Walker, eater, dancer

I left Shepard in the care of non-Mommies for the first time this weekend. And what does he decide to do?!?!? WALK. I mean, really take 7-8 steps in a row without falling. Geez. Poor Jerod tried all day to capture the walk on video, to no avail. One of his attempts though ended up being some fun times with Grandma and Gloria Estefan. Yes, you heard me. Gloria Estefan.

I still haven't captured the walk, but you can enjoy the play, the dance and the eating of the swim trunks.


We are also experimenting with table foods. I try something new on him pretty much every day. His favorites right now are broccoli, grilled chicken (!), cheerios, mozzarella, pizza, and pasta with tomato sauce. Tonight we had yellow rice and black beans. I wasn't sure he would eat it at all. And then he started double-fisting it!



In terms of milestones, yesterday (Monday) was his first day in his new pre-toddler class at school. He will learn basic signs, more finger-food-eating and generally get his play on. We even got a certificate of graduation. We will miss Ms. Pebbles, Tasha and Veronica. Ms. Pebbles was with him since he was 10 weeks old. Sigh. Growing up is hard on mommies.

Crazy baby laugh

Shepard has a new laugh. I won't lie...it sounds a little maniacal! We haven't captured the full-on crazy version quite yet, but here's a teaser...



He pulled out the real thing while I was trying to change his diaper and wrestle him to stay still...let's just say there was poop, poop on his foot, poop on me, kicking, rolling...and the crazy laugh. There is no video of that exchange of course. It's like he was plotting the most insane diaper change ever and his evil plan was coming together just the way he thought it would. Of course, he was smiling and thoroughly enjoying watching Mama trying to keep his limbs and body from going over the edge.

Oh my. If this is a taste of what's to come...this really is going to be a crazy roller coaster ride!

Eleven Months!

Wow. Someone please tell me when my sweet baby turned into a sweet toddler? He just seems so big nowadays. He is eleven months old today...nearly ONE YEAR OLD! Nana and Pops were able to head up this weekend, so we had some fun hanging out at the house and taking a quick tour of Winthrop. I know, we really know how to show my folks a grand time. Oh, they also sponsored the babysitting for a real date night, so Jerod and I took in the latest in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise. I had to take today off (Memorial Day--what?), but it was a lovely break.

Shepard went swimming for the first time...if you can call sitting in five inches of water swimming. We broke out the new kiddie pool. He was relatively confused about being in clothes outside in water. There were still toys, but no soap...I feel pretty sure it was more fun for me than for him. We'll have to invite some buddies over to splash with him. Then maybe he'll get it. Right? Of course.
Anywho...here's him in the pool:



WORDS at ELEVEN MONTHS.
Besides "Dada" and "Mama," now usually appropriately attributed, we definitely have "DA!" serving as "DONE!" at the end of meals. Either that or he motorboats the last bite of food out of his mouth. I'm really pushing for DA! And, we have no idea where he learned it (day care?), but when he likes something he's eating, he has been saying "num num num...." after each bite. It's hilarious. So I captured it for our faithful viewers to enjoy.



So, we have the beginnings of talking, a few steps of walking...and Mama is BALKING. Sigh. It is flying by. Hopeful that I'll have two front teeth to report on in the near future. Then I'll have video of him eating his first steak! (I joke. I kid.)

Big Week! Steps and Big-People Food

Shepard has had quite the big week. He started it off having his bottom front teeth erupt sometime around Sunday-Monday. I just looked in there on Tuesday morning while he was yelling for faster breakfast service...and there they were! I hope the top front ones start coming in soon so he doesn't look like a baby redneck. (You were thinking it; you just didn't say it. I know.) From all indications, there are some teeth IN there.

Today's video is kind of a big deal. His day school "teachers" have been telling me all week that he is taking single steps at school. In my world, however, it hasn't actually HAPPENED until Mommy or Daddy are there to witness it. Shepard is usually pretty worn out when he gets home from day care, so he's usually not interested in performing tricks for us before dinner.

I was able to pick him up a little early today and was just trying to capture him playing, cruising on the furniture, etc. I actually recorded his first two steps!!!! On accident! Additionally, a little while later, he ate broccoli and some pasta like a big boy too. Not that I am encouraging this "big boy" mess, mind you. It just happens, apparently.

So, pop your popcorn, sit back and put your feet up. Here is a piece of some seriously riveting cinema.

Without further ado, I present to you...

"Steppin' Out with my Baby"

Lately

We officially have two teeth. The lateral incisors, I think they call them. No front teeth, just two little fangs on the sides. :) Here we are trying to get a chuckle and see them...



Grandma Jones came for a visit so Mommy and Daddy could have a date night. She gets pretty good chuckles from Baby too.

Finally, we may have our first word aside from the mostly-correctly-assigned "Mama" and "Dada." The jury's still out, but there have been several occasions of "DA" at the end of bottles or meals. We think MAYBE he means "done." It's very staccato and definitive. Not the strung together dadadadadada. We'll keep you posted.

Happy Mother's Day...to ME.

This is my first official Mother's Day. I'm still in love with the little bit we brought home nearly a year ago.

Here's us when he was six days old.

He was so tiny then! What a whirlwind year it's been. I never dreamed I could learn so much information and get to know a perfect little human in such a short time. Of course, if you're following the blog, you've seen the progress too. I won't recap it, as it's pretty much the same for every baby ever born.
I feel as if at least half of my brain function is dedicated to him now...planning, dreaming, what needs to go in the diaper bag before we leave the house?...you know.
It's so much fun. His smile really does light up my world. Seeing him interact with Jerod is so precious too. He's a curious little thing, needing to know what EVERYTHING around him does. He gets that from his Dad. I don't know yet what he got from me, other than his charm and good looks.  ;)
We had some perfect moments today. The breeze was light, the air was about 75 degrees and the sun was shining. We spent about an hour in the hammock in the backyard looking up at the trees. I caught him several times as he attempted to make a break for the edge. Then, he got sleepy and snuggled up against my shoulder. The eyelids got droopy and he breathed a deep sigh of contentment as he burrowed his head in my shirt. I nearly died from the wonderfulness of it. The smell of his breath, the beautiful blue eyes, the two-toothed grin...and the word "Ma-ma" that he seems to be getting the hang of, the look of accomplishment when he realizes he's standing without holding on to anything (!). I am blessed to be your Mama, Shepard. May the Lord be with me each day giving me guidance, patience, and love.

Here's a slice of life from this week (long play version...)

Easter! And a birthday!

Well, Easter was last week. I'm finally getting some pics up. Our royal photographer was busy, so we didn't get a full family picture. But TODAY is "Daddy's" birthday. Happy Birthday to the sweetest and tallest man I know.

Here's Shepard ready for Easter Sunday

 

Then we thought he might like to wear those bunny ears. Here's the progression from "what the heck are you doing to me?" to "Hey, I look pretty good!"(remember to click picture to see larger)