Thanks, Auntie E!

A big thank you goes out to Aunt Erin, who came to help me with Bosley and Andrew while Shawn was overseas for a week. As you can see, Andrew is over the moon for Erin and I think the feeling is mutual :) We'll be seeing her again soon for Christmas, when we go out to Ohio for a couple of weeks to spend time with friends and family out there.

Happy 1st Birthday!

There was never a child so lovely but his mother was glad to get him to sleep. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

We survived! One year later I'm alive, sane, still happily married and mama to an adorable toddler who amazes me with his smarts and sense of humor. What a wondrous time its been, such beautiful moments. I see my Mom in him every day - he has her eyes, they crinkle when he smiles. Happy 1st birthday to my Little A! You are so loved.

Day 364

One year ago today was last day that this little bundle of cuteness was still inside keeping warm at a toasty 98.6 degrees, my life was just about to change in a big wonderful way...

Fire Truck Fun

Since receiving his birthday gift last week, Andrew has figured out how to get into it by himself, as well and open and close its door. Getting out of it is a different story altogether....

Babyproofing

Guess its time to babyproof the kitchen.

no no no

Officially a Toddler

If this isn't toddling, I don't know what is.

We're Back!

We had a great time visiting family over the weekend. Hung around the house, ate good food. The 8 hours each way in the car didn't seem to bother Andrew too much. Pictured here are Aunt Jaclyn - expecting a baby boy in March; and Uncle Adam - who gifted Andrew with his first Little Tikes riding truck. Andrew's sporting a very cute top that Jaclyn bought him on the occasion of his first Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Andrew's first Thanksgiving! We'll be going to my sister's in Maryland to spend it with family. Will post again when we return.

Smart Dude

His new favorite: screwing on and off the tops of bottles. Andrew has actually figured out how to rotate his wrist to get it on and off. Smart dude. I'd also like to take this moment to point out that he has gigantic hands.

Caught in the Act

I'd say he's walking about 50% of the time now and is very proud of himself when he does.

Like Parents, Like Son

Shawn/Susan/Andrew

Walking

Every day Andrew seems to lengthen his string of steps. For now it's at about 5-10 before he takes a tumble. Soft walking shoes may make his Christmas list this year?

Word #20

....no! He uses this all the time - when we read, when he doesn't want to do something, when I give him food he doesn't like...

Word #19

Uh Oh

Playtime

with Nana and Pop Pop

Meal Time

Zzzzzz's

Car ride = instant nap.

Jenn and Laura

Every week since the spring, Andrew and I visit at lunchtime with Jenn and Laura, staff in the RPI Art Department. He ADORES them, as you can see. We read, sing and play....oftentimes drawing people in from the West Hall corridors with our noise :) Andrew is quickly becoming the department mascot.

Back Home

Very tired, great trip, will resume posting tomorrow!

11 month portraits

Check out the great photos of Andrew! Taken by my college friend Meg who lives here in Ohio.

In Ohio

Hi folks, I'm at my inlaws in Ohio right now and internet is spotty so pardon if I don't post much. Andrew had a good time helping to feed the cows yesterday. He and I flew out here alone, and he was a good traveler. Which I figured, since he was pretty easy at 7 months when we went to Vegas. When we deboarded, everyone said "i didn't even know there was a a baby on the flight" which is probably the highest compliment I could receive.

Happy Baby

Could he be any happier of a baby? Seriously, his face may break if his smile gets any bigger.

New Baby Backpack

Wearing instructions, Steps 1 2 and 3

Happy Halloween!

Walking

Finally caught him on video!

Halloween Teaser

Bubbles

Some kids have a blanket they drag around with them. My kid? A bottle of bubbles.

Bathrobe

He's outgrowing his bathrobe so a new one has been added to his Christmas wish list. OK, my wish list. I can't imagine its something he feels all that strongly about, but I love snuggling him up in one.

Kiss

Andrew has become a little kissyface lately - here's a shot of him kissing a baby in one of his books. Its hard to catch him in the act, so sorry its such a bad photo. He does it with no prompting whatsoever. One of the best parts of parenting so far has been when he spontaneously gives me big sloppy open mouth baby kisses. I'm soaking it in while it lasts.

Walker Fun

Taking a walkabout in our bedroom.

Here's the Deal

Andrew explains life outside the womb to Erling.

Fun Little Chair

Clamps to the table, folds up small for travel. Love it!

Zoom Zoom

Little did we know that Andrew's first toy racecar would play rap. Oy vey...

Thanks, Nana & Pop Pop

...for the Halloween gift!

Punk

sporting a Bubble Mohawk

Pumpkin Patch, Take 2

Because there can never be enough cute pumpkin pictures.

Pumpkin Patch

Here's our little guy enjoying a fun outing to a local farm, we even took a hayride!

In other big news, he took 2 steps on his own yesterday! From the chair to the couch. I don't think he even realized he did it, nor have I seen a repeat performance.

Word #11

...is Dance!

Cuddling

In bed on a rainy morning with the spud.

Superhero Outfit

Sporting both the skull & crossbones as well as the yellow duckie cape. Time to save the world!

Babywearing

This is one of the last pics you'll see with Andrew in the front carrier, as he's getting too heavy to comfortably wear this way. He's now just shy of 20 lbs at 10 months. Luckily our superawesomefantastic carrier converts into a baby backpack for chunkier monkeys.

Secret's Out

My son wears girly-patterned cloth diapers. They are borrowed, I'm not picky, and I doubt he knows the difference :)

O's!

Cheerios, his favorite! And now his favorite new word. Here he is asking for them after he wakes up.

New Trick

Day One

Just for kicks I thought I'd post a video we took when Andrew was only a couple of hours old.

New Duds

In his new big boy booster seat, wearing his new corduroys, and new doggie shoes.

Giggle Monster

Here's the audio to all the smiles you've seen in the pictures :)

10 monthiversary!

So what is my little redhead up to these days? He knows what a vegetable looks like and promptly tosses it off the high chair tray. He brings me his favorite books to read, over and over and over again. He says about 10 words, the most popular being "dada". He whispers sweet nothings into my ear and blows kisses. He laughs heartily at just about everything. Its a great age to be!

Sick Baby, Part 2

Luckily this hasn't turned into anything more than a head cold. Here's sad little puffy-eyed, snotty nosed Andrew. All he wants are cuddles.

Sick Baby

No photos today, friends. We've got us a sick baby. His first cold. Actually he's eating and playing normally - just has a gunky nose. And did NOT sleep well last night. Nor did Mama for that matter....

Bookworm

Andrew likes reading as much as he likes his toys. Lately he's been bringing us the books he wants read to him. This is his new favorite - he laughs out loud and we read it over and over again.

Bouncing Baby Boy

Comments!

Hello loyal viewers - I've decided to put all Andrew-related-goodness on this blog instead of Facebook. It would be wonderful to know who is reading (or that anyone is reading). So if you wouldn't mind, occasionally, leave a comment! To those who are already doing so, many thanks.