January Fun in Pictures

I hope this is not a sign of what is to come with James's driving skills...

Hi!!! From James and Smellie Auntie Michellie!!!!

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit! Grandma even stayed and played for a few days!

Grandpa and silly James!!!!

James LOVES his blow up car and loves to push it all over the house!

So cute!

Hello!!!! Are you coming to visit me??? I don't remember if I already wrote this at one point but James loves to play hide-and-seek behind the curtains. I love it because he gets laughing so hard that he falls over and can't stand up again!

Our ride to the park with Grandma, Grandpa, Daddy, Mommy, and Captain. We even met our neighbor friends there! This little maneuver with the teeth resulted in the lid coming off and the puffs spilling all over the wagon!

See ya Grandma!!! Thanks for the ride but I'm off to play with my friends!

So much fun!!!

James has learned to open the toy box....

Pull toys out....

And close the toybox. Three important lessons we still have to learn... don't hit Daddy's TV in the process, don't squish fingers when closing it, and putting the toys BACK IN!!!

Where did Daddy go???

Daddy teaching James the fine art of football... the tackle!

James is a great helper when it comes to empting the dishwasher. Unfortunately, some of the dishes have to go right back into the dishwasher because they end up on the floor. Oh well, it means I get to get some chores done still!

Wedding Dress Shopping

There are tons of cute pictures from wedding dress shopping but these are the only two that I can share without getting in trouble.

Me, Michelle, Caitlin, and Ashley after a delicious lunch at the Counter!

A cute little tank that says, "sexy little bride" from the mother of the bride (a.k.a. Mom) to get the day started.

Just a side note... Michelle looks gorgeous in her dress and I can't wait to see her in it for the wedding! I really wish I could include pictures for everyone to enjoy but I know that is NOT allowed! You'll just all have to use your imagination until the big day!

Folsom Zoo with Neighbor Friends

James and I got to go to the Folsom Zoo with our neighbor friends last week. For those of you who don't know, Folsom has their very own little zoo in town. There is a bear, a few mountain lions, two tigers, two coyotes, two wolves, a variety of birds, and a few other critters in addition to a bunch of chickens, roosters, and peacocks running around. It is a very little zoo with a very little pricetag and just the right size for a very little man. We also have some great neighborhood friends who we are enjoying getting to know.

Here is James checking out the bear. This was the first time I had seen the bear up and moving about. Very fun! James loves to push his little mouth and nose between the wires of the fence. Don't worry, there were always two fences between James and the critters!

James's friends came over to check out the bear too!

The mommies turned around at one point to see all the kiddos (other than James sitting on this little ledge enjoying a snack), so I quickly pulled James out of his stroller to join the others for a cute picture. Unfortunately, James dropped his bottle so he was more interested in his bottle than he was the camera!

"Uh, people, my bottle is right there and I can't reach it! A little help please!" Let's see... from left to right... James, Lucas, Kaya, Nathan, and Zachary. Lucas and Kaya live across the street and Nathan and Zachary just moved in around the corner. Such a fun little group of boys!

We are going to the zoo again tomorrow with our little buddies!!! It's the last 1/2 off day until October! (That means it's only $2!) So much fun!

Fun Rainy Weekend

Josh, James, and I just had a wonderful rainy weekend! It was inventory weekend for Josh which used to mean about 30 hours of work in a 2 1/2 day period when we were in SoCal but up here it means just a few extra hours of work on Friday night and Saturday morning. That means Josh was home by about 10am on Saturday to play!!! And that's about all we did all weekend... it was yucky out so the three of us just hung out and played all weekend. Here are a few cute pictures from the weekend...

Saturday morning when I snuck off to the bathroom, James snuck under the ping pong table and was hiding behind the wagon. It was so cute so I went to get my camera and by the time I got back he had pushed the wagon out into the middle of the room!

Josh decided at one point that James should have an animal party. This consisted of Josh sitting James on the floor and throwing all his animals from his cradle on his lap! I think he has plenty of animals!!!!

An up close of James with all his animals!

Josh wanted to take a bath and James needed to take a bath so they decided to share a bath. Not as relaxing as Josh had hoped but pretty fun to watch them play!

We brought out James's bucket of blocks to play with for the first time. James just knew there had to be more blocks in there somewhere or maybe the bucket was just more interesting than the blocks!

Who was having more fun with the toys... James or Josh?

James decided that Daddy needed help looking at the ads on Sunday morning. "Look Daddy, I need this toy!" Sunday morning was also great fun because James woke Daddy up... I went to get James in the morning and partially closed our bedroom door so Josh could hopefully sleep a little longer. After I changed James's diaper, I put him on the floor to head out to the kitchen for his bottle while I did a few things in his room (probably cleaned up whatever mess he made while I changed his diaper). By the time I caught up with James, he had crawled to our bedroom door, pushed it open, crawled over to the bed, and stood up next to Josh squealing in delight. Josh picked him up and I got there just in time to see James thrilled that he had found his Daddy and was snuggling in bed with him!

"Oh my, look at that toy!" This was actually James trying to eat the pages because EVERYTHING goes in the mouth! Sunday morning was especially fun for me because James got to enjoy breakfast with us. Josh and I had breakfast burritos with scrambled eggs, sweet apple sausage, sauteed onions and red pepper, and cheese. James got to enjoy the sausage, cheese, tortilla, and his very own scrambled eggs with yolk and formula. I love being able to share our meals with him!!!

Looks like James has gotten some of his Mommy's organizing skills... or wait, maybe those are more unorganizing skills. James has learned that the file cabinets in the office open and there are lots and lots and lots of fun papers to pull out!! Oh joy!

We even made a trip to the real grocery store (a.k.a. Safeway instead of Winco) where they give out free balloons to little kiddos! James LOVED playing with his balloon throughout the trip!

It even came in handy once we got home... he was standing holding onto his balloon with both hands and fell face forward. He would have face planted on the floor but the balloon was between his chest and the floor to act as a little trampoline. Josh and I just looked at each other and laughed and James seemed to think it was pretty fun too!

So, let's see, new James info...

- He has now started to let go with both hands while standing! On Saturday this lasted 5 seconds two times. On Sunday there was a 9 second and 10 second stint. And today there was a 7 second episode. And yes, as soon as he let's go, we start counting out loud!

- First steps... kind of but not really... James found the exercise ball under the ping pong table and thought that it was the coolest thing to play with. I would hold the ball for him to stand up then he would try to use it as a walker to push around the room. Well, the ball moves MUCH faster than he is used to... at one point today the ball rolled away from James but he was still able to take a few uncontrolled, falling forward steps before he landed on his hands and knees... and then wanted to get back up and try it again!

- James is talking and giggling up a storm! So much fun... I only wish I knew what he was saying. Though I do think he is somewhat close on somethings. When he drops something he says "ddd", I think this means "down". The dog is also "ddd". I will sometimes get a "ma". Not really words that consistently go with an object but he will sometimes at least get the right sound or right number of syllables with certain words. Really fun to watch and hear!

- James had his 9 month check-up today. The pediatrician said he looks great and is doing wonderful. Here's how he measured up... 21lbs. 13oz. (75th percentile), 30 inches long (90th percentile), and 46cm head circumference (75th percentile up from 25th at birth - thank you James!). The pediatrician also checked his blood for anemia... no problems there... my boy likes his meat like his Daddy!

I think that's about all. At least all I can think of for now because it's getting to be past my bedtime! I have tons of cute pictures from January to post also so I will try to do that tomorrow. Love to all!!!

No-no...

When James is doing something he shouldn't (i.e. playing in the dog bowls, eating the dog toys, chewing on shoes, spitting with food in his mouth, etc.), I tell him no-no and shake my finger. Well, today he was pulling dog toys out of the basket and putting them in his mouth so I told him no, shook my finger, and took them away. When he didn't stop, I moved him. Well, he went back and grabbed another dog toy and put it in his mouth... I told him no-no and he shook his finger at me!!! I think he was just telling me that he knew he wasn't supposed to be doing it but was doing it anyway! How do they learn this stuff so early and how are they so cute doing it!!!!

James is learning to blog...

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My little niece!

Okay, I got permission... I am allowed to announce that a little GIRL is on the way for Scott and Sarah! They are beyond thrilled of course and we can't wait for her to make her arrival. They are going to name her Sophia Rose. Beautiful if you ask me!

Forgot...

As always, I forgot things in my update because it had been so long! But I remembered...

- James has learned how to open and close the toybox and take toys out of it. Unfortunately, he hasn't learned how to put the toys back but it's still fun to watch him open it and take toys out, at least for now! If I had written this yesterday, I would have added... let's hope he doesn't learn how to open the toilet seat anytime soon but I am writing this today so I have to write "and today he learned how to open the toilet seat!" He can't open it all the way so if he lets go the seat will fall and hurt his little fingers which hasn't happened yet but I'm sure it will eventually! Oh yeah, and by the way, James loves to open and close things... doors, books, toyboxes, laptops on music tables, and anything else he can find to open and close!

- James has little messy little trick of blowing raspberries while eating so food goes spraying everyone. I am not a fan of it so I tell him no and cover his mouth with my finger. Well, today after he started blowing raspberries while eating breakfast and I told him no, he covered his own mouth with his hand. It was the cutest little thing ever! Unfortunately, he continued to blow raspberries with his hand over his mouth though!

- James has made two visits to the zoo this week! James and Daddy went to visit the animals on Saturday while Mommy was still gone. Then, James and I went with our neighbor friends today. Our neighbors across the street have an almost 4 year old little girl and a 19 month old little boy and some new neighbors just moved in with twin 19 month old boys. I am definitely looking forward to all the fun the kiddos will have in the coming years!

I feel like there is something else I wanted to write but I can't remember again. Plus, I have a tired little boy who needs a bottle and to go to bed so I best get going. If I remember I will let you all know!

Updates

I was told this weekend that it has been a while since I have posted on the blog. Does it count that about every other day I think to myself "The next time I post on the blog, I have to let everyone know about ___________ (whatever fun thing is going on)." Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to write because I have picked up an extra day of work each week. That means I am working 4 days a week and pouting every week about it. Luckily, I am only going to do it for a few months and have some fun ideas of what I am going to do with the extra money. I am just trying to help out a bit while my co-worker is out on maternity leave. Anyway, back to the fun stuff that has been going on...

Michelle found and bought her wedding dress yesterday!!! Before we went out, Josh asked "Will she find a dress today?" And my response, "Are you crazy? It's only the first day and Michelle is so indecisive that she can't decide what to eat for dinner let alone what wedding dress to buy! (I love you sis!!!!)" Well, she chose the third one she tried on. (She tried on others after that but kept coming back to that one.) I would say more here about the experience but there is a chance that may give something away and I don't want to get in trouble so let's just say that she looks AMAZING in it and I can't wait to see her walk down the beach in it!!!!

I got to go on a Girls' Night Out on Friday! My friend, Lynette, turned 30 and she celebrated by several girls going out dancing at the Saddlerack in Fremont. I had heard of the Saddlerack for years but had never been. It was great fun!!! (No, I didn't ride the bull, but some of the others did!) It was also the first night that I had been away from James. It was sad to leave him but it was only 20 hours of which he slept about 13 of them and he was in trusty hands (his Daddy's) so I knew all was well. Let's just say that it was amazing to sleep in until 9:15 without hearing a little one get up at 6:30!

Joshie and I also got to go on a date night on Saturday night (it was a busy weekend!) Josh gave me a hard time because we just went to a movie then back home. He said our dates have graduated from a fast dinner out, to a fast sit down dinner, to a full movie, and that maybe one day we could leave long enough to combine two things into a date: like dinner and a movie! Maybe one day!

My brother and sister-in-law found out today the sex of their baby!!! I am so excited for them but I think I better wait until next time to say because I don't know who they have told and I don't know who reads this and I don't want to spoil any surprises! But yeah for them!!!

Now as far as James... he is cuter than ever!!! And I think everyday about what a lucky mommy I am for having such a wonderful little boy! The last 9 months have just gotten better and better and more and more fun and I can't wait for what the next few months and years have to bring!

Two weeks ago he was doing an amazing job of taking naps. He would play or fuss in his crib for a few minutes then fall asleep for an hour or two (nothing like those days of screaming for 20-50 minutes before falling asleep.) Well, welcome back screaming... last week he played, fussed, and screamed for 57 minutes before finally falling asleep!!!! And then he only slept for 30 minutes before waking up screaming! Yikes! I talked to a friend who said it sounded like he was going through a mental growth spurt and just couldn't quiet his brain enough to fall asleep... I definitely agree because he is back to napping well and doing so many new fun things...
- He is waving at everyone!
- He is pointing at everything!
- He is sucking his top lip to make a sucking / kissing sound. It's the closest he can figure out to making a kissing sound!
- He is putting his hand to his mouth like blowing a kiss!
- This one amazed me... he was pointing to the elephant on his crib sheet and I said elephant, then he pointed to his humidifier which is an elephant! Wowzers if you ask me!
- He is crawling like a champ all over the house! He is cruising like crazy too and walking all over the house and into walls with his walkers!
- He loves to play peek-a-boo behind the curtains!!! He thinks it is the greatest thing and laughs so hysterically that he falls over!
- He loves to stand up at the front windows and look outside. This gets really exciting when someone is coming over and he sees them through the window. He will start banging on the window and squealing in delight!
- And the best of all if you ask me... (he's been doing this for a while and I feel so blessed for it!) When I lie him down in his crib at night with a blanket, he turns his head, puts his hands under his belly, and falls asleep in about 5 minutes without making a sound! We are so lucky to have a little man who falls asleep at night so easily. (Let's hope I didn't just jinx ourselves!) This is somewhat balanced out by a baby who wakes up between 5:15 and 5:45 every morning. Don't worry, he doesn't get out of bed until 6:30 because any earlier just doesn't seem right to me! This morning he even fell back asleep until 7am!

Writing this makes me want my 3 days a week back instead of 4 but I just have to remember that it's only a short time and it will be okay. I can do it!

I best be getting off to bed because tomorrow will be a busy day of house cleaning, running errands, and play group so I have to have some energy! Love to all!!!

December pictures

It's been a while since I have posted pictures and people have been asking for them so get a blanket and your coffee because here are some pictures...
Isn't my little boy so precious!!!

James loves to pull his socks off when he isn't wearing shoes. Often times this is followed by sucking on his big toe! Very cute! This particular day we were doing some Christmas shopping at the mall and James learned how fun it is to pull the clothes off the rack (including at Victoria's Secret)! Uh-oh!

James and I often join our friends, Colleen and Isa, for lunch on Tuesdays. The kiddos enjoy sharing their food. This was them saying hi to each other one day. So sweet!

James loves to stand at his changing table and "help Mommy with spring cleaning"! Oh my but sometimes it is the only way to keep him stationary so I can get him dressed.

Josh and I were doing some yardwork one afternoon so we put a huge sheet on the grass for James to play on. Unfortunately, James did not get the memo that he was supposed to stay on the sheet so he would immediately crawl off it and start helping with the leaves (i.e. eat the leaves off the grass). This ended up being the only way to keep him stationary and allow me to rake some leaves.

James was practicing opening presents for Christmas!

James and Daddy reading a book. I think this picture is so cute!

James tries to reach over the cradle to get to his toys. Just today he learned that he can pull some of them out between the rungs. It's really cute because he will go up onto his tippie toes to try to reach.

James and I waited for almost two hours to see Santa Claus at the Roseville Galleria. After a while he started to get tired of sitting in his stroller and tired in general so I rocked him and sang him Christmas carols. That resulted in him falling asleep on my shoulder with one person left in front of us in line. Luckily, when I set him on Santa's lap, he woke up and smiled for the camera. Such a good boy!

James had a good time playing with his cousins, Johanna and Dagbjort in Livermore.

He also enjoyed visiting with Great Grandma Jost though he wasn't a huge fan of sitting still on her lap. He much prefered cruising around the house and seeing what he could get into!

So cute in his Nike outfit from Grandpa Dave.

So excited about his HUGE present from Auntie Michellie and Uncle Gary!!! Auntie Michellie even made him a HUGE stocking. Does that mean she will help us fill it every year???

Auntie Michellie put me in a grocery bag!!!!

Funny story... Dad got Mom a nice set of dishes for the cabin for Christmas. The dishes were delivered to our house in Folsom for Michelle, Gary, Douglas, and I to wrap and bring up to Arnold for Christmas with the instructions "Have a good time with it!" The dishes came in 3 BIG boxes which we opened to find 14 medium boxes and a few extras (napkins, table runners, dish towels, etc.). We then opened all those boxes to get 56 little boxes. We decided to individually wrap each of these 56 boxes and label them to Mom from a wide variety of people. Then on Christmas, we saved all the dishes until the end and slowly started giving them to Mom. When she requested that there were still a lot of presents left under the tree and that someone else open a present, we piled all 56 boxes on her lap for her to open!!!! It was great fun and hilarious to see the look on her face! The hit of Christmas evening I think!!! Anyway, James was "very helpful" with wrapping presents so we tried to corral him in a box. Didn't work!

The big box from Auntie Michellie and Uncle Gary was a wagon!!!! So much fun!!!

Christmas morning in Folsom!

Stockings for all! I think I need to have Michelle make me a big one too!

James was very excited about his music table from Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Whichard. Thank you!!!

James's stocking was almost as tall as he was.

Daddy helping James open a book from Santa.

James helping Mommy open her presents.

James trying on his new hat. James doesn't love hats anymore but will thankfully tolerate them usually when he is outside. This one has a strap to help out!

While in Arnold, we drove up to Bear Valley to do some cross country skiing and snow shoeing. James got his very own sled to stay bundled up in and Josh pulled him along while snow shoeing. James was not a fan unless he was moving and quickly fell asleep. Here we are enjoying a little break and some lunch.

James and I supporting the Beavs!!! Go Beavs!!!!

I don't have many pictures from Arnold because most of the pictures were taken on Mom's camera so I will try to get my hands on those sometime soon to share.

I hope everyone is having a great 2011!!! Love to all!!!