woozy feeling. Ha.)

*LBB weighed in this month at 23 pound 11 ounces. That is one less ounce than last month, meaning...I think he is starting to slow down on his growth! He is so much more active now, so when I start to worry, that is what I need to remember.

*He drinks about 15 ounces of formula a day. And 98% of the time, that formula is in a sippy cup. He rarely uses a bottle nowadays...just one more sign that my LBB is getting bigger!

*He eats 3 meals a day, 2 snacks, and not a single jar of baby food! All meals are mommy and daddy meals as well, and the snacks are the Gerber graduates. His pediatrician wanted him off baby food by 1, but as soon as we started slowly weaning him, he was all for the table food. LBB adores beef raviolis. I think he could eat them every single night! He loves his cheerios. And he has a sweet tooth that rivals even mine. sigh.

*Colt is a crawling machine. He can get across a room in a few seconds flat...especially if there is a girl there. We went to a class at the library and he started chasing 4 year old girls around...and he was keeping up while they ran. LOL.

*And he is also this close to walking. He started by creeping along furniture. Then he moved onto his push-walker (which he loves...especially the one at PaPa and GiGi's house...it has compartments to put things in.) Then he held two hands and walked no problem. And most recently, he only needs to hold one hand and walks side by side. Wowzers!

*Can stand for a few seconds all by himself, no help necessary.

*Still loves to read. On a regular basis we can go through 5-7 books a day. Needless to say our library bag is always on hand, and it's not unusual for us to make at least two trips a week.

*Goes to library storytime once a week, and is making lots of friends. LBB is super social (he gets it from his Daddy, that's for sure).

*Is a silly little chatterbox. He has long conversations and doesn't hesitate to interrupt you to tell his story. If you keep talking, he gets louder. :) He is very obstinate that way. He says "DaDa" a lot lately. Uses "BaBa" when he is hungry. "Maaaa!" when he doesn't want to go to bed. When PaPa has an ice cream cone, LBB is very good at saying "PaPa." And the other day, after getting into trouble, Dear Sweet Hubby gave LBB a tiny little tap on his bottom, and LBB turned around, hit his Daddy in the face, and said "bad-bad DaDa!" Oy. I've said it before and I'll say it again...I'm gonna have my hands full with that one. :)

*Has learned how to clap, play peekaboo by himself, and loves to surprise people.

*Can color like crazy. He colors at least once a day and we have a growing art gallery of his creations. He focuses and watches what he is doing...which is amazing to see. :)

OK...I'm sure there's more. It's been an active month for LBB. But, I don't want to gush too much ;) so I am going to sign off for tonight!

LBB is 10 Months Old!!!

That means...oh my. Two months until he is one. Wowzers. Wowzers. Wowzers. :) We are all very excited.

I am going to make this short and sweet because I need to go box up some clothes to bring to the consignment shop tomorrow after LBB's flu shot booster, but LBB had a wonderful day to celebrate being 10 months. (One of these days I'll do a post just for his achievements.)

Today, LBB woke up bright and early. Well, it wasn't so much bright outside as it was early, but it gave him more time to play with Daddy before he had to leave for work. So they played played played and had a very fun morning! Then we went out for the day with GiGi. He got a cool airplane rocker, one of those fun wire and bead block toys, some books, and some DVD's...all for some really good deals! We had lunch, picked up his Auntie from school, and then hung out for a bit at PaPa and GiGi's house.

And then, I took him out in the backyard to play in the nice crisp Autumn leaves. He. Had. A. Blast! First he crawled in them. Then he played in them. Then he stole Auntie's soccer ball and rolled it around the yard. He swung in the Autumn sun. And then I went and got him his Little Tikes push walker that has a little mailbox bin in front. He pushed it ALL around the yard (I think he made at least three complete circles), all the while picking up leaves and dropping them in the bin. It was completely adorable. :)

He started with big leaves, then decided that he was going to focus on the little crushed leaves. He'd pick each little leaf up, holding it gently, examine it, and then drop it in the bin. Such a sweet little man.

After his playtime, he got to go get dinner and ice cream to celebrate his 10-month day. He had a blast...and had a very fun time sharing everyone's hot fudge. :)

I am 9 months old!

Hi everyone, LBB here!

My mommy said I could write this time because I am 9 months old now, and I am a very big boy. :) Plus, I've had an exciting few days, so I can't wait to share!

First of all, I got a new fish! My first fish Allis went to Fishie Heaven a few months ago. Then my other fish Shelby decided to go see Allis. :( But now, I have a new fish...his name is Google. He is a black goldfish with really funny eyes. He doesn't seem very smart, and smells a little, but I like to watch him and giggle at Google. He spends most of the time swimming along the top of the water...I think his eyes make him floaty. We got some new decorations for his tank too. I picked out a bright orange plant, white rocks, and a cool submarine. I think he likes his home, but my Mommy and Daddy have to clean it up almost every day because he is so messy.

I've been crawling around everywhere, which I'm sure my mommy told you, but I love to crawl! It's my favorite thing to do. I especially love to crawl to places that my Mommy says are no-no's. It's funny watching her say "no." I think she makes a funny face and her voice is much more stern than normal. I giggle at her. Each night when I get a bath, my Mommy and Daddy get me undressed in my bedroom for my bath, and I crawl all the way to the bathroom. I love taking baths now. I don't have to use the baby tub, so I get a whole tub to myself to splash around in. My kitty cat sometimes comes and watches while I take a bath. She is funny.

The other day my Mommy and Daddy took me to the grocery store, and I met a girl there. She was a few years older, but that's ok. She started talking to me, and I held her hand. My Mommy and Daddy say I'm a flirt, but I don't know what that is.

I had to go to the doctor yesterday. I got my height and weight taken, and they said I am 30" tall and weigh 23 pounds 12 ounces. My doctor says I am at the top of my class. I like my doctor, but he keeps telling Mommy that she needs to let me cry myself to sleep. I don't like when he says that. He also said that I can start switching from baby food to real food...that is awesome. I have 4 teeth, with 3 more coming in right now, so I don't like the mushy food anymore. Last night my Mommy and Daddy gave me some Chinese. I had rice and mushrooms, and it was really good. Today for lunch, I had noodles and some sweet potato puffs. I also had some banana baby food, but that is ok, because I really like bananas. When I went to the mall with my Mommy, GiGi, and Auntie, I had some ice cream, raspberry lemonade, soft pretzel, and rice. That was a good day.

We went to the bookstore after my doctor appointment and I got a book about fall. It is fun to look at. It is one that has different textures. I like the squirrel fur the best. We had a squirrel come visit me. He hung on our patio screen. Mommy shooed him off with a book. He really liked seeing me. I liked seeing him too. He was really nifty.

Well, I gotta go for now. Talk to you soon!

Oh my! 7 months!!!!

Less than half a year until LBB turns ONE year old? Wow. I cannot believe how fast time goes with him! Everyone always said it would...but I never believed it until the day he was born! Since that moment, time has flown. I love every moment of it.

This past month has been THE most fun month of all so far! We still have the cuddliness, but LBB has turned into a very playful, very active, and very opinionated little guy! And, at 7 months, LBB:

• is sitting up all on his own! He started this days after he turned six months. I love that he can sit up now...he plays tons with his toys, loves to play peekaboo with his blanket, and "reads" his books, all while sitting up like a big boy.


• is getting even closer to crawling on his own. A few days ago, he would lean forward from sitting and try to crawl and fall flat on his face. :( But the past two days, he goes from sitting position to crawling position and holds himself up like that until he tries to crawl, then he topples. :) I know one of these days, he will start crawling when we least expect it. Time to pack up the coffee table...I don't want him to bump his head on it, and I definitely know that he'll want all the room he can get once he is seriously mobile.


• scoots like crazy. He doesn't get too far away from his starting point, but he can easily turn himself all around.


• no teeth yet, but little signs of teething here and there. I feel so terrible for him when his teeth are bothering him.


• loves taking baths in the big tub. He is crazy about bath toys, especially the tugboat that his Auntie got him.


• has been going to storytime on a very regular basis at our library. He loves the books, the songs, and watching the other kids.


• has been in his Daddy's boat! We went for a ride for the first time today. LBB did well at first, but then was not a happy camper. But, we know that a little bit here and there will help him be comfortable out on the water.


• We've gone to car shows, fun fest, fireworks, and so much more! LBB loved the fourth of July festivities and didn't cry once during the fireworks! He did so wonderful and is such a brave boy.


• picks toys out of his toy bins. I love watching him decide what he plays with!


• is slowly transitioning to sleeping in his crib more than our bed. I don't mind when he co-sleeps. But he has been stirring more, and I think he may be getting ready to be in his own bed. The majority of his daytime naps are in his crib, and he sleeps the first two hours in his crib. We are trying to incorporate more crib-time at night than bed-time. :) He is still not sleeping through the night...but like I've said before, I believe that when he is ready he will just do it. Until then, trying to convince him is just a moot argument!


• Tried Stage 3 foods a few weeks ago...he did pretty well for the first time. He got a tad gaggy after 5 or 6 spoonfuls of lasagna, but we'll try again in the next week or so. He loved having different meals to try though, that's for sure! One thing we have discovered...this boy loves sweets. :) You can tell he is my son! LOL!


• is chattering up a storm. Showing much more personality. And revealing that in about 17 months I am really going to have my hands full with a very spirited 2 year old! At least I'm prepared! He can say MaMa right now, and actually associates it with me for the most part. I love it! Except for when he is crying and keeps saying my name...then I feel like crying for him! LOL

OK...I think that is all I've got. I think. If something needs to be added, I will put it in here!

This happy little man...

is now 6 months old! My oh my, how the time does fly!!!! I can't believe that I've been mommy to this super guy for half a year now. Most of the time, I feel like it's been longer than 6 months...like he's been here with us this whole time. But then I remember that 6 months really isn't a long time in the whole realm of things, you know what I mean? (Although I do believe I'm just rambling.)

So, at 6 months, LBB:

• can now roll both ways. It took him a while, but he got it! However, he only rolls from tummy to back when he really feels like it.


• is eating a full range of solids. He usually has oatmeal and fruit for breakfast, veggies for lunch, and he recently started on meats for dinner. His favorite fruits (it is a close competition!) are bananas and applesauce. His favorite veggie hands down are carrots. And with meats...well, he'll eat any of them so far. :)


• is learning how to drink from a sippy. On average he can drink 1 ounce out of his sippy before getting ticked off. He still would much rather prefer to play with the cup and throw it, but he is learning how to hold it and how to drink from it, so that is a good thing!


• takes bath in the big tub now...no more infant tubs for him!


• is desperately trying to learn how to crawl. He can get his butt up. He can get his front up. And he is slowly starting to learn how to bring them up at the same time!


• loves to dance.


• can scoot a bit. He can move around on the floor within a 3 foot radius.


• does not sleep through the night. I don't know why...we've tried everything. I'm accepting that when he is ready, he will do it. Until then, I'm just fighting a losing battle and I am going to enjoy those late night cuddles!


• is growing like a weed...still. He is wearing 12 months clothes, and can already fit in 18 month clothes. In fact, I put a 2T teeshirt on him the other day and it fit perfect.


• loves reading. Playing. And most of all cuddling.

That's all I can think of for now...I know I'll think of more as soon as I post this!

I'm 5 Months Old!

Hi world!

LBB here...I'm taking over this "monthday" post as my mommy calls it because she thinks it would be nice for everyone to hear the achievements from my point of view. And I like to share my opinions, so I took her up on the offer.

I turned 5 months today...and I've got to say, this is a pretty exciting world. Everyday I learn something new. Like today, I learned that carrots make really pretty pictures on mommy and daddy's dining table. Mommy says it is good she buys her furniture at IKEA...she's not concerned if I make a mess on it.

This past month I've been real busy. I'm still working on rolling, although I have to admit it is pretty boring. I've got the whole back to tummy thing worked out, but once I am on my tummy, I don't have a whole lot of interest in rolling back over. I really prefer to scoot. I can turn myself in almost a circle while I am on my tummy. I don't even really like to roll over all that much unless there is a toy that I really like...one of my favorite toys are these colorful monsters that my GiGi made for me. I have three of them, and two of them have names. One is the Numbered Licker (he's got a big tongue) and the other one is called Morris. We haven't thought of the right name for the other one.

One really big thing for me right now is that I am learning to drink from a sippy cup...I'm getting the hang of it, but I don't like that I have to work so hard to get my milk. And I'm also eating lots of solids...I've had pears, bananas, applesauce, sweet peas, apples and bananas, carrots, and peaches. Oh, and green beans. I didn't like those at all. Mommy says she doesn't blame me...she doesn't like them either. My favorites have to be applesauce and bananas. I eat oatmeal too, but that isn't very good. The only fun thing about oatmeal is that mommy lets me feed myself with the spoon when I have thicker oatmeal. I really like to feed myself. I get mad when mommy takes the spoon away. Really mad.

I'm still not sleeping the night through...I really like 2 AM cuddles. But, I stay in my crib all night, and Mommy says she is happy about that. I used to sleep in Mommy and Daddy's bed mostly, but they got me out of that habit. It's not too bad sleeping in my own crib at night. I've got my goldfish Allis in my room to keep me company. She is doing well. I think she is growing.

During the day I am taking more regular naps, but I don't sleep in the crib during the day. I only sleep on the couch. Mommy says as long as I sleep and let her get stuff done, she doesn't mind where I sleep during the day. She says that she likes to nap on the couch, so why shouldn't I. I agree.

My Mommy's cat (Cat #2) and I have become really good friends. She sits with me, lies by my feet when I take my naps, and I love to pet her. She also kisses my toes. She is a really fun cat. The other cat here (Cat #1) is slowly warming up to me...she let me pet her the other day!

Mommy says I am really getting a personality...she says I'm a cuddlebug, stubborn, have a little bit of a temper, and lots of other things. I'm more and more independent each day.

I like to color...which I know seems odd for a 5 month old, but Mommy got me THESE CRAYONS and I love to color pictures. The other day I drew Cat #2. She was sitting by me and I kept looking at her then looking down at my paper to draw her. Mommy says I have an artists temper because sometimes I throw the crayon when I am done with that color. She also has to make sure I have my George (my Mam paci) in my mouth so I don't eat the crayon.

Mommy told me to make sure I put a few facts in this post...so here they are: I am in 9 months clothes, with some 12 month clothes as well. But I can't wear 9 month shorts...they fit me in the waist, but my legs are a little short so I have to wear a smaller size short otherwise it just looks like I am wearing pants. My Mommy and Daddy think that is funny. She also thinks I weigh close to 20 pounds or so. Everybody tells me I am really big for my age, including my doctor.

Oh! I forgot one more thing! I've been playing a lot more outside. We've had really nice weather so I've been able to go to the park with my Mommy, Daddy, and Auntie. And I've been going to my Auntie's soccer games when I can, as well. I love to be outdoors. My PaPa and GiGi put a swing in their backyard for me...I really like that. And Mommy and Daddy have chairs for themselves on the patio and got me a matching chair. I like to sit out there.

I also like to watch the lawnmowers and the garbage man. I met the mailman the other day when my Grandma sent me a package in the mail. He was nice. And we started a veggie garden a week ago. We are growing everything from seeds, and we already have Sugar Snap Pea seedlings...Mommy says they will make great baby food for me since I like peas so much.

My Mommy made me this really cool tag toy...I really like to play with it. And we've gone to the aquarium a few more times. I love the turtles. I think they are my favorite. Daddy says when I am older and can take care of one that I can get a turtle. I can't wait. I like anything that lives in the water, even the sharks. Mommy says sharks are misunderstood and is making sure I learn the facts about them. She reads me books about sharks.

I really like any kind of book. We go to the library once a week and I leave with a pile of books to read. Each week we choose a different topic to learn about. I love looking at the pictures and sitting with my Mommy and Daddy while we read.

I can also stand and sit with help. I am almost able to sit by myself.

I think that's it...Mommy said if she thinks of anything else, she'll make a post in the next few days!

Goodnight everyone!

LBB is 4 Months Old!

*Just so you know, I originally started this post on the 10th...see how much of a procrastinator I am lately when it comes to this blog?*

Wow! My how time flies!



And it's been a crazy busy month...each moment more precious than the last and every single one of them flying by at the speed of sound. But, that's life I suppose. :) You just have to change your speed to match the rate the moments flee by, right? Who knows...for now I am just enjoying everything I can!



One big event this month for LBB and us is that we moved into our own place! We had been staying with my parents for a bit (thank you Mom and Dad!) while we transitioned from Old Town to New Town. And once we got comfortable, and the weather started getting warmer, we were ready to be back on our own. :)



Now if I could just finish unpacking these boxes. Phew.



But on to what LBB is up to this month!



At 4 months old, LBB:

• is a giggling fool! He is such a happy happy baby. (His doctor even said so at his appointment yesterday...he said LBB is one of the happiest babies he has ever seen. Aw, shucks...that's so nice!) He giggles when you play peekabo. He giggles when I make kissy noise. He giggles when you tickle him. And he giggles when we play "airplane" (more like reverse tummy tucks for mommy, but he loves it.)


• is a flirt. I hate to say that! I really do...but he sees a girl, and Mr. Sparkly Eyes and Big Smile comes out. He'll tilt his head a bit, smle, and charm any lady he sees. I'm going to have to keep my eye on this little guy. LOL!


• discovered Spongebob Squarepants. I know...I was the mom who wasn't going to let my kids watch tv until they were 3. But...a little bit a day isn't going to hurt him...and it sure makes him happy. He laughs when Spongebob laughs, screams when appropriate, and sits there in awe the rest of the time. It's quite amusing!


• loves to be read to! We go to the library on a regular basis, and I can't have enough books handy! We easily go through 5 or 6 books in a sitting. And we've made a nightly routine...before bed, we read one story out of his storybook Bible, one other new story, and Bear Snores On.


• loves listening to music. And making music.


• imitates sounds back to us. You say "hi", and he sometimes tries to copy. It's adorable. *I have to add...he has actually started saying "hi" occasionally. At first I thought it was a fluke, but then he did it to dear sweet hubby as well. Crazy, huh?


• is working very hard on grasping with both hands. He will sit in the tub and try very hard to grab this starfish toy he has. He recently figured out how to use his feet to help him in the task. Such a resourceful boy!


• loves to be outside. Loves to go for walks. And loves to kick a soccer ball back and forth with his PaPa and Auntie.


• is starting to scoot just a bit. I put him down for tummy time and he will scoot 3 or 4 inches towards me!
• And he rolls from back to tummy! We are actively working on tummy to back...and he's slowly catching on.
• loves to color. Serious. I give him those crayola beginners crayons, lightly hold his hand on top to help teach him how to grasp, and Bam! An adorable piece of artwork unfolds. He's a little Picasso.
• And at his last appointment, he weighed in at 18 lbs. Such a big boy still! He is wearing NINE month clothes, and even some 12 months...but it's funny. He is so short that in order to wear shorts that don't look like pants, we have to get him 6 month size...it's a tad snug in the waist, but not too bad! LOL!

Well, that's it for now...I know there is more...but since I procrastinated, I forgot half of what I wrote. I am really going to try to get better. I am. I promise. ;)

LBB AT 3 MONTHS!

My LBB is 3 months old now! (As of Saturday, that is.)

So, what is new with him?

Well, let's see:

• He started giggling! At first it was pretty rare...but as the days go on, we're figuring out what tickles LBB's funny bone. And I've gotta tell you, we'll do anything to make him giggle. I love hearing that precious sound!!!!
• He can do raspberries. He was sitting with my dad (his PaPa) and they were talking away...and all of a sudden LBB decided a raspberry was the perfect input for the conversation. I love watching LBB try to get a raspberry out...you can tell when one is coming because his lips get all pursed together and he keeps attempting to make the noise. And every so often, he is successful!!!!
• He's sleeping through the night on a very regular basis...it's nice sleeping for more than a few hours at a time, I have to admit! Now if we can just get a nap schedule down and an earlier bedtime, we'll be doing great!!!!
• He's been to the zoo, the aquarium, and three different states in these past three months. Isn't that insane?
• He's still growing like a weed...most clothes are now 6 months. Wow! But I do think he is levelling off. We'll see at his 4 month checkup!
• He loves to cuddle. He loves to be read to. And he loves to play in his Exersaucer.
• Bathtime is still one of his favorite times...and he is beginning to splash around lots when he is in there!!!!

That's all I can think of right now...but I know there is more. However, LBB is getting a little fussy and I can smell a diaper that needs to be changed. :)