Sooo Grown Up

I'm approaching 6 months, in just a couple weeks... a whole half a year old! I feel so wise and experienced. At half a year old, I love grabbing everything within my reach, and putting whatever's in my grasp into my mouth. Drool is always in excess, and it feels so good to bite down on my fingers. I'm exploring my vocal chords, I'm making strange with almost everyone but my parents, and I cry the minute I can't see my mommy. I love going for walks because I get to people-watch; even strangers smile at me and tell me I'm a cutie! I study people eating and drinking, and I'm pretty sure I'm ready to take that on. I'm captivated by the TV, and although I'm not allowed to watch it, I can be quite sneaky and find ways to watch it. When I'm strapped into my carseat or stroller I try so hard to sit forward by stretching my arms and legs in front of me and pulling my head forward. It never works. And even though I'm still bothered by heartburn at night, I'm sleeping about 10 hours. I'm getting better at napping, and I no longer have to be rocked to sleep. I still love to give kisses, and since I'm getting much more coordinated and stronger with my grip, my mommy and daddy are at my slobbery mercy! The past 6 months have been soooo great; I can't wait for the next 6!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Mommy, I wish you a very happy birthday! I think this must be your best birthday ever, cause it's your first one with me here. I know you're not really into birthdays, and you're not thrilled about turning 27, but I just have to say I'm so glad to celebrate your birthday because if you weren't born, then I wouldn't be born either! It's funny how that works. So I hope you have a great day today, and a wonderful year! I love you. (And happy birthday to my Auntie Marni, also born on July 23rd, 8 years exactly before my mom).

I thought it would be fun to include a photo of my mom when she was little, and then one of the two of us together enjoying a bedtime story. I've also included a few photos of my mom and my auntie enjoying a little birthday pie.

My First Road Trip

I visited Banff this past weekend for a family reunion; my very first road trip. I actually quite enjoyed myself, until the way home when I decided I had had enough of the car. Everyone got an earful of my wonderful cry. But in my defense, 12 hours in a car is more than any baby can take! Some of the highlights of the trip was my first visit to the Old Spaghetti Factory, meeting a bunch of my relatives for the first time, going for a morning walk with my daddy (just the two of us - it was great 'guy time'), and drooling so much on my Auntie Megan's bed that she thought someone had spilled something on it! (Sorry, Auntie Megan!) And I loved being able to spend so much time with my immediate family.

Time Flies

July already? I can't believe it. I'm excited, though, because so much is happening this month. It's my parents' 4th wedding anniversary on the 5th, my mom's birthday and my Auntie Marni's birthday on the 23rd, and I'm going on my first vacation/road trip in less than two weeks! We're having a family reunion in Banff - my mom's mom's side of the family. I'm stoked about meeting more of my relatives, cause they're spread out all over the country, so many of them I've never even seen before!

My dad's buddy Chad came over yesterday and he brought me a present: Baby Banz sunglasses - they're awesome! Below is a photo of me wearing them. My mom and dad couldn't stop laughing. I guess UV protection for your eyes is funny? Well, I love 'em. Thanks, Chaddy! You also might like to notice that in the photo I'm riding 'big boy style' in my stroller! That's right... no more car seat for this kid. For those keeping track, I now weigh 17 lbs at 4 and a half months.

I met a new friend at my Grandma & Grandpa Horban's house. I've included a couple pictures of us hanging out together. She's alright... a little on the quiet side, but nice enough. I figure I can never have enough friends.

The last picture is just a funny one I thought you might enjoy. My dad thought it would be hilarious to put my pajama shorts on my head. Clearly I'm enjoying the strange headpiece.

Sleepless Nights

I've been keeping my mom and dad up most of the night this past week. So they're a little tired these days. But not me... while I'm keeping them up, I manage to stay asleep for the most part while I fuss! The doctor thinks I'm being bugged by heartburn when I'm sleeping, so that I toss & turn and cry all the time in my crib. It's not so fun. And now I have to eat this yucky medicine three times a day! Gross.

My parents love finding all kinds of jammies for me - it's their thing. Here are a couple pictures of the latest find, as well as a picture of me and my mom, one of me propping myself up, just barely starting to crawl during tummy time (which I don't tolerate for very long) and one of me enjoying some chillin' time with my dad. It's what us guys do best!

Happy Father's Day!

I want to tell the whole wide world just how much I love my daddy! It's father's day today, and I got to spend the day with my dad, the greatest man on earth. He makes me smile and laugh; we have the best times together. Below is a picture of us vacuuming together... just one of the ways I'm already put to work at home (mommy's a slave-driver, daddy says). I've also started sitting by myself in the Bumbo chair my buddy Parker lent me. And I've begun working on my 'mad hops' as my dad would say (that's basketball lingo for jumping high) in the jolly jumper. There are also a few more pictures for your perusal. The last one is of me eating rice cereal for the first time ever. I don't quite enjoy it yet, but my mom is lovin' it cause I now sleep 9 or 10 hours straight. I also love giving open-mouth kisses to my mom, on both the cheek and the mouth. I don't have a picture of that for my blog yet, but maybe next time.

Makes Me Laugh!!

An amazing thing has happened in my life: I laughed for the very first time on Saturday. Three times, in fact. I haven't laughed since then, but my parents still couldn't be happier. I've been squealing with delight for quite some time, but never revealed my true laugh until now. And, just like always, my mom and dad hovered over me for a great deal of time trying to get that laugh out of me again. They're too funny!

Another milestone in my life? To my mother's relief, I'm officially sleeping through the night (7 to 8 hours straight)! Although I'm currently experiencing a growth spurt, in which I wake up around 4am feeling a bit peckish. Those mid-night snacks are the best! And with my growth spurt I have now more than doubled my birthweight, weighing in at 14lbs, 7oz. I have major rolls happening on my legs and arms. It's awesome!