Fall Carnival

This afternoon was the annual fall community carnival at our church. We had a lot of fun, and Mommy even let me try some cotton candy. I couldn't really play any of the games yet, but I love being around new people and all the activities. It was such a beautiful day. There was a little chill in the air (60's) and the sun was shining. We have had a lot of rain lately, so it was nice to have a pretty day for a change.
I have still been sleeping good through the night. This makes Mommy and Daddy very happy! Mommy says she still has a lot of sleep to catch up on from the previous 8 months of sleep deprivation! Daddy just tells her, "Welcome to parenthood."
I have been learning to talk more and make all kinds of sounds. My favorite thing to say right now is "Da da da da da da . . . " I do say "Ma ma ma ma ma ma" sometimes, and I seem to associate the words with Mommy and Daddy. I have just started this funny yawn that makes Mommy and Daddy laugh. It's not just a long "Ahhhh," it's several short "ah ah ah ahs."
I am getting more brave each day with standing. I will let go of whatever I have pulled up on and maintain my balance for a good 5-6 seconds.
My Nana and Pops are in town this weekend, so I have enjoyed visiting with them. We celebrated Nana's 61st birthday. They are going home to Mobile in the morning.

A Mouth Full of Teeth!

I am working on 2 more teeth which will make #7 and #8. I already have 4 on the top and two on the bottom, and the two new teeth are poking through the bottom gums. I like to bite everything because it just feels so good on my gums. However, Mommy doesn't like it too much because I usually bite her finger when she brushes my teeth. I have a pretty good appetite these days. I eat 3 jars of level 2 baby food each day. Plus, I have about six 6 oz bottles each day. I haven't turned away any kind of baby food. The only thing I'm not real crazy about is green beans, but I will still eat them . . . a little hesitantly. Mommy has recently introduced me to the sweet potatoes and turkey dinner. I like it pretty good - an early Thanksgiving feast! Also, I am getting accustomed to eating puffs. Mommy makes me take small bites because sometimes I get choked up. I have been learning to drink from a spill-proof sippy cup for quite a while now. I pretty much just bite on the spout more than anything, but I still get some water out that way and most of it ends up on my clothes.
I am a very active little fellow. I can crawl around the house like a little speed demon. I can pull up on just about anything, even the bare wall by pressing my weight into it and standing. I have started cruising around the couch and tables some. I will even let go and maintain my balance for about one or two seconds before I fall to the floor. Mommy and Daddy know what this means: I will be walking in the near future!
Oh, I almost forgot. I have some BREAKING NEWS. I started sleeping through the night about a week ago. Just out of the blue I started sleeping from roughly 8:30pm to 6:30am. Mommy and Daddy figured out a few tricks: formula keeps me full much longer than breastmilk and they keep me up until I am totally exhausted and can't make it another step before putting me to bed. It works!!!
I am not as interested in my toys as I once was. I would much rather be exploring and playing with the remote control or laptop or basically anything Mommy and Daddy don't want me to have. I like to check out my surroundings and bang things together to make NOISE! Along with my new exploring endeavors, Mommy and Daddy have been teaching me the meaning of NO. Fortunately, so far I have caught on pretty quickly. I have started to experience separation anxiety. When Mommy or Daddy leave the room I begin to cry - but not every time - mostly just when I am tired or hungry. Things get me much more upset under those circumstances. I still do not like to get dressed . . . typical boy. I am VERY strong and full of ENERGY. I am at the point where I don't really want to be held most of the time, I would much rather be crawling or standing. I make this known by the way I squirm around like a wiggle worm when I am held. I will climb up your belly and over your shoulder, or I will arch my back and fling my head backwards. When I don't want to sit down, I will lock my knees. Yes, I am a stinker. Mommy and Daddy call me a little monkey.
Daddy likes to sneak up on me and chase me around the den. I just squeal and giggle loudly and crawl as fast as I can in the opposite direction or toward Mommy. It is so much fun.
I still love my jumper that hangs in the doorway. Only I don't really jump. I just love to run as fast and far as I can, then the tension makes me swing backwards and I start all over again laughing and squealing all the way! I entertain myself in my jumper mostly in the evenings when Mommy and Daddy are preparing dinner. Another one of my favorite things to do is stand in my exersaucer by the back door and watch my doggies: Buddy and Daisy. They come up to the window to see me, and I just love it! I am crazy about dogs!
I will soon be 8 months old! My how time flies. Mommy is supposed to dress me up like Charlie Brown for Halloween if she can ever get my costume together! We will have to post some pictures! Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner, and we are so excited about spending time with family and friends. Toodles!

Feeling much better!

I have recovered from my sickness, and I feel SOOO much better! Still have to finish up my antibiotics this week, and I have a raging diaper rash! This is a cakewalk compared to what I have been through!
Mommy took me to the optometrist today. I haven't been having any problems, my pediatrician just wanted me to get my eyes checked. Thankfully, everything looks good!
There are a few new things I am doing since my upper teeth are coming in. I make a chewing motion with my mouth like I am a cow chewing its cud. Also, I have started grinding my upper and lower teeth together. Mommy and Daddy do not like it when I do this. They just cringe and tell me to stop!

Poor baby!

Recent visit with Grandma, Grandpa and oldest cousin Corrine.

Mommy and Daddy often find me like this after I wake from my naps

Notice the Duke apparrel. I am definitely my Daddy's boy! Maybe one day I'll play basketball there!

Concentrating hard playing my piano. Grandma thinks I'll be a pianist one day with my long fingers.

Playing with my blocks.

I am going through my first illness. I have been running a fever since Tuesday night this week ranging from 100.5 to 103.3. Mommy has to give me this yucky medicine which I really do not like. My flu test on Wednesday was negative, but my pediatrician felt I still needed to be treated for the flu since I have flu symptoms. Also, I've had a runny nose for over 2 weeks which has worsened and with the added fever, the doctor said I need to take an antibiotic too. I had to get blood drawn from my arm. My white blood cell count is high, so I am fighting off some kind of infection. I can barely breathe out of my nose which makes eating very difficult, and Mommy and Daddy are constantly wiping my nose. The medicine upsets my tummy so I have been throwing up and have diarrhea. Plus my gums have been bothering me because I am still teething. What a rough week it has been for me plus my mommy and daddy!

I got my 2 upper teeth in and actually I am about to have 4 upper teeth in - the other 2 are about to break through! Now my lower gums are starting to get red and swollen.

I had a "photo shoot" this week before I got sick. The proofs are adorable, I must admit. Can't wait to get the pictures. I have such a BIG smile!

I am pulling up and crawling and climbing on everything! When I wake up from my naps I like to stand up and play in my crib until Mommy comes in and finds me.

I am really starting to enjoy many new foods. My favorite veggie is sweet potatoes; I gobble them up! I like lots of fruits, but my favorite is probably bananas.

Exponential Growth!

Let's see . . . where do I begin? Within the past week, I pulled up for the first time, and I began crawling! It is so much fun being able to get around to things I want to investigate. My favorite item to crawl to is Daddy's remote control - so many colorful buttons to press! I have tried all kinds of new foods - from squash to peas to green beans to carrots to pears to bananas. I haven't turned anything away yet, although I'm not a big eater. On Monday I went to my pediatrician for my 6 month checkup. I had to get FOUR shots! I cried and cried and broke Mommy's heart. I sniffled about half of the way home, then I fell asleep and took a record-breaking 2 hour nap! Of course, we were at the doctor's office over 2 hours, so that wore me out! I had a fever that night, but I was feeling better by the second day. I am now 17lb 8.5 oz and 27 3/4 inches long. Mommy and Daddy tell me I'm growing like a weed! I've had lots of family come to visit me over the past month. My daddy started back to work with a new school year, so I started daycare at my church a few weeks ago. I have fun there. I'm still not sleeping through the night, and my mommy says she is always tired. Maybe one day I will be able to make it through the night and give her a break! We'll plan to post some updated pictures. Too-da-loo.

My new tricks

My how time flies! Yesterday Mommy let me try my very first REAL food - squash! I didn't really know what to think of it. I've never eaten anything with taste. I made some funny faces. Today I had more squash, and I liked it better. In a few days Mommy will let me try some green beans! Also, I just figured out how to sit up from a lying position. Today Mommy saw me do it for the first time, but Daddy saw me do it a few days ago. But now I've really got the hang of it, and I do it all the time. In fact, tonight Mommy put me to bed and I woke up, sat up, and started crying. Mommy came to check on me, and I was sitting up in my crib! I coo and giggle now. I am even starting to teethe again. I am working on my 2 upper front teeth. I got my first cold this week too. I have a little bit of a runny nose and cough, but not too bad. I still feel fine. Daddy will go back to work tomorrow, and I will start daycare next week. Grandma and Grandpa and my cousin Corrine came to visit me today. They will stay and keep me for a few days. More updates to come.

I'm 5 months old!

Can you believe I am already 5 months old? I love to roll around on the floor and play with my toys. I can get up on my hands and knees, but I haven't really put it all together to start crawling yet. However, I can get just about anywhere I want by rolling.

This morning Mommy fed me some rice cereal. I just gobble it up. I only eat a tablespoon or two, but I sure do enjoy it. Sometimes I like to blow it all over the place, but Mommy doesn't like when I do that too much because it makes a BIG mess!

I take some very relaxing naps in my swing. You never know what position you might find me in when I dose off. Here I have my arm propped up on the tray, and other times . . .

I even rest my head on the tray!

It's difficult to see, but I now have 2 teeth! The second tooth just came in within the last couple of days. I had a few really fussy nights, but since the tooth finally broke through I have rested better. Last night I woke up every 3 hours and the night before that every 4 hours. My mommy wants to know what happened to those days when I slept 6-8 hours because I have not done that in months!

As you may have read, we went to Mobile for July 4th. My mouth was hurting on the way home, so I fussed most of the way. Traffic was bad so it took us 6 hours to get home. That night we came home, Mommy decided I was going in my own room. I have been sleeping in my crib ever since.

This morning I woke up around 7:15. Daddy came in to check on me only to find my legs stuck in between the crib rails and poo poo all over the place! He said, "May Day, May Day!!!" Mommy heard him on the monitor and came to check out the situation. Mommy had to give me a bath and wash my sheets and pajamas right away.

Fourth of July

Here I am with Mommy and Daddy on my first Independence Day. We made a surprise trip to Mobile to visit family. Boy were they surprised! My doggies, Buddy and Daisy, even made the trip with us. Yes, we had a car full!

Here I am with Nana and Pops. They were so happy to see me! We had a good time together. They made ribs, hashbrown casserole, creamed corn, and German chocolate cake. Mommy didn't let me have any, but she did let me try some rice cereal for the very first time! I wasn't quite sure what to think of it, but I ate it. It is weird eating from a spoon. Mommy is hoping it will help me sleep better at night by keeping me full, but I am just a little stinker and keep getting up every 2 hours. I am cutting my first teeth, and they just bother me sometimes at night. I have been gnawing on my fists and toes like crazy. I will be glad when these little teethies come in.

I am laying on Daddy's belly. It sure makes a nice pillow!

Cousin Louanna's Birthday Party

While we were in Destin, we had the opportunity to attend my cousin Louanna's birthday party. She loved to lick the icing off the Disney princess decorations. Wish I could have some! Mommy and Daddy wouldn't even let me have some ice cream.

Here is Louanna and her mommy, Wendy. Louanna is opening her presents.

Here is Louanna with her daddy, Wayne. She is eating her cake and ice cream. I am just taking everything in. This was my second birthday party to attend.

CHEESE! Here's the birthday girl . . . Louanna! 3 years old!

My first beach trip

Last weekend Mommy and Daddy took me to the beach for the very first time! Mommy attended a dermatology conference in Destin in the mornings, so I got to hang out with Daddy until she got finished each day. I had a great time! Of course, Mommy had me coated with sunblock and under the umbrella. Here I am playing with my Daddy. He is so silly; he makes me laugh!

Here is my sand pail and shovel. I didn't really know what to do with it. I just wanted to chew on the shovel. My two bottom teeth have just broken through my gums. The right one came first, and my Mommy just noticed the left one today. Better watch out; my little chompers are on the way - especially you Mommy!

Here I am taking a snooze. The sound of the ocean waves and the nice breeze just put me right to sleep. I took the best nap.

Here I am with my sweet Daddy. I love him so much. He has been taking care of me this summer. We have such a good time together. I look like my Daddy the most, but I do have my Mommy's long arms and legs. Actually I just went to my pediatrician for my 4 month checkup. I weighed 15lb 9oz (50th percentile), and I am 26.5 inches long (90th percentile). I had to get 2 shots, and I screamed my head off!

Here I am with Mommy and Daddy. I loved to watch the waves, but I did not want that water touching me! I had fun playing in the sand, and I even tried to eat it. Imagine that!

Ride 'em cowboy!

Meet my friend Rody the horse. I have been going to Physical Therapy for 2 weeks now for a mild case of torticollis. Basically, I was born with some of my neck muscles on the left side very tight causing my head to tilt. So at therapy, I stretch and strengthen my neck, and I even get a good massage by my therapist Mrs. Ginger. I have been making such good progress! Mommy and Daddy also make me work very hard at home each day to practice looking left, rolling to the left, holding objects in my left hand, and doing stretches. It makes for some good play time!

Here Mrs. Ginger is holding onto me while I hold onto Rody. She lets me rock back and forth, and I have to hold on real tight to practice my grip. Mrs. Ginger says I am doing so good she needs to find something else to work on so she can keep me around longer! I am the youngest patient in the office, and everyone likes to come talk to me. I usually just give them a great BIG smile! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of me! You should have seen them today at therapy - Mommy was taking pictures and Daddy was shaking toys in the air to make me look left. They were quite a sight!

Happy 1st Father's Day, Daddy!

Here I am relaxing with my sweet Daddy on Sunday afternoon. After church today, we went to Outback for lunch. I was such a good boy. I slept the whole time so Mommy and Daddy could eat. This morning I even set a record by doing 3 poopy diapers for my Daddy! Happy Father's Day! I just wanted to show him how much I love him! He is so silly; he's trying to eat my toes just like me.

I love my Daddy so much! He let's me sit in the recliner with him. He sings to me and plays with me. I am just fascinated by the tv remote. I look more like my Daddy than Mommy. I have my Daddy's bright blue eyes and look at our round, plump cheeks! I love to smile when Daddy sings to me.

My first wedding

I attended my first wedding this weekend! My mommy's co-worker Lauren got married on Saturday night. I was a good boy, and I got passed around among Mommy's friends. I love to be around people and see new faces.

Sitting with my Daddy. I have to wear a bib because I drool all over the place these days. Mommy says I am teething. I sure will be glad when my little chompers come in.

All the excitement just wore me out. Mrs. Tricia wanted to hold me while I slept. She loves babies!

Duke is #1. Go Blue Devils! I am laying on my Daddy's blanket. He is crazy about Duke basketball. He makes me sit and watch the games with him. Everyone tells me I'm gonna be a basketball player one day because I am so tall. I have my Mommy's long arms and legs.

Here I am playing on the floor. I like to play in just my diaper. It makes me feel so FREE! I am holding my head up really well. I like to roll over and play with my feet the best.

My busy weekend

I'm all smiles! I'm a pretty happy baby most of the time. Within the last 2 days I have learned how to roll completely over. I start on my back and roll to my tummy then over to my back again! Sometimes I don't even realize what I've done.


My Nana bought me this "Little Tough Guy" outfit. Mommy calls it my muscle shirt. I like to show off my big muscles!


Mommy and Daddy's friends Ricky and Jennifer with their 2 children Matthew and Olivia came to visit us this weekend.


Matthew is 2 months older than me, so he can do some things I'm not quite strong enough for yet. We had lots of fun playing together!

Matthew's big sister Olivia was a bit camera shy, but Mommy managed to sneak in one picture.
She liked to entertain me by saying, "Boo!"

I found my feet!

I would love to have some of my Daddy's chocolate milk. He is so silly posing me for all these crazy pictures! I am sporting a wonderful onesie!


I started to have this urge to stand up on my feet this week. So my Daddy set up my bouncer in the doorway so I can practice standing and strengthen my little ham hocks. I really like to bounce around. Mommy calls me twinkle toes.


I found my feet this week! One day I even managed to get my big toe in my mouth! It makes a great pacifier. When I am placed on the floor I love to roll over onto my tummy or grab my feet. I also have a rattle I can hold onto pretty good and shake all around.

I still have not been sleeping very good. I wake up at least every 2 to 3 hours to eat. Mommy doesn't understand why!!! She is VERY tired since this has been going on for about 2 weeks now. I am 3 1/2 months old now, so I should be able to sleep much longer. I got up to sleeping about a 6-8 hour stretch without waking, but not anymore! I am just growing so fast. I just take little cat naps during the day. I really fight going down for a nap because I am so curious and don't want to run the risk of missing something. I also have started drooling all over the place. My clothes pretty much stay soaking wet all the time. Oh, being a baby is so much fun!

Today I went to church with Mommy and Daddy. Then they took me to Mellow Mushroom, but I just had to eat my milk. I have kept this Sunday a day of rest. I napped all afternoon. I sleep really good as long as someone holds me, but the second I am put down, my eyes pop right open. I just like to be snuggled.

Our little rookie!

Last Friday, Steven attended his first T-ball game. Steven and Daddy went to watch our buddy Breyton's last game of the season. Steven was dressed for the occasion in his baseball gear; he makes such a cute little ballplayer!

I love my Bumbo!

Steven is quite fond of his Bumbo seat. Now that he can hold his head up steadily, he can sit in the seat independently. It supports his back, and he loves to just sit there and gnaw on his fists and look around. Mommy and Daddy love it too because it frees up our hands at times.

Roll over, Roll over!

After much frustration, Steven finally rolled over for the first time yesterday! Now he's got the hang of it and he's like an 'ole pro. He loves to eat his fists. In fact, I have been woken up many nights with him grunting and trying to eat his fists. I have to put socks on his hands at night to keep him from scratching his face. If I don't he wakes up with scratches on his cheeks and scalp. We finally got him to sleep in his bassinet the past 2 nights. Although, he has gone from sleeping 6-7 hours without waking in his carrier to 3 hours in the bassinet. He wakes up much more easily. I guess he doesn't feel as secure. So I feel like I'm back to his first month getting up several times at night and feeling sleep deprived. I am hoping this will get a little better each night. If not, he may have to go back to sleeping in his carrier so I can get some rest! Today he went to work for a few hours with Daddy on his last day before summer break. Now Robert will be on full time duty. Oh to think of the things my boys will get into this summer! Steven is such a good baby. He greets us with a big smile every morning. He is getting so big! We just can't believe how fast he's growing. I can't even lay him on my lap anymore without holding him very tightly or else he's push off my abdomen. He has brought so much joy into our lives, we can't imagine life without him!

Pictures from recent events

Steven with Aunt Jennifer and cousins Addison and Emma Claire.

Steven with his Pops.

Cousins Emma Claire and Anna Marie getting into the Hershey's chocolate sauce!

Steven enjoying bath time. He loves to kick his legs and splash in the water.

Addison receiving her certificate of completion from Betty Bell, founder of the Bell Center. Addison has been attending the Bell Center since she was just a few months old.

After cousin Addison's graduation from the Bell Center. We are so proud of her!

Sad day

Today is a sad day. Steven's Nana and Pops are going home to Mobile today. My mom has been keeping him for the past month. Robert is done with his school year and will be home to keep Steven during the summer. Robert and Steven will have some good bonding time. Steven seems to be going through a growth spurt this week. He has been sucking his bottles dry during the day and wanting to eat more frequently. He is growing like a weed! I can't believe how long he is. Next weekend Steven's Grandma and Grandpa and big cousin Corrine are coming to visit.

The days are just packed

Steven has had a very busy couple of weekends. Two weekends ago he attended his first of many to come dance recitals for his big cousin Emma Claire. Then he celebrated Mother's Day by starting off the day with a gift for Mommy - 2 poopy diapers! This past weekend Steven visited the skating rink for the very first time for cousin Emma Claire's 6th birthday party. He was quite attracted to all the flashing lights! Then on Sunday, Steven's cousin Addison graduated from the Bell Center in Birmingham. Addison was so cute - she even clapped for herself during the graduation! Steven had the opportunity to visit with his Uncle Joe, "Tanny," and cousin Anna Marie this past weekend as well. By Sunday night, Steven was wiped out! We did a lot of running around. He was so tired he actually slept in his bassinet for the very first time all night. He has never been too fond of his crib or bassinet since birth. He prefers sleeping in his carrier. Whatever works! He is doing very well at night and will sleep anywhere from 6-8 hours at night without waking to eat. This has been especially nice since Mommy has gone back to work and needs some extra rest. Steven is growing so fast. He can now roll from his back onto his side. He tries to "talk" making all kinds of sounds. He has the biggest, cutest smile! He even came close to laughing at me tonight. He gets scared very easily by startling noises. When he does, you better look out. First he pokes his bottom lip way out, then the wailing begins. It is definitely a scared cry, much different from the hungry cry. It will absolutely break your heart. We love him so much and enjoy each moment with him.

2 month checkup

Steven had his 2 month checkup yesterday afternoon. He now weighs 13lb 100z. and is 24 1/4 inches long! He had to get 2 shots. It was sad. He cried for just a minute, then he was ok. We gave him Tylenol for the first 24 hours after his immunizations, but I don't think he really even needed it. He was not fussy, sleepy, and he ate well. He was just his normal self! He is such a good boy!
Steven's Nana is watching him while I am at work during the daytime. She is staying with Robert and I for the whole month of May. Then Robert will get to be Mr. Mom for the entire summer! They will have such a good time to bond. Who knows what those two will get into!
This weekend Steven will attend his first of many to come dance recitals for his big cousin Emma Claire who is turning 6 on Sunday! I am looking forward to celebrating my first Mother's Day this weekend.

Just getting started

This whole blog thing is new territory for us. I wanted to start doing this as a way to journal Steven's activities and keep all our family and friends updated with our sweet little boy! He has totally changed our world. This afternoon Steven has an appointment with his pediatrician. He will be 10 weeks old tomorrow, and he will be getting a lot of immunizations today. Poor little fellow. I am praying he does well.