2009 has been very busy times. I know that all of you are wondering what I am up to, so I will give you the update. Here I am at 7 months old with my teddy bear in the chair (Uncle John, I hear that you once had a bear in a chair). As you can see, I am seated quite nicely in my chair now. I don't need any proping up.
I have discovered that if I move my legs just right, I can go anywhere! My Mom and Dad were probably happier when I just did exactly what they wanted me to do, but I have news for them, I am now going to do what I want to do all of the time! They have been hiding so many things from me that I am going to get into them all!
After my adorable photo with teddy, I crawled over to this basket on the floor. Mom had been playing with this basket all morning and taking in up and down the stairs. I dumped it out for her on my floor to see what was in the bottom. Just clothes, but clothes are fun when you drag them all over your room.
This is my first piece of Zweiback toast. Yummy mess! I finally figured out why I had all of these teeth. I have been using them to bite Mom on the arm, but perhaps toast is better. The doctor told Mommy to start letting me eat food from the table. I am not sure I like this chunky stuff. She has fed me things like mac and cheese, some beans, bananas, kiwi, and potatoes. Daddy fed me a doughnut and icing from a cupcake. Mommy made that face at him she makes at me when I stick my hand in the dog bowl. 
She still lets me hang out with him though. Here we are in matching argyle. He likes to dress just like me. 
My Uncle David sent me my music table. I started out with it on the floor like this. It makes all kind of neat sounds. I am very proficient in music because I am a Kinder-musician. Uncle David must have known that I take Kindermusik every Wednesday morning. We sing songs and dance and play musical instruments like the egg-shaker and the oatmeal box drum. Sometimes, we even get to play with the big bells and the rattle ball. Kindermusik took me a little while to get used to because there are so many people, but now I love it. My friend, Helen, is in the class with me. I really like all of the ladies. I try to talk to them all of the time. Last week, Marion touched my arm. Wow! That was cool.
In February, Mom and Dad took me to Charlotte, North Carolina to meet my Great Grandmothers. We drove all night long, and I got to stay at a hotel. I was so excited to get there that I didn't care that it was 1:00 in the morning. I wanted to stay up and play on the big bed. I tried to sleep in my Pack and Play, but Mommy and Daddy's hotel bed was better. I slept for one whole hour! The next day, we had to drive in the car again to go further in North Carolina. This is my Great Grandma Mary. We visited her at her house in Durham. She lives with a lot of other people. She and I had a nice talk about this doll. We even had lunch together in her cafeteria. All of her friends got to meet me. I don't remember their names, but they were very nice.
My Great Aunt Valerie told me funny stories about that doll. Who knew I had so much to say about it! It was funny and great to bite. Grandma Mary has so many toys to play with in her room. Aunt Valerie got a monkey off of Grandma's wall, Daddy pretended it made monkey sounds. That part was so funny.
I also met this cow. I didn't visit with her very long. As soon as I got close to her, she started to Moo very loudly and charged at me! I cried out in distress, and Mommy had to save me. I did not see any other barnyard animals at Grandma's which was a good thing because they are scarey! We had to go back to Charlotte the very same day! I was so tired of the car. I screamed and yelled at Mom and Dad the whole way back to that hotel. I told them I did not care if they played my Mamma Mia cd fourteen times--that was the only way to make me quiet! I told you I was going to do what I wanted from now on and that was what I wanted. I think that we have listened to it a lot, because Daddy now has car choreography to go along with it. I don't think I am supposed to tell that part though.
I slept for four whole hours the next night at that hotel. The next morning, Mommy put me in the brand-new train outfit she had made for me to wear to Grandma Bettie's birthday party. It was so exciting to go to my first birthday party that I had an accident in my new outfit. I was worried but good thing they had this sweater vest for me to put on instead. We met at a restaurant for Grandma Bettie's party. She was very surprised to see me. We spent the whole day at her house with her and all my cousins and Uncles and Aunts. We have a lot of photos to share from out trip, but Wolf Camera is holding them hostage! I hope to be able to share more North Carolia stories with you soon.
Back at home, and out of that car seat, I was on the move again. Since you are not here to see me do my new tricks, I wanted to show you my journey down the hallway.
Pausing to flash my smile at the paparrazi.
I see Mom!
Getting closer and ready to pounce!
Got you! I am all about getting that camera from Mom. I love anything that is electronic. My very favorite things to chew on are remote controls. I like it when I change the channel right in the middle of what everyone is watching. That is so funny. When there are no remote controls around, I go in search of wires to chew on. These are great. Mom and Dad tell me "No," but this is also very funny. I laugh and laugh at them when they say that word. I wonder what it means?
One time, I even found this box to get into. Usually, the boxes at our house are closed up or too small, but this one was just right. 
That very same day that the big box came to our house, I also got a Teddy Bear from Mr. Jim. He is a bear that is as big as me. We growl together on the floor, and I talk to him a lot. I am trying to make Lucy jealous. My bear is bigger than she is and much nicer to me!
As soon as I hit the water, I knew that this would be my very favorite thing. I look so forward to it all week long. There are five other babies in my swim class. Only one is a girl. Her name is Sophia, and she has bright red hair. Her Mommy and my Mommy were in almost mommies water aerobics together before we were born. I knew I knew her from somewhere!
It is hard for little babies like me to remember a whole lot of stuff, so we do the same things every week. Here, we are blowing bubbles. Mommy and Daddy blow bubbles on my face and on my hand in the water. I like to watch them. I have started trying to blow raspberries at home during the week, but I haven't tried it in the water yet. Sophia is really good at it, but she is older than me. 
We also get to kick the water. Mommy holds me and I move my legs. We do it first with me on my back and then with me on my tummy. Then, we get to feel what the water is like in our ears. This is funny. Things sound different under the water. I like floating. 
Here we are after jumping into the pool. I get to jump off the side and swim back to the side of the pool to get my toy. I have even learned how to get out of the pool by myself...well, mostly by myself. I get a little boost. I get to take a bath toy every time. I take my duck with the baseball hat that Uncle Tommy and Aunt Nicole sent me. Last week, Sophia was jealous. Her duck is pink. Yuck!!
What is all of this! I was so warm and cozy and swimming in my pool, and then cold, white stuff started falling from the sky. All of a sudden. Why is everything white? I hope my vision is okay. Mommy sat me down in it. I really am not sure what I think about that. 
We got all ready to leave because Daddy said that he thought it would be a good idea to go out to breakfast. He said that we had a four-wheel drive, and he wanted pancakes whether it snowed or not. Mommy was not sure about this, but we had to go along with it. I explored the front yard while we waited on him to get ready to leave. 
I have discovered that if I move my legs just right, I can go anywhere! My Mom and Dad were probably happier when I just did exactly what they wanted me to do, but I have news for them, I am now going to do what I want to do all of the time! They have been hiding so many things from me that I am going to get into them all!This is my first piece of Zweiback toast. Yummy mess! I finally figured out why I had all of these teeth. I have been using them to bite Mom on the arm, but perhaps toast is better. The doctor told Mommy to start letting me eat food from the table. I am not sure I like this chunky stuff. She has fed me things like mac and cheese, some beans, bananas, kiwi, and potatoes. Daddy fed me a doughnut and icing from a cupcake. Mommy made that face at him she makes at me when I stick my hand in the dog bowl. She still lets me hang out with him though. Here we are in matching argyle. He likes to dress just like me. In February, Mom and Dad took me to Charlotte, North Carolina to meet my Great Grandmothers. We drove all night long, and I got to stay at a hotel. I was so excited to get there that I didn't care that it was 1:00 in the morning. I wanted to stay up and play on the big bed. I tried to sleep in my Pack and Play, but Mommy and Daddy's hotel bed was better. I slept for one whole hour! The next day, we had to drive in the car again to go further in North Carolina. This is my Great Grandma Mary. We visited her at her house in Durham. She lives with a lot of other people. She and I had a nice talk about this doll. We even had lunch together in her cafeteria. All of her friends got to meet me. I don't remember their names, but they were very nice.My Great Aunt Valerie told me funny stories about that doll. Who knew I had so much to say about it! It was funny and great to bite. Grandma Mary has so many toys to play with in her room. Aunt Valerie got a monkey off of Grandma's wall, Daddy pretended it made monkey sounds. That part was so funny.I also met this cow. I didn't visit with her very long. As soon as I got close to her, she started to Moo very loudly and charged at me! I cried out in distress, and Mommy had to save me. I did not see any other barnyard animals at Grandma's which was a good thing because they are scarey! We had to go back to Charlotte the very same day! I was so tired of the car. I screamed and yelled at Mom and Dad the whole way back to that hotel. I told them I did not care if they played my Mamma Mia cd fourteen times--that was the only way to make me quiet! I told you I was going to do what I wanted from now on and that was what I wanted. I think that we have listened to it a lot, because Daddy now has car choreography to go along with it. I don't think I am supposed to tell that part though.I slept for four whole hours the next night at that hotel. The next morning, Mommy put me in the brand-new train outfit she had made for me to wear to Grandma Bettie's birthday party. It was so exciting to go to my first birthday party that I had an accident in my new outfit. I was worried but good thing they had this sweater vest for me to put on instead. We met at a restaurant for Grandma Bettie's party. She was very surprised to see me. We spent the whole day at her house with her and all my cousins and Uncles and Aunts. We have a lot of photos to share from out trip, but Wolf Camera is holding them hostage! I hope to be able to share more North Carolia stories with you soon. Pausing to flash my smile at the paparrazi.I see Mom!Getting closer and ready to pounce!Got you! I am all about getting that camera from Mom. I love anything that is electronic. My very favorite things to chew on are remote controls. I like it when I change the channel right in the middle of what everyone is watching. That is so funny. When there are no remote controls around, I go in search of wires to chew on. These are great. Mom and Dad tell me "No," but this is also very funny. I laugh and laugh at them when they say that word. I wonder what it means?I am very good at standing. I love to look out of the window. Mommy won't let me chew on the paint, but that is okay. I like to look outside. When you can get up high, you get to see lots of new things. When I stand and hold onto the sofa, I get to see Lucy sitting on her sofa cushion. I guess she thinks that I am going to get mad at her for being there like Mommy and Daddy do because she jumps and runs away when she sees me. When I stand up on the big clothes holder in Mommy and Daddy's room, I can see what is inside. I have seen Mommy open this and put stuff inside. What is she hiding in there?
One time, I even found this box to get into. Usually, the boxes at our house are closed up or too small, but this one was just right. That very same day that the big box came to our house, I also got a Teddy Bear from Mr. Jim. He is a bear that is as big as me. We growl together on the floor, and I talk to him a lot. I am trying to make Lucy jealous. My bear is bigger than she is and much nicer to me!There are other fun things to get into. Let me tell you about this thing in the bathroom. It make a lot of noise and water spins around and around. If you stand up, you can put your hand right in there! After you do that, Mommy plays with your hands in the sink with the water, too. She puts slimmy stuff all over them and runs them under the faucet. Oh, then there is this really great thing I am not supposed to get into. It is the humidifier! Oh, it has this really funny colored water in the bottom and things are floating inside it. Mommy always asks me to get away from it, but I just can't help it. I love, love, love water!
Since I love water so, so much. Mommy and Daddy take me to swim classes on Saturday mornings. It is really early in the morning. This is Mommy and me on our first day. I was not sure about it at first. 
Since I love water so, so much. Mommy and Daddy take me to swim classes on Saturday mornings. It is really early in the morning. This is Mommy and me on our first day. I was not sure about it at first. It is hard for little babies like me to remember a whole lot of stuff, so we do the same things every week. Here, we are blowing bubbles. Mommy and Daddy blow bubbles on my face and on my hand in the water. I like to watch them. I have started trying to blow raspberries at home during the week, but I haven't tried it in the water yet. Sophia is really good at it, but she is older than me. We also get to kick the water. Mommy holds me and I move my legs. We do it first with me on my back and then with me on my tummy. Then, we get to feel what the water is like in our ears. This is funny. Things sound different under the water. I like floating. Here we are after jumping into the pool. I get to jump off the side and swim back to the side of the pool to get my toy. I have even learned how to get out of the pool by myself...well, mostly by myself. I get a little boost. I get to take a bath toy every time. I take my duck with the baseball hat that Uncle Tommy and Aunt Nicole sent me. Last week, Sophia was jealous. Her duck is pink. Yuck!!What is all of this! I was so warm and cozy and swimming in my pool, and then cold, white stuff started falling from the sky. All of a sudden. Why is everything white? I hope my vision is okay. Mommy sat me down in it. I really am not sure what I think about that. 
I have never seen this pretty flower before. I had to touch it. I hope it doesn't get to cold with all of the snow. My head is cold, but I don't like to wear hats. I took it off and threw it on the ground. I also took off my gloves and threw them on the ground. I don't need any of that girly stuff. 
I had to put this one in here because Daddy make me. He thinks this is a professional photographer picture. He told me to show it to the lady that takes my photos because she would be impressed. I hope that he doesn't think about starting a new career. I am not sure that this would be a good idea. But, it is a good picture, Daddy.
It turns out I kind of like the snow after all. I pretty much like anything you throw at me. Just don't make me stay in one place too long. I am not into that. When we got in the car, we picked up my friend Lauren, I get to call her Awa, to go and get pancakes with us. Daddy really likes his four wheel drive because he took us down really big, icy hills and all over Mountain Brook to look at the snow. It was so funny because all of the houses had turned white, too, just like my yard. There were some cars on that hill that slid to the side, but that didn't stop my Daddy! By the time we got home, everything was getting back to normal. No more white. Maybe it was all just a dream.
Eight months old in this photo. I am hanging out in my monkey p.j's I went to the doctor right after this picture and found out I weighed 20 pounds. Which means...
It is time to show that bear who is boss! (and who has EIGHT big boy teeth!)
Nope. Christmas was not the next day. I still had no new toys. I had to find these curtains to play with in the living room. I got the idea from watching The Sound of Music with Mommy. I found out that you can hide under the curtains, and you can scream into the curtains, and you can pull really hard on the curtains. That's it. That's all you can pretty much do with curtains. Hope that Santa man comes tomorrow with those toys.
Nope. Still no toys. I got Mommy and Daddy to take me to the Hoover ballpark to play baseball. There is a lot of dirt to fall in, and there is a really fun home plate to sit on, and I got to wear my new sweatshirt jacket. That's it. There was absolutely nothing else to do. Guess what? Baseball season is over! I forgot. Okay, Santa...
Okay, we got the Christmas tree. So, it's Christmas right? They keep saying Santa Claus is Coming to Town on the radio, so where is he?
Wait! I got a dog. Oh, no, that is just Lucy. I guess she is waiting for her presents, too.
Oh, my parents are so much better than Santa Claus! Look what has happened now. I just talked and talked about the Exersaucer so much that they brought in the Jumperoo! Oh boy, Oh boy! The jumperoo! I just can't even talk about it. It lets you jump, and jump, and jump, and jump, oh, and chew on the dragon fly and listen to Rainforest music. Oh, my, this is the best thing I have ever had in my entire life!
The first thing we did was visit this person's house. They weren't home, but it had a nice view from the window. 
After that, we rode the train all the way around the zoo. I was so excited because we were finally going to see the animals. I have never seen real animals before! But, just like that Santa person at the mall who has turned out to be a big disappointment, there were only animals made out of lights. They all think that I am not smart enough to know this, but this was the silliest thing they have tried to pull over on me yet. I was not going to tell them that I really liked it and had a lot of fun on my first train ride. I didn't want them to think that they had tricked me.
Here we are after our train ride with the light animals. We looked at the lights on the lake and visited the petting zoo. Wow, real animals were there! I was kind of too tired to look at them though. I hope they take me back some other time. I learned that the animals smelled really bad. Way worse than my diapers!
We saw this very handsome giraffe. I am sure you don't have anything like this at your zoo.
It's Christmas! It's Christmas! I know there are toys in that big sock. What I don't know is why Uncle Tommy wants to take all of these pictures and no one is letting me get the toys out of the stocking. How long do I have to wait? Uncle Tommy was mad too, though, because everybody spent all of this time getting showers and putting on clothes. He said that everybody had to stay in their pajamas all day. Nobody listened to him. Even Aunt Nicole said that she was going to take a bath!
Grandpa gave that idea a thumbs up. He armed himself with his camera. 
Mommy helped me with my stocking. I am so excited. I think I see something...
She doesn't mind at all if you chew on her, and she squeeks back at me when I play with her. Mommy says I can take her everywhere. This other thing over here is really interesting. I think I can chew on that, too, but I have no idea what it is. 
The last thing in my stocking was a book about farm animals. We read it to together. Wow, that was a great Christmas. I am so glad that Santa came and that I was patient and waited on him to get there. I never, ever doubted that he would come and bring me toys.
Wait! Hold on just a minute! You mean that on this Christmas other people bring you presents, too! They get hand delivered in your exersaucer. That makes me so excited that I think I just...
Yep. Sorry about that, Mom. Time for a new outfit change. Good thing I have more than one Christmas outfit to wear today.
My turn to open more stuff for me! I like the presents with the paper. It is double the fun. Actually, don't tell anyone, but sometimes the paper is the most fun! Please try to ignore the outfit. I know, we are on number four. It is kind of getting embarrassing.
Wait a minute! Daddy took my toy away. He cannot play with my toys before me! It is the best toy I have ever had in my life! Even if I do have ten or twenty now. He must be checking for those BPA's. Don't worry, he doesn't really care about that stuff. All I have to do is start crying, and he will give me anything to make me be quiet.
There were just too many presents to open. It took us four hours! Uncle Tommy is really slow at opening his presents and savouring Christmas. I have news for him: When I take over, we are ripping that paper off as fast as possible! I had to stop a couple of times to take a nap in between. They let me save this really big one for the next morning.
Alright, I decided to do one more thing at Christmas. It got too hard to open these gifts and play with these new presents from Santa laying down on the floor. Plus, they were filling up so many trash bags that I was kind of afraid I would get lost in the wrapping paper. I figured if I was going to play with the big people, I better sit up. It is pretty tough to do for a really long time, but the world looks a lot different from up here.