snow

It seems only appropriate that we have snow the last day of February. I always think of March 1st as officially being spring. However, Spring officially doesn't begin for a few more weeks. It is beautiful outside today and I think we have 3-4 inches so far. Hopefully, after today we won't have anymore snow. I noticed on the 10 day outlook that it is supposed to be in the 70's by the end of next week. Now, that is something to look forward too! I have been busy putting out my spring/easter decorations today, but I really feel like I should be putting up a Christmas tree when I look outside.

walker

James loves his walker and just keeps getting faster and faster. Sometimes he is borderline "out of control" while gliding across the room. I don't think he is on the verge of walking quite yet, but maybe by his first birthday we'll have an official walker. These are some short videos of him using his walker.

The Red Bird

We have had a cardinal living in our backyard for a couple of years now. It constantly is pecking at our window like it is trying to come inside. Yes, this happens at 6am when we are trying to sleep. We have tried putting out an owl and also lining the window with foil(I read about both online) and nothing seems to stop this bird. James is very entertained by the bird and loves to stare out the window at it. If anyone has suggestions on how to get rid of this annoying red bird please let me know!

A Great Day At Home

James and I had a great day at home today. He has been feeling so much better than last week and it is great to see the "old" James. He took a 2 hr 40 min nap starting at 10:15 so he pretty much slept through his normal lunchtime. James has never been a consistent napper and hasn't slept that long in many many months. What a treat for his mama! This was also the first time that he has only had 1 nap. Usually he takes a morning and afternoon nap. We have enjoyed the warmer weather the last two days with some afternoon walks.

Pots and Pans

James can no longer open our cabinets so he had to find something in the kitchen to keep him busy. Now he love the drawer under the oven. There is a lot of banging in our house lately!

The Makings of an Ear Infection

Well if you just watched the video in the previous post it pretty much sums up James' personality the past week. But, hey, I wouldn't be happy if a dog pushed me over either. He is happy and playing independently one minute and the next he just wants to be held and lay his head on a shoulder. The past month he has been battling a runny nose and persistent cough but it didn't seem to be bringing him down so we weren't concerned. Last Thursday and Friday he ran a steady fever around 101. Saturday he didn't have a fever but still wasn't quite himself. Sunday, same story. This morning Todd took James to the DR and he has the makings of an ear infection(runny nose, cough, irritable, and red inside his ears). I'm glad we went when we did before it became a full fledged ear infection. He has probably been trying to beat it the last 5-6 days. He had his first dose of medicine this afternoon and I think his mood is already improved. He took some really good naps today too so hopefully tomorrow he will feel more like himself.

Family Party

Today we had my family birthday party. Todd and I were anxious to get to my parents to see how James did. He has been a little off the past few days and had a fever on Thursday and Friday, so we weren't sure how he would sleep. He did pretty well sleeping until 5am and then went back down for a nap at 6am. My mom made our family favorite homemade pizza and whole wheat angel cake. Everything was so good and we are so lucky to have them close by to watch James when we need a night out!

30

This weekend I turned 30. It just doesn't seem possible, but it is. I have everything I could want with a wonderful husband and a healthy happy little boy. The best gift was Todd watching James for the day so I could have a day out with Jami. We enjoyed brunch at First Watch and then went to see Confessions of a Shopaholic. It was a great "girls" day out and we are already looking forward to our next day out in April for Jami's birthday. The celebration continued with a night out on the Plaza with Todd while James stayed with Gma and Papaw Greg. We stayed overnight at the Intercontinental and enjoyed dinner at M & S Grill. Here is a view from our room overlooking the Plaza.

Braces

Yes, this is my mouth full of metal. I thought once I had escaped the teenage years without having braces that I had escaped them for good, but I was WRONG! I have a bottom tooth that has slowly started to protrude forward. My dentist was concerned that if it continued another 10 years it might be beyond repair. I will just wear the bottom braces for a couple months and then wear top and bottom for about a year. So, here I am, nearly 30 and with braces. Sigh.......

I want what you're having!!!

James is really starting to notice if what we are eating is different than what he is eating. Last night Todd and I were having a taco shells. Basically, it is taco meat in pasta shells with enchilada sauce. I thought it might be too spicy for James even though it wasn't hot so I gave him some fruit, veggies, and cheese instead. Well James moaned and reached for our plates so finally I gave him a bit of taco meat. He liked it and starting moaning for more. He ended up eating 2 shells. I guess it wasn't too spicy for him! He really will eat everything and ALOT of it! This morning I was eating my grapefruit and James noticed which perked his interest. So I let him try a little of the juice. I'm not sure if he liked it because he didn't bother me for seconds. :)

Eye Exams

Since it was Presidents Day Todd had the day off, but I had to work. So,Todd thought it would be a good day for he and James to both get eye exams. The state of MO offers a free eye exam to all infants 6-12 months through a program called Infant See. James' eyes looked great and are developing just the way they should.

Baby Talk

Happy Valentine's Day!

James spent his day with daddy while Mommy got to go shopping with my mom and Abby. It was the best gift ever to have a day out! Uncle Seth came over once James was asleep and Todd and I enjoyed dinner and a movie. Thanks Seth!

Family Reunion

Tonight we had a great night with my dad's side of the family. Almost everyone was there! My cousin Josh and his wife Krissy from DC were there with there 3 kids and my cousin Jake and wife Marla from Boston were also in town. We had a huge taco bar, chips/dips and margaritas. Everything was really delicious! It was great to see family that we so rarely get to see. James also had a chance to meet his second cousins Will, John and Preston.

Peek A Boo

James loves to play peek a boo, but this is the first time that he has initiated hiding from us. He makes us laugh so much everyday!

Fun on the farm

Robin is doing incredibly well and we were so excited to see her. It was great to see her up and moving around compared to the hospital bed she was in just a few weeks ago. She still has a long recovery and will have to wear a hard neck brace until April 19th. James of course was in to EVERYTHING and watching him was a full time job!

Sitting on Grandma Robin's lap

Playing with the cereal

Playing the piano with Auntie's Ashley and Tatiana

James learned a new trick this weekend. He can stand up in his highchair. We're in trouble now......

10 Months Old

James spent most of his 10 month birthday in the car. We drove up to South Dakota today to visit Todd's mom and family. This was a quick picture we snapped at the Granite City Brewery in Sioux Falls, SD where we stopped for dinner. James is an excellent car traveler. He took a 3 hour 45 minute nap on the way. I only wish he would do that at home!!