For the Grandparents...

Here is some more footage of John walking...he is really getting this walking thing down!

If this video isn't working, try this link:
http://s1087.photobucket.com/albums/j480/kmonhaut/

10 Months and Walking!!!

I (hopefully) finally figured out how to share a video!!! Yay! Hopefully you won't stop reading my blog now, because I have a feeling I might be video crazy for a while :) Bear with me...I am a proud mom :)

To see John in action, click on this link or copy and paste this URL into your browser:

http://tinypic.com/r/msjhix/7

So 10 months has proven to be an exciting month for John. Just last week he started taking a few steps, and now he is on the go! He does a "zombie walk." Arms out in front of him and little staggered steps. It is so cute. By the time his birthday comes, he will be running! We are so proud of him!

At 10 months, it seems like he is all of a sudden a big boy! He is waving, giving kisses, and understanding his toys so much more. He loves to turn pages in books, loves to "dance" to any music, and is still as smiley as ever (and I was worried he would never smile :). He is sleeping like a champ, about 11 hours per night, and taking two hour long naps on average in the daytime.
Last week at the doctor, he was 21 pounds, 3 ounces and 28 1/2 inches long. I was really surprised he didn't weigh more, because I swear he seems bigger now. As for eating, he is still not really mastering the solid foods quite yet. He can chew them (did I mention he now has 10 teeth??? Two molars popped through this week!), but he doesn't swallow. They call him a little chipmunk at daycare. But he still LOVES his bottle. In the morning, he will literally take his pacifier and throw it on the ground the minute he sees his bottle.

We went back to the ENT yesterday and his tubes are doing exactly what they should be. He passed his hearing test with flying colors and charmed everyone by walking, waving, and clapping through the entire hour and a half appointment.

John also got his first haircut last week! We took him to Kid Kuts, and it was great. I thought for sure he would scream the entire time, and I packed all sorts of snacks to try to distract him, but I didn't need to do anything. They set him in this little boat, popped in a movie, and he was so happy! His hair looks so cute.

Oh, and Allie got her hair cut too! She looks SO different and I love it!

John and Brad at swimming lessons this morning.

So excited to get his hair cut!

I can't believe we are starting to plan John's birthday party already! We are having so much fun right now, and I know it is only going to get better at each stage. Life is good! Hope everyone has a good week!

Better Late than Never...

So I have really been neglecting my blog. The past few weeks have flown by and even though we haven't been doing anything out of the ordinary, they have seemed really busy. Probably just getting adjusted back into a routine with work and daycare. I know I never posted about Christmas, and now that I am downloading pictures, I realize I don't even really have that many. Our camera has been taking really blurry pictures lately, and I pretty much gave up on Christmas Eve, and then I forgot my camera at my parents house so we didn't even have it for Christmas morning. But we did have it in time for Indiana, so there are some!

Anyways, John's first Christmas was great. Not that he knew anything, but it was fun for Brad and me. I can't wait until he understands about Christmas and gets into it.

Before I post pictures, I have to brag a little...John took 5 steps tonight!!! He has taken a few steps on his own before, but more on accident. Tonight we were playing downstairs and he was standing up and holding onto the elliptical. I was sitting about 2 feet away from him, and I help out my arms, and he took about 3 steps and then fell into my arms. He was SO proud of himself. So he crawled right back over and did it again...and again...for about 40 minutes. I kept scooting a little farther back and he took about 5 steps on his own at one point. It was so cute. Sometimes he would crawl back, pull himself up, but then start to try to walk before he really had his balance and would fall. We eventually went upstairs and a little while later he was standing against the ottoman. I was across the living room, but he walked about half way to me! He was so happy and proud. It was so cute, I am so proud of him! Brad was at basketball, so he missed it, but we will have to show him tomorrow.

Okay, here are some pictures...I have to start taking more, I have been slacking! I hope everyone has a good week! I have to figure out this video thing to post a video of him taking steps :)

John's 1st Christmas party with our parent group. SO excited to open presents!

Christmas Eve Annual Brunch with college roommates/friends

Christmas Eve...the "kids" table.

Trying to eat his presents

John and Libby on Christmas Eve

"Maybe if I stand on this box, I can get up here...give me a boost Uncle Greg!"

Relaxing with Aunt Lisa

Reading my book. He is really into books right now...at least opening and closing them :)

Good Bye 2010!

Wow, what a year! I was looking back and reading my post from last year, and it is so crazy to think how much can change in a year. This past year has been the best ever. I am so amazed by John every day and how much he has changed our lives.

I know I am behind on posts, and I will post about Christmas and add more pictures this weekend, but the one thing I am compelled to write about as this year ends is just how incredibly grateful I am for our son and his health. Last week, John had tubes put in at Children's Hospital. Yes, we were worried, but it was totally put into perspective when we were at the hospital and saw so many babies with severe issues. I'm sure they were wishing tubes was what they were there for. It just makes me feel so blessed to have a healthy, beautiful family and my heart goes out to those who have to deal with much more severe issues. I look back at worrying about him not sleeping through the night, or his colds from daycare, and yes, I know those are normal mother worries, but I know we have it good. So today I am counting my blessings and am so thankful for what 2010 has brought us. I am so excited to see what 2011 has in store!

I tried to get a picture of John wearing a Happy New's hat, but you can imagine how that went over :) So, in lieu of a picture of John, we hope everyone has a great New Year and Happy 2011! XO

Sneak Peek...

Our photographer, Emily, just sent me a preview of John's 9 month/Christmas pictures for my Christmas cards...so many to choose from. Here is my favorite:


I am so excited for Christmas with John this year...doesn't he look excited too?!

9 Months

Well, another month has flown by. I still have not printed John's 8 month picture to put in his monthly frame, so I guess I will have to do 8 and 9 together :) Luckily, he was a little more cooperative for his sticker pictures today!

At 9 months, John is doing great! I hate to type it, because I don't want to jinx it, but he has been sleeping AWESOME! During the week, he is normally in bed by 7:30 and then we wake him up at 6:30. On weekends, he will sleep for usually 11-12 hours, so we can sleep in a little bit, which is nice. He is still taking two naps a day.

He is now eating three times a day and has about 4 bottles during the day. He is loving his yogurt and cheerios to snack on. He is slowly mastering the sippy cup, but to be honest, I am not that good of giving him one on a regular basis. But he will get there. We go for his 9 month appointment next week, so I am not sure of his weight, but I am guessing somewhere around 22 pounds.

We had an appointment with the ENT last week and tubes it is for John. It was a hard decision, but he didn't pass his hearing test, and that was the deciding factor for me. The dr said he could hear, but it was like you are under water :( Poor little guy. So, on the 23rd we will head to Children's Hospital for his surgery. I know it is so routine, but it is still scary that they have to put him out. So any extra prayers that day would be appreciated :)

This past weekend Brad's company had their work party and John had his first overnight at my mom's house. He did pretty good, and Brad and I got to spend the night at the hotel and enjoy a nice evening out. I forgot my camera, so no fun pictures, but we did get to dress up and we had a lot of fun. My work party in this upcoming Friday, so my mom will be coming here again, which will be nice. Thanks Mom!! We have two parties on Tuesday, so it will be a busy week. I love this time of year though!

Our December and holiday festivities are in full force around here. We decorated our house last weekend. John had his 9 month pictures taken at our house last weekend. I am DYING to see them! This is the same photographer we used for his 3 month pictures. She is supposed to get me some for tomorrow so I can use them in my Christmas cards, so I am so anxious. John wasn't the most cooperative, but he did smile some, and she is amazing, so I know there will be some good shots.

Today is actually Brad's 31st birthday...Happy Birthday honey! My sister's birthday is on Wednesday, so we all went out to brunch today and John got to meet Santa for the first time. He wasn't too sure. He just stared at him. Libby wouldn't even look at him. Neither of them were too thrilled. Maybe next year :)

Well, here are some more pictures from the past week. I'm sure I will post more soon! Hope everyone has a good week!

John and Libby with Grandma and Grandpa

At Grandma's house

Not too sure...

Neither is Libs

Now Santa looks unsure!

Happy Birthday Brad! We love you!

Have a good week!

Cruisin'

My sister sent me this picture today...my mom always picks John up on Mondays at noon and then heads over to my sister's house. This is him and Libby cruising around town (Jenny's hallway). I love the look on their faces...Libby is thinking "Not too sure about this driving!"