where's whit?

best hiding place ever.

pool day

Whitaker and I were invited to enjoy the day at the pool with some great friends today.Whitaker was even nice enough to fully cooperate and take an hour (or more) nap in the stroller while mom soaked in some rays! I could have done a better job with the pictures, but to be honest, I was too relaxed hanging out poolside.

Thanks Mrs. Sue, PacMan and MEC!!!

livin' for the weekend.

It's what we do,Whitaker and i. We live for Saturday and Sunday, when we get Daddy-o all to ourselves! No work, No class! Of course he has to study, but we've been working really hard to get in as much family time in and around his study times as possible. Right now Joel is finishing up bathing and getting Whitaker ready for bed. A little caesar's pizza and movie is waiting for joel and I and I'm already dreading monday morning.

here are some pictures from the week.

rollin' around the backyard
real boys wear floral

10 down and 206 more to go {to be exact}

WOW. i can't believe in two months i'll have a one year old. good news is that i won't have to stop and think when ever some one asks me how old he is (9 months? 9 1/2 months? or 'Almost' 10 months?} Now, I won't even have to answer, but simply give them the pointer finger. hehe.

Whitaker can:
crawl
walk with the help of a cart
walk around furniture
stand holding on with one hand
chomp solid food (good bye jar food)
clap
click with his tongue
say 'ma.ma.ma' and 'da.da.da.' AND 'ba.ba.ba'

Whitaker loves:
balls (well, anything that rolls really)
"walking"
pushing toys across the room
ice cream
chocolate
fruit
pot pie
yogurt
french cut green beans
the outside
swinging
going on walks
making noise
babbling to himself
opening and closing doors/drawers

Whitaker's wearing:
12-18 month shoes
18 month pants
2T shirts
Size 4 diapers

Whitaker cries when:
being put to bed
getting his diaper changed
coming inside from being outside
being told 'no'

I can't believe I only have 2 months left of having an infant. Then toddlerhood.... eek!

ballin' good time

mini vaca :: Cliffside Keep

the beach

Whitaker's first time putting his toes in the sand.

Our Popeye the Sailor Man.
The suit and hat were at the cottage and a must-wear for all beach newbies.

Joel's Great Uncle and Aunt have an adorable cottage off of Lake Erie that we had the chance to visit this past weekend. It was the best 36 hour vacation we have taken, complete with a huge breakfast each morning!!! Whitaker got the chance to put his toes in the sand for the very first time. The bathing suit and hat were from when U.A and A.D. grandkids were pint size. It was such a beautiful place and we can't wait to go back (and hopefully have warmer weather!)

the "itch"

I came across these video's of Whitaker that I took when we were still in the hospital. He wasn't even 24 hours old yet.

This next one was the week we brought him home. Mom and I would just sit on the couch and stare at him. Oh, the joy of falling in love.


Of course, watching them made me get the baby 'itch'. I need to hide these for the next two years. eeek. he was just too cute!
{my cheeks hurt from smiling so much.}

*fab find* Wee Gallery

So I was blog stalking and ran across this site. I'm SOOO excited. The folks at Wee Gallery are kindly letting you download several prints FREE. You can use them as iron-on patches, frame them, the options are limitless. Personally, I plan on framing them. I'm always looking for kiddo-art for Whitaker's room.

Of course, after you download your freebies, make sure to check out the rest of their products. I love their wall graphics, and from what I can see you get a lot for your money!

trial and error

It's amazing that as soon as I became a mom, finding what worked, at the best price, that held up and wouldn't {fade, break and/or dissolve} became an ongoing search. OH! What I have bought that Whitaker or I never used! {it's shameful}. If they had a trial program for all the baby bologna they tell you is essential, I would have joined, even if it had a hefty membership fee. I'm sure I would have stilled saved oodles of cash! {case in point: the bumbo. the kid's thighs never fit in it. plus, what they say may be right- boys just don't like'em}.

NONETHELESS, There are a few thing Whitaker and I can't live without.

1.BABYLEGS! I know, my mother hates them, but I just can't help myself. I just ordered 3 more pairs. They're having a sale on some REALLY cute ones! They're have proved to be more than wonderful now that Whitaker is on his hands and knees wreaking havoc where ever he crawls. I just scrunch them up around his knees and wah-la, fashion forward knee pads!

2.ERGOCARRIER. Love it. Try marching around Target with a 27 lb baby on your hip? My sister and I recently made a trade. My babybjorn for her ergocarrier. Love'em both, so I'd say we're even!

3. NUBY SIP N' GRIP CUP. We rejoiced the day Whitaker could drink from a straw. Super thankful that he loves water and can't get enough. after 3 different brands of sippy cups later, we found a winner! um, we now have them in every {boy} color.

4. BUMBLERIDE Indie All-Terrain Stroller. Been eying this bad boy for a long time. The best part, i got the 2008 model in 2009 for over $100 LESS than the original price. this makes me ADORE this stroller even more! I also was fortunate to grab the a limited edition fabric, soo fun. Back to the pro's- lightest jogging stroller on the market, large basket and bumbleride comes with AMAZING customer service. To my husband this stroller is called my 'gym on wheels'. happy running!

5. MELISSA AND DOUG TOYS. There is something to say about the 'oldies but goodies' toys. 100% wood and finished with non-toxic materials you can help but feel you've bought a toy that will last through the teething/knawing/drooling of a couple kids. Hopefully your own. :) Again, everything is better when you get it for a great deal. I've found several of their toy and puzzles at Marshall's and Gabriel Brothers on clearance {under $5}!

6. PEAR TREE GREETINGS. It's no surprise I love stationary. I also LOVE personalized anything- especially stationary. This company provides original designs, but at an AMAZING price! Christmas cards, birthday invites, birth announcements, you name it- they have it. I've actually already picked out Whitaker's birthday invitations already. I know- a bit early, but I couldn't help myself. I'm soo excited about them!

That's all I've got so far. I'm sure there will be more favorites added to the list as time goes by.

buckle my shoe...

love 'em.

veggies

there is one thing money can't buy you living in an apartment, green space. especially green space with sun. so, in order to take complete advantage of all that my parents beautiful (but small) backyard has to offer, i started a container garden. small as it may be, i'm hoping for a big yield in tomatoes, green peppers, zucchini squash and even watermelon! i can't wait.

she'll be coming around the mountain...

...when she comes!
we got a surprise visit on wedensday from the best aunt west of the PA line.

Summer Salmon

This post is dedicated to Dad and his Wild Copper River Salmon. :) I saw a great tip on grilling (or baking) Salmon one day on Emeril LIVE! and had to share it... So far it's been a hit at our house.
Salt and Pepper the Salmon. Shake some dill on it, then garnish with slices of lemon. Wrap it in foil and bake (or grill). If you are grilling, grill on each side for 5-6 minutes on high heat. Wah-la! Easy-peasy summer meal.

baby talk

So they speak! Well, their own language that is.
We're at a local mexican restaurant, Whitaker is chowing down mexi-rice like a champ and then we here a baby shrieking. The 'let's talk' yell- not the 'i'm hurt' yell. What does Whitaker do, shriek back. The baby shrieks, then Whitaker shrieks. By now baby's mom and I are laughing and giving the 'i'm so sorry' nod. Mind you, this goes on for a solid 5 mintues, AT LEAST. By now the whole corner of the restaurant has picked up what's going on and laughing as well. (not helping the situation. these kids are smart- laughter equals attention).

After I've shoved all the food I had into Whitaker's mouth to somewhat stiffel the shrieking...Joel and I figured it was only fair to introduce ourselves to baby and baby's mom.
Very nice people. 'Baby', aka Devounce (sp?), is delicous. Cutest thing I've ever seen and only 11 days older than Whit.