My First Thanksgiving...

Mommy, Grandma D and I headed up for the Thanksgiving holiday on Wednesday. Mommy left me at my great-aunt Brigid's house that afternoon while she went and got her hair done. I got to play with aunt Brig, uncle Ron, and Grandpa C. I had a lot of fun there. Mommy said she used to spend a lot of time at their house when she was a kid, so I thought it must be a fun time there.

On Thursday I celebrated my first Thanksgiving. I guess I don't see what all the fuss is about with turkey. I wasn't a huge fan. I did eat some, but didn't really know what to think about it. My Thanksgiving dinner was turkey and sweet potatoes. My daddy came up that morning, and we all visited my Great-Grandma D's house for a little while, and later went to my great-aunt's house. I was doing my best and making everyone laugh. We came home Thursday night. Grandpa and Grandma D, and Emily came too. I heard some of them get up really early in the morning. They told me they went shopping. I don't know why you'd go shopping at that time, but they came home with a bunch of stuff, so I guess they really did shop. Daddy and I just stayed home and played.

The rest of the weekend we've just been relaxing. I did get to go out to eat at Chili's last night. Mommy, Daddy, TJ, Paula and I all went. We had a fun time and I was a really good boy. They came to our house afterward, but I had to go to bed. They watched a movie I guess, but it wasn't a kid movie. I don't care, I was tired anyway.

Well I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. Now that I've experienced my first, I know what that's all about....just waiting for Christmas!!!!

Busy Monday...

Yesterday Mom and I had a busy afternoon. At 1:00 I had an appointment at the pediatric clinic for my second dose of the flu shot. I was a good boy again for that. I showed my sad pouty lip for just a few seconds and then the nurse cheered for me, and that gets me every time. I love an applause. :) From the clinic we went to a Wal-Mart we usually don't go to. We went there to get me a humidifier they only had at that store. We left there and I guess I fell asleep in the car. Mom told me we made a quick stop at home to grab some stuff to mail and her shopping list. Then I guess went to the post office. I stayed sleeping the whole time. I woke up in the Wal-Mart we ususally go to. Mommy said she never realized how loud that store is until she was walking through it with a sleeping baby. She realized just how often those people seem to yell on the loud speaker, the loud noises of pallet jacks, banging of swinging doors etc, but I slept for a while in there. Finally one lady across the loud speaker woke me up, but I woke up happy anyway.

I've really been keeping Mom on her toes. I've decided I don't really like to play in my play space by myself anymore. I used to, but not anymore. I'd rather be where mom is, and crawl and climb. She and Dad go in there with me to play sometimes, but usually if they are in there, all I want to do is crawl on them. As I'm out exploring (crawling around the house) I go for all the things I shouldn't; magazine to tear up, the dog food bowls, I even crawled in Marlie's crate. I also head for the tv stand, the shelf with pictures, the fireplace....I'll crawl around 15 toys to get to something I shouldn't. Ha ha! Mom can't take her eyes off me for a minute unless I'm in my jumper, exersaucer or pack and play. I love to watch Go Diego, Go. I've started to recognize the songs in that show and as soon as they start, I get a BIG grin on my face.

Well, I guess we're heading out of here for a couple days to celebrate Thanksgiving. Mom and Dad told me that on Thursday I get to try meat, turkey of course for the first time. That should be exciting. I'll let you know how it goes. They said for dinner I'll have turkey and sweet potatoes.

I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
Cohen

Nap time...

Yesterday morning Mommy put me down for my first nap of the day. Now normally I don't want to be held when I'm tired, I want in my crib, my own space and I fall asleep peacefully. Sometimes Mom might even try to snuggle me a little before she puts me down, but I want none of it. I literally put my arms out and lean toward my crib. It makes her feel great. (sense my sarcasm). Anyway, yesterday she put me down and I crawled the end of my crib, got up on my knees and cried. She came in, calmed me down, laid me back down and I did the same thing. She came in, calmed me down, put me back down, same thing....we did this for about half an hour with her picking me up twice. She didn't know what to do. She called Dad to see if he had any idea what might be my problem, he had now idea. Thought she was doing the right thing, keep doing it. You see - I stumped her. I've NEVER acted like that before. Finally she picked me up and we sat in the chair in my room. I snuggled right up to her, nuzzled my face in her shoulder, and fell right asleep. It was wonderful! Mommy thanked me for snuggling with her. She said I can't get used to it doing that every time it's time to sleep, but once in awhile is more than fine. She held me for awhile, and said she didn't ever want to put me down. It was so nice to have me sleeping on her like that again. But she knew it was best for me, so after about 20 minutes she laid me in my crib and I continued my nap. The rest of the day I napped how I always have, wanting my crib. But for yesterday morning, I wanted my Mommy to snuggle with, and it made her whole week!

Seven Months Old....

It doesn't seem that long ago that I was telling you all about what I could do at six months, and here I am now seven months old. What have I accomplished this past month...well, lets see.

Here are my stats: (These are Mom and Dad's measurements, so they are approximate) Weight: 16 1/2 pounds (10-25%ile), length 29" (90-95th %ile) and head 43 cm (10-25% ile). I guess all the comments about me being really long, are true. :) At my 6 month check Dr. had told Mom he thought I'd be back in the 50th %ile soon....guess not quite yet. :)

I can sit up all by myself, no problem! And, I went from scooting to crawling! I am ON THE GO!!! I am quick at it too. My little knees are pretty red and mom thought they looked sore but they don't bother me. Everything she read said they'd toughen up. I'm tough anyway, but I'm sure they'll get tougher. I love to climb over Mom and Dad when they lay on the floor.

I even know enough to put my hands out to brace myself going down. I also have mastered going up our step from the living room to the kitchen, and even ALMOST mastered going back down. I rolled off the step once, but it's just one step and not very far, so no big deal...I keep trying!


I got my second bottom, middle tooth. They are pretty cute if I do say so myself, but Mom and Dad are always saying how sharp they are!

I'm still a good sleeper, still doing my 12 hour stretch. I have figured out how to pull myself up to my knees in my crib. Sometimes when Mom or Dad come in to get me I'm kneeling in there peeking out between the slats. Then I give them a big 'ol grin! It makes their day. Naps, I still nap 3-4 times a day. I'm down for 1-2 hours at a time.

Eating, still doing 5 bottles. I get an 8 oz bottle when I wake up and before bed, and then 6 oz the other 3 times. I eat a fruit and a veggie for lunch, and a fruit and a veggie for supper. I still like everything, peas, carrots, green beans, squash, sweet potatoes, apples, pears, peaches, bananas, and I recently tried mangos. They aren't too bad either. I mostly eat home made baby food, but sometimes I get store bought. I like it all. I've also been getting some of the little baby puffs. Mom puts a few on my tray when I'm all done eating. I'm starting to get used to have some texture in my mouth, and they are good for me to practice my fine motor skills, of picking things up with my fingers, rather than my whole hand. I'm getting there.

I went from my baby bath, to the bath chair, to just sittin' in the tub all in the last month. Mom said if we would have had the bath chair sooner we would have used it longer, but I do just fine in there on my own now, and it's fun!

Other accomplishments - I've pulled myself up to a standing position a few times. I really think I'm big when I do that. I think really hard about trying to cruise around things, but haven't yet. I want to though!!

I showed you pictures of my play area already - but that's been really great for me, and Mom and Dad. I have a lot of fun playing in there, and I'm content unless I see Mommy peek in at me, or I hear her close by. Then I get distracted and want out for her to hold me. But, I do play in there for a good 30 minutes at a time.

My puppy still is very entertaining. She tries to get me to play with her sometimes. I love to crawl after her. She moves, but only a few inches at a time. She acts annoyed, but never runs too far, so I think she secretly likes it.

Well, I guess I can't think of anything else big that went on. I continue to grow, and grow.

Thanks for reading, and I'll be sure to let you know of any new developments in my life.

Takin' some heat...

Man, I'm just a baby but there's one thing I've already learned, and it's that you don't mess with Grandma. My Grandma C. and Grandma D. both have given me a little talkin' to about not posting on here. Well now you see it's because they've had me caged in. Just kidding! Really, it's now that I'm crawling all over I have a hard time stopping long enough to use the computer. I think if I just flash them a smile they'll get over it, they are both kind of softies. :)

Well, lets see...what have I been doing. I heard Mom and Dad say how busy I am. Not only am I crawling but I've been caught a few times pulling myself up to stand. The other day mom came in to get me out of my play area and I was standing up holding on to the gate. She just about fell over. I don't know what the big deal is. Last night I was standing holding on to Daddy and I was trying to walk around him. If I can get on the move...I'm going to. Who wants to just sit around? That's boring!

Friday morning Mommy and I went to a toy sale. It was kind of like a garage sale, but it was inside the people's house and WOW, they had A LOT of toys. They were all really nice too, because I think they had so many none of them got played with very often. So...I got some things. My Mom was pretty excited about it. She said we got $200 worth of toys for $50. I got a sled for babies that mom said we can use this winter - I'm kind of anxious to learn what that's all about...winter and snow. Mom said I can wait as long as I can to see snow. I also got a few things to leave at Grandma C. and Grandpa C.'s houses since they don't have many toys there. I got quite a few things, and one thing for when I'm a little older...it's a Bounce and Spin Zebra. Pretty cool!


I can't remember if I told you I've been taking my baths in the big bath tub, without that seat. I get to just splish and splash in the water. It's more fun than I could ever imagine. I love the water. Daddy and I might do a "Parent and Me" swim class at the Y. Mommy has to do some more looking into it, but since she doesn't like the water, or know how to swim...it would be me and dad. I think that would fun for us to do together.

Oh, I got another new toy. I guess this one was supposed to be for Christmas, but Mom and Dad are pushovers and were too excited so they gave it to me right away. (I was surprised too, but it wasn't just Mom...she showed it to Dad still in the box, and he said "I want him to have it now"...but that's all it took) and I got it! It's fun, it cheers for me when I dunk the ball. I do like to have people cheer me on...it makes me smile.


Mom has been taking pictures of me for Christmas. I am quite interested in what this Christmas thing is all about...presents and Santa?!?! Mom told me she LOVES Christmas and I will too. She said that my first Christmas is going to be a big deal to her. She's weird. :)

Well, Grandmas....I hope you've enjoyed this blog and I'll try and slow down a bit more often to post. Love you!



Thanks for reading,
Cohen

What have I been up to?

Well, Friday Daddy took the day off work so we got to spend the whole day with him! It was a lot of fun. We went to Cedar Falls so Daddy could play football with Uncle Brent, Grandpa D. and some other people at the UNI Dome. So...while they played football I got to play with my football at the dome too! I had so much fun crawling around on the field! Here are some pictures.



We had a great day in Cedar Falls but it was a long, full day and we were all really tired when we got home. We got a good nights rest and Saturday had another great day. We didn't go anywhere but I spent a lot of time playing with Daddy while Mommy got to go out and have some shopping time to herself. We all had a good day. Today we spent the day at home. All in all it was a good weekend and now we're gearing up for another week.

My first election....

Well, of course I couldn't officially vote, but I did get an "I Voted" sticker when I went with Mommy. She got one, and I got my very own! I think it's because I flashed a big cheesy grin to the lady handing them out...she couldn't resist. =)

Also, I got a new play area set up at our house. I've gotten to be so quick scooting/crawling, and heading toward everything I shouldn't that Mom and Dad decided to designate a "safe area" where I can just play and they don't have to worry I'm going to bump my head, or pinch my finger, or swallow something I shouldn't...the list goes on and on, but you get the picture. Mom said I can't think I can do totally what I want, they'll still be watching me, but it's just a safe place for me to be. I took over half of our dining room since we never use that room anyway. It's about an 8x8 foot square area, plenty of room to roam around and play with my toys. Mom said maybe in the spring we'll move it to the basement but since it will be cooler down there this winter, we'll keep it upstairs for now. I love it! If you ever come to my house I'll invite you in and we can play!

Mr. Monday....

It's another Monday and we had a great weekend! Mom and I spent one night at Grandma's house, and one night at Grandpa's house. We just hung out around the house so they could see how busy I am, scooting, sitting and playing. Sunday we headed back home early afternoon so I would have some time with Daddy before he had to go back to work today. We don't get to see much of each other during the week, so our weekends are important to us. Last night I was playing with Daddy and I officially CRAWLED! I still prefer to scoot, but I crawl a little here and there.

My other big news is my second bottom, middle tooth is coming in. Mommy can feel the top of it, and can see it. It won't be long and it will join my other one!!

I guess the time changed? Well I didn't know that. Mom says my daily schedule is a little messed up. So, this week we're working on teaching me what time it really is. That means I am going to have to stay up a little longer when I'm tired, get woken up when I'm not quite ready, ugh....doesn't sound fun, but hopefully it doesn't last too long and I'll be back on track.

I hope you had a good weekend and a fun Halloween. I sure did!