I could maybe beat a turtle

Happy New Year! Okay so, it has been 2011 for awhile but in my life not that long! First off, I started crawling before Christmas. I almost forgot that I hadn't shared that with you all.It is so old hat for me now. Mommy said Graham wasn't crawling at 7 1/2 months, though she said he rolled around the family room - something I never did. He army crawled longer.

I know Graham blogged about Christmas so I will just share my perspective. My perspective is that I got the shaft. Straight up the shaft! Graham got more presents than me. Did Santa think I wouldn't notice? I did. Hopefully he won't make that mistake next year! I did have fun! Graham already shared where we went so I won't go into that. The downside of Christmas was that I was sick with a bad cold. Between not feeling well and not sleeping in my own bed, I (and Mommy and Daddy) didn't sleep well.

While I like my toys, I really just play with things I can put in my mouth. We got a kitchen and food to play with it. I love to stand at it and the food is great to chew on!
Speaking of standing, I have been doing a lot of it.

The problem with standing is when I lose my balance. I am always hitting my head on something. Boy does that make me cry - first of all it hurts, it frustrates me, and it is kind of embarassing. No one else in the house bonks their head as much!

I finally got my top teeth in! It has been a few weeks - like when I was 8 1/2 months. They didn't come in without some pain, but I don't have as much problems teething as other babies. No fevers for me. I am anxious to get more teeth so I can eat more foods. It is fun to feed myself. I really like it when Mommy gives me some of what they are eating. This mushy stuff is okay, but I want the real stuff. I do let Mommy know when I don't like something - I won't open my mouth as much and if she is really persistent, I will wave my arms in front of my face. I have to try to block the stuff I don't like. She tries to trick me into opening my mouth, sometimes she wins. Other times I win.

That is all for now. I actually have more to post, but Daddy got a new camera and Mommy has to figure out how to download the pics so I can bring you up to date on my latest accomplishments. The next one will be a big one - I promise!

Recovered from the holidays

Hey Graham Fans - All the fun of holidays has passed. I still see pictures that remind me of Santa Claus and I still sing Jingle Bells. Why not? It seems silly that in one day it is all over. Actually it wasn't over in one day for us. This year we spent Christmas at Grandma's house. It snowed that day so Daddy had to be careful driving. Grandma had a bunch of present under her tree. Mommy had wrapped some present, but she didn't put anything under the tree. This was really cool. I guess. When we got to Grandma's we went outside to play. Daddy, Sam, Kayla and I went out to go sledding. It was still snowing - I wasn't a big fan of the snow in my face.

We unwrapped presents that evening. I opened a pick-up truck with a flatbed trailer first and started playing with it. Why open more presents? I did manage to keep going. I even played some with Caroline's toys. Later somehow every seemed to be playing with my toys! Daddy was a big fan of the Play-Doh. Kayla liked to color.

Besides some toys, I also got clothes and a sleeping bag. Since I am too big for the pack and play and all the spare beds were taken, I slept on an air mattress in my sleeping bag. It was actually okay. The next day when we got up Santa Claus had come to Grandma's!After that we went to church and then Grammy came and she had presents for us. We didn't come home until the next day. When we got home sure enough Santa had left stuff there too! Mommy said she had talked to Santa about finding us at Grandma's but I didn't know if we would have stuff at our house too. I guess Santa couldn't get one of our presents into Grandma's house because it was BIG!I had to help Caroline unwrap her presents. She is too little to open presents. I also tried out her toys - I don't think she could figure out how to play with them on her own.

We didn't do much that whole week - Caroline was really sick. Actually I was too, just not as much as Baby. By Friday though she was doing better and we got to have a playdate with some friends from Brighter Beginnings! They had some fun toys and we took donuts to have for a snack! The only downside was Mommy wouldn't let me eat a donut when we picked them up. It was SO hard to wait!
Turns out Christmas wasn't over yet. We went to Kansas City and got to celebrate Christmas there. We got up super early - we didn't even get dressed before we left. We stayed at Nanny's house and celebrated Christmas with her first. My favorite present from Nanny was my garbage truck - it even make sounds! She also got me a sled. They didn't have any snow so we tried it out inside. I also really had fun playing with Abby, Nanny's dog. The cat was fun, but not

Later we went to Grandpa's. I fell asleep on the way over and to Mommy's surprise, I stayed asleep for quite awhile. The early morning road trip just worn me out! After I woke up, I discovered Grandpa and Susan had presents for us too. I got a football helmet!

I like presents! I also like Christmas cookies. Susan made Santa Claus cookies. I like Santa and the cookies were pretty, but I had no problems biting into him! The next day we spent the morning at Nanny's had lunch at Grandpa's and headed home. I missed playing with Benjamin - he was sick so we didn't get to celebrate Christmas together or play with his toys. I helped Mommy pick out part of 'Benjin's' Christmas present and his birthday present so I hope he likes them when we see him. Let's put it this way - I would really like them!

Life is back to normal. We went back to the Y though I wasn't thrilled about it. We went back to music class and Brighter Beginnings. I play with my toys or make a mess around the house. My new kitchen is fun, but I still like to help Mommy and Daddy cook. I season, I stir, I dump out ingredients (sometimes even in the appropriate container!). I LOVE my baby, but sometimes I push her over and take things away from her. I kiss her though, help feed her, make her laugh. I say "she a nice girl!" Mommy loves that.

So things are back to normal. Until next time...

We saw Santa!

Hey this is Graham and Caroline today.

Graham:

So the day of nokey (music class),Caroline took a nap beforehand. Mommy got me dressed up in my snow boots, snow pants, coat, gloves, and hat so we could play outside! Yeah! It wasn't long enough since we had to go to nokey class, but fun all the same. We get there and I see Daddy's truck. He was there to surprise us! Mommy and I were really excited! Not only was Daddy there but it was our turn to bring treats! We had a good time!

Mommy and Daddy have been reading The Night Before Christmas to me so I have been learning about him. The other day after nap time and while I was watching Bob Biller (Bob the Builder), Mommy starts trying to get us ready to go somewhere. Then she says we are going to meet Daddy at the mall to see Anta Caus. She told me I would get to sit on his lap and I could tell him what I wanted for Christmas. Wow how exciting. She gave me some ideas of what I could tell him. We had to wait in line and there was some stuff to look at while we waited. The line wasn't bad and before long it was our turn. I forgot to tell Santa what I wanted, but there were some crayons and color books by Santa so I guess he already gave me a present.

Caroline:

Well you know I am usually just along for the ride. I go wherever and hope to be amused. I was looking exceptionally cute that day and kept my adorable pink hat on to add to the picture. I have to say that Santa Claus is fascinating! I really like that guy. He gave me some crayons too, though I don't know what to do with them other than try to eat them.Graham:

They also had a train to ride. I really wanted to ride. We had to go eat before Daddy would take me. We left Mommy and baby sister to finish eating and off to ride the train we went! They put some other boys in the train car with me. I was kind of scared. (Per Daddy he cried the entire ride.)

Mommy didn't get to see me ride it, so she wanted me to ride it again. It looked like so much fun that she rode along. (From Mommy: I wanted him to actually enjoy it and not cry. He did enjoy it more, but really hammed it up evrtime we passed Daddy.)

It was more fun with Mommy, but they went around one too many times if you ask me. What a fun day!

Caroline:

I didn't get to ride the train. I don't think I missed much. What I missed out on was dinner! That Chipotle place has some good looking burritos! All I got was some mushed up sweet potatoes. Yummy, but definitely not as appealing as that burrito. On the way home, I held my bottle all by myself and sucked that thing dry.

Just when we thought we had all kinds of fun, then the next day came. We went to the mall and met some of our Brighter Beginnings friends.

Graham:

Baby Sister - my turn! They are my Brighter Beginnings friends. Anyway I got to run all around the play area, then Mommy and I shared a pretzel! (From Mommy: That kid tells all my secrets!) After Daddy got home that night, they were getting us ready to go again. Apparently to Mommy's side of the family - Aunt Marian, Cousins Steve, Rhonda, and Suzy had a party. Daddy said Santa might be there! We get there and I see lots of things to check out, but before long Santa walks in the door! He brought Mrs. Claus with him!

Caroline:

My turn! We got to sit on Santa's lap again. That guy is just so interesting!

Then all the people at the party told me how pretty I am! I couldn't get down and move around though so I wiggled a lot while people held me. I think it delayed me perfecting my crawl a day (yeah that means that now I crawl!)

Graham:

Sister, it isn't nice to brag Santa won't bring you any presents! That party was fun - it was at a body shop so there were ALL kinds of things for me to check out!

What a fun couple of days!

Caroline:

I agree! Brother, I wasn't bragging, just sharing my news!

Graham and Caroline:

Merry Christmas everyone!

On the go!

Hey to my peeps! How is that? Do you like that opening? Graham has his standard "Hey Graham Fans", but I just have been able to think of one. Let me know if you have suggestions.

I experienced my first Thanksgiving! I visited Nanny's house and Uncle Brad and Aunt Lisa's house for the first time. We were on the go! It wore me out!

We also went to Andrew and Nicole's house, visited Nan's new apartment and went out to eat. I have a lot to be thankful for, but with all that running around, I was thankful we had Mommy's car! We were at Nanny's house while she was working on her Christmas decorations. Somehow I ended up as a decorations.

I have been on the move myself - literally! I roll over a couple of times, then kind of scoot, then go in another direction. I don't necessarily get where I want to go:
Somehow I ended up under the train table. Graham tried to get me out from under the table. Mommy had to intervene.The Christmas tree is a big draw for me. Mommy doesn't leave me under there for too long. I am so close to crawling, I just can't quite get everything moving in right sequence. I can move the legs and my arms, but not yet at the same time.

I also like to pull myself up. Mommy tries to get me to sit and I will refuse to bend. Why sit if I can stand.

Speaking of Graham, I am sure you can imagine Mommy has to protect me quite often. That kid seems to think my head is too tempting not to swat. My hands like to grab things particularly hair. I have gotten Graham's hair a few times - he's got it coming if you know what I mean.

We are still working on new mushed up foods. I really like ones that are sweet - sweet potatoes, squash, pears, peaches, apples, you get the picture.
Overall life is good for me. I like to go to music class and watch the other kids. We go to the Y and their are other babies my age. It is nice to connect with them. No one at home really gets it when I do have troubles. They just really get how frustrating it is when you cry or fuss and Mommy can't figure out why. They know how tough teething is. It is just really a great support group for me.

Well I hear that Christmas is coming so we will see what that is all about. I have heard about some guy with a bowl full of jelly like belly coming down the chimney. Gotta admit I am skeptical, but hopeful!

Pumpkin = fun

Hey Graham Fans! I have been wanting to share some of the fun I have been having and finally sat down to share.

A few weeks ago it was Halloween. I am not sure this is right, but it went on for DAYS! Daddy and I carved our pumpkins. I helped clean out the 'goop' from inside. We also roasted the seeds - all good stuff. The next night Daddy, Mommy, Caroline, and I went to Living History Farms. They had trick or treating on the main street, popcorn, wagon rides (we skipped that), marshmellow roasting, and a story teller (it wasn't a story I was interested in). Two thumbs up from this monkey. The next day I got to go to work with Daddy. He had to deliver donuts to his team members. When Daddy got the dounts, I said "ippee! work!". I know why Daddy goes to work all the time - they eat donuts everyday! After dinner, I had to put the Monkey suit back on and walk around. I wasn't that excited to put it on, but I liked getting the candy. Caroline went along to a few houses, then she and Mommy went home to hand out our treats. When Daddy and I got home, I handed out the treats - that was as much fun as getting the treats! The next day we went to Grandma's while Daddy was hunting. Once again Mommy put those costumes back on us and we went to town (a new concept to me 'going to town' and I kept talking about it). We visited the Shettlers. Mrs. Shettler took our pictures so we have proof we were there. Believe it or not, once again, the next day we put those costumes back on - this time at Grammy's house so she could see how cute we were. I have to say I think Mommy got her money out of those costumes!

So I mentioned we went to Grandma's. Uncle Greg was there when we got there. Guess what, he gave me my first ride on Grandpa Dennis' old tractor. I had sat on it before, but never actually ridden on it.

I watched what Uncle Greg did so when I sat on it after he left, I pulled the choke too - guess that is what you do to get it to start. I need to practice so someday I can drive for real. Grandma took me on her tractor too. She needs me to help her steer so while I know I am helpful, it is fun too.I played with Grandma's toys, one of my favorites of course is a tractor. Caroline got her hands on it for awhile. She better not be thinking she can play with it everytime we go to Grandma's - that is for ME!Grandma and I made cupcakes! I love to cook and you know Grandma is always needing my help for one thing or another. It just happened that I LOVE cupcakes so I was happy to help!

Mommy and Daddy celebrated an anniverary a couple weeks ago. We all got to go out for sushi a couple of nights later to 'celebrate'. I like sushi. I also got to eat edamame - I love me some edamame!!!! They can take us out for sushi again - anniversary or not. I think they need to have 'birday cake' for their anniversary however.

Nanny came to visit a week or so ago. We played and played. We did stickers, played with my train set (she put it all together), read books. She always has pictures in her purse that I like to look at. We got donuts too! I was surprised Daddy wanted donuts since he has to eat them everyday at work.

If you know me well, you know I am not the best sleeper. I crawled out of my crib before my birthday and would not stay in after that. I have been sleeping in the guest bed, but Mommy and I went shopping and picked out a bed just for me. I call it my baseball bed, though it has other balls on it as well. Daddy and Mommy hope that someday I will sleep all night in it. I could, but I think they would get lonely in their room without me. Mommy tells me that big boys sleep in their own bed and that I can still come in in the morning to snuggle. Maybe someday, but they would miss me too much right now. It is fun to snuggle in their room. If Baby Sister is up, she might come in so she can snuggle in the morning.

I am sure you will hear from Caroline soon...

Two teeth

Hello - Can you believe I am 6 months old? I am SO old! I have experienced so much. Gosh, I thought entering the world was an experience (well, I still think), but there are a lot of things out there I need to conquer. I know in my last update I talked about how I sit up. Well now I can sit up for 30-45 minutes and play with my toys. We went to the Y the other week and I sat on the carpet playing with toys the entire time.

I have started eating. Rice cereal is still my main food, but I also eat oatmeal and have started on veggies. I watch Mommy and Daddy eat, but they don't seem to want to share the good stuff with me. Graham doesn't even always eat his food, but he doesn't share it with me either. What a waste!

I now play in my jumperoo. THAT is a fun toy! It is addicting too! I find myself trying to jump sitting on Mommy's lap or sitting in my exersaucer. Perhaps I am part frog!I do still like my exersaucer. I do like to just sit on the floor or in my pack and play and pick up toys. I chew on everything now. I guess that is because I am getting teeth in. Mommy said one tooth came in one day and the second came in the following day. She says I really wasn't too bothered by them. I have had a brother beating on me for the last, er, all my 6 months so I have to be tough!

I might be too little to do a lot of the things that Graham does, but I like to go along. I went along to the pumpkin patch. It was fun to get out and go along, but hey I am really just along for the ride whether it is fun or not.

As you can see I was a bee for Halloween. I don't really get why I went along. I didn't get candy - it was really for Mommy and Daddy's amusement. I smiled and Graham took the candy how does that work???

Gosh what else do I like to do? Oh yeah, I love to giggle! The funniest person at our house is Graham. He loves to make me laugh - he says it 'waugh'. Mommy and Daddy make me laugh too. My biggest laughs though are for Graham. He likes to kiss me and hug me, help give me baths, feed me. He still waps me on occasion - give me time, I am sure I will get my waps in as well!

We all went to the doctor the other day, but for some reason I was the only one that got any attention. I was so good. Those shots however just break my heart and hurt! How could the nurses make me hurt like that after I was such a good patient?!? Mommy says I need to share with you my stats: height - 26 1/4 (70th percentile), weight - 17 lbs 1 oz (75th percentile), and my head was in the 75th percentile. One thing the doctor said made me self-conscious. She said 'my rolls were even'. Do I need to start working out already???

Signing off for now!