Christams in NJ

Playing with all his cousins and Pop Pop

Trying on Nicole's shoes

Christmas!

Michael got a lawnmower from Momma and Seedo for Christmas.

Opening presents with Uncle Joe.

Presents!

Today Aunt Chrissy came over and we opened presents before we all left for Maryland. We also had a big Christmas dinner.

A new fleece from Aunt Chrissy!

Some new pajamas too!

Baking Cookies

Today Aunt Chrissy came over and we baked tons of Christmas cookies. Michael thought they were yummy!

Michael is helping me get out the cookie cutters.

We had an ice storm last night. Everything is covered except the roads strangely. I took Michael to a birthday party at Pump It Up today. He had a blast.

Here is our newly decorated Christmas tree!

Michael's Surgery

We had to be at the hospital at 6:30 so we were up early. We got to valet park (free for day surgery patients) and then went to the waiting room. We were there for about 45 minutes while we waited to register etc. Michael had a great time playing and even learned a new word "fish" as there was a big fish tank. After that we went to pre-op where we got our own curtain area. There were toys in there and we were also next to the play area in that area which was really nice. Michael did not like having his blood pressure, pulse ox, temp taken at all. You would have thought we were trying to kill him. Though when they weighed him we did find out he has gained almost 2 pounds since his last appt a month and a half ago. So we just waited there for a while and Michael played. Our doctor ran abut an hour behind so we were there for a while. Michael got fussy so I walked him around. Then there was a lady whose whole job it was to make sure the kids were happy so she came over and gave Michael a pinwheel which he loved. About 20 minutes before his surgery he got a little cocktail of a sedative and tylenol. That made him loopy and relaxed so it wasn't a problem when the surgeon came over to mark the right side etc. Then they wheeled him back. He didn't even notice they were taking him away for us. That made it much easier to me. Then Glenn and I went to post op where we were assigned our own little room. We got some breakfast out of the vending machines (where are the Tastycakes when you need them?) Then we just watched tv until the surgeon came to talk to us when it was done. It was only about 30 minutes. About 30 minutes after that Michael came in from recovery. I could hear him crying as they brought him down the hall. He got to sit in my lap and have a cup of pedialyte. Then about 40 minutes later we got to go home. It was really sad to see all the kids at the hospital with much worse problems than Michael. I am so greatful for being so blessed.

Snuggling with Daddy at home after surgery.

Day of Surgery

This is Michael about 5 hours after his surgery eating a chicken nugget.

Pop Pop's Birthday Party

Michael and Pop Pop the day before we left. We had just gotten back from Pop's birthday dinner.

A gift...

Here is Michael playing with an incredibly loud and, quite frankly, annoying present that he got from Uncle Bruce. It sings "Jump Jump" by Kriss Kross (remember that one?!) and does the coordinating dance moves. Unfortunately, Michael has figured out how to make it sing on it's own.

Helping out

Look at Michael helping Seedo rake leaves.

Ah-um...

This Michael's favorite new thing to do when eating. I decided to join in.

Resting

Mommy and Michael resting after a long hard day.

I'm Famous!

Michael is now in the iVillage photo gallery. Check it out: http://parenting.ivillage.com/baby/babyphotos/0,,8dmfms75-13,00.html

My new trick

Michael just figured out that he can sit on this. He hasn't quite figured out that he can push himself around yet.

Look what else Michael figured out he can do.

ooh, what does this button do?

Me and Michael on the train. Michael loved the train but cried on the Carousel.

Heather, Madilyne and James on the train.

Our Trip to the Zoo

James cracking Michael up by drinking out of a water bottle. Silly kid.

We went to the zoo today with Heather, Madilyne and James. Michael showed way more interest in the animals here than in DC. He also was very amused by James and called him his "buddy".

James, Michael, and Madilyne playing on the Kimodo Dragon outside the reptile house.

Madilyne and Michael holding hands.

A scrap I did of our trip to the Outer Banks.

A week in Maryland

Well, since it rained the entire time and Michael and I had colds, our activities were limited. We checked out Arundel Mills (where it turns out we narrowly missed running into Emily and Drew), the new Target in Rockville, and even found a dress for me to wear to Katz's wedding. Thursday we were planning on going to the zoo but the weather forcast was wrong and it was raining once again. We went to the only McDonalds in the area with an inside playplace. It was crazy in there will all the other kids who were stir crazy from being inside. But Michael is so fearless he didn't care and with the help of another kid, went right up the stairs and into the tubes.

Friday the weather finally broke and we made it to the zoo. Michael liked the elephants best. All the other animals he wasn't that interested in.

I wish I had pictures of our trip but I forgot my camera. Hopefully Joe and Mom will get me some of theirs soon.

Up to New Jersey

Today Michael and I drove to Berlin to see Gram and Pop Pop. We had so much fun watching the Eagles game and ate Scott's pizza. Michael had a blast playing chase with Aunt Lisa under the kitchen table and playing with the truck Uncle Greg bought him.

Up, up and away

Michael and I had to get up very early to catch our flight because it was at 7:30am. Michael was an angel on the flight and slept for half of it. Momma and Seedo met us at the airport and took us to their house. After some lunch we did some shopping then headed back to the house for dinner.

That night didn't go as well. Michael didn't go to sleep until 11pm and then was up for two hours at 12, then up again at six and finally up for the day at 8:30.

Cranky, cranky

Here's my cranky baby. He was watching Jack's Big Music Show on Noggin when I took this picture. It's one of his favorites. You can also see his taggie which he takes everywhere with him as of this week. He has become really attached to it .

All Smiles

One of Glenn's co-workers is moving so he's cleaning out and Michael is reaping all the benefits. Here he is with some new stuffed animals. He also got some cool cars and a playdoh set.

A trip to Atlanta

Saturday we went down to Atlanta so see Chrissy. We walked to the park so Michael could play and then went and had a great Italian dinner.

That's high...

What's in there?

Playing...

My birthday page...

Here's a scrapbook page that I did for Michael's birthday (I am a bit behind)

Guess what I learned....

Today Michael figured out two things. First, he can take he socks off. He took them both off and then kept waving them in the air screaming "Dee, Dee!" Maybe that means, Mom look what I did. Also, he learned he can stand on one foot, holding on to something of course. He just stands there and lifts his leg up in the air. I tried my best to get a picture but of course everytime he sees that thing coming he stops what he is doing.

In other news, molar #4 is on it's way out and is causing some major distress. Michael is not a happy camper which means neither is mommy.

My first booboo

Michael got his first skinned knee today. I'm sure it's the first of many. He fell trying to run down the sidewalk at the playground. He was brave though and only uttered a few sniffles.

Allergy?

Michael had a reaction to something he ate for dinner. Probably because he smeared it all over his face.

Big Foot!

We got Michael's feet checked today since we were at the mall. They were a 6W! He has grown out of his shoes once again in less then two months. Above is a pic of his new shoes.

Michael and his Friend

Today Michael's friend Cameron came over to play while his mommy went to a meeting. They had tons of fun playing together. Then they got to see each other again in the afternoon at playgroup.

Three molars

Michael has three molars that have broken through but are not completely out yet. The two on top and the bottom left. So we are just waiting for the other one on the bottom. I hope he's through with this soon.

Gimmie That!

Michael desperately wants a camera.

Hard Rock Cafe

Today was a big day. First we went to the Scientific Games company picnic which was at Lake Lanier Islands Waterpark. Michael had a blast playing in the kiddie area and even the big wave pool. Then we headed downtown to the Hard Rock Cafe to meet Anthony who was in town for the big Eagles/Falcons game. Michael was soooo good at dinner.

Big Boy Jammies

Here's Michael in his new big boy pajamas doing his favorite thing, trying to put something big into a little hole.

Labor Day BBQ

Today we went for a BBQ at the Schorr's house. Michael had fun playing with Aliza and Caitlyn. He ate so much food we couldn't believe it: chips, a hot dog, 5 pieces of cantaloupe, a piece of honeydew and a brownie to top it off!

oooh...flowers

Here he is checking out the petunias and marigolds in Mommy's garden

Look at my ball!

Michael was playing with his ball outside with Daddy.

Michael's Hard Hat

Michael has taken to wearing his hard hat all the time.

In other news, we got to spend about 15 minutes in the basement when the tornado sirens went off. Hurricane Katrina gave us some bad weather.

I Get to Help Again

Here is Michael helping Daddy wash the truck. We were smarter this time and put a swim diaper on.

Naptime

Michael and Madisan taking a nap.

Michael Washes the Car

Michael loves water so he jumped at the opportunity to help Daddy wash the car.

Try This Daddy!

Michael's newest thing is to try and make his Daddy and me eat everything that he likes to chew on. However, we are not as fond of plastic farm animals as he is.

Am I a redneck?

I'm ready for a ho-down!