Joss Standing in the Crib

Oh, and the other day, Mommy walked in to get Joss from his nap - and found Joss standing up in his crib! Joss seemed even more surprised than Mommy was.

(This picture is from the next day - same standing-up, but less surprise and more "I have a fever and am wicked upset.")

March 6, 2011

It's my Potty, and I'll poo where I want to. . .

Paul is in Sudden-Death potty training. Day Care has told us in no uncertain terms that Paul MUST be potty trained before the end of March. (I don't know what the "or else" could be, but I imagine it involves water boarding and multiple viewings of Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo.)

Anyway, they suggested that we send Paul to school in underpants, and with a few several changes of clothes, and we'll all go for broke. The first day he made all his pees in the potty, but had a poopsident (poop accident). The second day he made all his pees in the potty, and didn't poop at all. He came home, peed in his cow costume, threw an enormous tantrum when Mommy and Daddy couldn't instantly clean the costume, then peed his pants again.

This morning, we started out in underpants, peed twice on the potty, then despite being never more than 12 steps from the bathroom, pooped in his underpants, then duck-walked over to tell Mommy that the deed was done. *sigh* Pull-ups were called into play, but remained dry throughout the afternoon.

Part of today's activities involved the purchase of more underpants. Mommy chose some adorable Paul Frank monkey-pants, and Paul chose Cars and SpongeBob.

Cross your fingers. (And legs.)

An artist's rendering of Joss' current dental situation.

Joss finally cut tooth #4 today! The upper right lateral. Hopefully, we'll have one or two nights of sleep before he continues on teething the other upper central inscisor. (Fingers crossed and Tylenol at the ready.)

Where ever thou goest, I will go. . .

. . . even up a huge flight of stairs. . . several times in a row. . .

The Video:

Joss update

By the way, Joss now:

*has three teeth (upper right incisor, both lower central incisors), with 2 more upper teeth about to cut through. He looks like Cleetus, the Slack-Jawed Yokel.

*can crawl, and crawl very quickly.

*can pull himself to a standing position, and does just that at every given opportunity.

*loves to feed himself. He loves chicken, banana, cereal, yogurt melts, apple snacks, and rice.

*follows Paul around like a puppy.

Joss' first Birthday Party!

Bring on the partying hoards! We have baked ziti and grapes galore!

At times it seemed like the lil kids out numbered the adults. . .

Binghamton University reunion by the play kitchen. Just like back at the Nite Owl.

Jon and Stacy dance, while Joss sneaks up on the tiger.

Party!

Paul two-fists the drink boxes. He's ready for college.

Amy and Jack wish Joss a happy birthday.

Cullen and Connor take a quick rest from partying like crazy.

It's not a party if Daddy's not at the piano! Here, Tesla helps him with the more complicated section in the second movement of "Old McDonald's Farm in Gmaj."

Sophia and Paul have an under-the-table picnic - very reminiscent of Mommy's extensive history of hiding under tables at parties.


Ahhhh. . .the cake. Just like at Paul's first birthday, Mommy splurged on an AWESOME cake. . . Top View:

Front View:

Paul supervised the candle placement.

Joss - your hat is to stylin!

Happy Birthday Dear Joss! Happy Birthday to you!

CAKE?!?

Blowing out the candle. . .

. . .and CAAAAAKKKEEEE!!!!!


Extra special thanks to Safta Sheila who was an amazing help with set up and break down. we love you Safta!

Whew! That was fun, but exhausting. Hope you had fun, Joss!

New Food: Cheese Stick, or: Picnic at the Dr's office

Wednesday, Feb 9, 2011, Joss had his 12 month check up! Dr. S was running a little behind due to an urgent care case in the next exam room, so we settled in to wait picnic-style!

Joss loved playing with those little wagon-wheel crackers. He also kept trying to share them with that handsome baby in the mirror.

After the appetizer, it was time for the next course - pumpkin-banana puree, which smells like cake! Joss can feed himself these handy pouches. =)

And now for the best course - Mozarella Stick! (Mommy watched Joss like a hawk, making sure he didn't choke.) Yummmm!


So, Joss is doing very well. He's self feeding (see above), crawling like crazy, vocalizing almost all the time, recognized his name, and knows who Mommy, Daddy, and Paul are. He tolerated the exam well, except for the lying down parts - he's too busy a baby to lie down!

Joss is in the 25% for weight (down from 50% last exam, but that's due to the drastic increase in activity and the transitioning to solid foods, and it perfectly normal around 9-12 months), remained in the 50% for height, and - oh yeah - 95% for head circumference. Our little Charlie Brown.

Happy First Birthday Joss!

Well hello!

Do you like my hat?

I've disappeared! It's magic!

Ha - I'm right here! Fooled you! Happy Birthday to me!


Oh, darling Joss, it's been quite a year. You burst into this world of your own volition - Mommy didn't even have to push, she just held on for the ride - and have been making your own way since then.

You were so tiny, and spent 6 long weeks in the NICU, tangled in monitor wires and feeding tubes. Look at you now! You are crawling all over the house, you eat real people food like it's going out of style, you nurse with luxurious abandon, you sing and chatter, and you love to bang two toys together to see how they sound.

You are a sweet, loving boy, and are generally cheerful. As long as you are fed. And clean and dry. And rested. But when you are not happy, you scream like hot pokers are being stabbed through your feet. Wowza. . .

Your sleeping is still rather erratic - some nights you sleep from 9pm-5am, other night you wake for cuddles at 1, 2, 3, and then ready to eat at 4. So, Mommy is a little too tired to say exactly what she wants to in this letter to you. Please forgive me. Just know what we are so happy to have you with us, and are so grateful you are cheerful and playful and growing so big.

We love you lots, lil Monkey Butt. Happy first birthday, Joss.

Cookin' and Climbin'

Joss found the stairs.

In the time between taking these pictures and setting the camera down, Joss managed to climb up and sit on the first step, and would have made it to the second step if Mommy hadn't swooped in and taken him away.


Joss also discovered the play kitchen - and sat playing for a good 10 minutes, long enough for Mommy to actually finish a cup of coffee. Pretty cool, kiddo.

Milestone: Oh yeah, Joss drinks water from a cup now.

Glamour Shots - Joss Edition

Good light + cheerful child = awesome pictures.










Note his first tooth! (and second and third getting ready to erupt.)

Standing in the Pack 'N' Play!

Uh-oh - Mommy's in trouble now. . .

Look who is thrilled about standing up in his pack 'n' play?

Is this face of trouble?

You betcha!

Hahahaha!

Oh noes - fell down! Is this the Phantom Zone?

from Jan 5, 2011