Eskimo kisses

Mama got her first Eskimo kiss from you yesterday! Today I said that I loved you and you leaned in and game me another! We love when you learn something new, especially sweet things!

Lions, tigers and bears...oh my!

You have become a Noah for a collection of animals. There is no arc though and only one of each species. Your first was the elephant and on a trip to A.C. Moore with Daddy and Grandma you added 8 more to your collection (giraffe, gorilla, lion, leopard, zebra, polar bear, cheetah and) You put them on the bottom shelf of the bassinet for night-night fir their first night at home. We are working on making new sounds to add to your roar. The elephant's trumpet is hard for Mama to model; so we are focusing on beating our chests like gorillas. Can't wait for our future safaris!

Silly boy!

Oh, Eoin!
You are always entertaining us with your antics! Ripping paper is so amusing...to you! You love to snatch daddy's newspaper and then rip it into long strips. You also like to rip up wipies and put them into a pile after you have "cleaned up" your spot at the table. Sometimes you even use your teeth to rip the paper.

You are becoming more and more of an imp! You know exactly what is off limits and what you are not to touch but, it is a thrill to push the limits! You love to pull the cords out of the computers, reach for our drinks on the end tables and play with the outlets! The best part is that you are so cute when you are caught, tipping your head to the side and then smiling and shrieking in delight that you were caught red-handed! Then, it is so hard to not scoop you up and tickle you -so most of the time that is what we do.

Daddy, Grandma, Grammie and I are keeping track of all the new words and sounds that you are making. Grandma taught you how to do a fish face reading the book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" for the goldfish picture. You will imitate that face as well as smack your lips. When something is heavy you grunt and make this strained face. You asked for a banana by pointing and saying "nana"! Daddy was so excited to tell me, then you did it again for me.

You have taken a liking to your lambies! You drag the big lamb out of the bassinet and carry it around, though it is pretty heavy for you to carry! When you are tired you will snuggle with it. I put the baby lambie on my shoulder and you will cuddle with us. Auntie Nellie brought them over from England with her and they were in your bassinet at Mama's baby shower. You also love to look at the nakie picture of you with your lambies that is hanging in your room on the wall.

We have been going through your closet and there is so much "baby" stuff that we have to now pack away; your swing (Our life saver for some rest for all of us. We dragged it on many of our trips to Harrisburg. Daddy and I reminisce when you are having a rough night, wishing you could still fit into it!) your mobiles, Gdiapers (best laid plans-I think we saved some space in the landfill but, still not a perfect system), Baby Bjorn, bouncy seat, your Chicco restaurant seat (the most complimented piece of baby equipment that we had- servers loved it and so did we! You could sit right at the table with us. Now you are too heavy and we have to use the restaurant high chairs), my pump, Medela bottles and My Breast friend pillow. Grammie has been helping Mama wash and pack everything away. It is sad to admit that you are not an infant anymore but you are still a baby, just with a little toddler mixed in.

Shake it baby!

You have learned to boogie! Grammie captured you dancing on stage (her bay window) gettin' down to the Cars song on the riding toy. You tap your feet, wiggle your butt and even get down! Sometimes you want something so badly that you dance and wiggle until we figure it out! Maybe tap classes are in your future.

Sidney, Aunt Nellie and Uncle Matt came home this summer so we got to have several play-dates. People thought the pair of you were gorgeous boys, blond and blue eyed! We went to the Erie zoo together on a very hot day. We walked through the exhibits, ate our packed lunch in the park and then rode the train and the carousel. By the end of the day you both fell asleep in your strollers and Mama and Auntie Nellie were exhausted and soaked in sweat so we blasted the AC and got iced coffees while you both slept in your car seats. We also tried for a picture together, we got a few, but it was a challenge! Santina was patient as ever!


We have had two appointments with Early Intervention to check out your speech. Mama and Daddy agreed to wait for 3 months after your 1 year doctor appoint to see if some words began to appear. We think that you can say a few words but you will only give us one shot at them. I think that you have called me Mama several times and Daddy "Dadda." After eating you breathed "all done." Grammie heard you say "out" when you wanted to get out of the bathtub. You have said "ball" several times. We have hypothesized that you are resisting talking because you don't really need to, maybe we are too good at anticipating what you want. We have decided to be proactive though and make sure that we do all that is possible to make sure all is well. You outperformed two year old skills in fine motor and cognitive problem solving. All other skills tested were at age level or above, so we know you understand us. You can bring us particular objects- you even walked across the room to get me the triangles for the sorting game, point to body parts - nose, eye, ears, hands, feet, belly, you can "water" your belly and your head with your blue bath pitcher after you fill it up with water, you "brush" your teeth and hair, can take off your shoes, and can get a book to read and lift the flaps. We know that you are always thinking and problem solving but we are anxious to hear you tell us all about it!

Mama found an owl knitted hat at the babyGap at the Galleria Mall for you for Halloween. Grammie is putting pieces together to create a costume for you to be an owl. Wise and observant, so fitting for your personality right now.


In the last week you have also really taken an interest in the stars on the ceiling that your turtle projects. Several times you have turned over after your bottle to point and look at them. We sing "Twinkle, Twinkle" and point to the moon. My favorite part of a busy day is cuddling with you before bedtime. You snuggling into my neck. Watching you pull at your ears and tuck your hand under your check. Your face as you sleep. My sweet baby is growing into a little boy.

Point and Say

You are adding new words to your vocabulary every day, you just aren't vocalizing them...yet. You are now grabbing our fingers and pointing to things; pictures in books, objects etc. When you are really insistent, you will swat our faces in the direction that you want us to look, very demanding! You can now point to zebra, elephant, giraffe, sun, moon, and lots of other new objects. When you and Daddy were at the zoo this week, he asked you what a lion says and you said "rrrr" You did it again for Mama at dinner last night after I got home from Harrisburg. If we put you on the spot, you clamp down and won't make any sounds. Your terms only.
Grandma bought you two new toys over the past few weeks, a Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner and a musical push toy. You zoom around the house with your new noise makers! You even "sweep" back and forth and under the furniture. You are really taken with trucks and cars now. You zoom them up and down our legs and over all the furniture.
You have grown out of all of your shoes! We had to buy you a new pair of sandals to get you through the summer, yours were just too small. You are now in 5 1/2s and you tried out your size 6 sneakers from Stride Rite today. Your legs are almost long enough to reach the foot rest on your stroller.
You love to eat fresh fruit! You gobble up raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, bananas and lots of others. You aren't a big fan of kiwi though. Your appetite is trying to keep up with you. Some days for lunch you will eat 4 pieces of ham or turkey, fruit, and yogurt!
Your laugh is infectious. Daddy loves to make you crack up. Usually it's hide and seek or tickling that does it.
You fill our lives with laughter and smiles, we love you so much!

Soooo Big!

Eoin, you are soooo big, you are turning into a little boy, looking less like our little baby! In the last two weeks you have done so many new things! When Mama picked you up from Grammie's house after Aunt Lauren and Uncle Pat's wedding, you signed milk (drink)after some prompting. Then, on July 5 you signed for more juice all on your own! The same week, while Mama was at work, you and Daddy practiced "SOOO Big" and you showed Mama when I got home! Today, you did "all done." All of a sudden you have begun to communicate with us!

You are also starting to mimic us more. At the end of June you heard us go "ahhh" after drinking and started to do it too. A couple of times you have made that sound to "ask" for a drink. That is pretty cute! On Wednesday, Daddy thought that you had something in your mouth so he said, "Show me!" and opened his mouth and said "awww..." You thought it was so funny and have been saying "awww" ever since!

Every time you are in a new environment you surprise us with your problem solving and new skills. While visiting Michael, Michalee and Amelia Brown, you shocked us by climbing up their entire flight of basement stairs! Mama had to go out of town for a conference this week and so you got to stay with Daddy and Grandma and then go to Grammie Camp for the night. At Grammie's you learned how to climb up the ladder of the playset she has for you in her living room and the BIG steps upstairs. So, when you came home last night, we let you get up the front steps all on your own. You don't climb on your knees, you lift up your foot onto the stair then bring up your other leg. You have so much core control! You are walking around freely now and rarely crawl.

You have been sleeping much better in your crib, you are now routinely (knock on wood) sleeping through the night without waking!!! What an accomplishment, for all of us! We began the Ferber Method on June 19th, the first night wasn't too bad, you cried for about 40 minutes. We checked on you incrementally and finally you sat down and then laid down and went to sleep. You woke up again at 11 and we started over. It was so hard for Daddy and I to let you cry, but we knew that we all needed some more sleep at night! The next night you were on to us and held out much longer! You threw a temper tantrum, and cleared off every surface you could reach, threw your heartbeat teddy bear out of the crib and wailed over the railing. Mama was crying too near the end but all of a sudden you were asleep on your belly. For about two weeks you woke up at 11 o'clock on the dot but eventually you were out for the ENTIRE night. It took Daddy and I a few more days to not wake up worried that you were so quiet.

Your FAVORITE toy is the golf set that Uncle Ryan, Aunt Kristy and Riley bought you for your birthday! We even take the clubs with us when we go out of town! You started to hit the ball while sitting down because you couldn't stand and hit the ball. Pretty quickly you were walking after the ball and fishing balls out from under the furniture. You also love to empty out your baskets of toys and leave them strewn all over the room.

Just over the last week, we have left your seat that hooks onto the table in the car, you are heavy enough now to tip some tables over! So, we are now asking for highchairs. Sooner than you know it you'll be in a booster seat!

You are still having "firsts"! Besides sleeping through the night for the first time, Grandma Phyllis bought you your own dish of ice cream at Dairy Queen for the first time and the same night drank out of a straw the first time (June 2, 2011). You had your first cone this summer at Sarah's, an orange sherbert vanilla twist. We are waiting anxiously to see what you will do next for the first time!

We love you baby boy, our little man!

Happy Birthday!

You are a whole year old already! Daddy and I can't believe how fast you have grown. We are especially impressed that you are walking longer and longer distances without tipping over. You can walk across an entire room by yourself, especially if you are going after something like your golf clubs! yesterday you bent down to pick up a ball and then stood back up with no hands for the first time! Today at Grandma Phyllis' you turned around in midstream without falling. Before we know it you'll be running and we'll never be able to catch you! You are eating mostly table food now. You love blueberries, raspberries, pears, bread and animal crackers! You get very insistent on having an animal cracker if you see the container. You also love to help Mama clean with the broom and a washcloth. Your favorite time of the day is when you can be outside, especially on a walk! You love to take in your surroundings and relax; just like Daddy!



Your birthday party theme was Animal Parade by Meri Meri. Grammie and I made your banner and Grammie sewed your birthday hat. We found fun things on the internet to decorate and make your party special. We had bags of peanuts, cotton candy, the popcorn machine running, candy apples, burger sliders and fruit cabobs. Mama made you a lion smash cake but you weren't really interested in "smashing" it. Daddy "helped" you dig into it but you didn't really like your hands covered in frosting. We threw you into a bath and then cut your Jennifer Shaffer cake. She recreated the carousel theme and copied the animals on the pattern. Mama was thrilled! It was a very warm day and threatened to rain, but held off so that you and Riley could test out your new water table! You two had a blast splashing and tearing down the tower. Mama helped you open all of your gifts; bowling pins, bath toys, puzzles, books, and an entire new wardrobe as well! We have (or Mama has) had fun putting on your new outfits since your party. As favors for coming to your party, each guest got to take home a photo magnet of you, taken by Santina.

On your actual birthday, we spent the day together celebrating our little family. We had breakfast at the Summer House Cafe. You ate pancakes and fruit while the ladies ogled over you. We then went to Lowes to buy soil and mulch to plant your plum tree that was transplanted from Grammie and Grandpa's house. Daddy dug the hole and planted it while you napped but looked at it when it was all planted. You also a had a special delivery from England from Auntie Nellie, Sidney and Uncle Matt. They sent you a boxful of goodies - jeans, a jacket, shirts and jammies from the Gap, a London toy car set, a number 1 shirt, and a stuffed English soldier; you had a great time unpacking the box. Mama spent all day baking your the first birthday cake that Grammie made for Mama on her first birthday out of the Gourmet magazine; a blueberry cake made with heavy cream. Unfortunately, you fell asleep after dinner and then we all got sick that night. After a couple of days Mama took the cake out of the fridge and you tried a couple of bites. You will be always be our little "plum" even as you grow tall and strong.

Cruisin' Along

These last couple months have flown by! You are 10 and half months. You have become a master crawler and have just recently in the last week started to cruise around the ottoman and couch, especially if you are chasing after the remote! You even took a couple of steps using the walk behind toy! Mama and Grammie bought you your first pair of walking shoes last weekend so we're ready! You aren't too sure about the shoes, they definitely slow you down.

Your third tooth on the bottom broke through today, making it a grand total of 7 now! You have had a nasty cold or chest infection for the last week; coughing, runny nose and just plain unhappy. The congestion made it tough for all of us to sleep, but I think you started to feel better today. The beautiful weather-almost 80 degrees with a nice breeze- may have helped. We walked around Grove City and then went for a short walk when we got home.

Along with teething and the being sick you have taken to pinching and biting. Ouch! You are lightning quick with those chompers, yowser. You also like to exercise your pincer grip by pinching a tiny piece of skin, it feels like a little sweat bee sting. You don't seem to bite or pinch Daddy as much so, not sure what your motive is.

You are so interested in the world around you. You have begun to point to things that are interesting, mostly at the ceiling fans. At first you seemed to be scared of them, but Daddy has been spinning them around and that makes you laugh. In restaurants and stores you always point to the lights, maybe you will be an electrician. You love to watch Mama and Daddy cook- you like to watch us cut, chop, saute and stir. You lean over so far that it is hard to hold onto you. You still love going on walks, you take it all in, swing your legs and take it all in.

No matter where we go we are stopped by people that tell us how beautiful you are, especially your blue eyes and your long eyelashes. The lucky ones get a smile, that's what lights our hearts up. Sometimes you will give them a little wave.

You love to chew on any piece of paper, tag, cord, or string. You think that it is hilarious to knock over block towers and when Mama pretends to lick the plastic ice cream cones. You and daddy love to chase each other around the ottoman, you have started to listen for him and change direction when you hear him coming from the opposite direction.

Mama is starting to plan and prepare for you first birthday already, it will be here before we know it! I ordered the paper products and decorations yesterday. Oh, you are getting so big! We love you so much little man.

Go Baby, Go!

You are now a crawler! On Sunday, February 13, you put it all together and crawled to get to Daddy's keys! Friday you jerkily moved your knees and arms, but it didn't result in moving forward. On Saturday you were able to move hands and knees together but not fluidly. Sunday, though, you got it and you were off, exploring all over the place! It is going to be tougher to prevent bumps and bruises on your noggin now!

What else can you do now... you can pull yourself to standing in your crib and on the couch. When we go to get you in the morning you are usually sitting or standing up now. We are trying to discourage you from biting on the crib rails but getting those top teeth turning you into the Hungry Hippo- chomp chomp!

You got your third tooth on Friday, your top left eye tooth! I thought it would be one of your front teeth, but they do look close to erupting.

Over the last couple weeks you have started pulling on your ear while you are nursing or drinking a bottle; sometimes even when you are getting tired. I'm hoping that it is a way to keep yourself occupied or soothed and not that there is an ear infection brewing.

We have been getting comments at restaurants on your good behavior. People remark on your eyes, how cute you are, your penguin seat and your good behavior! Last night at the Longhorn you tried a baked sweet potato fry. You thought you were big stuff and knawed on it. You really wanted my plate and more fries! You also like to drink water from a straw but want your own straw to hold so Grandma has started to tie one in a knot for you. I wondered why we had tied up straws all over the place. Mama ordered a high chair for you because you have outgrown your bouncy seat. It is a tough job to keep you distracted and leaning back so we can feed you. I'm hoping that the tray on the highchair will keep you amused and save our backs!

This morning Daddy taught you how to put the ball into your race car ramp. It only took you a few tries and then you picked up the ball and dropped it into the ramp! Wow, you are catching on quickly!

Oh, my big boy, I can't believe how quickly you have grown and all of the new things that you are learning! We look forward to your giant grin every day. We love you, you happy baby!

Happy (Chinese) New Year!

It is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese calendar. We are marking off the "first" holidays quickly now. It is looking like an early end to winter this year because Punxsatawny Phil did NOT see his shadow on Groundhog's Day, February 2nd. You even had your own Phil sweatshirt that Kristy Garvin bought for you to celebrate the day!

You are learning to do so many things so quickly now! You are mobile, not quite crawling but you quickly lurch forward now to grab things, go down onto your belly,rock on your hands and knees, roll over onto your back and then sit up...Repeat. We can't leave you alone (not really alone, we can see you at all times!) too long now while you are playing because you won't be in the same place when we come back. You have a talent for getting into things that are off limits. You love cords, electronics, paper, wood and mama's necklaces! You are still having trouble sleeping. Some nights, Mama and Daddy take turns holding you and rocking you through the night. Daddy has a trick for naptime, he swings you in your carseat, you love the G forces! After swinging for 2 minutes, he rocks you in your seat on the rocking chair for 3 minutes (exact times he tells me!) and then...you're OUT! Mama has a more difficult time when I'm home. We are soaking you in because we know that soon you won't want us to cuddle you! You already push up and away when you don't want to go to sleep when I'm rocking you. Rarely do you snuggle in on my shoulder now, but I love it when you do.

You are eating all kinds of food now! I made you minestrone soup and then blended it and you gobble that up. I also roasted eggplant and mixed in some parmesean cheese, we'll have to wait to see if you like that. You are becoming a pro at eating puffs. You gagged on them at Christmas time, 2 weeks ago you could pick them up but wouldn't let go of them once you got them to your mouth so we had to put them in for you. Know you pick up a puff with your pincer grip and straight in it goes, you can gobble them up like a Hoover now! You really like Mum-Mums too! We started yogurt, it was the first cold thing you've eaten. You LOVE it! You only have two little teeth at the bottom for now, but you are practicing how to "chew" things. At dinner we give you little pieces of cheese and bread. Your palate is very sensitive to texture so we try not to make you gag. It is so fun to watch you experience new foods! It is time to get you a highchair and let you experiment with finger foods!