The Big Guy

There wasn't a more loving friend than Sir Leo Pottomus I. Although he was not particularly pleased about my arrival, he was always gentle and patient with me. I loved to grab a handful of his soft fur or his pointy ears. If he was irritated when I pulled his tail, then he didn't show it. He was a much better napper than I am... We miss laughing at the big guy, sprawled out with his fluffy, fat tummy in the air. Our house just isn't the same without him. My parents' "first child" was one of a kind. He was extraordinarily loved, and will not be forgotten.

Status Update

I turned 6 months old last week, but have been waiting for my "official weigh-in" to give you all my new stats. I saw the pediatrician yesterday, and all is wonderful, aside from the 4 shots that he told the nurse to give me. Here's what's new:

-I weigh 15 pounds, 12.5 ounces. This is the 48% for babies my age. Pretty average.

-I am 27.25 inches long. That's the 94% for babies my age. I'm a long one. Maybe I'll be extra tall, like my basketball hall of fame ancestor, George Mikan.

-My brain is 42.5 cm, 53%. Don't worry, I'm super intelligent.

-I've been eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, and so far the only thing that I don't like is sweetpeas. Dr. G said I can start eating big people food, like mashed potatoes, yogurt, and little pieces of bread. I've been telling Mother for months that I can eat that stuff, and she didn't believe me. Wish I could get that Halloween candy back!

-When I'm in a good mood, I can roll back from my tummy to my back, which makes my Mom very happy. When I'm tired or grumpy, I still yell at her to flip me over.

-I sleep great at night, but am really not a fan of naps. I'm afraid I'm going to miss something good.

-I LOVE to stroll. We go for walks once or twice a day, except when it's cold and snowy.

-I'm getting really close to being able to sit up by myself. I work on it every day. I really like to stand up with help.

-My hair is growing a little bit.

-I'm really good with my hands now. I use them to put almost everything in my mouth. I pick things up, knock things over, and bang on things. I pull hair and grab dog ears. I've got a great grip.

The highlight of my month was seeing my Dad live via satellite from Afghanistan. I looked him over really well. I can hardly wait to see him in person at the end of this month. He will be so impressed with the many skills and abilities that I have perfected since he last saw me. I can sure fill a diaper better than I used to. I hope he remembers how to change diapers, because my Mom says she's taking 2 weeks off of diaper-changning while he's home. Plus, I finally get to play with Gram Flo and maybe even another uncle and aunt. Counting down!

Halloween Tricks

Halloween seems like it will be an exciting event in years to come. This year, I think my mom had a little more fun than I did. We went to a Fall Festival and picked out a pumpkin. I watched Mom carve the pumpkin. Then she started dressing me in this ridiculous bunny costume, and taking me out in public.

She blames my dad for picking the costume. Although most people said I looked adorable, I felt pretty silly. We went door to door, and people gave me candy for dressing like a bunny. That was pretty cool. After trick or treating, I was exhausted. I dreamed of eating candy. But when I woke up, my mom wouldn't let me have any of the candy. I feel so used. We mailed the candy to my dad. Hope he enjoys it. I was tricked.

I'm on a roll

I love to roll from my back to my belly. I do it constantly. I roll on the floor. I roll in my crib. I try to roll in the bathtub and while I'm getting changed. I roll when I'm mad. I roll when I'm happy. I even roll when I'm asleep. After I roll to my tummy, I am so proud of myself. Then, I scream. I get very angry, and start shouting so that Mom will come flip me back over on my back, and I can do it all again. All day & all night: roll, scream, Mom, flip, roll, scream... My current goal is to learn to roll from my tummy to my back. My mom says I've done it before, but I don't remember that. But once I do, I'll be rolling all over the dang place. Watch out, here I come.

Howdy yall.

Once again, I have fallen way behind. We've got some catching up to do, fans. First, let me tell you about my time in Texas:

A couple of weeks ago, I made my first trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house, also where my mother comes from: Texas. I liked it quite well. The trip started out with a good nap on the drive to Denver, and lots and lots to see at the Denver airport. Then I flew, which I neither loved nor hated, and ended up in a warm, humid place, with all the familiar people who have come to Colorado to meet me. Grandma and Grandpa's house was fun, and they even had my own little crib set-up for me right next to my mom's bed. There were some very entertaining toys to play with, and I had an audience at all times. I got so much attention from my grandparents, aunts, and uncles, that I haven't known what to do with my free time since I've been back home. It was fabulous.

One of the activities that Aunt Jill and my mother planned was my first swim in a pool. I appreciate their thoughtfulness, because I do love my bath, but pool water is cold! I did my best to pretend to enjoy it, but it was rough. It was not the warm, relaxing bubble bath that I am used to. Don't mess with Gracie!

We went out to eat at restaurants a few times, and I sat in high chairs for the first time. I really prefer sitting up at the table with everyone else, instead of in that carrier all the time. I watch everything that everyone puts in their mouth. It looks SO much better than what my mother feeds me... mush. (Although I do love sweet potatoes and squash. Peas are disgusting). I got to meet a couple of my mom's friends too, and even got to spend a little time with my other family, without my mom! Party on!

It was a great time, and I am looking forward to going back at Christmas! More soon. Yee haw.

Top Ten Things That Make Me Giggle

Turn your volume up!


10. Spitting sweet potatoes.

9. When I trick Mom into getting me up from my nap.

8. Gas.

7. Yoooooo Gabba Gabbaaaa!

6. When the dogs give me a bath.

5. Grandma's attempts to speak my baby language.

4. The crazy sound that Aunt Jill makes with her lips.

3. Playing "Bounce the Baby" with Grandpa.

2. Aunt Gretchen's funny face.

1. When I see Fedor Emilianenko kick someone in the diaper.

What else is new??

In addition to being an interstate traveller, and getting to know my extended family, I have made several important discoveries over the past couple of weeks:

One is oatmeal. It's got a little more flavor and a little more texture than rice cereal, so I'm eating a couple bites a day, but my patience is short. Like most things, I prefer to do it my way, not Mom's. I'm perfectly capable of putting the spoon in my mouth by myself, it just might not have any oatmeal on it.

Second, sure enough, I have toes. I entertain myself for minutes upon minutes, just holding my toes in my hands. I talk to them at great length. What I haven't figured out is where the toes go when I have shoes on.

And I got this amazing new activity that makes being on my tummy not so bad, thanks to Grandma's spoilage of me. This week, I rolled from my tummy to my back for the first time. It was shocking and pleasing at the same time. I haven't decided if I will do this again anytime soon, although Mom keeps urging me to do so.

New Mexico & New People

Last week was fabulous. Grandma & Grandpa Ford, and my Great Uncle John and Great Aunt Kathy visited. I got to show off all my skills and talents, as everyone liked to watch me. Plus, I was constantly entertained by one of them, especially the men--Grandpa danced whenever I played my song, and Uncle John made silly monkey noises and funny faces. As soon as I got tired of one of them, I would let them know, and they'd simply pass me on to the next person! It was great. They all did lots of projects around the house too, which my mom really appreciated. I got to spend lots of "quality time" with my Grandma, while my Mom went horseback riding with John and Kathy, and especially on the train ride.

This train ride that I mentioned... we drove to New Mexico, and rode in a steam train through the mountains. It was pretty, but the best part was the fresh air and the rhythm of the train was perfect for napping, plus I didn't have to sit in my stupid car seat, so I got to sleep almost all day, mostly in Grandma's arms. Awesome. All kinds of firsts too: my first train ride, my first out of state trip, my first time in a hotel, just to name a few. Everyone said I was a good traveller, except for that little car seat issue. I'm ready to get out of there.

My Friend, Chuck

My mother said she was too busy to help with the blog tonight, but I finally convinced her to take a few minutes to tell you all about my day. I had my first trip to Chuck E. Cheese. It was in honor of my friend, Asher's, 3rd birthday. I liked the flashing lights and the sounds. I was suprised that there was not a giant dancing mouse though, as Mom had promised. I was also a little jealous that everyone got pizza and cake, except me. Mom has let me have a little rice cereal, but it's pretty bland. Pizza really looks and smells much better. All in all, an exciting event... got to drive in a car with a mouse. That's definitely a first!

A Day in the Life

I'm so far behind on my blogging! I turned 4 months old last week, and went to my pediatrician a few days ago. Here's my stats: I weigh 13 pounds, 13 ounces, which is the 56th percentile for babies my age. That means I have grown so much that I've caught up to the average 4 month old. (At 2 mos, I was only in the 18th percentile). The doctor seemed very pleased. I'm 24 1/2 inches long, and my giant brain is 41 cm. My eyes are still blue, and I'm still mostly bald. I played a great joke at the doctor's office. Mom had just told him how I always cry within a few seconds of tummy time. So when the doctor put me on my tummy, I looked in the mirror and laughed hysterically, like it was the most fun thing I'd ever done. Dr. G ordered my mother to buy me a full length mirror for tummy time. As if Mom needed an excuse to go to Target! The doctor said I was perfect, and he enjoyed my happiness. Then he told the nurse to poke a needle in each leg. The happiness ended.

We've been keeping busy doing everyday things. Nothing too exciting. Most days, I wake up around 6:30am and demand my breakfast. Mom feeds me and we go back to sleep for a while. When we wake up, she feeds me again, and then it's off to our friends' house. My friend Kendel and I watch our mothers exercise. It's really entertaining... for about 15 minutes. Then we take turns demanding attention. After that, we usually come home and play a little and eat a little. Often my Dad calls around this time. Then I usually give-in to an afternoon nap, so Mom can get a few things done. When I get up, I eat some more. I love eating. We might run some errands or get out of the house for a little while. After dinner, we go for a stroll around the neighborhood. I enjoy that. Then my bedtime snack, my bubble bath, and asleep for the night. A few hours after I go to sleep, Mom comes in and feeds me one more time, but I usually don't even wake-up for it. Being a baby is wonderful!

In my free time, I'm really working on sitting up. I can almost do it by myself. I've also gotten much better with my hands. I enjoy grabbing things, particularly soft things that I can hold onto easier. I like to taste anything that I can get in my mouth, and have been experimenting with the possibility of sucking my thumb. I like to look at the TV, but Mom won't let me watch but for a few minutes. I've been practicing my happy scream A LOT. I cried with tears for the first time a few days ago--that really got me a lot of extra love and attention from Mom!

I promise to update you all more often. Next week, my great aunt and uncle, and Grandma and Grandpa Ford are coming, so there should be lots of new activities, including my first train ride and out of town trip. Ciao!