It’s a Baby in a Bathtub!

You’ve probably been waiting expectantly for an Easter post, but I took a ridiculous number of photos over the weekend which require thorough weeding and editing.

But all is not lost, because I have a cute baby in a bathtub!

Brian filled Jameson’s squirting bath toys and gave them to him face up. Jameson had a blast squirting water at his face, Brian and myself. He gave the biggest giggles!

Do you see the rash on his shoulder? I don’t believe I’ve mentioned it here, but after months of trying neosporin, lotion, no lotion, mild hydro-cortisone and stronger hydro-cortisone, the doctors diagnosed him with eczema. We’re just at the point of managing it with weeks on/weeks off of the hydro-cortisone, and this particular spot on his shoulder is stubborn.

Jameson just loves taking baths now, but he’ll tell us when he’s all done and ready to be wrapped up in a cozy towel (or more likely, excited to walk around nakey for a little bit). The other night I got a cute (out of focus) video of him splashing away.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icEqkUzym1g]

After his bath, Brian gave him a few more hair do’s while he brushed his teeth. He refuses to let us brush his teeth for him, but luckily he has decided he likes it (this week anyway) and is doing well himself. Probably because he is getting both of his top canine teeth in and it feels good for him.

We’ve been giving him Advil at night and overnight. Poor thing moans in his sleep when he’s teething.

This is what happened when we took the toothbrush away.

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Grown Up Things

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Brian got a new job. Aside from dealing with a sick baby those first few weeks, we took the time to get together with our financial adviser to discuss 401Ks and the like last night. It’s not the most fun way to spend an evening, but I always walk away feeling like we’re doing the good, grown up thing.

Another super not fun grown up thing?

Taxes.

Brian is lucky enough to still do them himself, though that may change next year. I always hassle him to do them when Jameson and I are gone (like when we visited grandparents!) but who would want to do taxes on their free weekend? Certainly not me. Not that I do them.

Sunday, Jameson was ill in the morning. By ill, I mean sick, all over me. Twice. It was stellar.

(That was sarcasm, in case you missed it)

He walked around shaking his head “no” at everything, at turns lying down on the ground, asking to be picked up, asking to be put down. He couldn’t get comfortable until, whoops, vomit all over mommy.

It was lucky we had two little bears so Jameson got his other little bear and I took the poor sick bear and my clothes to the laundry. On his second sick round an hour later, I rescued the spare little bear even though Jameson was really upset I took him away.

He’ll thank me later, for saving his other little bear.

Anyway, after a 45 minute nap, he woke up a little upset, but with a few sips a water (literally), he was back to himself. He didn’t nap at all the rest of the day, and spent it running walking fast around the house, taking a couple walks outside in the stroller and wagon, and acting like the morning had never happened.

And what else do you do on a day like that but do taxes?

Dance. Obviously.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp__5MgC7P0]

P.S. Jameson went to the doctor to get vaccines yesterday. He was not thrilled with the doctor this time at all, hugging my shoulder the entire time. It was the quickest visit we’ve ever had though, I didn’t even sit down! He is 20 pounds, 11 ounces, in the 10-25% percentile, and 30-3/4 inches long, in the 25-50% percentile.

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Comedian

I’m sure I’m not the first mom to think her child is the MOST HILARIOUS KID EVARR. But it’s true. Jameson’s ridiculous.

Wednesday night, Brian’s mom stopped by (she was too impatient to wait until the next day when she got to babysit while Brian and I went to see the financial advisor hehehe). Anyway, she brought with her a couple Christmas gifts from Jameson’s Great Uncle Chuck and Aunt Sue.

Jameson really had the hang of opening gifts, and he immediate tossed the shirt over his head and ran around the couch a dozen times, before finally placing it in his drum set.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl7h3P4wG-s&list=UUVuQ_ykrK3biljZHExldB8Q]

Following that, he decided that the pajamas were next, and completely covered his face with it, giggling. Too funny!

He then decided it was time to play chase and went around through the kitchen, squealing with Grandma behind him saying “I’m gonna get you!”

He always stops because he wants you to catch him. The other day he laughed so hard he fell, still laughing. He loves chase. And I love my little comedian.

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Steps to Toddler-hood

Jameson isn’t quite walking yet, but he’s so close!

January 7, he took two steps from the couch to Brian; a week prior he had taken one accidental step to me. Last week, it was three steps, and yesterday? A record breaking 5-1/2!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToihmFRmdKA]

He only wants to do it when we set him on his feet away from us. Sometimes, not even then. He’ll bounce up and down instead of standing up straight. But, yesterday at daycare the ladies tried to get him to walk to me, but he went to the floor and crawled over instead. So they are working on him too!

It probably helps that he is finally keeping on his skidders. We needed something to stay on his feet, and finally found the combination of socks + skidders stay on all day. I’m not a huge fan of the skidders since you pay quite a bit and they seem to deteriorate pretty quickly, but so far they are working until we get proper shoes for a little walker.

A little walker. Soon!

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Merry & Happy

Sadly, I am returned to work after some 10 days off at home with Jameson and Brian. It was lovely, and now it’s over, so forgive me as I try to get back into the swing of things.

Hopefully this is not as late as it seems to me now, but I had to share our Christmas fun!

On Christmas Eve, we joined the neighbors for dinner and exchanged a few gifts. Jameson wore his brand new overalls from his aunt and uncle!

Just before we sat down for dinner, Santa and my aunt arrived for a quick visit. However, things did not go as smoothly though as they did for Jameson’s visit with Santa a few weeks ago, and Lily was also beside herself.

Oh well, there’s always next year!

Lily is an expert with the fork and was even practicing before the food was in front of her.

Here is Kelly holding Jameson and Lily was grabbing at his hand. This is why I always leave the camera on so all I have to do is pop off the lens cap.

I made a homemade gingerbread which I used with our mini bundt cake pans (I first used these for Jameson’s birthday you might recall).

It was delicious, and I think that the second day it tasted even better. Brian did the molasses and beer part, and I did the rest. It was actually really easy (just a lot of ingredients) and so rich and wonderful.

Jameson and Lily are really interacting a lot which is adorable. Lily wanted his pacifier, and Jameson offered her his socks in trade for the laptop.

Christmas Day, Jameson awoke ready to open gifts (by now he is an expert!)

However, we only made it through a couple before he lost interest in the opening part and just wanted to play with the new toys that were opened, so we helped him open his gifts.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwPbMUgOSak]

We have decided to adopt the 3 gifts from Santa rule. That is, Santa is only allowed to fill his stocking and bring Jameson 3 gifts for under the tree: something to read, something to wear, and something to play with. This year, Santa brought him a snowsuit, gloves & mittens, and boots which all went together of course; a board book; and a sled!

Midway through opening gifts, we stopped for cinnamon rolls!

Sasha enjoyed some of her gifts as well (some of them are still wrapped up for her later)

But the fun didn’t stop there. While Jameson napped and Brian worked on food, I went to church. Then Jameson woke up just in time for Brian’s parents and sister to arrive to celebrate and have Christmas supper.

He practiced his patty cake with grandma.

And then we dove in with Charlie Brown Christmas in the background (Jameson got it in his stocking along with some snacks and You Are My I Love You board book)

We had a lot of fun and are so grateful for all the wonderful gifts we received. And I think we did a pretty good job this year on the giving. Jameson makes it pretty easy.

Both sets of grandparents got this birth through 6 months digital scrapbook (what do you think I’ve been working on this week? the 6 month to 1 year one… slowly). They also received a family photo on canvas (thanks to Groupon) from Picture It on Canvas. I’ve now used both Canvas on Demand and Picture It, and I’ve been really happy with both results.

I hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday as well! I’m sad it’s over, but our lights will still be up through this week to help the celebration continue on!

P.S. If you love my family and adorable pictures of Jameson, here are the rest of our Christmas photos, and a few more cute videos of Jameson ringing bells here and playing with one of his new-old toys here.

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Birthday Boy

I know, I know. It’s a little early to be celebrating Jameson’s birthday. We have a couple more weeks to go (Gosh, only a couple?! I am way behind on making those garlands)

But, he seemed to enjoy the walk behind/ride on toy at his friend Mark‘s so much that we asked nicely and Jameson’s grandparents were willing to go ahead and give him one of his gifts early last night.

Sasha wanted to help. That right there, that’s “9 years of teaching her to open her own gifts” Brian said. Yep, this puppy gets wrapped gifts too.

What is it!? Why, it’s …. wrapping paper! Yay!

Meanwhile, some assembly is required.

[10 Minutes Later…]

Grandma and grandpa (who took off work early for this special occasion) are thrilled. Jameson took to it right away, both forward and backward as you can see in this cute video.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDVy5zfr5Ew]

I can tell that he’s going to be chasing after the puppy even more now…

I am not sure who had more fun, us or Jameson.

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Why Buy (Baby) Toys

I am wondering now, why I bought any toys for Jameson at all? Right now, he loves the floor vents, bathroom scale, and door stoppers. Oh, and dogs and dog toys.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlcs7dm50Xk]

My parents’ dogs Mayzie and Shiloh loved Jameson. Mayzie even gave him her weird toothy smile one morning when she saw him. But she wasn’t too sure what to do when Jameson kept going after her toys…

Flying/leaping/pouncing baby.

Got it! Notice Mayzie is no longer in the picture.

[Intermission]

And later…

Eying the prize…

Daddddd! Do I have to give Jameson my toy!?

Yes, yes you do.

P.S. I did take these toys away from Jameson as soon as he tried to eat them. Except one time, when I caught him chewing on a “lollipop” dog toy which must have had the most perfect, wonderful end to chew on. Oops…

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Weekend Get-Away (from Dad)

This past weekend, Brian went on his yearly man trip with his two friends in Florida, while I went to my parents’ house with Jameson. It was great timing even though we had just seen them a couple weeks ago, because we also got to see my brother, Jameson’s Uncle Tyler (Uncle Ty has such a nice ring to it).

Tyler was only home for about two days before heading back to college for his final two quarters. He has interned at Disney twice and is going to be an engineer. (Yes, we are all kind of hoping he gets a job at Disney, that would be awesome, but no guarantees)

Jameson hadn’t really seen Uncle Ty in quite some time, so we had a mini photo shoot. Of course.

I love Jameson’s expression in the one above. That is one quirky look!

Oh, and… we just had to do the Lion King pose.

The weekend went by really fast, and we stayed busy even though we didn’t go anywhere else this time. We went on a couple family walks: Jameson and myself, plus my parents and both the dogs, and Tyler. I think we were quite a sight. Jameson was teething again, so he I really enjoyed these walks. I think they may have broken through, two top teeth. We’ll be able to tell soon, I know.

In the mornings it was a little brisk. Luckily, I remembered a jacket.

Jameson was partial to the kitchen floor. It is easier to crawl glide on. Plus, a lot of great new furniture to explore this time.

He is also really getting up on his knees a lot now. In particular, he was really motivated to get to the dogs.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh4M45M6vhI]

There are a few more videos up, of him crawling and Tyler attempting to feed him, here.

All of these things were truly wonderful, and home cooked meals every night were lovely. Thanks Mom!

I can’t believe how much he’s grown in just the past couple weeks. He’s now crawling to me when I pick him up from daycare, he’s happier now that he can move around, he’s actually exploring the world around him. He’s definitely a little boy (if I can be stereotypical for a moment). He loves getting “tossed” in the air, going upside down, watching the lawn mower, being outside. He’s going to be a (fun) handful, I can tell.

Wish I knew what color his eyes are going to be though!

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Laughing at Nothing

Did you miss me this morning? I had a dentist appointment and no blog post prepared.

Luckily, in my back pocket here is the cutest, most adorable video of Jameson yet. I’m not kidding.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu8UyXM6vgs]

By the way, just keeping it real, but that is in fact spit up (well, he’s almost 9 months, so do they call it vomit now?) on his shirt. Spoiler: Later in the video I notice this and wipe it off.

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