A New Year, A New Perspective

As you may remember, Mommy was helping me practice my sitting up skills in hopes that I could sit up on my own to open my Christmas presents. Well, that didn't happen. No matter how hard I tried I would slide forward, lurch backward, or topple to the side. Don't worry...the Bumbo seat came to the rescue for Christmas.

Well I decided I was tired of being on my back or tummy all the time. And just in time for the new year, I finally figured out how to balance my big coconut (as Mommy calls it). Now I just love sitting down to play with my toys and just to look around at the world.

Penguin bowling is fun this way...

But it's even more fun like this!


Linus and I had a staring contest; I won.

Goofy face

Look how straight I can sit up!

Happy New Year!

Okay, okay, so it's a few days late. Listen, folks. I am still not feeling well, and I thought I would be nice and share my cold with Mommy. It turns out that maybe that's not such a nice thing to share. Anyway, here's my new year's blog...better late than never.

Actually, not much to blog about. When the clock struck midnight and 2009 began, I was fast asleep in my crib. Not even the fireworks could awake me from my deep slumber.

On New Year's Day, we went to see Grandma and Grandpa Marshall and Aunt Lindsey. Grandma said when I'm older I will have to eat cabbage each New Year's. Supposedly it will bring you money that year. I didn't have any this year, but I did have zucchini...yum!

I am looking forward to the new year. Mommy says all kinds of exciting things will happen this year. I'll get teeth. I'll learn to crawl and walk. I'll have my first birthday, too! How exciting! And I might actually get rid of this silly cold this year!

I get around...

...my crib, that is!

I'm continuing to entertain Mommy and Daddy with my crib antics. I thought I'd share some of them with you.

Oh, and can someone tell Mommy that the sleep positioner and crib pad are not really working anymore.

Merry Christmas! Part 2: The Un-Merry Part

Well folks, it's time for the not-so-good news. I'm pretty sick. I really never got over that cold I got last month. For the last 2 weeks, I've been feeling worse than ever. This cough keeps me up all night, and then I'm tired all day. Despite all the excitement and presents, I was pretty miserable yesterday. I had a fever. And for the last few days, I haven't even really felt much like eating.

It was back to the doctor today. She was not happy when she listened to my chest with the stethoscope. She said I was wheezing. No wonder I'm so exhausted. I'm having to work a lot harder to get the air in when I breathe. I got a breathing treatment at the office which made me feel a little better. Mommy and Daddy are going to keep giving the treatments to me until I feel better. I also had another RSV test which was negative. And I had to get an x-ray. I was very good and stayed still while they took the pictures of my chest.

As if that's not enough, I have another ear infection to top it all off!

So I guess you're wondering why? Why am I always sick? Well, it's just one of those things that goes with being a baby. Mommy said I have to get sick so that I can build up my immunities. Also, the doctor thinks that because I have reflux and spit up so often that it causes me to stay congested and more susceptible to these things.

I am trying hard to be a trooper through it all so that Mommy won't worry too much. I give her as many smiles and laughs as I can muster. I even ate all her homemade yellow squash for lunch.

Sigh...hopefully I'll have better news for you next time.

Merry Christmas!

Well folks, I made it through my very first Christmas! And what an eventful couple of days it has been. I have so much to tell you. Unfortunately, it's not all good. How about I split it up? This will be the good post and then I'll write a not-so-good post.

I guess I must be psychic. Somehow I just knew I was in for a lot of excitement so I took a rare 3-hour nap on Christmas Eve morning. After I woke up and had my lunch it was off to Aunt Alice's house. Caleigh helped me open some presents. I gave Aunt Alice some presents of my own...I spit up on her rug and kitchen counter. Sorry!


Then it was off to Grandma and Grandpa Marshall's house. I had fun visiting, but got tired again as you can see here:


Before we went home, Mommy made me pose for a picture in my special Christmas outfit.


When we finally got home, it was way past my bedtime. I went right to sleep. Mommy told me that Santa Claus was going to come that night. I think I heard some rustling outside of my room around 6 in the morning. Maybe he was running late.

When I got out bed, Mommy was really excited. She told me Santa had left a bunch of presents for me. There were also presents from Mommy and Daddy as well as Nannie Toni too! Here are some highlights from the present-opening extravaganza.




Whoa, look at the size of this one!


Thanks Nannie Toni! I love my new stage. Here's my singing face.


Next we went to see G.G. and Grandpa Rick. Guess what? Santa Claus was at their house! He didn't have much to say, but he had lots of toys for me!




After visiting with everyone including Aunt Jackie, "Uncle" Harold, and Uncle Robbie, it was back to Grandma and Grandpa Marshall's. I had asked Grandpa to get me a pet dinosaur, and he did!


When we finally made it back home, Parrain and Aunt Kristi were waiting for me. Unfortunately I had fallen asleep in the car, so Mommy and Daddy opened up all my presents from them.

Boy, I loaded up this Christmas. I got tons of toys, books, and clothes. Mommy said in six months it will be my birthday and I'll get to do this all over again. Wow!

My Very Own Wheels!

Before I was even born, G.G. and Grandpa Rick bought me my first set of wheels. Up until now, I was too young to really enjoy it. Now, I just love my car. Maybe Mommy will let me try it out on the road soon!

Jekyll Hyde Marshall

Mommy calls me that a lot because I can go from very happy to very mad in a matter of seconds. Let me share these pictures and video with you to demonstrate:

12-17-2008 6:02PM

12-17-2008 6:11PM

Look people, it's hard work being this cute! When I get tired, I let everyone know how I feel.

My Magic Trick

Yesterday morning I made Mommy laugh. When she came in my room to get me, she saw that I had snuck into the bottom corner of my crib. And to top it off, I had my lovey which we keep in the top corner of the crib. Only I know how both me and my toy ended up at the bottom, and I'm not telling!

This morning I gave an encore performance. This time when she came in, I had rolled over and was pushing myself up with my arms.

Hmmm...I wonder what I'll do tomorrow. Any suggestions?

Tyrannosaurus Lex?

This past weekend I got to spend lots of time with my Nannie Toni and cousin, Alexa, who were in from Virginia. Boy, that Alexa sure likes to put on a show.

She even calmed me down from a crying spell with her wonderful Christmas songs.

My Half Birthday!

That's right folks: I'm officially half a year old! Yesterday I went to the doctor for my check-up. I was such a big boy; I hardly even cried for my shots...and there were THREE of them! Here are my latest stats: I'm 17 pounds and 14 ounces which is at the 50th percentile. I'm 27 1/2 inches long which is nearly at the 90th percentile! Mommy doesn't know where I got the tall genes from.

Here's a picture Mommy snapped on my half birthday. She wants me to be sitting up by myself by Christmas. I'm working on it!

Goodbye Aunt Kim

Yesterday, God decided to turn my Great Aunt Kim into an angel. She had been sick for a very long time. Mommy says that she will be my guardian angel and always look out for me from Heaven.

I'm glad I got to know Aunt Kim, even if it was only for six months. Wherever she is, I want to let her know I'm sorry that I was always grumpy every time we went to her house to visit.

Mommy says I may not remember her much when I'm older, but she promises to tell me lots of stories. She said she was an amazing person. She was generous and always thinking of others before herself. She was loved by many and will be missed greatly.

Rest peacefully Aunt Kim. I couldn't ask for a better angel to watch over me.

This is way better than bananas!

I'm a hungry litte dinosaur!

Hi guys! I know it's been a while since you heard from me...I was still recovering from that turkey leg. Just kidding! Honestly, I just haven't had much to tell you. But I figured I'd better not leave you hanging for too long.


I've come a long way since my first days into the world of solid foods. At first, I hated it (remember my poem). But now, I really like to eat. In fact, I'm up to three meals a day! When we sit down to eat, I have my mouth open and waiting even before Mommy has the food on the spoon!


Every day I have a bowl of rice cereal for breakfast. I just started eating lunch last week. I have a veggie at lunch. I really like Mommy's homemade veggies! So far I've tried acorn squash, butternut squash, pumpkin, carrots, sweet potatoes, avocados, peas, and green beans. They are all so yummy! At dinner time I was having cereal and veggies, but now we are trying something called fruit. On Friday, I had my first fruit...bananas. Whoa, they were really sweet. Mommy kept trying to sneak in bites of banana in between my spoonfuls of oatmeal. I wouldn't know what was coming next and whether I should open my mouth or not. I had bananas again on Saturday and Sunday, but I'm still not sure if I like them. Mommy says we'll give them one more try tonight.

Gobble Gobble Goo

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

So, today was my first Thanksgiving. I spent the day with Daddy's family. I had so much fun.

Grandpa and I played together, and he gave my toy turtle a name: Slowski.

Aunt Lindsey volunteered to change my stinky diaper. I don't think she's ever changed a diaper before....she put it on backwards. Next time, we'll have to label the front and back for her.

Grandma Mary gave me a big turkey leg to munch on:

Okay, that wasn't my real meal. After the photo-op, I got my real Thanksgiving dinner: green beans and sweet potatoes- yummy!

And, of course, I got to watch a lot of football. I just love watching football on TV!

All in all, it was a great day for everyone. Mommy says that we are very thankful to have family to share times like this with.

Breaking Free

So, last night was the very first night in my entire life so far that I slept without being wrapped tight in my special swaddle blankets. I did pretty well.

I went to bed a little after 7 as usual. I woke up at 2 AM, and I was a little confused. Then I remembered that I was wearing my big boy sleep sack instead of the swaddle blanket, and I fell right back to sleep. Then I woke up at 4AM. I had been sleeping later than that the last few nights, but I guess with things being a little different it will take me a few nights to adjust. I was tired and forgot why I wasn't wrapped up tight as usual so I whined a little bit. After a while Mommy came in to give me my pacifier and a kiss, but that didn't help much. Finally at 5 AM, Daddy came in with a bottle. That was just what I needed! I went back to sleep until 7 AM.

I think I like my arms being free when I sleep. Now I can get to my fingers to chew on them! Mommy is happy, too. She said that I did much better than she thought I would and that she is very proud of me. She said it's a little bittersweet that I'm growing up so much. She said that I won't be her little papoose anymore.

Mommy's keeping her fingers crossed!

Why? Because it seems that I have finally decided I don't need a bottle at three in the morning anymore. Yep, it all started on Friday night. I was so comfy and cozy, I decided not to wake Mommy and Daddy up until six in the morning. Yep, I slept for 10 3/4 hours straight! And I've been sleeping well ever since. Mommy hopes I keep it up...I haven't decided yet, but maybe if I do it will show Mommy and Daddy how much I love them.

Mommy told me I'm getting to be a big boy now, and big boys don't need to be swaddled to go to bed. So tonight is the test run. For the first time ever, I'm going to sleep without my swaddle blanket. I'll let you know how it goes.

Oh, and since you're reading this, I thought I would ask you if you could pass along a message to Santa Claus for me. Could you tell him that I updated my Amazon wish list? Maybe you could also tell him about some other stuff I could use. I'm eating lots now, so I could use some more plastic feeding bibs. I'm growing fast, too, and I could use some more 9 months-size clothes, especially sleepers. And, of course, I would never say no to some toys!

A Rotten Weekend

Well folks, I learned something new this weekend. I learned what a cold is, and I don't ever want one of these things again! I had just gotten better from my ear infection, and Thursday I started coming down with this cold thing. All weekend I've been coughing. Mommy keeps sucking snot out of my nose...I HATE the snot sucker! I've been trying to be brave for Mommy and Daddy and give them all the smiles and laughs I can muster. We even got my Christmas pictures taken yesterday, and I smiled for the camera. Today, my mood wasn't so great, though. Mommy and Daddy weren't in a good mood either because they caught my cold, too! Yep, we're all sick in my house. Mommy and I took a good, long nap together and I felt a little better. The doctor said it's normal for me to keep getting sick and that Mommy shouldn't worry. I just hope this cold goes away soon and that I stay well for a long time after!

In other news, tonight at dinner time there was a new color in my bowl, GREEN! I'd been eating lots of orange food: sweet potatoes, squash, carrots. I thought that maybe all food was that color. Nope, today I had my first taste of avocado. It was okay, but I wasn't really feeling up to eating because of my cold, so I didn't finish it all. I ate most of it, though. Here is a picture of my adventures in carrot-eating from yesterday.

High Five!

So, guess what guys? I'm FIVE months old! Mommy told me to slow down because I'm growing too fast. I turned five months old on Monday. I also had to go to the doctor on Monday to get my ears checked. The doctor says they are all better! I got weighed while I was there, and I'm up to 16 pounds and 9 ounces! I was wearing my clothes when they weighed me so I might be a little less...but not for long.

Latest in the eating news: I LOVE butternut squash. It's so yummy; Mommy just can't get it in fast enough so I grab the spoon and try to help. I think tonight we're going to try something new. The only problem with me eating real food is that now my spit-up is orange and is staining my bibs and clothes. Any stain remover suggestions for Mommy?

Mommy and Daddy also figured out the secret trick to my night sleeping. I usually go to bed at 7, and by 3 or 4 in the morning I would get soooo hungry. Mommy and Daddy are pretty sleepy at that time so I don't think they appreciate being woken up by my screaming. They finally figured it out though. Since Saturday, Daddy has been coming to my room at 10:30 to give me a bottle. I don't even really wake up all the way, but I drink it down. Now I don't wake up until about 5:30 or 6 in the morning. Daddy comes to get me ready and give me another bottle, and by 6:30 Mommy and I are headed out for the day. It works out perfectly and we are all much happier in the morning. This morning, I greeted Mommy with my favorite gurgling sound. Now, we just need to work on nap time.

Well, that's been my week so far. Mommy says she will be putting up some new pictures on photobucket in the next couple of days.

You are what you eat

So that must mean I'm a sweet potato!


Yep, that's right, I ate my first vegetable. Let's back up a bit. If you recall, I was giving Mommy a hard time with eating cereal. This week I started eating it at daycare, and it turns out, cereal is not so bad if I get it in the morning! I still won't eat it in the evening with Mommy though.

A couple weeks ago, we had tried some sweet potatoes. They were okay, but I really wasn't in the mood with my ear hurting and all. Since I won't eat cereal in the evenings, Mommy decided to try sweet potatoes again on Thursday. I wasn't too sure about it, but I ate most of them without a fuss. Then last night, I had them again, and I finished the whole bowl! Well, minus what got left on my bib. I think I like sweet potatoes! Oh, and by the way, these are Mommy's homemade sweet potatoes...yum, yum!


I licked the spoon



and chewed the spoon




Mommy, I wanna hold it!



Who ate more, me or my bib?

I did...did you?

This morning Mommy, Daddy, and I all went to VOTE. Ok, well maybe I just watched Mommy vote, but today will go down in history as my first election. Everyone at the precinct had to stop and tell me how cute I was. I bet if they had to vote on who the most cute baby is, I would win hands down!