My day...

Mama caught Daddy and me making the same expression with our faces!

We got to watch the first 3 minutes of the Nightly News.

Mama says that I'm her best friend.

I love reaching for EVERYTHING!

I couldn't take my eyes off the desk drawer metal handle. I stood up and pulled the drawer open several times today!

All 20 lbs of me!

Oli - my cousin doggy

After my doctor appointment, I slept about 2 hours and awoke to find Oli here! What a fun surprise! Oli is Uncle Daniel and Aunt Candice's cool dog. I love dogs.

I love the paper that makes noise at the doctor's office!

Dr. Appointment and first immunization shot

I had my first immunization shot today! I awoke early, so we left the house before 5:45AM so Mama could practice at church before the 8:45 AM appointment. I am 20.8 lbs and 29.25" long. I am in the 97% for height and the 90% for weight! I was SO good for the nurse! I just wimpered 2x when she poked me and shed just 1 tearand was smiling

34 weeks old

I pulled myself up to a standing position for the first time today in my pack and play, then in my crib, and finally on the couch! I want to do it all the time now!! Daddy let me play on the carpeted stairs at church yesterday while Mama was practicing and I crawled up!

books are fun toys

Do you see my little teeth trying to pop through in this picture?

Nanny gave me books before I was born and others when I was really little. Now I am big enough to hold them by myself. I love the blue elephant book because I can open and close it! Mama thinks I'm going to start walking early because I keep trying to stand up from a sitting position! Grandpa H., you'd better hide your TV remotes when I come to visit NY; if I grab them, it is almost impossible to pull them out of my grip!

I like to make a drum sound using my hands and toys. I've started splashing the water, too.

child prodigy?

Mama lets me play the piano between lessons. I'm getting pretty good, don't you think? Don't tell Nana, though, because she might not approve of my playing yet.

By the way, I really like green beans, bananas, and carrots. I eat them all cold!!

I haven't had many naps in the past few days. Those sharp little white things in my mouth keep waking me up. I gave Mama a kiss and bit her lip by mistake. I just feel like biting everything that comes near my mouth.

Aunt Rachel, would you ask Micah if he wants to play a trio with me and Brock at Christmas time? Mama says she's seen pictures of Micah playing the piano and that he's a natural. Brock, you'd better watch out because when you turn 3, Mama is going to want to start you on piano.

Mama

Mama is sure she heard me say, "Mama," when I wanted to get out of the crib today. She gets really excited when I say it. I opened the mail box all by myself for the first time!!

33 WEEKS OLD TODAY

Sitting in my high chair at Cracker Barrel.

Yesterday Mama left me for the first time with another babysitter. She played for a funeral at 4PM and had to leave me from 3:30-4:45PM at Calvary's Child Development Center. I cried a lot until they fed me my bananas. Then I was OK. Mama said she never wants to leave me again. I think she missed me more than I missed her. I was OK by the evening. You can see how much I am "talking" now. (Look at the video below!)

Today we left at 7AM and Mama practiced at Calvary before we drove to Concord Mills Mall. I had a lot of fun and I went to the pet store and saw all the fish and birds!! We went to Cracker Barrel for lunch - thanks to Aunt Rachel and Uncle Matt for Mama's b-day certificate!

My teeth are coming in, Grandma Hildebrand! Mama feels two sharp white stubs on my bottom gum and one on the top! I like to bite anything that comes near my mouth. Happy August 1st!

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?