Santa Baby

I mentioned the other day that Mom took me to see Santa Claus.  There was a lot of hemming and hawwing about taking me in the first place, with both parents being appropriately appalled that it cost $35 for a picture with Santa.   As they should be!!   Turns out, you can sit on Santa's lap for free, but if you want photo documentation, you better be able to pony up some cash.   Want to take your own snapshot?  Not allowed.  You'll just have to replay the precious moment in your mind for years to come.

Before we get into the whole commercialization-of-Christmas, blah blah blah, look how perfectly bored and unimpressed I am by Mr. Mall Santa.   He was a nice man, to be sure.   But the reality was, I had just had two shots in the leg, and a photoshoot at Sears.   He would have had to jump through flaming hoops of fire to get a reaction out of me.

9 month checkup!

Please forgive my mother for not protecting my modesty better. She just thinks my chunky legs are soooo cute, and she wants everyone to see them.   I'm also shown here with a random piece of plastic corn, which has been my go-to toy these days.  There's something about those bumps that feels good on the gums!

Speaking of gums, Mom asked the doctor about me not having any teeth yet, and he took a quick look in my mouth.   Turns out, I am getting ready to cut teeth, and it's my two top ones!   He said that it was almost unheard of to cut top teeth first, and that he'd only seen it once or twice since he had been in practice!  I like to keep people on their toes..  I am currently 21 pounds, and perfectly average on the growth charts.

After my doctor appointment, I had a date with the picture lady at Sears.   I did pretty well, considering that I'd just had two shots, and was nursing a sore thigh.  Then again, these thighs have plenty of padding, and I recovered my composure quickly.   Mom rewarded me with a trip to see Santa Claus at the mall.   She got her photo-op, and I got to tell the big guy what I wanted to see under the tree.    I'm sure those pictures will surface in a later blog post!

Such a tired boy.    I had such a busy afternoon with my Mom, that I did a crash and burn on Dad's lap when we got home.   Dad's lap really is my favorite place to nap!  

Security Breach

I must commend my Dad on his unparalleled concern for my safety.   This "Blankie Seatbelt" is one of those ideas that might have been good in theory, but my wiggle ability was clearly underestimated.    Maybe that ottoman in front was to serve as a fail-safe, should I escape?   Fortunately, Mom saw my substandard restraint, and insisted on direct parental supervision.   Perhaps this is why we are issued mothers?  True, Dad is more fun, but Mom's snuggles are what are unparalleled around here...

Wish List

This Christmas, maybe I could get some tools like Daddy? 

Dad says we only buy quality tools, and this one passed the taste test!!    I don't know who this "Walt" guy is, but he makes a nice drill...

1st Christmas Tree

Someone explain to me the need to bring the great outdoors inside the house?    I don't know why they do it, but it sure does smell good!   Here are a couple shots of me and my folks picking out the perfect tree:

Yes, that's a Pink Floyd shirt I'm wearing, and no, I'm not wearing shoes.   It was a balmy 68 degrees the night we went tree shopping (I LOVE North Carolina!), and in my humble opinion, the fleece jacket was sorta overkill. 

Baby needs a new pair of shoes!

Look who's wearing shoes like a big boy?  Yep, it's me!

I promptly kick them off the minute I'm unattended, but a free spirit like me was never meant to wear shoes.  That's for people whose feet touch the ground, and mine never do. 

I've had an exciting and unconventional couple of weeks, with my mom having some surgery.   I've been doted on by TWO grandmas, and even Dad and I had a whole week together!  I spent a few days on the farm at Grandma Barnes's house, and my Grammy Huffman came from Texas to see me.  I charmed the pants off of them, and did my best to show them all my best tricks.   I can sit up like a big boy, and I can even stand if someone promises to catch me:

I can also pick up snacks with my fingers.  This is a skill I've mastered in the last week or so.  Before, I had to rely on my fingers being sticky enough to attract these little puffy snacks, but not anymore.  I like to reach and grab, and throw anything on the floor that is within my ample reach.

 

I'm also really looking forward to Christmas, and this mysterious "Santa Claus" that is supposed to come see me.   I've got a few things I'd like see under the tree, so hopefully Mom can get me in front of the bearded man himself so I can place my order.  I hear he's making an appearance at the ward party next week, so hopefully that's my chance!

Some of my new likes:

1. Being upside down

2. Phantom of the Opera

3. NOT sleeping through the night anymore

4. My puppy

5.Turning around in my crib, so I'm out of camera view

6. Playing in my room for looonnnng stretches.   Attended, of course.

And Mom's personal favorite: 

Only doing a #2 if she's just changed me.  Just keeping her on her toes!

8 Months!

Instead of "8 Months" this post should be called "Hiatus!" I wish to acknowledge the unacceptable amount of time that my musings have been offline. Mom lost her camera cord, so in addition to not being able to offload my snaps, she couldn't charge the camera that died a slow and painful cord-free death. Amazon to the rescue! The camera is back online, and so am I!

So a quick 8 month update:
1. I'm sitting up pretty well now. I'm still a little topheavy, but I'm sorta getting it.
2. Rolling over like a champ!
3. I like to sleep face-first in my crib, with my knees tucked under me, and my booty in the air.
4. I've learned that I can yell when something doesn't happen quick enough for me.
5. I like to laugh. A lot. And Dad is still the funniest one to me..
6. I like to ride in the shopping cart like a big boy. I'm offended that Mom makes me wear the seatbelt, but I'm trying to humor her.
7. No teeth. Not even a hint of one.
8. I've discovered the joy of my exercise jumper. So many fun things to do really help override my fear that I've just been abandoned.
9. I can't quite pick up things with my fingers, but a fist works just as well.  See below.

A lot of you have been asking about Halloween.   Mom wanted to dress me up as a Lobster, and put me in her big pot, but dad was against the $45 costume price tag.  Mom said Ebay? and Dad said No Way.  In the end, Dad was out of town, and didn't make it back in time for Trunk 'R Treat, and we ended up staying home.   It was a bitter cold and rainy night, so Mom opted to keep me in.   So there you have it.  My first Halloween, and I wasn't anything but home and playin' with a pumpkin.

I'm all about big boy food now, and I'm getting the hang of feeding myself snacks.  Most of them end up on the floor, which the dog enjoys immensely.  He says I'm the best thing to ever happen to him...  

Heritage Days

So last Saturday I got my pictures taken. As a reward, Mom and Dad took me to Heritage Days at Oak View Park. There were lots of animals to see and pet. (e-coli anyone?) I think Mom lost a bet or something, because she had to kiss this pig:

I like to call this one "Mama and the Llama"...

Lest you think Mom had all the fun, here's one of me with Boyd, the excessively large goat:


Fun times for everyone!!!! Parents, let's keep this spirit of adventure up.. I hear that Lego-fest is coming to the convention center next weekend- I believe that I'd like to try that next...

Oui? Oui?

Iz zis a bib?   Or iz zis a jaunty beret?   You be ze judge!

Holding out on me?

I feel duped. For six months, I've seen these blue cups come into the house. An obscene number, really. I wasn't aware that beverages came in any other color than white, but I gave you the benefit of the doubt. Now you mean to tell me I've been drinking milk like a baby, while you partake in carbonated deliciousness? I anxiously await my initiation into this prestigious club.

Jack

Dear Jack,
I hate to break it to you, but you ARE a baby, and you will not be partaking in these "adult" beverages any time soon. In fact, there needs to be far fewer of these cups in ALL of our futures. *sigh*
Love, Mom