he's so...

kissable...

huggable...

unbelievable...

everything he does make my heart shine!

(i think that's how that country song goes)

October Home Movies

Who didn't at one point in their childhood turn an old box into a castle, fort or cabin. Mom recently bought a freezer for the basement and Whitaker hasn't stopped playing with the box it came in since. After cutting out a door, windows and peep holes..Wah-La! Whitaker's first fort!

So one of the perks of living in a basement, excuse me "terrace level", is that it will always feel like well, a basement. And in a basement you keep all the really cool big toys. Mom got this little tykes roller coaster for my niece, and Whitaker's finally old enough to enjoy it! Poor kid is going to go in toy shock when we actually move back to reality (aka 2 bedroom shoebox apartment and toys like roller coasters and forts don't fit). Until then, my kid has a roller coaster in my family room and that's OK. :)

One of the things that I neglected to do on Whitaker's 1 yr post is list his stats... so here it is!

Size:
32 inches
28 lbs.
6-7 shoe
5 diaper
18-24m Shirts & Pants

Gross Motor Skills:
Walking
Turning in circles
Getting off the couch/bed on his own
Playground: Slides! He goes down head first.
(this kid is fearless)

Fine Motor Skills:
Turning Pages on Board Books
Learned sign language for 'No More or All Done'
Bring a spoon to his mouth
Doodling with a pen

I'm sure I'm leaving things out- but those are the highlights. It's amazing how each week it's something new! :)

my birthday boy

Thanks to everyone who made the day so special!

*more pictures to come (waiting on the family photographer)

baby brigade

Whitaker and I have managed to be apart of one awesome playgroup (and BIG playgroup for that matter). It's been so wonderful to have an opportunity to meet other first time moms from the church we've been attending as well as have a mid week escape every other week. The top picture is from a BBQ one of the family's hosted one weekend that was loads of fun, rockband included! The bottom picture is actually almost all the babies, minus one. We call ourselves the baby brigade.

cheese!

you can't get any cheesier.

Whitaker has officially been conditioned smile when the camera comes out. The funny thing is, it's only when I bring MY camera out that things can get really cheesy! :)

fantastic sams

A baby's first hair cut is kinda a big deal.
Thanks Lucy for doing such a great job!

tunnel.tastic.

I picked up this tunnel for a nickel and some change and gee whiz, has Whitaker enjoyed it! I almost want to list it as a fab find!

where's whit?

best hiding place ever.

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

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.}

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.

sweet fun in the sun

This was Whit's first time in the pool. ever. A kind friend let us borrow their float and Whitaker just maxed and relaxed while I pulled him around. Here he is with one of his girl friends from our play group. so fun.

home movie.

the evidence.