Thursday, January 29

Today was an exciting day. The ice is starting to melt, and we got out to play! First, I had playgroup. We finally got a picture with Greta. She is most interactive, and I have a lot of fun sharing toys, actually grabbing toys, back and forth with Greta. After playgroup, we scurried off to another playdate, meeting Luke at Monkey Business. My favorite activity there was this big cyclinder-shaped ball that I rolled over top of. Another, bigger boy called it a jelly bean! Needless to say, I was ready for my afternoon nap when we finally got home, and I slept for almost three hours.

Tuesday, January 27

Our first snow! I enjoyed waking up to look out our window at all covered in white. And, I continued to look out trying to figure what was going on outside. After lunch, I got all bundled up and ventured into the snow. I tried out my sled (see video), which I think I liked until the snow started blowing into my face and snowflakes caught on my eye lashes. In total for the day, we only got a few inches but with more to fall tonight. Perhaps my mom will get another snow day tomorrow!

Saturday, January 25

Today we went to the Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, out at Dulles Airport. While so many planes, helicopters, and space crafts to look at, I was more interested in all of the other kids and babies strolling about. It was a great outing as a few and random snow flurries fell from the sky. Still holding out for that big snowstorm! My mom actually bought me snow pants the other day in hopeful anticipation! In the meantime, we are trying to beat ol' man Winter with quick field trips between my naptimes.

Tuesday, January 20

Happy Inauguration Day! Though we sit just a few miles away, we are opting to stay inside and watch the Inauguration from the warmth of our uncrowded home. There is so much excitement in town, that there is a bit of me wanting to witness this historic day first hand. But, alas, I am just a baby, so the closest I am getting to Obama today is my mom as his stand-in (see photo). I am excited for the next four years, perhaps eight years, and all that we can achieve in this wonderful country. These are the years that will define my childhood, and I am hopeful of what is to come.

Monday, January 19

My mom finally caught a photo of my latest trick: my "So Big!" pose. Though I do not do it on demand, I do it often. And, whenever I raise my locked hands, everyone gets excited and exclaims, "Will is so big!" Ah, once again, it is the simplest things that amuse my loved ones! In the meantime, we have been getting a bit of cabin fever. Despite the cold temps, we try to take short trips outside or to the indoor shopping mall down the street. Otherwise, I stare longingly out our front window. Is it too early to start thinking spring?

Tuesday, January 13

Did I mention that I like to carry things around in my mouth?

More Sunday, January 11

Despite a bleak weekend weather-wise, we tried the make the most of it. Today we took a field trip to Gulf Branch Nature Center, here in Arlington. I got to see lots of creatures, including turtles, snakes, fish, a lizard, an owl, and honey bees. I also sat in a Native American carved boat, and we took a short hike. Earlier today, I enjoyed some time with my dad and his guitar. One of these days soon, I hope to get my own guitar. It was a great day to turn nine months old.

Sunday, January 11

Happy Birthday to me! Nine months! Where did the time go? It has been a fun month, full of activities surrounding the holidays. At the start of my ninth month, I had a wonderful schedule that we are finally resuming. However, the holidays were a welcome distraction, and I had a wonderful time visiting friends and family. I now have my bottom two teeth, and as I have previously mentioned, I enjoy food. However, I still prefer foods that come out of jars, and I am slowly graduating to chunkier foods. However, one of my favorites is a freshly smushed banana. I also enjoy eating out and am really good in a restaurant's high chair. Usually, a bagel will keep me busy while my parents eat. In addition to one of my favorite activities of eating (which can also be a tiring activity, see second picture below), I am quite the investigator. I love to explore other parts of the house, and I closely examine toys by turning them over to see what is underneath and on the sides. I got lots of new toys for Christmas that keep me busy pushing buttons, making noises, and moving around. Often, you will find me carrying a smaller toy around in my mouth. I also pull up on just about everything and am usually good about gingerly lowering myself back to the floor to only pull myself up once again. And, I think my parents will agree, that I continue to be just a happy, little kid. At my recent nine-month doctor's appointment I measured at 29 inches and weighed in at only 19 lbs. and one ounce. That is a small weight gain in the last few months, though the doctor did not seem worried. I eat plenty and am pretty active, and lean-ness runs in the family. And, if you saw me sitting in my bath tub with my belly hanging out, you may be surprised that I am a mere nineteen pounds. All in all, my ninth month was a jolly one!

Saturday, January 10

Just thought I would share a little music video that my mom put together during my morning nap instead of grading all of those papers. It features my cruising skills! (Many thanks to Brenna and Fin for inspiring us to do a video!)

Wednesday, January 7

I had quite the energetic day! I have been exploring more and more of my house lately. I recently discovered that there is a doorway off of my living room that leads to hallways with more doors to enter and places to explore. My favorite is to go back and forth between my mom and dad's closets; there is so much to discover and play with in each space, like shoes! I also like to play hide and seek between the doors and rooms, and I love to play chase. Also today, Moppy and Pop took me to see one of my favorite performers, Miss Belle, at our favorite Wednesday morning spot, Lebanese Taverna. After sitting and listening to a few songs, I was ready to get down for a closer look. I had such a blast moving about with all of the other kids. In particular, a cute little girl with patent leather shoes caught my eye. Needless to say, by the time my mom got home from work, I was fast asleep.

Tuesday, January 6

I love food! I have always been a good eater, and now I love to munch on things with meals and between. Not only does it feel good on my gums to gnaw on something, like a bagel or apple slice, but I also enjoy trying out my new teeth. Yes, I have finally gotten my second bottom tooth. I am also getting good at picking up smaller snacks, like Gerber's little puffs. They are fun and keep me busy! In these photos, I am sharing my zwieback toast with my mom. I would take a bite, and she would get a bite! Little did she know how well soggy zwieback toast goes with her coffee!

Friday, January 2

I was feeling a bit out of sorts today. Not sure if it was a scratchy throat courtesy of my mom, a new tooth trying to pop through, or the post-holiday blues. So, it was a quiet kind of day. However, I always get a second wind at bathtime. We all had a good laugh as I started sticking out my tongue at my parents. Clearly, they are easily amused!

Thursday, January 1

Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 30

Today I made it down to the beach, though just for a short time. It was windy and cold! But, I loved the ocean and blue skies. I breathed in plenty of good beach air and slept almost the whole way home, though Kylie was there for me again just in case. What a wonderful beach getaway! Thanks Moppy and Pop for hosting the crowd! And yet, it was still good to return to my home, to my own bed and toys, and to see my dad.

Monday, December 29

Today the rest of my cousins arrived, and we celebrated Jack's 4th birthday. What fun! I missed the trip down to the beach as my mom tried to force a nap on me. But, I was then up and alert for the party at Grotto's Pizza, which included some pizza crust for me and time spent in the arcade. I loved all of the games, noises, and lights. Happy Birthday, Jack!

Sunday, December 28

Today I headed to the beach for a little time away and to meet up with the rest of my cousins. We picked up Kylie on the way, and she was a source of great entertainment for me in the car (that is until I feel asleep). I then enjoyed hanging out and playing with her. At the beach house there is lots to explore and pull up on. I love the round coffee table and stairs.

Saturday, December 27

I am still flying a bit high on all of the Christmas joy! Though, I finally settled in and got a good night's sleep, almost sleeping through the night (to my mom's joy). Today, we went to the Botanical Gardens to see their Winter Wonderland, and then we walked around the Capitol to view the preparations for the Inauguration. We tried out our new backpack that Grandma and Grandpa got me. It was perfect for today, as the stroller would have been a struggle to manuever through the aisles and crowds in the Botanical Gardens. And, I love the elevated view, especially as we walked through the jungle area of the Gardens. At one point I felt as I was up in the tree tops. It turned into such a nice day that this afternoon, we tried out another of my Christmas presents; Moppy and Pop got me a wagon. We walked down to the park. I was so excited to be there as it has been a while that I called out in delight. Later tonight I am in for a treat; YaYa is coming to play with me so my parents go out on a date. Not sure why they do not want me along...

Thursday, December 25

Merry Christmas! What a grand day! I started the day at my normal time, 6am. And, after a bit of milk, I got to work opening some gifts from Santa. What fun! After more breakfast, we opened stockings and played with some of my new toys. It was a quite an exciting morning before I went down for my morning nap. Once back awake, we packed up even more gifts and headed to my cousins' house on Kent Island for Christmas day festivities. It was just more than I could take in! So much food, so many toys, dolls, Wii matches, cousins everywhere! I just played, watched, and crawled from one activity to the next, skipping any kind of afternoon nap, though Pop tried. So much love; it was a wonderful day! I can not wait to do it again next year. Needless to say, I was asleep before we hit the Bay Bridge and slept all the way home.

Wednesday, December 24

As I stand watch for Santa, I would like to wish you a very merry Christmas and to all a good night!

Tuesday, December 23

I am up to more tricks. My latest is that I like to stand in my crib. In fact, I think I like standing in my crib more than I like sleeping! Even in the middle of the night I will get the urge to stand. Sometimes, I will gently fall back down and go to sleep, but other times I call out for company or to show off. As with my other tricks, I am very pleased with myself (my mom not so much)!