One year olds are fast and it took Mom and Dad 9 months to catch me!

Hello everybody! We realize that our last post was when I was 11 months old, so we’re sorry about that. Well, let me be the first to tell you that A LOT has happened since then. But since this isn’t meant to be a novel, I’ll just go over the highlights for you!

Just about two weeks before I turned the big 0-1 I took my first step. Actually, I never stopped at one step - I just kept going and I haven’t looked back yet. Click here for some video of those monumental first steps. The weekend before my actual first birthday, Mommy and Daddy threw me a small party with our family. It was loads of fun; it was full of great presents, cute clothes, great food and, of course, yummy cake! At first I wasn’t too sure of this cake thing but after the first initial intake of sugar I was sold! Later in the week, Aunt Kelly, Uncle Ken, Kait and Kevin stopped by to wish me a happy birthday and brought birthday cupcakes; by this time I was a pro so I didn’t hesitate and I dove right into it!

This Spring I also participated at my first Easter egg hunt at Great Grammy’s house. Maisie, Maddux, Julianna and I went around her big backyard picking up and sharing the Easter eggs - I got really good at picking the eggs up and putting them in my basket.

This past May I was in Kaitlin and Kevin’s wedding that took place down in Rehobeth Beach. I had a great time getting dressed up and I did my best to walk down the aisle (with Mommy’s help.) Mommy and Daddy don’t have any pictures from that day because Mommy was tending to me and Daddy was busy videotaping the event, but we do have some pics of me at the beach and trying on my dress! (I think Grammy and Pop-Pop have pictures but we keep on forgetting to get them from them!)

Over the summer, Daddy and Mommy took me to feed the geese and I had a blast! Although, I would get mad at geese because they would let me chase them, but they would never chase me! I also got to go to Musikfest twice this year. The first time was with Aunt Anne, Uncle Jon, Julianna, Stephen and Cindy and Julianna and I had a great time dancing to the music! People would say that we were the opening act for the bands because they were so entertained by us running around and laughing! The second time was with Aunt Alex who bought me ice cream, and that alone made it a great time!

Around the time of Musikfest the twins came to visit, it was the last time they’d get up here before their little brother, Parker was born. (Side note: Parker Jeffrey was born on September 29th and he is the cutest thing ever! We’re going to visit him in two weekends and I’m very excited!) Aunt Aimee’s parents had a picnic at their place and I got to play with Maisie and Maddux and their other cousin, Addison. We had so much fun, especially when Uncle Jeff turned on the sprinkler!

Since I’m 20 months old, I’m as curious as ever. I am constantly taking things a part and trying to put them back together. I also love to mimic Mommy and Daddy cooking; I can whip up some amazing things in my little kitchen! I can say some phrases such as “Hi Momma,” “Hi Dadda,” “Oh NOOOOOOOO!” “Here ya go!” “1-2-3 Go” and simple words like “ball” “banana” (technically, I say “nana” for banana) “yes” “no” “Pop-Pop” “bye bye” “diaper” “potty” “bath” “Grammy” (which I say “mamy” but it’s getting there!) My favorite past time is putting pants on my head and throwing a ball. My dogs are my best friends, although they don’t know it and they act like they can’t get away from me fast enough, but I know that that’s just an act and it doesn’t stop me from trying to hug them.

When I turned 18 months Daddy and Mommy introduced me to an interesting concept, that of the potty. It took me awhile to grasp the concept and I’m still trying to understand it. When Mommy asks me if I went to the bathroom I usually answer with the truth (by saying “yes” or “no”) but I still don’t get that I have to go on the potty. My favorite thing to do is sit on the potty and clap and smile and say “yaaaaaay!” but the second I feel like I have to go I get up, take two steps and pee on the carpet. It’s a work in progress, but we’ll get it.

Today we went with Aunt Anne, Julianna, Christine, Aunt Agnes and Grammy to a pumpkin patch and Julianna and I had so much fun! We ran around a maze, looked at farm animals, posed for pictures and picked out pumpkins. It was a great fall day!

Right now, I’m enjoying myself and this world around me. I love going to the playground, being outside, riding my bike, and playing with my little kitchen. I’m also enjoying being an only child because come this Christmas I’ll have a little sister that I’m going to have to deal with. I honestly don’t know what that means: Mommy keeps on telling me to get off the baby whenever I try to climb onto her belly, I just look at her and smile and get down. Seriously, sometimes Mommy says the weirdest things!

So, with that in mind, Mommy and Daddy wanted me to let everyone know that by Christmas this site will be changing. The new site will be dedicated to our growing family and even the address will be different but don’t worry, Daddy will let everyone know the new address when the switch happens, but until then, Daddy’s flickr account always has the latest pictures.

Well, those are the highlights. We hope to keep this more up-to-date but bare with us over the next few months while we prepare for this baby everyone keeps talking about! Hope everyone is well!

10-11 months

Hi everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR! We’re sorry that we skipped last month, but factoring in the chaos the holidays bring along, we’re sure you’ll all forgive us.

As you can imagine a lot has happened in these past two months so its best to start where we last left off.  I celebrated my first Thanksgiving at Grammy Wukitch’s and Grammy DeLabar’s - I had a lot of yummy food and Mommy and Daddy decided that it was time to start me on regular table food and I haven’t looked back yet!

At the end of November I started to stand really well unassisted and even started to stand up by myself without holding on to anything.  I’ve been playing a lot of new games with everyone; I’ve perfected the “climb up the stairs without anyone noticing” game and I have been working on rolling a ball back to you. I find it easier to just hold on to it while crawling to you and just handing it over, but Mommy insists that I roll it back (I don’t see a difference.) I’m also starting to get the whole “Let’s put our toys away” game. I’ve gotten really good at putting things “away” even if they don’t belong where I put them,  ie- phone in the play cookie jar.

The first weekend in December, we all went waaaaaaay up north to find a Christmas tree. We drove all the way up over Blue Mountain to find a tree farm with trees big and fat enough for Mommy’s taste (and take up at least a quarter of the front room). We went with Grammy and Pop-pop Wukitch, Great Aunt Anne and Great Uncle Barry, and David and Heather. I got to ride around in a backpack, it was cold, but a lot of fun! At first I was a little afraid of the tree when Daddy brought it in, but I got used to it, and after that I had a great time taking off the tinsel and ornaments.

In the middle of December I impressed my parents by taking a spoon full of food and eating off of it the way big people do. They tried to capture it on film but I felt like being shy then so I just smiled and threw the spoon, and food, over my shoulder. I also have been taking a few steps here and there. My first official step was on December 15th. I “walked” from my play table to the sofa where Grammy Wukitch was sitting. Since then I’ve taken a couple together, but nothing that anyone really considers “walking.” Although I do have the climbing and catapulting myself onto the sofa down pat. If there is anything remotely steady enough for me to climb onto (my little chair, my activity table, one of the dogs, etc.) I will try to climb onto it and use it to reach something higher up. Daddy swears I have monkey in me. :)

My first Christmas was magical and so much fun. We went to a lot of parties and I even got to meet Santa Claus. Mommy took me over to see him at Cousin David’s house and he gave me a present, to which I replied with a great big smile, but that by no means meant that I wanted him to hold me. I let everyone know about my feelings as soon I felt my mom shift my weight closer to him. Luckily for everyone in the room, my mom heard the sound of my deep intake of air as I got ready to voice my opinion and decided that I have had enough and took me back upstairs to the rest of the party. The following weekend we were back at David’s house to make the famous pierogies for Christmas Eve dinner. I was very honored and happy to accept my new role of official taste tester. The pierogies were delicious (even though David was experimenting with the recipe) and I had a lot of fun watching everyone pitch in to make them. I can’t wait until I can help!

Other than that, I really liked seeing everyone and because of all the practice I got really good at opening presents. I had a lot of fun Christmas Eve at Great Grammy Siekonic’s, I got to play with Maisie, Maddux and Julianna. Christmas morning was even better; even though I had no idea what was going on when Mommy carried me into our front room with the Christmas tree and all the presents I had a huge smile on my face. Mommy made cinnamon buns from scratch and Grammy and Grandpop DeLabar came over for breakfast, it was a lot of fun. Later in the day we went over to Grammy Wukitch’s to see everyone and then we ended the day at Nanna’s house.

I don’t understand the New Year’s holiday. Why anyone would want to stay up until all hours of the night is beyond me. Mommy and Daddy went to Kelly’s house and although I was there, I did not stay up until midnight like the rest of them. However, I was woken up by the sound of fireworks from their neighbors, just like Santa, I let everyone know how I felt about that. Thankfully, we were home and in our own beds by 12:30am so no real harm done.

The days since New Year’s have been pretty low key. I’m having a blast playing with all my new toys.  Most of them came with little balls, so I have fun throwing balls around and pressing all the buttons on the toys at once so its a constant stream of noise. I can’t tell if Mommy enjoys it as much as I do though.

Well, that’s about it. Next month I’m turning one and I can’t believe it’ll be here in a few short weeks. It seems like only yesterday I was just this little bundle that just slept all day. Now I’m an energetic monkey that lives for goldfish crackers and loves to torment the dogs.

9 months old

Hello world! Life is going well for us and with each new day brings new accomplishments and new experiences for me. Since we last posted I started to dance, wave “hi” and “bye” and I can show you how big I am by raising my hands above my head.

But first things first. I got a little curious after my 8 month birthday and decided that I was old enough to go around touching things Mommy and Daddy told me not to. I thought that grabbing onto a hot radiator pipe would be the best thing for me to do. Needless to say, Mommy and Daddy are now pros at medicating and bandaging a screaming infant’s hand. Whoops! (It took about a week to heal fully and I now know the meaning of “hot”)

I also got to go to my very first pumpkin patch, well, it wasn’t really a pumpkin patch because the real ones were closed on a Friday, but Grammy Wukitch and Mommy took me to Strawberry Acres to pick a couple of pumpkins. Most of them were bigger than me!! I had so much fun and I loved trying to stand up while holding onto them. I can’t wait till next year when I can pick out my own pumpkin.

On October 19th, Mommy’s family went over to Great Grammy Siekonic’s to celebrate Great Pop-Pop’s 95th birthday party. I had a lot of fun getting sympathy hugs and kisses from everyone because of my hand! Later that week I took part in my first Halloween Parade, although it was very cold so all you could see were my eyes poking out from underneath my 7 layers of clothes and blankets. (that and I fell asleep only 10 minutes into it, so I really didn’t take in much, although I was on tv!) I also got to help Mommy and Daddy hand out trick or treat candy to all the kids. Mommy dressed me up in a kangaroo costume that even had a baby kangaroo in the pouch. That was fun, after all the candy was given out we visited Grammy and Pop Pop Wukitch and Grammy and Grandpop DeLabar.

I’ve also started to do a lot more this month. If you ask me how big I am, I raise my hands above my head and give you a really big smile; most times I follow this by clapping. In the beginning of my ninth month I figured out how to sit from a standing position which makes it easier for me to get around and get into things now. I know how to dance and just last week I mastered the bouncing while sitting to groove to my favorite Sesame Street songs. I’ve been cruising the furniture and just last night I stood up by myself without grabbing onto furniture, parents or dogs to do it!

In all of this, I think my biggest accomplishment and the one that I am most proud of is when I climb the steps. Mommy and Daddy are usually there but I think its more fun when I do it without them knowing about it - I usually get further too. I hear them talking about gates, so I may have to be sneakier about my attempts in the future. I also like to push my push toy around and walk, although, most of the time I get down to crawl because it still my fastest way to travel.

I’ve been eating a lot more real food, as well. Each day Mommy gives me bannanas and grapes to eat and I love them. Daddy is a little more daring with the variety of foods he gives me. (Mommy isn’t always happy about it but I have my own special way of telling Daddy when things are a little too much for me to handle! For instance, last weekend at Nana’s house when they were eating ravioli and Daddy thought that ravioli, baby food, veggies and a bottle was just the right amount of food…I let him, and everyone else, know otherwise!)

This past Friday night we visited Aunt Anne and Uncle Jon and Julianna. It was so much fun, but here again, Mommy and Daddy gave me too many carrots throughout the day and it culminated at their house. So I need to take a moment and apologize for spitting up all over their couch, floor, table…etc. But I did have a lot of fun playing with Julianna and Mommy and Daddy have noticed a noticeable increase in my jabbering and “talking.” I also fine tuned my waving “hi” and “bye.” Instead of waving a stiff arm up and down, I extend my arm and move the wrist and fingers up and down. So next time you see me, watch out, I’ll wave hello to you and probaby won’t stop until we’re ready to leave!

Stay tuned for the next month’s entry. I’m really excited to experience my first Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are so many plans ahead of us and I’m looking forward to learning about all of the traditions, even though I won’t remember any of it! Also, I’m trying to stand by myself, so there is a good chance that I may be trying to walk by Christmas. Keep your fingers crossed for me and keep Mommy and Daddy in your prayers! hahahaha!

Lily Bean the Dancing Machine! (8 Months)

Hi everyone! I have been having so much fun over this past month! The month started off really great! We visited Uncle Jeff, Aunt Aimee, Maisie and Maddux in Baltimore! We went down for the weekend and I had a blast playing with my cousins. I went to the zoo for the first time ever! I fell asleep half way through it, but when I was awake I had a ball. I loved playing with Maisie and Maddux, they were very friendly and shared their toys with me. I can’t wait to see them this Thanksgiving and I definately can’t wait when I can run around with them.

I then went to my very first Celtic Fest, where I saw Seamus Kennedy perform. Daddy took a video of Mommy and me singing to one of the songs. I was tired though, so I really wasn’t into it at the time, but I still had a good time. That night we went over to Uncle Kyle and Aunt Alex’s for dinner. I had so much fun “walking” around thier house in my walker. I got a little cranky, but I had 5 teeth coming in then so I think I have a good reason! But they loved me anyhow and they even gave me my bottle!

One day when Mommy was at Curves I was watching Grammy Wukitch clap her hands and I decided that I could do it too. You can imagine Mommy’s surprise when she came home to me clapping, she was so proud! She had her digital camera handy and got a few rough seconds of me clapping. Ever since then I love to clap, especially when Daddy tosses me in the air.

As usual, we’ve been really busy and this past week was not any different. Friday night I experienced my first Family Night fundraiser that CAST throws every year. But alas, my teeth stopped me from enjoying myself and Daddy had to take me home early, but it was nice seeing everyone again. Then on Saturday we went to Great Aunt Betty’s house for a last minute picnic. It was a lot of fun and I got to see Grammy DeLabar’s side of the family. I had so much fun! I got to play with Grammy and Grandpop DeLabar, as well as, Great Grammy and Grandpop Bushner. Grammy Bushner gave me some tiny apple pieces from Great Aunt Deanna’s cake, they were yummy!! We ended the night at “Aunt” Kelly’s and “Uncle” Ken’s house. I always like going there, I usually end up falling asleep while Mommy and Daddy play cards with them, but before I do, Kaitlin always plays with me. I can’t wait for her wedding in May!!

I’m getting stronger with each passing day. I can easily pull myself up holding onto just about anything, tv cabinet, sofa, Mommy, the dogs. I just started to cruise the furniture. Roxie pretty much hides from me now since I’m a lot faster crawling on all fours and in the walker…well, lets just say that they should call it a “runner.” Mommy and Daddy also gave me some shredded chicken to taste for the first time. I haven’t decided if I like the taste just yet, but I love feeding myself!

My teeth are coming in nicely. Just this past Saturday you couldn’t see all of the top four teeth, then yesterday at my doctor’s appointment you could see 4 on the top and 4 on the bottom, with 2 or 3 more coming in. The doctor was really impressed. She was also impressed with my growth and my development. I weigh 9lbs 11oz and said that if I like stage 3 foods that after a couple of weeks Mommy and Daddy can give me more table food! Halupkis here I come!!

Yesterday we got our pictures taken at the Rose Gardens in Allentown by Great Uncle Tom. I got a little cranky here and there but Uncle Tom was very patient. I can’t wait to see what develops! When we were there Mommy noticed that I started to bounce while standing and leaning on a bench. At first she thought I was losing my balance, but when I did it today she noticed that it was more like dancing. Then I started to shake my behind to Mommy singing and she finally realized that I have some rhythm. I love dancing to Sesame Street and the Sunny Side Up Show on the Sprout network. (That Chica is hilarious!) I clap while sitting and dance while standing! I’m also very good a mimic-ing Mommy’s voice (there is a raw video that kind of shows it) today I even “sang” back to her, she’d sing a line then I would and we went back and forth for a little.

Well, that’s about it, Daddy posted a bunch of pictures from the last month, so go and check those out! He’s also working on a few more videos, so check back in a day or two for those! A lot of motor skills are developing so don’t be surprised if by Christmas I’m taking a couple of steps! I hope everyone is doing well and I will see you all next month!

7 months old and mobile!

Hi everyone! Sorry this is a little late but Mommy and Daddy have been busy trying to get me to sit still! The month started off great! We were very busy visiting a lot of people this month. We went and visited Adriana and Joe and I got to go swimming in their pool! I had so much fun and I can’t wait to do it again next year.

Daddy and his family threw Nanna a surprise 75th Birthday Party at Uncle Kyle’s. Nanna was really surprised and was very happy. I was a little cranky that day because of my one fang coming in (luckily the other one just came in on the other side so now I don’t look that silly!) but I still had a good time. We also went to Nanna’s house a couple of times and I always have a good time there. This last time I was really a happy baby and I was giggling and bouncing and making all sorts of funny sounds for everyone. I also went to Julianna’s 2nd birthday party. Mommy and Daddy gave me a little ice cream and I can’t wait for my birthday in February. Uncle Brian and Aunt Nicole had us and Grammy and Pop-Pop over and I really liked playing in their house. I really liked their Yorkie, Snoop. He is soooo cute. I think I like his toys better than Chrissie and Roxie’s.

Speaking of toys I need to give a shout out to my Uncle Brian. He sent me a soccer ball rattle and a soccer ball that I can kick around. His note said that since I started moving Mommy should start training me so I can go kicking with them. Although, for me to go with them that would entail them going themselves. So, Uncle Brian, whenever you’re free, Mommy’s ready to go.

I also celebrated my first Labor Day with a picnic at Grammy and Pop-Pop’s. It was loads of fun. All of Mommy’s family was there (except for the Marylanders) but it was still fun. I got to spend a lot of time with ’Aunt Anne’ and Julianna. Mommy tried to get our pictures, but as she was trying to get us to smile, she’d let the camera drop so most of them are just of our heads! Silly Mommy! It was great to see everyone again and I can’t wait until our next family get together. 

I have to say the biggest accomplishment for me this month is definately my crawling skills. I started “army crawling” about 2 weeks ago and let me tell you, I’m fast! Just this past week I’ve ventured onto my knees a couple of times and I’m thinking if I get that down, I’ll be even faster. Oh, and get this, this past Sunday, while Daddy was sitting on the couch and I was sitting on the floor right below him and I grabbed onto the sofa and pulled myself up to a standing position. I was so proud…Mommy couldn’t stop laughing and Daddy looked like a dear in headlights! I have a feeling Mommy won’t be laughing for long though! I can pull myself up onto my bouncer and then back off again. They should have made my middle name “daredevil” because if its dangerous I won’t stop until I try it, no matter how many times Mommy and Daddy take me away from things. If it looks interesting, I’m there - especially the tv cabinet and putting the dog’s ears in my mouth.

On the 11th (my seventh month “birthday”) Mommy gave me a Gerber cookie and it was gooooooood! Mommy noticed that I would gum my food in my mouth when she would feed me, and with my crawling skills excelling everyday, Mommy thought that she’d let me try it and I’m glad that she did! I love those cookies so much that I cry whenever they take it away from me. I had one on Saturday night when Grammy and Grandpop came over for dinner and I got it down to two little pieces, but I kept on dropping them down into my chair, but it was ok, because I’d find them a little later and continue to knaw on them. They are some good cookies.

That’s about it for this month, Daddy has a lot of new pictures posted on Flickr, and be sure to check out my first crawling video below, it’s a little dark and I barely move, but it was only the beginning! Also, don’t forget to go vote for me at the Lehigh Valley Mall. Voting is open until September 26th. It costs $1 and it supports the March of Dimes, a great cause. Also, Dr. Christina Lee is sponsoring it and our family owes a lot to her help. So please, go out and support this beautiful cause because babies are awesome!