Merry Christmas 2011!

It's wonderful to capture that 'O' shot of a kid at Christmas.

Perhaps Blogger does not like Apple files, this might not EVER upload :(

And then there was Print Awareness!

They tell us at the library story time that print awareness is one of the early reading signs in kids.

Paxton is now well aware that you cannot read or view a book, an Ipad or an Iphone updside down :)

A proud moment to see his awareness take hold.

He also can point to almost all his body parts, recognizing them when you say the word.

Head, shoulders, knees and toes!...sing it :)

ASL is taking hold!

So proud of Pax for picking up sign language more quickly now.

It means mama needs to quickly bone up on her vocab.

Some things are just not very intuitive to me...for instance, cracker. This sign, to me, looks like I am sloughing off an elbow callus....ewwww!!

Grapes is fun,

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/GRAPES/1423/1

and he mimicked this immediately :)

So fun to see my little sponge trying to say and do what mama asks!

1st photo w/ Santa

well, it was sort of as I suspected, since he is afraid of balloons, large stuffed figures(ie a giant stuffed rabbit at the Pediatricians office) and anything in costume/disguise, Pax was no different w/ the jolly ol' Santa at Bass Pro.

A classic first shot w/ Santa.

Happy Halloween!

While Pax did not go trick or treating this year, he did sport his muscle man costume at the library's Halloween puppet show. Being thrust into the face of horror and his mama's favorite holiday has not been easy, but I think he's coming around(just not to the Halloween 'witch closet' yet)

Man Overboard!

Paxton decided to catapult himself outta the crib today.
I did not think it would happen so soon.
Apparently the bumpers in his crib assisted him ....so buh bye bumpers, hello Craigslist.
One more step towards manhood  :(

Forks over Knives...

....after watching this movie, Jay and I sort of decided to change some of our eating and DRINKING habits, decreasing our meat consumption in lieu of more veggies/grains and cutting our alcohol consumption...not really influenced by the movie, but our desire to eliminate empty calories.
Jay is sticking to it like a real champ and even wined and dined clients at a nice steakhouse w/ out imbibing himself and dining on salmon...STUD.  He has abstained from alcohol for 2.5 weeks now!
While I have maintained the healthy eating and increased my workouts...I did fall off the wagon after a week of abstaining from alcohol and had a few drinks  :(
But, much better than having a couple of glasses of wine a night, which is were I was coming from.
The empty calories and weight gain do not justify me having a glass of wine a night...cuz, let me be real for a sec, it never is just ONE glass of wine.

My Amorous 16 month old

I LOVE this stage, I wish it would last,  but I know it won't , and so, I brace myself for the day I will hear,  'I hate you'.

Still, I am moved when my son hugs me and pats my back, leans in for a kiss anytime I do something 

Labor DayWeekend!

what a delightful Labor Day weekend!   After a sensory overload outing to Science City on Saturday w/ Paxton, we had our neighbors over Sunday afternoon for a sunny and 70's fajita feast on the back deck, complete w/ Chocoflan for dessert !  Monday was our first trip to the Kansas City Zoo, which was lovely.  Even though KC has some seriously depressed neighborhoods, they spared no expense for the zoo.  Pax was wild for the polar bears, but still quite excited to see a tiger up close and in person.  Still,  while he enjoyed it, I could not help but feel sad for the captive animals and especially  the elephants plucking off bits of painters tape from their cable enclosure and eating them.
Perhaps we will have to take him on a wildlife excursion instead  :)
Daddy, can we go to Africa instead???

The 15 month gait

'When your child first learned to walk, he probably strutted around all day with a wide, swaybacked gait, his stomach jutting out in front. As he gets better at balancing, the distance between his feet will narrow, and his toes will point ahead instead of turning out. And now that he's so good at walking, he'll be looking for challenges like the stairs.'


As we near his 16 month, I can see the speed and perfected walk emerge....this is where my sister in laws words ring true, 'you'll never sit down'   :(
 Though still a a little wobbly and bobbleheaded at times(especially close to naptime), today at lunch he took  a big step out, clear off  the deck, missing both stairs and toppling  over like Humpty Dumpty.  Poor baby, busted the inside of his lip. Thank goodness I still had some teething rings in the freezer which he likes to chew, which helped  :)


Wonder what we'll bust up tomorrow?
Boys!...gotta love'em.

Dog Lover Paxton

Clearly I will need to do some training w/ the little mister around stranger dogs.
While he is a big lover of doggies(like his momma),  he does not know it is faux pax to stick your face in front of doggies face...to give kisses, of course.  I was the same way as a child, fearless of dogs, always in their face and never feared them, even when I was bit and chased a couple of times by an unfriendly  neighbor dog.
Oh well, it is hard to train a dog lover to stay away or keep their distance.

15 month checkup / 30th percentile

yes, he may be following in his mamas shorty footsteps at the 30th percentile for height and weight..but is there no accounting for the girth of that noggin?  There is some serious development going on in that thing!
2 Vaccinations later, the little man is thriving and is very healthy, albeit short  :)

Don't Mess with an ambulatory man!

Crawling is OFFICIALLY a thing of the past....no crawling at all last week.  The man is on the move and perfecting his craft, so fun to see him become  an independent explorer.

Worst Allergies EVER in MO

ok, not that I am necessarily placing blame on the lovely state of MO :)  but having just experienced the worst bout of allergies I have had in my very young life of 41 years, is reason for pause and to say, 'what the hell is making me so sick in this state'


Coming up on 2 weeks w/ a head that felt like a lead balloon, body aches on par w/ the flu and a manly voice to boot, I wound up in the ENT doctors office to get the lowdown on what this was.
After thorough evaluation(2 seconds) of both nostrils and throat , asking f I had fever and what color was the  mucous running down my throat(yah, don't usually look at it), it was determined I did not have a sinus infection but allergies that can sometimes feel like a bad cold.


I have finally, today found light at the end of the tunnel...no, I am not dead, simply that my Zyrtec-D, neti pot cleanse, flonase combination has finally worked and I am among the healed.
Holy crap, I never thought it would happen, but am relieved to be able to bend over to pick up my son without feeling like my head would implode.


The mystery remains,  what was the evil culprit that wreaked havoc on my sinuses?...we may never know.
But one thing is for certain, I do love me some neti pot and certainly appreciate it's effectiveness at cleaning the crud out!

Walking in Harbor Springs, MI!

While on vacation in Harbor Springs, Michigan, the little man bravely took his first real steps!
With the encouragement and assistance  from his cousins, Pauline and America, he branched out.
So exciting to see his sense of accomplishment as he bobbles on !

One word kept being used by those around us  to describe Harbor Springs...Americana, which was so true, we felt like we were transported back in time to Maybury. A wholesome community, where kids can be kids, they say please and thank you and eat their vegetables and everyone is kind and friendly to each other.....where are these people the other 9 months out of the year?!  :)


Viva Americana!

We fed goats, swang on the tire swing, viewed big, prego pigs, and shot the squash rocket at the farm...good times!

cruised around the lovely lawn in front of Aunt Pats, while watching the boaters go by..

went to the beach.....

and went boating....

Independent Man

Yesterday was the first time my  barnacle buddy actually 'pushed' me away from him, in the face, no less  :(
Immediately after, grabbing at my pant legs....so he wants his independence away from me...for 2 seconds!
Lots of interesting changes going on.  Fun to see his sense of accomplishment when he stands for a few seconds on his own, unassisted.  He also enjoys helping mama empty the silverware from the dishwasher...such a good helper.  I fully expect to channel this desire to help....next, setting the table, taking out the trash, mowing the lawn....baby steps.

I can see he will be a gadget boy like his papa, he has mastered the index finger point drag while operating my iphone, loves the remote for the TV and pretends to talk on my phone(while holding it to his ear backwards...the devil is in the details), blurting out,  EH!(which roughly translates to 'hello' in English)

True----

You may have noticed that your toddler loves to rip paper. It makes a neat sound and gives her a sense of accomplishment. And while it may drive you nuts, it's her way of developing fine motor skills and learning about cause and effect - one of your child's big preoccupations right now. Give her old magazines or pieces of paper so she can practice tearing, and help her further explore cause and effect by building together with lightweight blocks or empty cereal boxes and then pushing one block to knock down the structure.

Cranky Day!

I'm sure it was all an element of not napping well and wonder if this article  rings true for us. Interesting...it's either the below or maybe, just maybe more teeth will be joining his current 6.
'Your child's drive to master standing and walking has probably upset his daily routine — including his sleep schedule. His once-predictable morning and afternoon naps have become less dependable, and he's probably waking up more frequently at night. He may spend his crib time moving up and down instead of sleeping, and that's okay. Eventually, once the novelty of walking wears off, your child will return to a more settled state.'

Swimming 101

Tuesday was the last day of our 1 week, indoor swim intro.
Though Paxton was aprehensive at first, he quickly warmed up and had fun in the water.  Participating in front and back float,  kicking his legs, swimming to teacher, jumping (w/ assistance) to mommy from the side of the pool, watching mommy blow bubbles(cuz why would he ever want to put his lips in the water  :)
He went under water no problem, but the expression on his face was of pure shock or maybe it was dejavu.
The next adventure may be tumbling...well, pending his ability to walk.

Holy Toddler!

Mommy and Daddy are tired already and we are still a week shy of the  13 month mark!
Almost immediately after turning one (May 17th), he went into toddler overdrive, rendering his parents, two, lifeless, fleshy bits, waiting for their reward of a glass (or bottle) of wine, at the end of the day.
Wow!...I don't know how people do it with multitples.  Pax is more that we can handle, but such a sweet whirlwind in our lives.  I'm sure it will be he, that keeps us YOUNG!

Happy 1st Birthday Paxton!

Can't believe it has been a year already.
We flew to Dallas so Pax could celebrate his 1st birthday with his cousins.  My sister hosted a lovely afternoon shindig for the event, complete w/ Pax' own cake, a large cake for everyone else, dips, meats, fruit/cheeses, crackers, fruit and bubbly.
Sadly, I did not come home with too many happy joyous Paxton pics.  He turned into a crabapple w/ so many people around and had no interest in trying his cake...other than trying to overturn it onto the floor.  Oh well, you can drag a baby to cake, but you cannot make him eat!  I guess I should feel proud that my little man does not like cake  :)
Once I am able to find a 'happy' picture that someone might have captured of my son, I will surely, upload it here!

No more baby food....

the little mans tastes are changing and if he can't feed it to himself, well, he doesn't want it.
So buh bye purees..we want something chunkier .
He loved frittata when I introduced it and scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes  .
Trying to keep things fresh by new introductions and not the same ol' same ol'.
Also enjoyed the cheddar cheese quesadilla today for lunch.

I cannot believe he is going to turn one in a week  :(

Possession...

'Paxton is probably becoming increasingly possessive about things that belong to him. Welcome to the "mine" stage! As Paxton becomes more self-aware, proclaiming ownership becomes his way of asserting his identity. To make it easier for Paxton to share his toys when a friend comes to play, help him decide what he wants to share and what needs to be put away. It will be a while before Paxton understands the concept of sharing, but setting boundaries will help him learn that there are things he may choose to share with playmates and other things he may decide to keep all for himself. The items that aren't to be shared should be put away and not brought out until after the playmate has left.'


Luckily have not witnessed this yet...but am sure it is right around the corner .

11 Month Glamor Shot

Da Da Da Da

Language is a forming 'round here!   Yesterday was the first day of uttering the da da da da sequence.  Paxton is also imitating my signs for 'more' and  'all done' , though I don't think he associates their meaning yet.
This smart little fellow has figured out how to work the zipper on his sleepsack and had unzipped the whole thing, when I went to get him from his nap....funny!

We test drove our expensive ($400) BOB Revolution stroller yesterday.  That thing handles like it's on rails....ok, I'm  a total dork, but it it is a dreamy, smooth ride.

2nd Bout of Croup

Well, the doctor did tell me, once a crouper always a crouper.  I just did not think it would happen again so fast. Croup + ear infection + 101 degree temp and teething = one unhappy Paxton.
Not to mention the lovely therapy they had me administer to Pax for 10 minutes, by way of a gas mask to his face.  It was some sort of medicine to help him breathe.  With all the screaming and tears, I'm sure every  tyke in the building was scared for their life  :(

3 More Teeth!

Holy Cow!  When it rains it pours.  Those 2 long time residents on the bottom floor are finally getting new tenants upstairs. Paxton is getting one front tooth and two incisors(I think thats what you call the front/side ones..I am no dentist, to be sure).  Very exciting...his sweet gummy, grandpa smile, will forever be changed.

Family Jewels Discovered!!

Yes, it's true, at the young, tender age of 10 mos, my son has discovered his family jewels.
Perhaps there is nothing stronger than a boy/mans attraction to his own anatomy.
I just pray I can keep those curious hands occupied and distracted while on the changing table, at least on the occasions of extra fiber in the diaper.

"The Best Mexican Foods In Lee's Summit, Missouri".....Really?

Truth be told, "Lee's Summit " is not that large,  so while this statement may be true, w/ locals, it is APPALLING to Texans who know to expect GOOD Mexican Food!


Yet another disappointing Mexican food experience here in the Great Midwest.
Chips and salsa preceded the meal....though I thought the salsa was a tomato sauce, devoid of any spiciness.  The queso we ordered was not that exciting, a bit of a thick, gluey consistency with only a hint of some processed cheese and maybe a pepper or onion in there .
Taco Cabana in TX still corners the market on queso.    For fast food, it even gives well known/liked restaurants a run for their  money on the queso and more!

This is what the menu said I had:
 CREAMY CHICKEN VERDE Our shredded chicken mixed with cream cheese and deep fried in a flour tortilla. Then smothered with monterrey jack cheese & served with homemade avocado ranch sauce. Served with rice and beans.


Alas, what I received was a boiled chicken/cream cheese concoction wrapped and fried in a  tortilla, who's ends looked like burnt hair.....if that was not an appealing enough visual , let me go on to explain the taste.
Boiled chicken really has no taste, coupled w/ cream cheese that has not been spiced...well, ditto, no taste.
It was, at best , a pasty, chicken texture, smothered in cheese...the cheese being the best part, because I could actually discern the taste of the cheese.  As for the avocado ranch sauce...well, I would be hard pressed to find an avocado in that  sauce, it tasted like pure ranch to me , but visually had some green flecks to it...avocado powder, perhaps?
Who knows? All I know is I will be making my Mexican food at home .


Served w/Rice and Beans:
As for the refried beans, which is how I like to Quickly rate any Mexican restaurant, it had a good consistency, but no flavor...maybe they do not cook w/ Lard..big mistake!
The rice? ....well, lets just say any box rice would suffice, as that was what was served to us and they all taste the same, gummy, boring, lightly spiced....sigh.

10 Month Glamor Shot--Happy St. Patricks Day!

stone cold chillin' w/ Mom and Dad, had my dinner on the veranda in the 70 degree weather, now, as evidenced in this incriminating photo, partying like a 10 month old w/ my pants off and cheerios stuck to my  thigh...I hope this does not end up on babies gone wild!

Salmon in moderation

Now that I am only serving one salmon/brown rice cube w/  3 watery veg cubes, the combo is palatable for our little prince.
I can't blame him for not wanting to only eat a full bowl of wild salmon and rice...wild salmon is certainly pretty strong as it is .
So hopefully we are building some good eating habits here and I pray they continue, as I do not plan to introduce this guy to the infamous chicken nugget, macaroni cheese American diet.
No dumbing down the food in this household!

Salmon & Rice, Not So Nice!

poached and pureed salmon w/ brown rice did not go over well with the little man today.
He had a very strong gag reflex, followed by grasping the salmon lump off his tongue and throwing it down..I guess it will be baby steps to the fish taste.
The only other food he had this strong of an aversion to was Greek yogurt..too strong on its own I guess.

Well, back to his fav fruits and vegs and will try fish again later.

Croup!

Poor Pax, diagnosed w/ Croup last week, the day before we were to fly out to the grandparents in San Antonio.
The nurse said 'once a crouper, always a crouper' , so apparently he could be likely to have this again.
Very scary, as it sounds horrible, sort of like pertussis...but he has been vaccinated against that one.
The steroid drops seemed to do the job and after 5 days, he sounds much, much better.
Our first illness..it was bound to happen.

40 Weeks/9 Months!

Had our 9 mo well check w/ our new pediatrician last week.  Love Dr. Powell, he is very high energy and enthusiastic to see his patients...love his passion!
Very minimal weight gain over the past 3 months, I chalk this up to crawling and burning more calories as his weight, size and noggin circumference are normal.  Received his first polio shot and seems he can really eat anything we eat, except for corn, honey or egg whites...time to explore some more flavors...yippee!
He is already loving his rice husks which he chomps on like potato chips and sweet potato flavored rice puffs.  At this age their digestive systems are as mature as ours...who knew!?

First up on the meats....salmon!  Gotta get the brain food queued up.
Loving this cute stage full of smiles and discoveries.
Daddy still exploring his artistic photos, as seen below.

8 Month Glamor Shot & CRAWLING

Pax figured out how to propel forward on Saturday(good thing mom and dad bought the first of 2 needed baby gates to block off the wicked stairs).  Momma is so excited to see him figure out the commando crawl, he starts w/ the right arm reach, coordinating the right leg, while dragging the left arm and leg along for the ride..funny!

My 8 month old man

-' Your baby understands more of what you say and may comprehend common words like "ball" and "bottle." Satisfy his thirst for knowledge by reading lots of baby books to him and telling him the name for everything. He is taking in every word!'


I can see the recognition on his face when I ask if he wants milk, while also signing it to him.  He also  seems to be entertained w/ the words and sign for 'all done'.  I think he practiced this w/ me last night when he finished his bottle by throwing it and sort of throwing his hand in the air.  We are on our way to communicatin'  !   :)

7 Month Glamor Shot and My First Tooth!

Mama was so surprised when Paxton pulled my finger in his mouth, only to feel his little nubber tooth.
After all that drooling and noshing on anything he could pull into his mouth at Christmas, the result is one sweet little tooth on the bottom.  Here we go...teething ON!