The little Mr.

Christopher is getting so big. He's now just shy of a year and a half. He's got a great personality and manages to amaze us everyday in some small way or another. Just this morning when I picked him up out of the crib he pointed at a book and said "Moo!" (It was his Mr. Brown can Moo! book.) When he looks out the window across the street he points at the neighbors house and says, "Katie,"(he's next door playing with her right now) he knows which house is hers. He's up to a 3 word sentence on occasion, is signing and saying at the same time and even counted to 3 last week without prompting... although that is a wonder yet to be repeated.

He got to go swimming in a big people pool for the first time on the 11th, and he took to it like a pro. He loved being able to float and kick and not touch the bottom ( I didn't have a floaty for him so had my hands on him the whole time.) Christopher didn't want to get out of the pool at all, he kept trying to climb back in no matter how many times I thwarted his efforts. I'm encouraged to maybe get mommy/kiddo swim lessons now that I know he enjoys the water so much, I put it off as I wasn't sure how he would react to so much water.

Another great development, Christopher and Maddie (the dog.) Christopher is now able to be out in the yard playing, with the dog in the yard at the same time. She is no longer so out of her mind excited that she knocks him down when he's out there or running up to him so fast that he gets scared. In fact he will take her toy from her (she's gentle and doesn't mind,) and throw it in his pool, when she comes and gets it and lays down again to chew on it, he'll get out of the pool and start the whole cycle over again, it's very cute. So they are playing together and so far all is well. I'm no longer nervous about their interaction, I never worried that she would bite him but I was a little concerned with how over exuberant she gets when playing. She did step on him once and had him screaming bloody murder, more because he was scared then because he was injured.

He still has only 4 teeth, but I'm sure someday more will pop through. He still in 12 month clothing, which is fine... I get more use out of what I have. It's nice not going through clothes like crazy. He eats everything you put on his plate and has a very healthy appetite. He has a well check coming up and I'll be able to tell you exactly how much he's grown. We're both just so proud of him and he truly is our little star.

Trying New Foods.

Christopher is not mine. I know this because no son of mine would actually LIKE avocado!! That's right, I don't know why I tried it, maybe some other mom said their kid liked it, who knows. I fed Christopher avocado, straight up... and he likes it. I can't stand the stuff (unless it's in guacamole form.) I don't think Adam likes avocado plain either. Strange child.

I also decided to try giving him some kiwi fruit, which he loves as well. The little seeds get all over everything, but he eats it right up. I suppose the reason I'm trying new foods is due to the fact that I'm not feeding him any "baby" food anymore. I haven't bought a jar of baby food in a couple of weeks, in fact his last jar was used on Easter. It sure stretches the imagination coming up with baby friendly foods in forms he can pick up himself and in pieces small enough he won't choke.

Christopher is just walking like crazy now, he loves to do it and is getting better and better at it every day. He also has started signing "more" to me, and while he can only do the one sign himself he understands the others. This has been great because I know that all the work I've been putting in trying to get him to sign will pay off. It's been a game of patience but hopefully will be well worth it.

Adam is in Vegas, again. His parents are on their way home from AZ so decided to visit with him in Vegas for a couple of evenings. I'm sure they are having a good time hanging out.

Over this last weekend we were busy. Saturday we went to the Art show at the Trac. Saturday night we headed to the neighbors for some Texas Hold 'Em. It was a good time, I learned how to what to do as I lost my chips, Adam had a couple of really good plays and Christopher was laughing so hard at one point he just curled up into a ball on the floor and giggled until he couldn't breath. He slept well that evening. Hopefully we'll play cards again in the near future. He slept well that evening. Sunday we went to a birthday party for Tomas, who turned 5. He received a lot of cars.

Little bits of wisdom from Christopher!

1. Being naked makes everything better.

2. Yogurt trumps banana.

3. Stairs = The best toy ever!

4. The cat has a tail so you can eat it.

5. It WILL fit through the cat door.

Eat Cake.

Christopher, as cute as he is can sure get himself into some mischief. All I have to say is you better keep the bathroom door closed.

His first birthday party was great. All the immediate family came (aside from Theresa and crew, who were there in spirit.) Fritzy and Athena came with Sam and Eileen (who is just the tiniest, most adorable little baby.) Christopher was rather sleepy for the most part, that is until the food came out and he woke right up. I made him his very own mini cake which he summarily smeared all over his face.

Christopher also had his 12 month well check this last Monday. No shots this time as he had a cold but in two weeks he'll get those darn vaccines.

At his well check we got his currents stats too!!
Height: 28.5" up from 26.5" at his 9 month well check which puts him in the 9th percentile He was 26" at his 6 month well check, 24.8" at his 4 month well check and 23.3" at his 2 month.

Weight: 18lbs down from 18.15lbs at his 9 month putting him in the 1st percentile. He was 17lbs 6oz at his 6 month, 15lbs 6oz at his 4 month well check and 11lbs 1oz at his 2 month.

Happy Birthday Buddy!!!

Christopher is the big 1 today. It's so hard to believe that a year has gone by. To think at this time last year we were in the hospital waiting for the little Mr. to work his way into the world, and now he's not only here he's walking (a little,) talking (a little,) and making a big impact on everyone on everyone he meets. We like to think so anyway. It's been such a great year and he's been a great little baby. Sleeping through the night, in his crib, hitting his milestones and being the best thing since sliced cheese.

So to celebrate we're having a BBQ and ice cream cake. In a Winnie the Pooh theme. I'll post pictures after the party. So wish him a Happy Birthday and know he'll be enjoying his special day!

Here's a link to some of the pictures we've taken over the year.

Christopher Michael

Away We Go!!!!

Christopher decided to brave the walking world last night. That's right, he took his first few steps. His legs were way to tired after that to attempt any more, although he sure tried. Here is a brief clip of his short adventure (redundant, I know.) Luckily he chose to take his first steps when daddy was home. That's one I'm sure he didn't want to miss. He has also managed to get his first tooth, just barely breaking the surface but definitely there. Christopher is just trying to accomplish as much as he can before his first birthday rolls around, and he's doing a great job of it.

Little Sneaky Baby!!

So Christopher was happily playing on the floor in the living room when I took some laundry up to the washer. I loaded it, took some clothes out of the dryer and headed back down the stairs... to find this. I couldn't resist sharing since his smile is so genuine. He's taken quite a few dvd's out and after the picture was taken he continued to get more. Sure do love this guy.

4 Months Old!!

Today Christopher had his 4 month well check. The Dr. said he's doing great and is reaching all the developmental milestones he should be. He received a couple of vaccinations and since he was already grumpy before they were administered it just made him mad to be poked... mommy also left the pacifier in the car which, lesson learned, is a no no on shot day. Luckily Chris seemed to poop out a pacifier when I tried to put him in the carseat and it saved the day, keeping him quiet until we got to the car.

Christopher's new growth stats as of 7/16/07:
Height: 24.75 inches (39.84 percentile) Which is up from 23.25 inches at his two month.
Weight: 15.375 lbs (57.30 percentile) Which is up from 11.09 lbs at his two month.

Poor Little Mister

My poor little guy is sicky. He's not super sicky but I think he caught a little of what I had last week. He's got a very runny nose which helps him sound worse than he is since he's really not breathing through his mouth yet and his eyes are kinda puffy. I'm doing everything I can to make him comfy which entails a lot of snot sucking through the suction bulb. I just feel bad because we are leaving on our road trip tomorrow which won't be fun for him if he's not feeling good.

First Haircut...for the lawn

The backyard got cut for the first time. It was well past rooting and was about to go to seed so it just had to be done. With that out of the way, Rachel and I realize we need another trash bin to deal with the waste that will be generated each week (diapers take up a lot of room too)!

Let's see, what else...oh I attended another toastmasters meeting tonight. I have been traveling so much that I haven't been able to attend. Rachel has been dealing with adjusting to life with Chris so hasn't been attending either (bad Rachel, no cookie).

Tomorrow is Rachel and my anniversary and I think the plan is to have our first babysitter (Grandma) and have a couple hours alone for dinner at some place yet to be decided.

For the heck of it here is a couple fun pictures. The first is Rachel in the baby section at Borders for the first time when she figured out she was pregnant.


As you can see from the next picture, she wasn't too fond of being found out and her picture being taken.