I want YOU

to have a happy holiday weekend!

Say Cheese

Here's A hamming it up for the camera.

Giggly Guy

I have no idea what was so funny!

Ernie!

After 17 months of never showing interest in dolls, this comes as a surprise. Ernie was a gift from Uncle Adam, who as a wee one, never went anywhere without his own little E.

Duck Love

Congress Park, Saratoga Springs.

Nana's Here!

Andrew is having so much fun with Shawn's Mom. He already has a name for her - Nana. He says "Nana Up" or "Bye Bye Nana" or "Again Nana." So cute!

Lounging

Lunch Date

At Panera with Erling and his mom Joely.

Spinners

Here's A having a spinning party with his 2.5 y/o friend, Trevor.

Lawson Totem

Would seem that Shawn's the low man on the totem pole around here these days.

Chillaxin'

Andrew knows how to kick back in style!

Baby Animals

Progress!

Strawberry blonde ringlets! Click to enlarge.

Climbing

Anyone recognize that stool he's using?

Puppy Love

Sitting Pretty

big boy climbed up all by himself

Nature Walk

Moxie's!

Enjoying Moxie's ice cream and playground!

Happy Mother's Day!

Its my second Mother's Day with Andrew and without my Mom. Andrew brings me enough smiles that the happiness far outweighs the sadness. I love every delicious inch of this kid! Happy Mother's Day to all you ladies out there who are working the hardest job that you'll never get paid for. So worth it!

Builder Boy

Maybe we have another architect on our hands? He built this with NO help from his parents. Pretty impressive! And happy 17monthiversary to you, little Andrew!

Dancing at Dawn

Someone surprised himself by pressing the right combo of buttons to start playing our "Little A" mix CD by my friend Joely - this is the scene I walked into at sunrise. The beautiful lyrics are just perfect for this captured moment: You bring more joy with every passing year / The son I always wanted shining sweetly night and day / Even the clouds have to say / Hooray :)

Thanks, Auntie E!

Andrew (and his parents) love the new chucks! I had no idea they made baby Converse shoes. So cute!

Playing Dress Up

Trying out Dada's hat collection.

Happy 1st Birthday, Isabella!

Andrew teaches Isabella how to eat chocolate cake.

Easter Egg Hunt

In Washington Park, with other Troy families. A beautiful day for Andrew's first Easter Egg Hunt.

Andrew-ese

Toddler babble.

Playground Fun

Spring mission: try out EVERY playground in the Capital Region. I had no idea that there were so many variations, its a fun way to spend our afternoons, life's good!

Catch Me If You Can

Oatmeal Face

Our Little Helper

Mowing the lawn at 4 months (April 2010), and again at 16 months (April 2011).

Busybody

The little explorer.

Afternoon Tea

Andrew in a Nutshell

So what's Andrew like these days? He's a very smart, engaged little boy. One that doesn't require much sleep (too bad for me) but seems to be happy throughout the day regardless. The boy likes to eat. Alot. Shawn can vouch for me when I say that on occasion he eats more at a meal than I do. Between mealtimes you can find us in the playroom (our ex-living room) reading books, watching the passerbys out the window, dancing to music, coloring, or playing with cars and trains. Sometimes all of that, on a 30 second rotation which can be very dizzying. Or we might be outside in our yard. Andrew likes to do laps around the house, collecting various sticks and stones along the way, or riding his car down the hills while screaming "whheeeeeee down down down down." He has quite a vocabulary. Words just seem to appear out of nowhere. Same thing with comprehension. I had no idea that he understood so much of what I was saying. I've got to be careful before my private phone conversations suddenly make the playgroup circle. He's a social butterfly, charming the ladies with his smile. He has a strange little body, part baby, part toddler. I guess mostly just like a baby on steroids. He's always described as "sturdy" or "solid" yet has never passed the 50th percentile on the height/weight charts. So who knows. He's healthy. In fact only once has he ever been sick enough to go to the Dr. But he endures the typical bruises that all newly walking/running kids put themselves through. Tough guy that he is, he just pushes forward, bleeding chin and all. Too much fun to be had to stop, right? Now that the weather is nicer we go to playgrounds, or on walks with friends. The library or children's museum are always popular spots too. Tomorrow night we'll be taking him to an art opening. He has a few friends of various ages, and shares readily. A very affectionate boy, he grabs my ears, pulls my face to his and plants a big kiss on my lips. Or screams Mama! and gives me a big ole hug if I've been away from him for a little while. So there you go, 16-month Andrew in a nutshell.

Tired Boy

Getting some snuggles in with Mama before bedtime.

Wheeeeeee!

Cutie Pie

Tell me that this kid isn't just the cutest. I dare you!

Atop His Throne

The King has made his ascent.

Sausage Legs

Gotta love baby cankles.

Curly Locks

Houston, we've got some hair!

Real Men Like Pink

Strutting around with his new girly toy.

Friends

Friends Erling (7 months) and Andrew (16 months). One day we'll regale them with stories of how they shared cloth diapers when they were little....

Could/Would/Loved/Hated

At 16 Months You Could...
Climb onto a small chair
Walk backwards
Spin in place
Walk Up/Down a single step without falling
Eat more than you parents

At 15 Months You Would...
Drive your pushcar into Bosley :(
Joyfully scream when I brought out crayons and paper
Knock on the porch door when you wanted to play outside
Knock on the car door when you wanted me to take you to the playground
Grab Mama's finger and lead her where you wanted to go

At 15 Months You Loved...
Playing in leaves/dirt
Driving your pushcar (above)
Pretending to talk on a cell phone
Berries
Dancing to music

At 15 Months You Hated...
Going inside after playing in the yard
Getting your diaper changed
Meat

You're getting so big! We love you, Spud.

Bath's Over

Wrapped up tight like a burrito.

Happy 16monthiversary!

11 months on the left, 16 months on the right. Sorry so small, click to enlarge. I've always been fascinated with the aging process - the small changes that add up over time. For Andrew, it seems like he has lost alot of the chubbiness in his face, which has become longer and thinner. Lucky for me he still has those delicious cheeks! In 5 months there isn't alot of improvement on the hair.....fuzz, I mean.

Monsieur Artiste