Fun Fact Tuesday

You love pictures of snowmen. There's a channel on the television that plays Christmas songs all day and in the background are different Christmas/winter scenes. One of them is a snowman with a great big smile. You get so excited when you see it come on the screen. You give it a great big smile and even kind of flirt with it. You have a "Frosty the Snowman" book and you like to look at that too. I think you like their big polka dotted smiles. Whatever it is, wherever it is....a snowman is a surefire way to get a smile and sometimes a squeal out of you.

Gossip Queen

OMG! Did you hear? They broke up! Geesh, Hollywood these days!

Photo of the Week

Look Mom! A box full of Christmas presents came today!

I'm not peeking....

I'm just tasting!

Photo of the Week

Happy 8 Months old Lovebug! Taking these pictures gets harder every month as you get more and more mobile. This time around, not only would you not sit still, but you figured out that the sticker on your shirt comes off. This is the best picture I could get. I suppose it will have to do.

Photo of the Week

See Mom, I do nap sometimes!

Time's Up

Bummer Lovebug, I thought I'd have more time for babyproofing.

Photo of the Week

Your first time in a swing! Wheeeeeee!

For Grandma

Today we dressed you up in your Pioneer gear and walked up to Carroll College for their football game against Mid America Nazerine. Mid America happens to be in the town Mommy grew up in. AND your Grandma happens to teach there. So, even though it was very cold, we bundled up and stood at the top of the hill to catch a bit of the game. You didn't last too long before getting tired and cranky. That's alright though. The rest of the game we watched inside our warm home on local television. Carroll won. Sorry, Grandma. But, at least we made it and cheered for a little bit.

Count Yours

Lovebug, we count you as our biggest blessing this Thanksgiving Holiday!

Lean Your Ear This Way

Dear Santa:

Christmas is coming soon. At least, according to Mommy and all the decorating we did today. Although I've never been around for a Christmas, I've heard rumors of your generosity. And, I've been VERY GOOD these past 7 months. So, the following is my Christmas list. If the elves need help making any of these gifts, give me a ring and I'll put Mommy to work.

1) Packaging of any sort: tissue paper, plastic wrap, newspaper, etc.
2) A cell phone. Not the fake kind either, a real working cell phone so I can call China the next time Mommy leaves me alone.
3) An alarm clock. The brighter and bigger the numbers, the better. I really like to stare at one and reach for the numbers...usually around 3 am. That's the best alarm clock playing time I've found.
4) A remote control. Again, preferably a working one. I'm not falling for the "real one without the batteries" trick again.
5) Anything with a zipper. If there are drawstrings involved also, even better!
6) Magazines. I especially like the ones that Mommy has yet to read. Those are the best to rip apart.
7) I'm pretty fond of leaves. Either the kind that are in our front yard, or the kind on the house plants that I've recently discovered.

Well, that should just about do it. I'm always up for suggestions of course. Thanks in advance for visiting my house this year. I'll see if Mommy can come up with some good cookies for you.

Waiting and Wishing,
Lovebug

When it Snows, Ain't in Thrillin'?

The snow has fallen many times since you were born. But until last week, you had never gotten the chance to explore in it. I went on a rare errand running trip alone and left you with dad. So, I missed out on your short time playing in the snow. But from the looks of these pictures, you loved your time in the fresh powder. Lucky for you, we live in what I think of as the Arctic. So, you'll get many more times to play in the cold and knock down mini snowmen.

Mr. Sandman

Getting back from vacation was more work than I thought! We've been so busy (and lazy) that I haven't gotten to tell any stories from our trip! But now that you're happily playing with (eating) one of my magazines, I am reminded of my favorite part of the trip: the beach. There is a photo on a post below where you are playing in(eating) the sand. Your dad FREAKED out that I let you eat it. In fact, he was so grossed out he had to take a long walk down the beach while you finished your taste testing and got cleaned up. You loved the dirty, gritty taste of sand. Couldn't get enough. And I figure, a little dirt, or sand, won't hurt and every boy needs a little time to explore those avenues. And what better time to do so than at the beach?

Photo of the Week

7 Months at the Seaside, can't beat that!

Sun, Sand, and Sea

Long Beach, California. This was our first big family vacation. You loved seeing all the new sights each day. We carried you everywhere which you also loved. The warm weather in November was wonderful. You did so well on this trip, we'll probably take another!

First Halloween

Lincoln as Abraham Lincoln!

Tis' the Season

You're favorite food is anything that has just come out of the food processor. The fresher, the better. The other day I made your favorite: pumpkin. And because I had too much going on at the time, I handed you a giant spoonful of pumpkin straight from the food processor. You had a ball, eating it, flinging it, smearing it, making an all out mess with it. By the end, you resembled the mess I had made in the kitchen with all the cooking and baking and pureeing. Dad came home to us looking like a tornado had come through, but with you at your happiest. Messes tend to bother your dad quite a bit more than me, but even he couldn't resist a smile.

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

This week you had to get FOUR shots. Three of them at your six month doctors appointment on Monday and a flu shot today (Friday). Sitting in the waiting room, watching all the toddlers come out of the doctor's office with tears in their eyes and stickers on their shirts made me so sad for you. I thought to myself, "Poor little lovebug, he doesn't even know he's about to have a needle shoved into his thigh AND he's not big enough to appreciate a sticker when it's all over with." But, you are such a tough little guy! You hardly even notice what's going on. Mostly because you're too busy flirting with the nurse! Sure you let out a little half whine and your eyes grew wide, but before the band-aid was attached you were back to your flirting ways. I'm glad you're such a brave little thing....especially since there are many more shots to come (and many more stickers too).

Pumpkin Patchless

I wanted nothing more this fall than to take you to a pumpkin patch. Ride in a wagon filled with hay out to fields and fields of pumpkins. We would play in the field and pick ourselves out the perfect pumpkins, round and fat, tall and thin, lumpy and bumpy. We would run through a corn maze and climb hay bales. Mommy would sip hot apple cider. It would be perfect. And we tried. I found the nearest pumpkin patch, a three hour drive North. And I bundled you up in subzero temperatures. But, this pumpkin patch was lame and not open. So, I had to settle for the Helena Kids Fall Fest. It wasn't so much a pumpkin patch as a handful of pumpkins and some hay bales. But you didn't mind. It was a rare beautiful fall day. It ended up being perfect for rolling in straw and posing for pictures with pumpkins. So, Lovebug, we may be pumpkin patchless here in Helena, but we can still have a perfect pumpkin-filled fall day!

Photo of the Week

Quit being such a backseat driver and take the wheel already!

My First Taste of Fall

1/2 Year Old Today!

Looking back at how much you've changed in six short months: 6 Months ago you were a mere 8 pounds with a head full of dark hair. Today you're around 20 pounds with fluffy blonde hair. 6 Months ago a mullet, today it's all gone. 6 Months ago no teeth, today 2 teeth. 6 Months ago you hated to nap, today you still hate to nap. 6 Months ago you hated the bath, today you splash and play as long as we'll let you. 6Months ago you only had one meal option, today the options are limitless. 6 Months ago we were house bound and basically never left my arms, today you love to roll around on the floor and be outside. 6 Months ago you were a floppy mess, today you sit up tall and proud. 6 Months ago you hardly noticed what happened around you, today you are a social butterfly, flirting with all the old ladies. 6 Months ago you stole my heart, and today, you've still got it. I could go on and on. Love you Lovebug!

Cold Air, Warm Hat

I'm not normally a fan of the cold weather. You don't seem to mind though. In fact, the cold wind makes you laugh and squeal. Guess you really are a Montana boy. And while I don't share your love of the cold outdoors, I do love to see you all bundled up in your cute vest and hat!

I'm...whoops...I'm sit...oops...I'm sitting up now!

Photo of the Week

"See, Mom, you didn't need to make all that applesauce, I like my apples whole too."

Apple, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato Pie

Yep, Lovebug...I do cook. Not for me or your dad, but for you. After a trip to the Farmer's Market this past weekend, I am buried in fruits and veggies. Who knew I'd love to puree baby food for you? Thank goodness you love it all. Our freezer is full of baby food cubes. Especially applesauce. I never knew how much applesauce a box of apples could make. You'll be eating the applesauce when you're old enough to read this blog! The biggest surprise hit so far is Pumpkin. I never would've thought to feed a baby pumpkin, but you sure love it. I love feeding you healthy, in season, homemade-with-love babyfood!

Apple, Pumpking,

Photo of the Week

Weekend trip to Red Lodge....Ice cream and swimming, doesn't get better than that!

Hillbilly

You've got tooth! I discovered it yesterday while you were chewing on my finger. It's just barely broken through the gums, but it's definitely there! This explains the excessive drool and shoulder biting. Daddy says we're gonna move you to Kentucky where you can hang out with all the other folks with "tooth". I'm pretty sure a second tooth is coming soon, so we'll hold off on that big move!

Takin' A Bath

Yesterday we celebrated your Baptism. You looked like Wayne Newton in your little white suit. It was pretty warm outside and you sweated it out in the polyester getup like a champ. When the priest poured the holy water on your forehead, you were reaching for the shiny seashell the water poured from. You also thought that the Priest's robes were meant for you to grab and the Bible too. It was all over with before you even knew what all these people were standing around smiling at you for. Afterwards, we had a party at our house. You even stayed up two hours later than normal and handled that fairly well too. It was a pretty nice little day for us. Welcome to God's world, Lovebug. May you always feel blessed.

Photo of the Week

Yep, I'm potty training you. I'm not anal about, don't do it all day, everyday. But, you seem to like it and you go every time I sit you on it. And hey, it saves me from having to wash a cloth diaper! Who knows if you'll end up officially potty trained before the average age. I really don't care if you do. I'm just having fun with it. I mean, you look so stinkin' cute sitting on that little potty chair!

My Grocery Bills Are Going Up, Up, Up

You got to try cereal for the first time last night. You LOVED it! Couldn't get enough of it. You took right to the spoon and didn't spit hardly any of it out. I can tell already you're going to continue to be a big eater! I can't wait to try out all the vegetables I've been freezing for you! Of course, everyone said you'd sleep through the night once you tried cereal. That certainly wasn't true last night, but it'll come, I'm sure!

Happy 5 Months to Me!

The World Is My Buffet

You seem to think everything in this world is meant to go in your mouth. Be it ribbon at the craft store, measuring spoons while mommy "cooks", mommy's hair, or your new favorite....your toes! You look so cute rolling around on the floor sucking on your toes!

Crash! Splatter! Smash!

Dear Mommy:

It has come to my attention that you are attempting to stretch out my feedings. This concerns me. You see, my dream is to become an Offensive Lineman for your favorite football team one day. (I promise to only play for the Chiefs and not that ugly orange and blue team) Hear that sound? That's the sound of my dreams being crushed into a million pieces. I'm never gonna make the team if you don't help me out with my calorie intake! So here's the deal, I'll keep letting you know when I'm hungry and instead of trying to distract me with stroller rides and dancing to your lame music, just feed me! It'll make it easier on us both. Just look at me, Ma, I'm wasting away here!

Love,
Lovebug

When Daddy Comes Home

When Daddy comes home, you are all smiles and giggles. Even if you've had a crabby day, you still find a big smile for Daddy. And boy does he eat it up. He thinks I'm the one who spoils you, but one smile from you and he'll give you whatever you want-a drink from his water bottle, his super yummy tasting watch, or one more toss into the air. You love your daddy and he sure loves you!

Photo of the Week

That boy in the mirror is so funny. He always makes you laugh!