Update

This might be the last update we give until after the holidays.

Our toddler turns 17 months in one week. It's so hard to believe. He certainly doesn't look like a little, snuggly baby anymore. He is all GO, GO, GO, GO!!!

He doesn't seem to like doing things in the proper developmental sequence. He didn't walk until 15 months, still doesn't clap and won't wave. But, he is beginning to count and say his ABCs. I can't believe it. He still eats baby food and has an aversion to most solid foods, but he can count to 4 and says, "A, B, C". He is so verbal! He can name many objects. He knows more words than we realize. Just today, we were at the grocery store and walked past the bakery. He pointed to the case and said, "cake". He also pointed to a Christmas tree and said, "tee".

He is quite a handful. We are worried about how much he will destroy everyone's homes over the holiday visits. He can open most drawers, cabinets, closets, etc. There is a certain kind of baby-proof lock that he has already figured out how to open!

We are so blessed!

Happy Holidays!

Videos

Christmas Card Fiasco

We went to a portrait studio and had some beautiful Christmas pictures taken. I had planned to use one of the pictures for our Christmas card. I didn't realize that I had to obtain photo consents for Walmart to create these cards. I was so mad that I just decided to scrap the original idea and take pictures on my own.
Greg and I have few to no creative bones in our body. Our attempts to take a cute, silly, creative photo all ended in someone crying (usually me). Therefore, I don't think we are doing Christmas cards this year. This is highly un-Sell-Smith-like as we usually have our cards in the mail immediately following Thanksgiving. So, when you don't receive your card this year, remember that it's nothing personal.

Here are some of the professional photos we were unable to use.

Other Christmas Card Attempts

Happy Birthday Leeza!

December 9th was Leeza's 6th birthday. I think she's the only one in the family not feeling the stress of the holidays!

Baby

He sure loves his "baby"!

Getting Ready for Christmas

We've been busy preparing for Christmas. We even got one of those gadgets that projects images onto the front of the house. Not sure if you can really see it from the pictures, though.

This is How He Rolls

Baby got an early Christmas present.

Sixteen Months

I can't believe baby is 16 months old. Lots of changes happening in the last few weeks.
Baby is now walking full-time. He doesn't want to ride in the stroller at the mall. But, he won't hold hands when he walks. He's also learned to avoid us by moving fast and attempting to run away.
His vocabulary has expanded to about 30 words. I'm very sad to say that he will say "Daddy" constantly, but rarely says "mama" or "mommy" anymore.
Baby shows an interest in music, so we've enrolled him in Kindermusik. He begins classes in January. It's a fun way to learn about rhythm, pacing, moving and how these skills can be used to enhance cognitive, motor, language and social development.

Thanksgiving

We had a low-key Thanksgiving here in Poo Fields. We threw tradition to the wind and ate steaks off the grill. We went shopping at Meijer and later that night went to a drive-thru Christmas light display.
It was sad being away from our friends and family. We look forward to a family-filled celebration at Christmas!

Second Hair Cut

The Wiggles Concert

The Wiggles Concert was a difficult event for baby. He initially loved all of the singing and dancing, but quickly became bored and frustrated. He didn't like being confined to our small seating area and at one point crawled under a few seats. It was embarassing when a complete stranger had to pull him out from under the seat, screaming and crying. I think I had a better time than baby!

Museum Quality

We found this funny website:

www.dumpr.net/museumr.php

Check it out!

15 Month Check-Up

Baby had his 15 month well check this week. He is slowly gaining weight. He is in the 11th percentile for weight, 51st for height and 74th in head circumference. I think he gets his big head from his daddy!

Baby is learning to fear the doctor's office. He cried throughout each part of the exam. By the time we got to the shots, he completely lost it! I've never heard him cry like that. It was a kind of panicked, scream-cry-hyperventilation.

Baby is now walking most of the time. He walks well on smooth surfaces and in barefeet. He still needs more practice with shoes and on rough surfaces.

Halloween

We had a fun night of trick-or-treating. Baby wore his turtle suit for this occasion, but wore the monkey costume for Halloween festivities at the zoo and play group. Baby really enjoyed his first Hershey bar!

Pictures From This Week

Fifteen Months

I can't believe that 15 months have passed so quickly!

Baby seems to be going through some sort of emotional stage. One minute he is confident and independent, playing by himself. The next minute, he becomes a shrinking violet, crying and wanting to be held. This is the most difficult stage thus far.

Baby is finally starting to walk. He probably walks 50% of the time he's mobile. We call him Frankenstein when he walks with his hands out for balance.

He is fascinated with how the world works. His favorite things are doors, cabinets (anything that opens), clocks and lights. When we take him to a store, he points to everything. He has really learned to isolate that index finger. Unfortunately, he also isolates that finger up his nose!

A Laugh Riot

What did we do before we had a baby? I don't think we laughed this much!

The Wiggles

We used to go to concerts like U2 and Pink Floyd. Now, we're going to see the Wiggles. Baby loves to watch the Wiggles every morning while he eats his breakfast. He loves the singing and dancing. I can't wait to see how he reacts to his very first concert!

Happy Birthday Uncle Jamie!

Relax and enjoy the day!

Pictures from Our Visit

Update

This week has passed in a whirlwind. I still don't think I know what day it is.

We made an unexpected trip to PA after the passing of Uncle Arnold. It was a bittersweet visit to Hanover. Uncle Arnold's death brought together some of Greg's family members that I've never met. It was a sad occasion, but there was a lot of comfort in seeing our family.

I cried after we returned home to Cincy. It's really hard being so far away from our family. Baby loves his extended family so much and can't get enough time with them. I hope that we will someday live closer.

Happy Belated Birthday Aunt Missy!

I just can't seem to keep up with the posting.

Happy Birthday, Missy! Hope you had a great day!

Happy Belated Birthday Papaw!

We can't forget about Papaw's birthday! This should've been posted on the 26th!

Halloween

We are getting ready for Halloween. We can't decide between the turtle and the monkey. Let us know what you think.

Pictures

Fourteen Months

Baby is 14 months today! All of those cliches about time flying are really true. I can't believe how quickly the last year has passed.
Baby continues to do well. He is maturing so much that he really doesn't look like a "baby" anymore.
He is walking a few steps at a time on his own. He is very close to walking fulltime.
He continues to "flirt" with everyone. When we go out shopping, he tries to make eye contact with everyone and then gives a coy, little smile. I can never go into a store without someone stopping to ask questions about him.
We are still participating in sign language classes. It's sad to say that he is the most difficult child in the class. He is one of the older kids and shows no interest in the class. The class is held in a bookstore and books just happen to be one of baby's favorite things in the entire world! Nevertheless, Daddy spends the entire 45 min. chasing him around the store while I learn the signs.
Overall, we are doing well. I'll post some pics soon.

First Haircut

Baby had his first haircut this past Saturday. I knew it was time to cut his hair when someone referred to him as "it". Another woman at the mall said, "Your baby looks like a pixie". It's not a dramatic cut, but enough to show that he is a boy.

Baby also began sign language classes this past week. We all hope to become fluent in ASL.

Before and After

Diaper Dandy

Baby learned a new skill today - how to take off his diaper! Yes, that's right. When Nana went to pick him up after his morning nap, he was buck naked and covered in poop from head to toe! I can only imagine the mess. The best thing about this situation - I was at school and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it. I'm so glad this happened while I was gone. I laughed about this incident all day long!

Back to School

Well, it's that time of year. I'm now back in school and feeling completely overwhelmed. I'm stuck in class all week long. Ugh!
Nana has been our savior and caring for baby while I'm away. Baby continues to do well and is just the most pleasant guy ever. Even though I see him every morning, I'm seriously grieving not being able to see him all day long!

More pics to come.

Video

Another video

13 Months

Baby is 13 months old today. He is now quite the little parrot. He attempts to repeat most words. He knows the difference between Ollie and Leeza and calls them by name.
Baby starts sign language classes in 2 weeks. At the rate that his speech is developing, he may not need to use signs for very long.
His motor skills, on the other hand, are slower to develop. He really doesn't show much interest in walking. I think he is perfectly happy to crawl or cruise.
Overall, he seems to be a happy baby. He remains interested in people and smiles at everyone!

A Favorite Treat

My New Ride