Growing up so fast!

Last year, July 29, 2008, Mama and Daddy found out I was a BOY! The picture above is an ultrasound. Mama says I have grown so much since then!

I'm holding on all by myself!

Thanks, Aunt Rebekah, for the cool GAP pajama pants.

I love smiling when Daddy and Mama take my picture.

I surprised Mama today! I held onto the sofa by myself! I pulled myself up on Daddy last night for the first time. Daddy lowered my crib because Mama found me trying to get out this morning! I had my first little cold over the weekend. It was mainly a small cough and runny nose. Mama thinks I must have caught it from someone on the plane. I went to see Mama and Daddy's 7AM dentist appointments this morning. I thought it was really cool. I laid on Mama's lap when they cleaned her teeth. The dentist said he hopes that I get Mama's teeth. By the way, I got a little too excited when Daddy came home and spit up peas and apples on his good pants! Thankfully, Mama had a free $10 coupon to the dry cleaners right by our home and we made it there before 7PM. Every night when Daddy comes home I wait by the door and Mama says, "Daddy's home.... Daddy's home!" I get so excited!!

32 weeks old today!

We had a full day today! I awoke at 6AM. We went to Walmart, Starbucks (for a free banana strawberry vivino shake for Mama and coffee for Daddy), Harris Teeter, and the gas station by 9AM! Then we came back and I took a nap while Mama and Daddy did chores. We all played in my room and skyped with Nanny and Papa until I napped again. Then we left for Red Robin - Mama had a free birthday burger coupon! Mama got a salmon burger and Daddy got a swiss-mushroom burger. They also gave us a free fudge sundae! I ate bananas and played with the balloon. I loved the balloon! Mama practiced at church while I played with Daddy and had a short nap. Then we went to Trader Joe's, a bread store, Lowe's foods, the bank, and the new Trader Marc's flea market. What a fun day!

We're 31

Mama and I are 31: she is 31 years and I am 31 weeks! We had a fun day yesterday. Mama didn't teach any lessons and I slept for 4 hours in the morning! I awoke Mama at 3:30AM and decided to stay up so she could have an extra long birthday! Then I slept from 8:30AM-12:30PM. It is fun to be home! I missed Daddy. I said, "Da-Da" for the first time yesterday!! Mama clapped and tried to get a video of me saying it, but I get quiet when the video starts. We went to the pool and saw our cousins. Then I came back and played hard. I had 2 more 45-minute naps in the afternoon. The plane ride must have zonked me out. I discovered the door stops for the first time yesterday. Did you know every room has them?! Mama let me touch it once and now she doesn't let me any more. We got our car fixed - $425. I'd rather use the money on Gerber baby food. I like fruits the best. Mama and Daddy ate free at Moe's, Coldstone, and Strickland's --- all free coupons!

Aunt Rebekah took this video when Mama was drying dishes.

Last day in Manton

It's my last day in Manton! I can't believe the time flew by so fast. I love to be at Papa and Nanny's home. Papa makes me laugh so hard when he "scares" me and I always try to reach for his pens and tracks in his shirt pocket. Nanny has the best meals. Next time I come I might be old enough to eat them. Nanny bought me diapers and had lots of toys for me to play with. My favorite was the bouncy seat and Noah's ark animals. I went to Lake Cadillac and Meijer for the first time! Mama and Aunt Rebekah worked their coupon magic and got 9 boxes of Chex cereal and a four pack Yoplait yogurt for only $8! Daddy, I missed you a lot, but thanks for letting us

go. I can't wait to see you at the airport when we arrive tomorrow afternoon! Can you bring Mr. Bee along for me to play with in the car?

31 weeks old

Aunt Mary came for lunch yesterday.

Evie and I love our fun pajamas.

It is cold and rainy in northern Michigan today!! We went for a quick walk this morning and I wore Nanny's winter hat! Uncle Ben sold some things at our garage sale this morning. Yesterday we went shopping in Traverse City. Daddy said it is warm at home and that he is going to make the lawn look better today.

Friday Fun

It is cold here today! I think it is only 50 degrees. I slept for 2 hours this morning and then we all decided to get some pictures taken together. I like Evie and Brock a lot. I hope Daddy has a good weekend even though he is home by himself. I miss seeing him when he comes home from work!

I am having fun in Michigan! I slept 8 hours without waking up last night for the first time and then another 2 hours. Then after I was up for 1.5 hours I took a 2 1/2 hour nap! I also slept 2x in the afternoon. I must like this cooler weather. I got to play on the swing for the first time yesterday and today! I love it! We ate lunch with a fun group at church and then dinner with some great friends, the Sinkels. I like to go to church and say, "HI" to Papa every few hours. Uncle Ben found my great-grandpa's report cards from Black River Falls! His name was Brown Clifford Lanning. He was really smart.

My Michigan Trip

Evie and Aunt Rebekah!

My farmer's tan! It's white between my fat rolls.

Papa and Brock in the Ark.

Tired in Detroit!

I love airplanes. I love smiling at all the people who are riding behind me! Everyone on the plane said I was such a good boy. Mama got me up at 3:50AM Tuesday morning and Daddy drove me to the airport by 5AM. The lines were really long, but they let me go through the fast lane! We had a layover in Detroit and we missed our plane to Traverse City even though Mama ran the entire A and C concourses. We were just minutes late and had to catch the next flight. Nanny and Papa were waiting for us and waving at us when we arrived! We had fun with Brock and Evie playing at the ark! Today the Whites surprised us and drove 3 hours to see us! Matt and Jacob held me! Sheri brought us a 4 berry Michigan pie that was absolutely delicious. I don't want to take long naps at Nanny's house because I don't want to miss anything!

Mondays

Mama and I miss Daddy on Mondays since he is home on the weekends! We met Daddy at Jack in the Box for lunch and used Sawatzkys' anniversary gift card for large shakes - the ice cream looks so yummy! Daddy and Mama really enjoyed eating them but didn't give me any. It rained all morning so we didn't go to the pool until the afternoon when it was sunny. This is my last day at the pool for a whole week. I tried on Daddy's baby t-shirt that Grandma Hildebrand made for him. Do you see that I am sitting up all by myself? Mama just held my hand for the picture.

I smile all the time.

7 months

I am 7 months old today! I ate carrots for the first time this weekend. You can see how it stained my mouth in these pictures! I love food. I like everything that I've tried so far. Mama tries to get me to do "more food" in sign language, but I prefer banging the table in delight. Daddy made Mama feed him chocolate pudding and banged the table when he wanted more just to be funny. Sometimes Mama "let's go" for a second or two when I am sitting or standing. I think it's really cool. I have my bags packed to go to Michigan!!