Say Cheese

Aunt Amanda is taking your one year photos (sniff sniff-it is all going by so fast) and so we decided a practice run might be in order.  So I present you with your 9.5 month old Glamour Shots!  

You are a kid on the move and I am impressed we were able to get any pictures at all. Between the slobbering, the hair pulling, and the constant chasing you around I would say we learned a thing or two and will be prepared for the round of photos coming soon.

Thanks for being such a good sport!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Fitterer-Designs-Custom-Invitations-Personal-Stationery-More/130201570481065?ref=profile

A Romantic Carriage Ride

This collection is meant to be an online baby book for you.  See I know my skills for getting photographs into photo albums are lacking.  And by lacking I mean I have around 750 photos from my college semester abroad, an wide array of scrap booking materials from fancy scissors to stamps, and about 4 unfinished scrapbooks just waiting for memories of that time to come together in an orderly fashion.  Ten years later the photos are still in the envelopes they were shipped to me, the craft glue and ink stamp pads have long dried, and the plastic covering remains protecting the albums. I rest my case.  

Since you will find there are not a ton of photos or memory books of your father and I around the house I thought it nice to pepper in some stories of our lives together before you came into the picture.  Last night your dad and I were downtown for an event and on the ride home I saw a romantically lit horse drawn carriage taking in the beautiful sites our city has to offer.  It immediately took me back in time to our first or second anniversary together as a couple.  I had been nagging your dad to take me on a carriage ride around the city for quite some time.  In my mind I saw it all unwind as the most romantic evening ever and it played out like this:  We would be all snuggled up under a blanket as the big fluffy snowflakes fell all around our white horse drawn carriage. We would trot along the empty streets, sipping hot chocolate, and admiring the silent city lit night. We would pass through my favorite city spots like Fountain Square with the jubilant Christmas Tree all lit up for the joyous season and chat about our holiday wishes.  Reads right out of a Nicholas Sparks novel right? 

Now your dad really wanted to make my dreams come true  stop my incessant nagging about the carriage rides. So he had it all set up-the perfect anniversary date.  We started our night at a new restaurant in town called Boi Na Braza (All you can eat Brazilian steak house). I mean nothing screams romance like endless amounts of skewered meat passing by your table for 2 hours does.  I have to hand it to him though because it was delicious, it was something different, and it was right across from Fountain Square. After overindulging we emerged from the restaurant to find a horse drawn carriage across the street. I immediately hemmed and hawed over the horses and much to my surprise they were there to pick us up.  We hopped up behind a man and woman with a set of horses on my very own carriage ride.  It wasn't exactly how I pictured it. For starters it was mid-summer and well over 90 degrees, it was still light out so no city lights, I was full of red meat from dinner and bouncing behind the horses so hot chocolate was out of the question-but I was determined to make the best of this wonderful and thoughtful surprise.  As we rode through the streets of my beloved city I smiled and took it all in.  And then it happened... one of the poor horses got spooked and took a turn into a van with our carriage.  After ripping the bumper clear off it was obvious this ride was about to get awkward.  After some finger pointing back and forth the man jumped off, presumably to write a note to the owner of said van, as the woman continued on down the road mumbling to herself. At this point we were hoping the end of our romantic ride turned side swipe accident was near as we shot unknowing "what do we do now" looks between each other. The man caught back up with us and rejoined the longest 5 minutes back to Fountain Square. At the end of it all I still wanted our picture with the horses to document the occasion. At the annoyance of our horse whispering tour guides we took one with uncomfortable smiles and then got the heck out of there. 

I can't even tell you what we did the rest of that night, but I do know that carriage ride will go down in history. We haven't gone on one since and I don't think I will convince your dad otherwise.  

  I will see if I can find the picture to add here. As a placeholder I will leave you with one of the earlier pictures of the two of us together circa 2006.

9 months old

My new favorite picture of you.  Look at those teeth. 

Your front two teeth are trying to make their way down so you have been a lot more slobbery lately.  It must hurt because you are always chomping on something. Your fingers and toys mainly, but I have found you are open to biting anything.  You are pretty good with the sneak attack bite on our ankles or arms.  You are crawling now and so you chase the poor dog around the room and go biting after legs like much like Pouncer does. Speaking of Pouncer, you are thrilled she is finally able to be in the same room as you, even though it typically lasts less than 2 minutes, until you approach her, or until you start squealing with joy at the sight of her.  I keep telling you that your high pitched enthusiasm scares her, but you just can't contain yourself. 

You are a crawling machine. And you are quick.  Don't worry years of having a cat or dog underfoot has given me ninja like skills and so I haven't stepped on you- yet.  

You smile...a LOT. You are one happy baby and we are two lucky parents. If you are crying it is typically a ploy to get what you want.  You know exactly what you are doing playing us adults like fools. I am convinced you can cry on command full crocodile tears and all. 

Your expressions are comical and you have your mother's sarcasm. I can just see it in your eyebrow raises and eye rolls. 

You rode for your first time in the seat of the grocery cart.  You would have thought we took you to Disney world you were so pumped.  You must be a people watcher like your parents. One because your head was on a swivel the entire time taking it all in and two you shot me a silent "get a load of that guy" look when we both spotted a interesting specimen. You are most definitely still a flirt, which worked in our favor since you warmed your way into the deli lady's heart and she opened just for us at 6:30 am on a Saturday.

You are even more vocal and animated this month than last. You did say mama a few times, but dada is still top dog. Actually I think if you could say Murphy that would dominate your speech. That may have been the first word you understood. You start searching the room anytime he is mentioned. You LOVE when he plays ball with you.  

I mean it.  LOVE.  This is your reaction when he scooped up the ball you tossed. A bit on the spastic side for a slobbered up tennis ball, but hey whatever makes you happy kid. 

You still are a little water baby for sure.  You have been swimming a few times. You also got baptized this month and were hoping for a full submersion. I saw you eyeing the water like it was an oversize bath just waiting for a baby to wade in it . 

You do not like the grass.  Your face is priceless when you happen to touch it. The disgust and anger is just too much to take and so a blanket for my little prince is in order. I will say it is a nice way of keeping you in one spot these days since you truly act like the grass is hot lava not to be touched. 

You love your feet. Amazed by them really. 

You hate being put in the crib when you are still awake.  This is your pouting position. You are sleeping through the night and it is fantastic.  We actually have to wake you up in the mornings. You, much like your mother, are NOT a morning person. In fact when I say we have to wake you up, I mean your dad while I try to hang on to those 5 extra minutes of "sleep" before feeding you. Now when I do wake you up it is like a little single file parade into your room: Me, Murphy, then Pounce. 

You love when Murphy and Pouncer come in with me and they are often a life  scream at the top of your lungs because I hate morning ear drum saver. One look at those two characters turns your pouty face frown, upside down. 

You love to push the limits.  You understand "No", but you think it is hilarious when we say it so.... it is not working out quite like it should.  Take for example your obsession with the curtains instead of the entire floor littered with toys. You traipse you little butt right over to the curtain, shoot us an all knowing devious grin, and grab hold just daring us to say No.  And when we do as we try not to laugh ourselves,  you smile again and shake them harder. It is a night and day reaction with the word No. Either you think it is funny or you are scared and on a 3 second delay break out into a full fledged crying fit with tears, frowns, and arms out waiting for comfort.  Let's work on a happy medium this month :) 

You are eating on your own basically. You love meatballs which of course are ridiculously messy. 

You have started dancing. Bobbing along with the music really. Your dad will show you some of his moves.

You are a snuggle-monster and I LOVE it. You burrow your head when you are tired and it is adorable. 

You are starting to communicate wants by pointing and fits of rage and tears until we react. 

When you are tired....you are TIRED. 

You are pulling yourself up on your knees.  Shouldn't be too much longer and you will be on your feet. 

I didn't even have to try to find a theme this month.  It just happened upon you. 

It was clearly the month of the Flannel Print.  

You make it look good little buddy.  Real Good. 

  
 

  Happy 9 Months to the Cutest Little Buddy in the World!

(don't tell Murphy I said that). 

 I love you more than anything.

June 3, 2014