10 and 2

Andrew loves riding in his red car! It's so funny how he never takes his little hands off the steering wheel! These were taken tonight before we went out to dinner. Andrew has amazed me the past 2 days...he recognizes so many words now. If I saw where's the fan- he looks up at it, where's your books- he goes straight to his basket of books, where's your dinosaur- goes right to the toy dinosaur. And I swear he said hi and yeah today! Also, he loves to open the cabinet with the movies in it and pull them out 1 by 1, and every time he pulls them out until he gets a certain movie case- Baby Einstein, Baby's First Moves. He will throw all the others out until he gets that one, then crawl away with it and carry it everywhere. I got it on video today because Chad doesn't believe me. My boy is smart!

Update

No new pictures right now- I have been trying to take some, but Andrew won't be still long enough! Andrew just got his 7th tooth and started whole milk. He doesn't seem to be able to tell the difference with the milk, but is ticked off that I took away the bottle and paci. Well, kind of, he only gets a bottle a night time, and he only gets the paci and lovy when sleeping- they stay in the crib. He is a lot fussier without them- and so I am! The magazine with his picture in it came out yesterday, and I am sooooo proud!! We went to eat lunch today at the Purple Daisy- just Andrew and I, and the waitresses were going nuts over how cute he was. They had the magazine at the front of the store so I told them to look on page 23 when we were leaving, and they all had a fit!! I am so proud of my handsome boy!! Oh yeah, something that really made me mad today that I have to vent about. When we got there to eat, I said I would need a highchair. They said they only had 1 highchair, and it was already being used, and I said well I guess I'll just let him sit in my lap- which anyone with a 11 month old can imagine how difficult this would be. They asked the couple using the highchair if they would give it up- since they just had it upside down with an infant carrier in it, and they said no. Really, you are going to be that rude? This is what I was thinking- they could have put the infant carrier on a chair or the table. Anyways I sat right next to them, and I hope they felt bad watching my child yank my plate off the table a million times, throw fits- arching his back wanting out of my lap, and just really making everyone's lunch experience stressful. I kept thinking, this sandwich better be damn good......and it was!!!!!!!!!! Who only has 1 highchair anyways???

Discovery Museum

Maggie and I took Kate and Andrew to play at the Discovery Museum today. Andrew loved looking at himself in the mirror...I would too if I was that cute!! Maggie had to get a picture of him chewing on my shoe. She said "of all these toys in here he has to play with he chose to eat your shoe!!"

A Date With Kate!!

Andrew and Kate had lots of fun playing in the car and kitchen. Andrew loves eating play food for some reason! He also loves playing on slides!

Mommy Who??

I took Andrew to an indoor playground for the first time today. He had so much fun, and I really enjoyed watching him! It is so weird watching my son play on his own. I guess some of it's because I am an overprotective mother who never lets my child out of my sight, leaves him with a sitter or takes him to any daycare-mother's day out. I was so proud watching him, and also a little sad because he didn't need or want me around. Well, that sadness only lasted until he came crying to me at the end and bit my shoulder!! Anyways, it's very odd seeing your child out of their element......and I am sure he will be sick in 72 hours since I have kept him in a bubble for a year!!

Slip and Slide

Andrew had the best time going down this slide- on his own! As soon as he came down it, he wanted to go again. He kept trying to climb up it, but once I showed him the right way to get back up, he did it all on his own. So BIG!!

Peek A Boo!

There was a 4 year old little girl who befriended Andrew and I, and she kept playing Peek a Boo with Andrew in the window of this little house. He was most interested in trying to bite her face!

Playin' On My Own!

Here's Andrew crawlin' around, being a boy, and doing his own thing!! I was so proud to see him crawl off on his own and play without me. He isn't ever this independent at home, so I am so glad I got him out to play around other kids!

11 Months Today!

Andrew got into his baby keepsake box from his closet today and pulled out his baby hat from when he was in the hospital. I thought it would be funny to put it on him to see how big his head is now, an is was hilarious!! He looked so funny but wouldn't keep it on- I had to let him chew on the A&D ointment (which is his favorite thing but I only let him have it when I'm desperate because he eats it). It's amazing how much my little man has grown. It made me think that I need to quit complaining about how hard he is now and just enjoy it since one day he'll be gone :(

9 Month Pics....He's 11 months now

These are Andrew's 9 month pictures that he had done at the photographer.....I could never take any this good! The photographer said the first picture is one of her favorites she has ever taken, and she is using it for her add in Blush magazine....a local magazine here in Chattanooga, located in most restaurants and stores! Our little model! Andrew says that autographs will be available after kindergarten!!!

New Developments

Sorry, no new pictures right now. Andrew has a big bruise from head banging in the crib so I am waiting for that to go away! I do want to let everyone know that he is getting his 6th tooth in and pooped in the bathtub for the very first time. This was very disturbing for Chad and I both and I would rather not go into details. Those of you with children can understand! Also, my sweet nephew Merrick is starting kindergarten TOMORROW...Oh my gosh!! And those of you close to me can probably remember the day he was born just like I can, and it really seems like yesterday. I think I am so emotional about this because it makes me realize that in no time.....my little boy will be there too :( Merrick is super excited though and more than ready- he is already the smartest kid in his class!!

My Best Friend!!

Andrew is becoming more and more fun every day. He is learning so many new things- It's really amazing. He actually played Peek a Boo with me for the first time the other night! He covered his face up with the blanket and would pull it down for me to say Peek a Boo- So cute!! He loves suspense and waiting for me to chase after him, tickle him, and he gets so excited he usually squeals before I even get to him. I can't believe how much he smiles and laughs now- he's not the same serious baby that he used to be. I guess his silly mom is lightening him up- Now I just have to work on Daddy!!..... Kidding! By the way- this is an outfit my sister's friend Stacy bought Andrew before he was even born, and I remember thinking, my baby won't fit into that outfit for forever.......well forever is here :( But he looks adorable in it!!

Up to No Good

This blog is meant in no way to diminish how wonderful my little boy is...Only to let everyone know what a little stinker he has become! Andrew has developed a few new habits-hobbies. He loves to play in the trash, it doesn't matter what room we are in. He goes straight to the trashcan, pulls up on it and empties it out-turns in over. He loves to play with all contents in trashcans- including diapers! He pulls as much of the toilet paper off of the roll until I catch him, then shreds it into tiny pieces...in every bathroom. He loves to open slam door shut then bang on them and scream because he can't get them back open. He especially likes to open (and close) all of the cabinets in the kitcken, bathroom, and bonus room, and pull all of the contents out! He pulls my hair constantly and rips my glasses off if he sees them anywhere near my face. He has started biting me and everything in his way. He will come up to me, throw his arms around me, lay his head on my shoulder, then sink all 5 teeth into my shoulder- feels great! He also throws his face into the couch, pillows, his lovy and bites down and moves his head from side to side like a puppy. He seems frustrated when he does this so I'm not sure if it's teething or just ATTITUDE. He came up to me twice today and just bit me on the leg for no reason! He grinds his top and bottom teeth together and it is the worst sound ever...I think this is just because he has discovered he can do it! He also bangs his head really hard in the crib- so hard that he has a goose egg and blue bruise on his forehead after nap this afternoon. I can hear him hitting his head from downstairs- What to Expect the First Years said this can be normal behavior. I know it sounds like I am complaining, but I am actually glad he is healthy and can do all of these things. I always wanted a little boy, and I definitely have a kid who is ALL BOY! He is a handful, but it's giving me so much pleasure watching him grow up and explore everything around him!

Good Times!!

Andrew and I went to Nashville this week because Chad had to work late every night and we were missing our family!! We stayed with Aunt Adrienne...who made us breakfast, lunch and dinner, cleaned up after all of our messes, washed our bottles, put up with our early morning wake ups and made us feel welcome the whole time!! And, Uncle Charlie was on vacation from work and had to spend the whole time with his sister-in-law and fussy nephew!! We had a great trip- Andrew tried lots of new foods, played with lots of new toys, got lots of hugs and kisses, and was beat up by his cousin McKenzie on several occasions!! We also went ahead and flipped his carseat around to forward facing- Bad Mommy- to try and make the trip more bearable.....didn't work!!

Swing Time

We took the kids to the park- so the adults could get out of the house! Andrew and McKenzie could have stayed in the swings until the sun went down, but the Mommy's were not liking the heat! See Andrew waving in the top picture?