April 2008

I had a lot of fun with mommy today, I had the wand to the bubbles and kept dipping it in the bubbles and then holding it up for mommy to blow. Then I took the plastic tip to one of grandma Connie's shoe laces and put it in my ear, it was a fascinating sensation.

Mommy and I drove home today.

We were at aunt Jenny's today and I gave cousin Brinley a big hug, I guess it was really cute or something.

I've got the sniffles. Mommy and I was in the basement I was standing right next to mommy and tried to throw the ball for Milo, but hit mommy in the head instead. I suppose I still have to work on my coordination. I finally caught on to the game mommy plays with me when she surprises me. While mommy was getting me ready for bed, I went out of my room, then jump back into the door way and made a loud sound. I don't know why I didn't join her it this game earlier, it's great!

I've decided to take upon myself the responsibility of being the couch monitor. If I look under the couch and find something is under I sound the alarm to let mom know so that she can get it out. It might not be much, but it keeps me busy. So I've learned how to walk, and I'm getting rather good at it, if I do say so myself, but the same old thing day in and day out gets a little boring. So to switch things up a bit, I have started to back up, walk backwards and smile. Its freshened things up a bit, later I'll work on some new tricks, but in the mean time I'll focus on perfecting this one. I've also been busily growing in new teeth as usual and got another molar in this month to go along with the two molars I got in last month.

Mommy and daddy dropped me off with grandma and grandpa Jones while they went on a date. I had a good time :).

Mommy had to take Maggie to the vets to have her knee x-rayed and it looks like she needs surgery on her other knee now :(. While we were in the waiting room, I had Maggie by the leash and was trying to lead her around. Mommy makes it look so easy, there must be some kind of trick to it, I must study it out some more when mommy has her. In the mean time I like to talk on the phone to, well, no one, and will put it up to my ear and say hi, well my version of hi anyways.

What do I like? I'll tell you. Well, it's great fun to make a fish face. Oh, and I love to throw the dogs toys for them. Daddy taught me how to fake them out and let me tell you, it's hilarious. I pretend to throw the ball and the go chasing after it like I actually threw it, good time, good times.

Mommy took me to my 15 month appointment. I weigh 24 pounds and am 31 inches tall. When the doctor was listening to my heart and checking my organs, I was making funny faces at her. I figured it was a fair exchange :). While we were waiting for my shots, I spent the entire time trying to put my shoe on, I just can't seem to get the knack of it. While mommy and daddy were reading, I meeped daddy's nose, I now why they think it's so funny. Then mommy shook my shirt collar around, I wanted to see what it was all about, so then I did it to myself, I suppose it's mildly entertaining. Sheesh, I had a busy day today.

Mommy gave Maggie a bath and then took her in for her surgery. When we got home mommy notice that I had another molars come in.

Mommy and daddy had another date and left my with grandma and grandpa Jones, fun as always. On our way home we got some cookies, yum yum! I leaning a lot of new tricks, when mommy gave me a cookie, I insisted on dipping my cookie in milk like they were, this was a very delicious and successful trick :).

The bad news: I woke up at 5:30 am crying and didn’t go back to sleep until after 7:00 am. It was unpleasant let me tell you, I couldn't really tell you what was wrong, but I was not happy. The good news: I felt better once mommy got me up for the day.

I don't know why, it's just one of those things you like but can't explain, but I really like to pull all of the pillows off of the couch. today I started to say OK. Daddy was sweet, he put my pajamas on me to get me ready for bed, but he put them on backwards :). He does try. When I hurt myself I have started to put my hand on the part that hurts, that way mommy knows where the owy is. It's very helpful for her, and I'm just here to help.

I decided to work a new word into my routine and started to say Hi, and Baby. I've also found it helpful to make a sound with each step when I go up or down the stairs. I love to watch the dogs play and laugh all the while. And the best thing ever is to copy everything mommy does, just about, that endless entertainment right now, I tell ya.

While mommy was working in the yard today, someone walked by with a stroller and I waved at them, just being neighborly :). While mommy was working in the back yard, I tried to pick up some poop out of the rocks, so mommy decided to scoop the poop. Then when mommy was done I thought I'd help out and threw a couple of rocks in the poop scooper and then clapped for myself, you know for doing such a good job helping.

March 2008

I've had a rash on my arm for, dare I say, way too long, so mommy took me to the doctor’s. They gave me some cream to clear it up and called eczema. Grandma Connie is in town, she and mommy were watching a movie and I couldn't help myself but dance to the music in it. The song was calling to my feet and they had to answer. I also had to tickle myself, when grandpa Bob isn't around someone has to pick up the slack. I also saw one of my blankets in the dryer and tried to get it out even though it was wet.

Mommy tired to feed me lunch today, but I insisted on feeding myself. I did a pretty good job to if I do say so myself.

Ok, so I'm starting to see why mommy keeps telling me to stay out of the dog's water. As it turns out she knows stuff. I stuck my foot in the dog’s water (it seemed like a good idea at the time) and then when I went to walk away and stepped forward on that foot I slipped and fell.

At church today, one of the girls in mommy's Sunday school class was giving me lots of attention, so I tried to get her to pick me up, it seems though that perhaps either I'm a little too big or she is a little too small.

Grandma Connie thinks I'm so cute with my problem solving skills. She was handing me a snack and when she handed me a second snack I would either put the one I had in my mouth or my other hand so that I could take another one. We were in the car so grandma could only reach far enough to one hand.

I was such a character today, so says mommy. I took some q-tips out of my drawer and was putting them in my ears, I came out of the bathroom carrying the bathroom rug, and then had the pen lid on my finger. Sometimes I like to go into mommy and daddy's closet and pulls on mommy's bathrobe, I like to think it's my blanky and I'm just trying to get it.

I've started to make a fish face, this is lots of fun! Mommy was too funny when she was trying to put me down for my nap. I was touching her eye lids, pulling her eye lashes, and pinching her nose and then laughing hysterically, what fun! My rash is getting better, thank heavens. Mommy heard me making a funny sound in my bedroom and when she went to see what I was doing, I was trying to get my blanky out of my dirty clothes hamper. I threw up on one of my blankie’s today. You know what I love? To try on mommy's shoes and try to walk around in them. She makes it look easy, but I'm still practicing, after all practice makes perfect.

I had a rough night; one of my molars is in. Mommy just finally put me in bed with her. When I woke up I was pretty wiggly and when mommy opened her eyes, I was 1/8 of an inch from her face, she thought it was cute.

Mommy packed us up and made some arrangements. Then we drove to Idaho to grandma and grandpa's today. It was a really loooooooooooong drive, so rough.

I'm having fun with grandma and grandpa. I really like to play patty cake with Grandma Connie. I've started making the sound ouwy. And apparently mommy's been yelling at the dogs to stop barking to much because when she does it I mimic her and yell as well. I also like to take toy cars and roll them across the ground, good times. Oh and another thing, me likes to give five, they stick out their hand and I give it a slap, what's not to like.

I had a fun day today. First I came out of mommy's room dragging a pair of her pants with me, not sure what I had planned for them, but whatever it was it was going to be good. Then mommy took me swimming for the first time! I was scared at first, but then I really liked it.

Mommy took me to the park. I smiled a little on the swings and then wanted out, I don't know what that was all about, swinging in the air. Then I just walked around and picked things up off the ground. I was being quiet and when mommy went to see what I was up to I had pulled as many wiped out of the dispenser as I could and threw them all over the floor, now that is what I call fun.

February 2008

We went grocery shopping and went we got home mommy was putting away the groceries and putting the empty bags on the ground. I was trying to pick all of them up and then was shaking them around, that's some good entertainment if you ask me. I think shaking bag all about should be part of the hoky poky.

I finally figured out what the circulars spot on my highchair tray is for, my sippy, so I've been putting my sippy cup in the cup holder by myself. I also figured out how to go down the stairs backwards. This is very helpful, no I can go anywhere I want to :).

Mommy took me in for my one year pictures. When we got home mommy took me over to daddy's cousins and we helped her unpack.

I had a pretty full day today. First I took all the trash out of the trash can by the computer and then spent some time rearranging the remote controllers in their container.

What a zoo, we took all of the dogs in to get their shots. Mommy took me and the three female dogs in while daddy took in Milo since he's not good with other dogs. We got the job done, but I think they should ask themselves if it's worth it, taking them in all at once to save a trip. I don't know, maybe it's just me.

I had a big crying, screaming, squirming episode at church today, so mommy had to bring me home. When she got me home, she gave me medicine and rocked me until she fell asleep. I felt much better when I woke up, thanks heavens.

This month marks the two years anniversary since aunt Laree died and mommy says that it’s still as hard as it was two years ago. She doesn't allow herself to cry any more, though she could very easily spend all of her days crying over her. Every day she thinks about her, every day she misses her, every day she wishes she was here. She still can’t believe that she is gone, it still doesn’t feel real. She miss the sound of her voice, her friendship, her laugh, her funny quirky personality, her adventurous stories, everything they’ll never do, sharing the joy of her success, girl’s night out, her reading mommy's mind and finishing mommy's sentences, in short everything, even her nagging. She wishes that she had Reeree's shoulder to cry on and her listening ear, and that she could see her, even just one more time.

There is so much to like about this life, one thing I've found that I really enjoy is taking the lids off pens and then put them back on. I also find joy in touching my fingertip to someone else's. Good times!

Well, I spilled mommy's slim fast and the deliberately stepped in it with my white socks. It was kind of like splashing around in a mud puddle. Although, for some reason this did not make mommy happy. Oh well, I had fun anyways.

Lately I've been bringing books to mommy, but I don’t want her to read it to me, I just want to sit with her and turn through the pages. The other day mommy put out her index finger to me and I came running over to her with both of my fingers pointed towards hers, you know because I like to touch finger tips together. Mommy was clipping my toenails this week and one of them shot into her eye, that's teacher her, lol.

Mom just took care of me today because I have had a fever since yesterday and didn’t sleep much. The next day, my fever was gone today and I felt much better.

Mom says that I was really on one today. All I did was start the day out eating dog food, and then put mommy's sock in the dog’s water. Oh and then I was kissing myself in the long mirror in mommy's bedroom.

I tried to put my shoe in the dog’s water and then later put it in the cupboard with my dishes. I've also been making an Mmmm sound when I put something in my mouth that I like. She also likes to close doors and if it closes she’s made and wants it open and if it doesn’t close she’s made and wants it to stay closed.

This morning I was getting into the dog's water like I like to do, and mommy's told me countless times not to. Anyhow, mommy tapped me on the hand and said no. Then I looked at my hand for a few second and started tapping it myself. I'm not sure what mommy sees in it, but it was completely unentertaining. Oh, and I also had another piece of dog food in my mouth.

January 2008

It's a new year, but oddly enough it's started out a lot like last year with yet another tooth. There's some new stuff too though, uncle Clancy’s been teaching me to “beet box”. I've started to sway like I'm dancing. I'm walking really well now without going between Objects, and have really picked up speed, hey I've got places to go. I've been smiling with a really cheesy smile as big as I can get it when mommy take her picture, I guess I'm just a ham, at least that what they tell me.

I figure something new out every day. Today, we were in the car and the radio was a little loud, so I put my fingers in my ears and pulled them out over and over. This makes the sound louder and quieter, amazing. Then after much observation I figured out that you point the remote at the TV and push buttons. In practicing this I accidentally set a bunch of shows to record. I'm starting to figure out how to put lids on things. I've also started taking a comb and running it over my hair like mommy does when she comb it. Phones, they have all these buttons on them, and they light up when I push them, what fun! I've also figured out how the click the end of a pen, I've been doing some great works of art with pens. I like to take things or rather push thing onto the floor, but I also like to put thing up on other things, so it all comes out in the wash.

Ok, so mommy pushes my shoes to my feet and magically they're on, but when I push me shoes to my feet nothing, there must be some trick to it I don't know yet. One morning I tried to put my shoe on, it wasn’t working so I bend over and moved the shoe, then she tried again, no luck though. The mystery of putting on my shoes continues to elude me. A couple of days later I was trying to put on uncle Clancy's girlfriend's shoes, that was much more easy than putting on my own shoes, something about the size for some reason seems to make a difference. Speaking of uncle Clancy's girlfriend, she has a little Chihuahua that has the softest ears, and I love to rub them.

While we were staying with grandma and grandpa in Idaho, I woke up in the middle of the night and they put me in their bed. Later I woke up again and started crying and crazy grandpa tried to feed me the phone instead of my bottle, silly guy. I liked it when grandpa would toss me onto the bed or couch, that is great fun! She was really funny with a laser pointer, she kept trying to grab the light and put it in her mouth and play with it. I liked to rub the inside of grandma's coat because it was so soft. Mommy took me into the nursery at church and the kids were being really loud, so I started to be loud with them, if you can't beat them, join them.

One day mommy came into the living room and I was on the floor on my stomach kicking my hands and arms like I was throwing a tantrum except I was happy, mommy found this very amusing.

I can't believe it, but my first birthday is coming up. Mommy and grandma Connie went clothes shopping for my birthday and I was walking around the wracks looking at the clothes just like they were. Grandma thought it was really funny how I was mimicking them.

Grandma has some extended family over for dinner I there was this character there they called Troy. I'm not too sure about him, but I kept an eye on him and made a few funny faces at him, and pointed at him and had a few things I let him know. Mom called it jabbering, but I knew exactly what I was trying to tell him.

Before we flew home we celebrated my first birthday with mom's family. On that same day, I had another tooth come in. Uncle Clancy's girlfriend made me the cutest cake! The colors match my bedroom. I got a bunch of clothes and grandpa gave me another $100!

We finally flew home, we had so much fun with grandma Connie and grandpa Bob. It's nice to be home though too. When we got home daddy baked my birthday cake with mommy's instruction. The next day mommy decorated the cake for my birthday party with daddy's family. Grandma Jolene, grandpa Cal, and aunt Jenny were there with her whole family. I got a dress from Jenny and her family, and toys and clothes from grandma and grandpa.

I woke up crying and cried for about an hour. I did not feel good and mommy could find anything to help me feel better. Eventually I did start to feel better though, mommy was very relieved. On the upside, even though I didn’t feel good I was still trying to play peek-a-boo. Later I was a bit mystified be the pen lid, I kept trying to get the lid back, but I just couldn’t, I did manage to mark up the two fingers I was holding the lid with though. Then I had a travel sized tooth paste and used the lid end to tickle my own hand, it was really nice. I also figured out how to open the drawer to mommy's night stand, this is going to be fun!

Mommy and I spent the day in bed because we both have a cold, yuk :(.

Lately when I finish taking a drink I make a sound like Ah, those sippys are just so refreshing.

I had my first experience with Chucky Cheese, I'm not sure I'm quite ready for that just yet. Some of those rides were just a little bit scary, I did like the merry-go-round though. It was fun to see daddy's family there. After that we went to the movies, I just ran around the theatre though, so that was fun for me. Mommy put her finger to her mouth and said shhh, so I put my hands over my mouth, and that seemed to help my noise factor.

Mommy was reading a book today, and I was just content walking around the living room. I was falling on the couch pillows that were on the ground on purpose, that was quite a bit of fun. Then I was carrying one of them around. I got a bottle nipple out of the cupboard and was sucking on it. So I kept myself pretty well entertained while mommy read. Then when mommy was feeding me dinner I was copying everything mommy did. Mommy stuck her lips out, so I stuck my lips out, she shook her head, I shook my head, she stuck her tongue out and I stuck my tongue out. I am starting to see what older kids see in the mimic game. Later I was opening and closing the gate in the kitchen, who knew that could be so much fun? Speaking of mimicking, I have been carrying things around lately on my arm like mommy does, with a purse, diaper bag, or anything with a strap. Arms are rather handy little hooks for hanging things on. Mommy was reading me my learning book and I wasn’t very interested as usual, but then I started pointing at things and jabbering and then making mommy point at them, I was copying what mommy does when she reads it to me :).

Mom thinks it's pretty funny that when I start walking as fast as I can I make a sound like I'm panting. I guess it's also pretty funny when I bounce up and down on the balls of my feet and breathing really fast when I either want something they are eating or want mom to pick me up. Mommy was gone for a little while during the day and while she was gone, I threw up and slept a lot of the time.

I went to my one year doctor appointment, I lost three pounds and gained one inch since my last appointment. The doctor said that I'm right on schedule developmentally. Mommy did a really silly thing though, she went into the wrong building for my appointment and when they told her that it was in the next building over she realized that she also filled out the paperwork to get my records transferred in that same wrong office. Man did she feel stupid, I'll cut her a little slack though, the buildings are identical.

It's finally happened, mommy has wiped my nose enough that I figured out how to do it all by myself. I've been taking the Kleenexes and wiping my nose with them. I even took one and put it in the garbage afterwards :).

While we were at church in primary something really funny happened. Mommy's Sunday school lesson was on talking to Heavenly Father through prayer, so she asked the kids how they talk to Heavenly Father. They didn’t answer, so she said, “Do you pick up the phone and call him?” They all said yes, and she said no you don’t, but they said yes you do. So she asked what his phone number was, and one girl thought for a second and said, Heavenly Father. So she said, “1-800-HEAVENLY FATHER.” and they smiled and said yes.

While mommy was talking her grandma and grandpa I kissed the end table twice, she thought it was pretty cute.

The perfect end to a perfect month, I had yet another tooth come in. When is this ever going to end?

December 2007

It was St Nicholas Day today. What fun! It's a tradition that grandma Connie started when my mom was a kid. The Saturday closest to the 6th of December is deemed St. Nicks Day. That is the day when Santa Clause comes. Then on Christmas we exchange presents from each other. This way the fun of Santa Clause and other fun Christmas things are separated from the true meaning of Christmas and the reason we celebrate it, and that it to remember the birth of our Savior. I got some books and an ornament that is inscribed for my first Christmas.

Mommy was cleaning the kitchen while I saw in my highchair with a snack. I decided to be a little dare devil and mommy came around the corner to get me out of my highchair, I was on my hands and knees on the highchair tray. Mommy says that she got really lucky that I didn’t fall off, and has figured out that highchair straps have a purpose after all and will be sure to use them from now on.

I have decided that it is my job, no my duty to entertain mommy. So when she gave me a taffy and it was almost all gone I stuck it in my hair. Last week I was trying to pull the lights off the Christmas tree and when mommy told he no, I stuck my lips out at her like a monkey. Mommy was holding me while she exercised, I was eating a cracker and feel asleep and the cracker was just sitting on my face. We went to the grocery store, while we were there I purposely dropped something out of the cart like I like to do and said "Uhoh." Mommy said that it's not uhoh, if it was on purpose, I still say it was uhoh though. Then while I was eating breakfast, I dropped daddy's spoon on the floor and said "Uhoh." When mommy was feeding me lunch, I took the paper towel and rubbed it on my highchair tray like mommy does when she wipes it off.

Ok, some odds and ends. I kept mommy up all night one night because I was sick. I got another tooth in. I have started to say baba. Daddy got in a car accident and we took him to the hospital to make sure he was ok, just a little whiplash. I am now rubbing/petting the animals instead of “patting” them like she used to. I liked to go over to the computer and press the keys and play with the mouse. I have really started to get off stuff well by turning backwards and sliding off.

We went over to grandma and grandpa Jones to celebrate Christmas with them before we leave town for Christmas and I got a lot of toys and clothes, mommy spent the next day putting all of my toys together. I also got a new dresser form mommy and daddy. Mommy says that it was I so so so cute when she was putting it together. She had it mostly put together and I crawled inside with the small green screwdriver it came with and was tinking it around like I was helping her put it together.

We flew to Idaho to spend Christmas with mommy's family. Our flight had a three hour delay. While we were waiting, mommy noticed that I had another tooth come in and that it looked like it had about two weeks growth.

I got lots more good stuff for Christmas from mommy's family. It was especially sweet of uncle James to get me a jacket and hat. Later I'm really going to like the $100 I got from grandpa.

While we were visiting mommy's family, we went and visited mommy's cousins Travis and Candice. Grandpa Bob taught me to color and introduced me to playing the piano, and would sometimes take mommy's hand and hit the keys with it. Another thing he showed me was "the hand tickle", I liked it so much that now I will take your finger and run it over the palm of my hand. I used a pen to scribble all over my stomach one day. In church, I wasn’t shy, I just went to everyone. I gave grandpa my first kiss while we were in a store and he was buying me some educational toys. Now I give lots of kisses. I got to eat lots of different foods with grandpa and it was really hard to keep my clothes clean. When grandma was kissing me and then would stop I would lean into grandma’s lips for more kisses. Grandma bought me a really soft blanket I really love. Daddy flew back early to take care of stuff for his car accident. Since daddy went home early, mommy and I decided to stay longer.

November 2007

I climbed almost half way up the stairs in the basement today, and that was quite the workout, I've got to work off these thighs somehow. I climb up on the couches in the basement now. As if that wasn't enough climbing, I climbed up the dog stairs to mommy and daddy's bed and got on the bed to play with the dogs. In short, lots of climbing these days.

It's been a while, so I figured I was overdue and pooped in the tub :). I was peeing in the tub often, but mommy figured out how to remedy that. She put's my feet in tub with my diaper on for a little while before my bath. I also figured it was about time to cut mommy a break and slept through the night five nights in a row, but then I got sick with a little cold and that ruined my streak.

Family photos today with daddy's family! I'm not sure what these are all about, but we matched and wore fall colors, whatever that is all about.

My first Thanksgiving. What a day, mommy and daddy's family came over. There was a lot of food and games! Mommy is glad to have cooked Thanksgiving dinner without me in her tummy this year, much easier this time around.

It's mommy's first birthday as a mom. According to her she is not turning 27, but 25 for the second time. She also noted today that my top two teeth are getting ready to come in. Can I just say this teething business is not fun. They (whoever they are) say it will be all worth it when it's all over.

Mommy and daddy put up all the Christmas stuff today. I am excited to find out what this holiday is all about. All I know for now is that I really liked the lights on the Christmas tree.

One of my top teeth came in today. And I have discovered the gaga sound. Mommy's says that I'm so funny and that I have become quite the ham. Lately I've been sticking my chin out, tilting my head back, and either putting on a huge cheesy grin or sticking my lips out like a monkey. This is very effective in my quest to entertain the people in my life.

Mommy got me to take two steps towards her today without holding on to anything, and I laughed so hard that I got the hiccups. Mommy said it was the best birthday present ever! Then I tried to eat dog food, but was unsuccessful, I must try this again when mommy is not looking. I can now stand up without holding onto anything!

Mommy had a dream that aunt Laree appeared to her and said that Heaven was like earth except that it was happy. She said that she had learned a lot. She also said that they had a regular week with responsibilities like we do and go to church on Sunday. Mommy just cried and told her that she loved her and that we needed her.

So shaking my head back and forth like I'm saying no, I love that! Today I started shaking my head up and down like I'm saying yes, except that it looks more like a semi-slow motion head bang. I'm almost a year old and mommy still can’t get enough of me and can’t get over how cute I am.

October 2007

Daddy got offered a new job for more money! And in the nick of time too, just a few days later, mommy's work told her that it was working out because the other employees didn’t like that they couldn’t bring their babies to work and I could. So she is just going to stay home with me now!!!

We got a call that daddy's grandpa passed away. So we went to the hospital to be with the family. He has been really sick for a long time now. Mommy and daddy made a video slide show for the funeral.

I'm nine months old now, and I recently added some new tricks to my repertoire. I started clicking my tongue and I will even do it back to you if you do it to me :). I started making more sounds like dewdewdew, dowdowdow, nananana, and nonononono. I've figured out how to get up the first step of Molly’s step stool to get on the couch. I have started to put my lips out like a chimpanzee does, monkey are always good entertainment. I've taken to tipping the dogs water over, and I'm not sure why, but mommy does not like it when I do. I tipped over the bowl when she was installing the safety gate for me. I like to slap my hands on things including myself, it makes such a fun sound. I also like to scratch things, this too has a very pleasant sounds. At my nine month doctor appointment, I measured 27 ½ inches and am 20 pounds and 2 ounces. I'm 80% in weight and 60% in height.

I had kind of a fun day today, it was at least entertaining. I ripped up my paper towel at lunch and took off my bib with a little monster roar, to show mommy my power and just what I'm capable of. Then I was putting Milo’s bone to his mouth and taking it away over and over, it just never got old for me :).

Ok, it's funny story. Mommy went to visit a friend today and on her way out a moth flew down her shirt. Hahaha :)! It kind of gave mommy a flashback to the first time she met our neighbor and a fly flew down her shirt. What is it with these bug and flying down mommy's shirt? Maybe it's like the old adage, like a moth to a flame, in which case I think mommy needs to get a tan. Next funny storey, I was at the foot of mommy and daddy's bed holding onto the foot board, Milo was standing by me, and for some reason I laughed hysterically at that. Milo wasn’t even doing anything, he was just by me and I just kept laughing. I can't explain it, it was just one of those things.

I had a bath today and it was a blast, I was splish splashin’ all over! I was on my tummy, on my knees, I stood up, and splashed all around.

Cousin Brinley had her baby blessing that we went to. There was a lot of family there, it was really nice :).

Another sick day today, ugh. I woke up with a 100 degree temperature. After mommy put me to bed my temperature went up to 102. Mommy called the doctor on call and he said to bring me in the next day if it was still high and continue giving me the fever reducer mommy's been giving me. Then daddy went to the store to get me some more medicine to give me in between her other medicine like the doctor suggested. The next day I still had a fever, so daddy stayed home from work. I still had a little fever the next morning, but not for the rest of the day, so that's good.

I recently started swinging or bouncing my leg when mommy is holding me, I find this very enjoyable. Something about it just brings peace to my soul! Ok maybe not, but I like it. I also started putting my hands behind my head like people do when they have their feet up on a desk.

When mommy gave me a bath tonight I looked into the drain for when the tub gets to full and started making one of my sounds. I don't know what that black hole is, but I intend to get to the bottom of it.

It's my first Halloween! And I am the cutest pink butterfly the world has ever known if I do say so myself :). We spent the evening with daddy's family and then stopped by uncle Chris’s on our way home so mommy and daddy could show off how cute I am in my costume.

September 2007

So there I was sound asleep minding my own business and mommy found it very entertaining that I was talking in my sleep, what can I say. Then she continued to be amused when she put my blanket by my face so I would have something to lean against and in my sleep I grabbed it and put it in my mouth.

I'm starting to get the hang of the bottle thing. One morning I woke up, and saw my bottle, grabbed it, and started drinking out of it. It saves me a lot of time to do it myself rather than wait for mommy to come in and get it for me :).

I have also figured out how to maximize the capacity my fingers have to hold things. Sometimes when I have my hands full, and mommy offers me something else, I'll stick out a finger to grab it with so that I don't have to let go of what I already have.

Now enter the walking phase! I can now walk when someone holds my fingers to help me balance. Once I get the hand of it and can do it on my own my evil plot to wreak havoc and commence. Wahaha!

Mommy had a long day at work and worked into the night. So daddy was really sweet and brought mommy dinner to her at work and then took me home and got me ready for bed.

I have found a new way to entertain mommy and daddy. I'm telling you, ideas just keep coming to me. So what I do is, scrunch face up my face, put on a cheesy smile, and breath in and out of my nose really fast. This one really brings down the house!

Another month, another set of changes. I got my second tooth in today. Mommy started her new job. I can now sit up on my own! I've started responding to my name when it is said and reaching out for mommy. I also get a little scared when she yells at the dogs when they are barking incessantly or being naughty. I can move between two things standing up if they are close together. I can also stand on my own for a short time if I don't know I'm standing on my own, those sneaky parents. Mommy lowered my crib since I can pull myself up now. I have also discovered my reflection, and let me tell you, I like what I see, I can't get enough of it!

I woke up this morning with the flu from the fiery depths!!!! First, mom woke me up this morning and I was covered in throw up, it was even in my hair. Mommy cleaned me up and got me ready for the day. Then I had a huge diaper blow out. When we got to work I slept most of the day. I had another diaper blow out and threw up all over myself when I woke up. Mommy cleaned me up and I had a bottle, and then threw up all over my second outfit. To finish off the show, I then threw up all over mommy, the floor, and myself. Mommy paged her boss in her office and said, "I'm covered in vomit, I'm going home." And so we did.

Day two of the flue from the fiery depths is not much better than day one. Except today, to compound the problem mommy woke up with it also. She called in sick to work and then asked daddy to come home from work to take care of me so that she could rest. I had a lot lot lot of diaper changes today, but no more throwing up. Mommy says that she has never had a worse stomach flu in her entire life!

Ok, now we are on to day three of the flu from the fiery depths and guess what, now daddy has it. We were just one big sick happy family and all spent the day at home sick. Mommy and I were going to fly to Idaho to surprise grandpa Bob for his 50th birthday, but we had to reschedule for the next day hopping that we might feel a little better. Well, we didn't feel much better, but we did go. At the airport, there was a really nice lady that was in a hurry so she helped mommy get our luggage to the chick in point. Everyone on the flight was really nice to let us in even though we missed the pre-board. Uncle Clancy picked us up and we went to the surprise party for grandpa. He looked really surprised to see us :)!

We are home now, it seems like day 1,056,936 of our sickness. I've lost count to say the least and don't even get me started on how soar my bottom is. Uncle Clancy called to tell mommy that he got our sickness. So mommy called grandma and grandpa to see if they got it also and sure enough grandma Connie did. Oh and half the people at the surprise party got it as well, this thing spreads faster that wildfire on a windy day. There seems to be no end in sight and the symptoms refuse to let up. Yes, the vomiting is gone, but the exhaustion, achiness, etc… will not give, not even just a little.

Daddy sent mommy a dozen red roses to her work today for their five year anniversary! On our way home, mommy stopped and got flowers for grandma Jolene. Then we met daddy at the hospital. She had to have an emergency surgery due to complications from the surgery she had two years ago, so we spent a little while at the hospital with her.

Mommy and daddy went out to celebrate their anniversary and I had my first sleepover away from mommy. I had a really good time with uncle Chris and aunt Fionnuala. When mommy and daddy picked me up, they said I was good. Then we went and visited grandma Jolene to see how she’s doing. Mommy left and went to something with aunt Jenny, after she left I crawled over to cousin Johan and tried to take his pop cycle, for some reason Johan was not a fan of this idea. It never hurts to try.

August 2007

I had a busy day today, I woke up from my nap, played with my shoe, fall back to sleep, and snuggled with my shoe while doing so.

Daddy is so excited that I've started making a dada sound! I can sit up without support now. I also find that my hands can be very entertaining. Sometimes I play with them, I will hold one with the other and move them in every direction and move my fingers. Who needs toys when you have suck wonderful toys conveniently at the end of each arm?

Growing up brings so much change. I got a new car seat, it's finally time to move up in the world. I went to my first Bees baseball game. I made my first trip to Lagoon. I added a new twist to my tongue trick by sticking it out really far to the side and curling it up a little. I've been trying really hard to crawl, mommy thinks it will happen any day now. I get up on my toes and my hands with my bottom in the air and look a little like a ten, but I can't quit figure out how to move forward. I grabbed daddy's hands and pulled myself up. I have started to clap my hands together. I have also started to move my fingers like I'm waving!

I turned seven months old. Man is time flying by. Mommy isn't quite sure how it is possible, but she loves me more everyday and somehow I get cuter every day. She says that being a mom is the best thing that ever happened to her. She also says that I'm such a smiley baby, although you couldn’t tell from the pictures because as soon as I see the camera I stop what I'm doing to look at it, it really is a fascinating contraption. I even got my first tooth in!

I woke up this morning and I had so much to say, I just jibber jabbered away in my crib. Mommy woke up sick, so daddy stayed home from work to take care of me while she got some rest.

Since mommy's company has been sold and she won't be able to take me to work with the new company, she had a job interview today for a company that will let her take me to work with her. It sound like it will work out for everyone.

That Milo, he really is a sweet boy, but sometimes I think his is a little over protective. Mommy was working on something in the basement while I was asleep upstairs. I woke up and started to cry and Milo went running down stair to get mommy. She met him halfway up the basement stair and he turned around to follow her up to me. He is awfully sweet to share his toys with me though, sometimes he will bring me his hot dog toy (his most prized and favorite possession) and his ball and put them both by me so that I can play with them. He is really good not to take the hot dog from me when I have it or he takes it very carefully.

I have been having a really good time lately playing and just being happy. I've started making a cute little squealing sound when I'm happy and playing. Sometimes it even looks like an invisible person is playing with me when I'm squealing and waving my hands around.

Mommy's family flew in for a visit. It was uncle James' first times flying. He caused a big scene at the air port on their way home. The whole family was pulled aside, searched, question, and their licenses taken. So basically that was his first and last flight, grandma and grandpa swear that they will never fly with him again.

Mommy worked all day today and daddy stayed home with me. Dads pay close attention to what I say next, this is important information you may need in the future. When I woke up I had a booger in my hair, I'm a kid and boogers happen. Daddy being on his own and not knowing what to do, cut it out with the scissors! When mommy got home, she informed daddy that boogers are water soluble and that next time he just needed to get a wet wash cloth and wash it out.

Mommy's cousin Travis and his wife Candice lost their baby just a couple of weeks before she was due. We flew to Idaho and went to the funeral. It is a very sad and heartbreaking loss.

July 2007

Mommy had to work extra hard this week with her coworker out of town, so grandma Jolene and grandma Connie watched me :).

We were out eating dinner and mommy thought it was so cute that I grabbed her water glass with both hands, opened my mouth and put it over the straw. Although I'm not really sure why stuff didn't come out, when grandpa Bob puts a straw in my mouth tasty liquid always comes out of it.

Today I discovered that I can stick out my tongue. I have also discovered the joy that is string, I don't know what it is about it, but I love string. I also have a thing about paper and tags, I guess it's some kind of fetish.

We stopped by daddy's work to surprise him this afternoon! Today also would have been aunt Reeree's 29th birthday and we celebrated it by watching one of her favorite movies. During the movie, I was on the floor and rolled from the couch all the way over to the wall, that was quit a work out. Mommy was impressed that I grabbed my bottle with both hands, opened her mouth, and leaned back ready for the feast.

So much had happened this month. I turned six months old and weighed in at 16 pounds and 10 ounces and am 25 ½ inches long. I had a diaper leak on mommy's lap while she was at work. Mommy permanently moved me into my room. Aunt Jenny and uncle John had their baby, my new cousin Brinley! And last but not least, mom's favorite, I started making the sound mama!

Mommy put me in my crib for my nap, I was sound asleep, so mommy went to take my blanket so that she could put it in the wash. I must have some kind of sixth sense because I grabbed it really tight so that she couldn't take it from me :). When I woke up from my nap mommy swears I called for her. I usually say mamamamamamamam, but this time I just said mama and that was it.

The other day mommy was rough housing with Sandy and I didn't know what was going on so I started to cry. It turns out that they were just playing and all was well, that's good to know for next time.

I was so cute today, or so says mommy, I was on the floor playing and the next second I was asleep. I just fell asleep mid play, with my toy just resting on my face and everything. I don't know why they call it play, it's really a lot of work, it just tuckers you right out.

June 2007

Mommy started feeding me vegetables and let me tell you I don't mind it one bit. I didn't like that solid food business in the beginning, but now mommy can’t shovel that stuff in fast enough. Yum yum!

I tried and tried to get my foot into my mouth, but somehow it continues to evade me. I guess there is some kind of saying, something about open mouth insert foot, I don't really get it though, they make it sound like it's easy.

Mommy finally broke down and got a cell phone. On behalf of the bazillion people who already have cell phones, I would like to welcome her into, well whatever century this is!

I've made it to five months old and am showing no signs of stopping. Look out world here I come. Mommy has noted that lately I've been rocking back and forth, I must say I do like it, yes I like it a lot.

At mommy's work today I managed to kick off my shoe off and after a bit of a skirmish got my sock off too, which I found rather tasty by the way. Mommy does this fake laugh that makes me laugh, sometimes she is so silly! I have found myself having to retract my earlier statement about hating the wind in my face, cuz now I LOVE it! It makes me smile, it's such a pleasant sensation.

Mommy and I went to visit grandma and grandpa in Idaho! While I was there grandma was babysitting another little girl and the little girl was sitting across from me, the next thing I knew she grabbed my cheeks with both hands and pinched them. I'm now quite sure what that was all about, but I didn't mind.

May 2007

What a day! I spit up all over mom, in her face, down her shirt, on her shirt, in her lap, and even in her hair. Spit up Olympics here I come! On a more pleasant note for mom, I held my bottle on my own today.

At mommy's work today there was a sales tax auditor and I had some really loud gas right when the auditor was asking mommy some questions, lol.

I am just growing up so fast, I can stand up pretty well when someone holds me. Mom says that I'm usually a really good baby, but that I have my moments, and don't we all.

Ok, so you know when the wind blows on your face? I hate that and anything like unto it! What is that all about anyways?

I've been chewing on my fingers a lot lately, I don't know what it is about them, but I just love it! The texture is nice :). Mom thinks I'm getting ready to cut my first tooth, although the truth is she just hopes that I am in order to explain my fussiness' that seems to be for no reason. She does say that she can feel something when I chew on her finger though.

It's mommy's first Mother's Day! Happy Mother's Day!!! We went over to aunt Jenny's for mother's day dinner and spent the evening with daddy's family.

Grandma Connie is in town and today they just spent the whole day focusing their complete attention on me!

I had my four month doctor appointment and I'm 13 pounds and eight ounces and am 25 inches long. It's a lot of work to do all this growing! Now that I'm four months old mommy fed me rice cereal today. What is the big idea? I cried and spit it out at first, to demonstrate my revulsion for it, but mommy was relentless so I'm starting to get used to it.

April 2007

We were Idaho this weekend for great grandpa Kofoed's funeral. I got lots of compliments on how alter I am, how well I hold my head up, that I have long fingers, and on how much hair I have. Before we left to go home, grandpa Bob tried to convince mommy and daddy to leave me with them but to no avail :).

I was sitting on mommy's stomach with nothing on but a diaper on and I made an amazing discovery. My feet! I kept looking at one then the other and wiggling my toes with a look of awe. I'm not sure what they are for, but I bet it something great!

It was Easter Sunday today and I had on the cutest dress that grandma Jolene gave me, I got lots of compliments. Mommy had on a watch in church and it was fascinating, now that I have started to grab things, I really tired to get that watch. Somehow, no matter how hard I tried, it just kept eluding me. We had a delicious Easter feast over and grandma Jolene's and grandpa Cal's.

We had a play date at aunt Jenny's house with daddy's cousins. It was all kinds of fun!

I had my baby blessing today. Mommy and daddy's immediate family came over for it. Daddy gave me the blessing. Mommy and daddy gave me aunt Reeree's name as my middle name and talked a lot about how he hopes that being named after her I will be able to take on her good attributes. She was a ray of sunshine and made the world around her a better place. I hope to be able to spread my sunshine all around like she did.

Maggie had to have knee surgery because she ruptured her ACL. After her surgery she is not supposed to us the stairs, so mommy had her on a leash in the kitchen at overnight. When mom woke up this morning, Maggie was at the foot of her bed. Maggie chewed through the leash and went up the stairs and got on our bed, her powers of naughtiness are astounding!

While mommy and I were at work today, mommy picked me up and I spit up all down her shirt. It's not the first time and it certainly won't be the last ;).

Sometimes when I'm asleep, I make a sucking motion like I have my bottle when I really don’t. I've also been hard at work on trying to laugh lately, but I'm not quit making the right sound, it’s more like a grunt, oh well, there's lots of time to get that figured out. I can also sit up pretty well with a little support. People also give me lots of compliments on how nice my skin is.

Today mommy set me on the floor in my gym on my stomach for some tummy time and the craziest thing happened. I rolled over onto my back for the first time! I didn't actually like that though, I cried a little.

I'm Three months old now and have finally figured out that laughing thing. Mommy was so excited the first time I laughed! I'd have though I just figured out e=mc2 or something, she was so excited.

Another fun day at work with mom has come and gone and it was a busy one. I had a diaper blow out when we were out to lunch. Then I didn’t sleep much during the day instead I did a whole lot of jabbering.

You know what's funny? Well, I'll tell you, it's hysterical when mommy pulls my clothes over my head when she is dressing me. Don't ask me why, it's just one of those things. You know what else is nice? I really like to hold onto mommy's hand when I'm eating. I'm also enjoying grabbing onto material and putting it in my mouth, holding it, or rubbing it on my face, it just feels so nice whatever I do with it. Mom thinks I'm going to be a blankie girl and I think she is right.

Well, we had a good run, but mommy stopped nursing me today. It was a hard decision for mom because of all the good health benefits from it, but it was just getting to difficult with mom back at work.

March 2007

Well I had a rude awakening this morning. Our smoke alarms all went off at 4:30 am. They kept going off until daddy replaced the battery in the basement smoke alarm. Note to sell, when the smoke alarm first starts beeping infrequently and quietly, that is the time to replace the battery.

It's been busy. Let's see, Mommy took me to her office today to show me off before she goes back to work, we had a good time. Aunt Jenny and uncle John found out that they are having a girl!!! Mommy made me a feeding/sleeping schedule and has got me eating and sleeping accordingly so. She seems to think it's going pretty well, and it is if I do say so myself, I only get up once at night now. I turned two months old so now I'm staying awake longer. When I'm awake I am constantly moving arms and legs, hey I've got to work of this baby fat somehow. All this movement has proven to be a bit of a hazard to innocent bystanders though, mommy was getting my pajamas on, Molly was sniffing me, and I accidentally punched her in the face so she just walked away. Sometimes I get to really cranking my right arm, mom says it looks like I'm doing some kinds of crazy hillbilly dance :).

Those pesky hiccups are still bothering me, but not as much as they used to. I have also discovered the awesomeness that is my tongue, I like to lick things. Every chance I get, I try to get as many fingers as I can into my mouth or I just the side of her hand. Mommy being the kill joy that she is doesn't allow finger or thumb sucking. She says that she doesn't want me to get into any habits that she will have to break later. She ties to get me to use a pacifier, but I'm just not interested in it. And my eyelashes have grown longer and darker, this should be a very nice asset for any future fluttering of my eyelashes.

Mommy took me on my first walk today, although I have to say that it wasn't very eventful since I can't really see that far yet. I had my two month doctor appointment and shots, I really don't them, but what can ya do. Although, mommy was surprised how little I cried when I got my shots, the crying only lasted for a few seconds. I'm now 23 inches and 10.09 pounds.

That Maggie us up to no good again, mommy had to wash the bedding and shampoo their bed again because Maggie peed on it. What is that girls deal?

I have discovered my voice box! Mom says that I make noises like I've got something to say. I've got news for her, I do have something to say and this is just a taste of what is to come :).

Thank heavens mommy comes prepared. We were at daddy's aunt's house and I had shall we a say a little diaper blowout. Just wait, there is more, while mommy was changing me, I pooped more and peed. It was a big mess and the pee got in my hair, yuk! It’s a good thing that mom had a travel size baby shampoo and an extra outfit in the diaper bag.

Mommy had her first day back at work! I get to go with mommy to work, so it's lots of fun!

Sandy has been taking notes from Maggie. Mommy was playing with me and I was moving my arms really fast, so Sandy thought that we were trying to play with her and started trying to get my arms. What a Silly girl :).

When mommy changed me this morning she picked me up after she was done and I had the hand sanitizer bottle between my feet. I think monkeys have the right idea, feet are useful for way more things than just walking :). Mom says that I snort when I'm hungry, and that it’s so funny, I think I'm going to have to deny that accusation :). I do have to admit, that she is right about the way I put my hands all over my face when I eat and sometimes even rub my head, she's got me there. I also like to put my arms straight up and do a big stretch when I wake up in the morning. I follow that move up by opening just one eye to take a little peek and then close it, you know survey the situation before I commit to completely waking up. Mommy says that I'm a sweet and happy baby, and that I'm very placid and snuggly. My favorite way to be held is against the chest with my head on your shoulder. And I love to be bounced, that is some fun stuff!

Grandpa Bob called mommy today to let her know that her Grandpa Kofoed passed away from a stroke. She says that he was a great man and a wonderful grandpa. She also said that she was privileged to know such a good man and that she will really miss him.

At church today, a lady tapped mommy on the shoulder and told her that she has a beautiful baby. She also had another lady at church tell her that I should be a baby GAP model!

I'm not sure what it is about his particular body suit, but every time mommy puts it on my I have a massive diaper blowout, every time without fail.

I went to my first Jazz game with mommy, daddy, and daddy's family. The tickets were daddy's birthday gift from his parents. I don't see what all the fuss is about, mostly it was just kind of loud. When we got home, much to mommy dismay, one of the dogs pooped in her bed!

Seriously, mommy wants to know when she is going to get her mind back to normal after the pregnancy? This time she forgot to get her debit card back after getting some dinner at a drive through. She didn't ever know it was gone until she went to buy something else a few days later and had to play detective to remember the last place she used it.

Wow, I got my first cold! Can I say this sucks! The worst part about it is that awful thing they call a nasal aspirator, I curse the inventor of that torture mechanism.