documenting life with a bit of swag...

Happy Sunday! I have a new pocket layout to share today using my new favorite product line. As soon as the sneak peeks of the Simple Stories Life Documented collection were released a few months back, I fell hard. Hearts, wood grain, bright colors and coordinating pocket cards made it a necessity. As soon as the products arrived on my doorstep this past week, I was planning my first project (and several more). For this page, I used the Life Documented 2015 card pack, the Icon Sticker Pack the Bradz Brads (which, by the way, are adhesive! No more prongs!) and the fabulous February Swag Bag. That's all!

This pages focuses on the two big events of the last week of January - Amalia turning ONE and the now infamous blizzard that wasn't for our area, Juno. While this collection has nothing to do with winter or birthdays, it worked perfectly to document both events on one page. 

And, can we just pause for a moment to marvel that this baby is one? She amazes me every day, my sweet girl.

Here's an overview of the Life Documented line available now. It's stocked in the Paper Issues shop and you can have it all for 20% off with code JENBOOM. Enjoy!

for the love of snowflakes...

Good morning! We've had quite the run of both frigid cold temps and rounds of illness here lately so, have been cozied up at home trying to stay warm and get healthy. Luckily, a little creative time is a good way to accomplish both! Today I am sharing a layout for Toni From Designs featuring the Let It Snow set of flair. I love these photos of Amalia's first time playing in the snow and they paired so well with Fancy Pants Oh Deer collection, Elle's Studio Hello 2015 and the snowflake flair.

Seriously, how cute is this set??

And a couple of close ups:

You can find this flair and so many other great sets in Toni's Etsy Shop! Use coupon code "JANUARY" to get 20% off your order (no minimum purchase required.) Good through Thursday, 1/22/15.

amalia at 11 months :: sunday swag

Good morning! Today I have a post up on the Paper Issues blog highlighting projects using the PI Swag Bags. Not having much in the way of crafty shops around here, I love getting an envelope packed full of new cards and embellishments each month to use along with my existing supplies.Here is a photo of this month's bag. Swoon...

Today, I'm sharing a project I made using the January Swag bag to document Amalia's 11th month. ELEVEN. We are in birthday planning mode. My last baby, my sweet, tiny girl is on the verge of toddlerhood and I wanted to capture all that is her right now.

Paper Issues Swag Bags are available one at a time, as demand allows, or as a subscription. You can use code JENBOOM to take 20% off your entire order.

I hope you'll stop by the PI blog to see how others have used the Swag Bag goodies. Have a fantastic day!

amalia: three months of you...

My sweet Amalia,

It's hard to believe that it's been a quarter year since your arrival on that cold, January day. Yet, at the same time, you so seamlessly fit in to our family that it feels as if you have always been here. You and your happy, smiley, wide eyed self!

At three months you: are full of smiles, love to talk (coo), grab toys and bring them to your mouth, know as soon as Mommy walks in or out of a room, watch your brothers intently, love cuddling with Baba, wear 0-3 month clothing with room to spare, cannot stand tummy time, are a great sleeper at night and nap best on the go, nurse heartily, capture the heart of anyone you meet.

Love you to the moon and back,
Mommy

project life: and this brings us up to date (!!!)

I've been on a creative mission this week. Finish all of my design assignments nearly a week early (check!) and then, get the rest of my album current (check!). This morning I was able to sneak in a few minutes to complete weeks 20 and 21 and get them photographed. And, I just finished printing off two photos from this week to stick in Week 22.

You see, we leave for an international vacation on Tuesday. That's four days from now. We'll be gone for nearly three weeks and, well, you know what the return from a scrapbooker's vacation entails, right? The number of photos will be obnoxious. Add to that the normal post-vacation unpacking, laundry and, oh yes, re-adjusting to EST. As soon as we get home, I'll be itching to get my photos downloaded and into my album but, I'll also need to do that since July's design assignments will be due. It's going to be a super fun whirlwind around here!

{Week 20: May 13-19}

Date night, George "supervising" remediation work at his grandparents' house, a $1 Starbucks lunch date, the end of The Office, a very exciting PL product arrival, an impromptu frozen custard stop and more, The Office TV card? Completely inspired by my friend and fellow PLer/blogger Barbara. Check her out!

George floored us with all of a sudden deciding he knew how to write (before ever being taught), Jack causing trouble, a visit with family and new haircuts.. The "Heart THIS" and "AMAZING" cards were cut with my Cameo directly on the PL 3x4 grid cards. LOVE.

 {Week 21: May 20-26}

Mr. Boom's birthday, a zoo trip, G helping me bake his Baba's cake and Jack's favorite play spot. 

This week's layout? Well, it's done. I'm not happy with how it came together. I rushed and it shows but, this project? not about perfection. The documentation is there and in 10, 20 or 30 years, no one will care that the color of that title card is just too peach. Right?

Lots and lots of park photos (it was a such a fun afternoon!), Mr. Boom's new business card and lots of books...

The two missing weeks? They are all done, photographed and will be up here on June 12th, after the June Citrus Twist Kits reveal!

project life: another week in the book...

This week has been completed for awhile now, just waiting to be photographed. It was a jam-packed seven days and I couldn't even manage to capture everything on these two pages so, there is an insert of only Instagram photos (not pictured). The end of April brought us yet another stomach virus (boo!), time outside and a trip across the state to visit my sister and her family. I'm using a mix of my May Citrus Twist Kits, the Seafoam and Jade core kits digital/hybrid cards and my stash.

{April 22-28}

An account of the virus that hit and an exchange of texts with my husband related to an, ahem, incident at the grocery store (no one said parenting was glamorous), a river walk with Jack, liking Big Bang Theory and a pasta loving toddler...

Design F again to fit more stories and photos - Jack's first flight, spending time with my sister and her family and our little hipster...

A hipster close up. The flocked rub-on glasses are from the Basic Grey Hipster line...perfect!

Jack's first flight. He was in awe and did so, so well. I used a vellum pocket cut with my Cameo to hold journaling about the experience...

And, the details on the messy beginning to our week. The text card was made in PSE with a Jade filler card, an Ali Edwards digital stamp and a digi tag freebie...

My Project Life goal right now is to be completely caught up before we leave the country for nearly a month. I'm printing and putting weeks 20 and 21 together very simply right now! Weeks 18 and 19 are photographed and ready for the June Citrus Twist Kits blog sneaks and postings while I am away.

Yes, I am still LOVING this project...

I'm linking up to Project Life Tuesdays with The Mom Creative today!

jack's first haircut

It was time. His bangs were falling in his eyes and well, frankly, there was a mullet situation. We put it off for weeks longer than we probably should have, afraid a cut would make him look less of a baby, more boy. Today was the day. 

He sat like such a little man in the chair and was all smiles as the cut began.
 
He played with a few little toys as distraction. And, per usual, he flirted.

There was a brief bubble break when he started to notice something was amiss.

But, a new toy saved him.

Until it didn't. And we had crying not even the magic "Music, Music, Music" Elmo episode played on Baba's phone could quell. 

 And, then, it was over. Success.

And he is still our happy little baby. Minus the mullet. Ha!

  

jack at one year...

My sweet Jack,

You came into our lives, exactly as planned, on a cold, clear morning exactly one year ago today. Baba and I both t eared up the second we saw you in all of your screaming perfection. As they cleaned you up in the warmer across the OR, I saw your little toes and exclaimed to Baba, "He has your feet!" And, somehow, here we are today a full year later.

Your first year has been a beautiful blur of nursing, giggles, walks around town, days at the zoo, car rides, snuggles and, thankfully, good health. Being able to stay home with you and your brother and experiencing every tiny little moment and milestone has been such a blessing.

It is difficult to put into words how much joy you have brought to our family. You are such an easy-going child, full of smiles and content. You just fit in so easily. We have LOVED watching your personality develop over the past several months. You are strong-willed, funny and incredible sweet. You dole out smiles and flirts everywhere we go...a complete ham.

At one year you...

• weigh 19lbs12oz (25%) and are 29.25" long (25%)
• wear 12 month clothing and size 4 diapers
• love to feed yourself and will try most any food we serve, but not eggs
• have two teeth and two more on the way (that are giving you a hard time)
• are super ticklish under your arms and on your belly
• cannot stand getting your diaper changed because it means staying still
• love car rides and being out and about
• walk, run and climb...everything
• are already getting good at puzzles
• love pureed food pouches, especially applesauce
• are a good napper
• love to clap, dance and play pat-a-cake
• enjoy books and your favorite is Hands, Hands, Fingers, Thumb
• say Mama, Baba, Pappou (Greek for Grandpa), YiaYia (Greek for Grandma), this, palamakia (Greek for clap)
• copy everything your brother does
• love to watch Elmo, Small Potatoes and Little Einsteins and otherwise don't pay too much attention to tv unless music comes on

We love you SO much little guy!
To the moon and back, and again,
Mama

jack: three months of you...

Dear Jack,
Happy quarter year little guy! You fit so seamlessly into our family that it feels some days as if you have always been with us, though your birth date states otherwise. You are such a happy baby, full of smiles and giggles. Face to face interaction is your favorite thing right now and we are thrilled to oblige!
At three months you:

• were almost sleeping through the night, until the 12 week growth spurt struck
• are wearing 3 month clothes and size 2 diapers
• weigh 12lbs, 7oz (25%) and are 24" long (35%)
• wake up happy and smiling every morning
• love to giggle when we blow raspberries and when spoken to, especially in Greek!
• have a tickle spot, on your left side under your ribcage
• chew on or clasp your hands much of the time
• stare intently at your feet when you kick
• mimic our sounds and facial expressions
• smile when we echo your sounds
• like chewing on Sofie the Giraffe
• can play for an hour or more on your play mat and can now grab the toys and bring them to your mouth
• love watching your brother zoom around the house at play
• enjoy bath time
• love when we blow raspberries and are trying hard to figure them out for yourself

We love you to the moon and back, and again!
Mama

you at 19 months...

My sweet George,

It's been four months since I penned your last milestone letter.  You have grown and blossomed so much in that time, we can scarcely keep up!  Everyday now, rather than my baby, I see before me glimpses of the wonderful boy you are becoming. You keep us on your toes with your constant movement much of the time and bring us such joy with your cuddles and hugs during quiet times. Your quick smile and charm delight everyone you meet.

At 19 months you:

- weighed 26.9 pounds and measured 32.5 inches at your 18 months pediatric appointment on July 1st.
- will take us by the hand and lead us when you want to show us something.
- kiss the faces of your favorite trains in the morning, then bring them to Mama to kiss.
- are still climbing on everything - kitchen drawers, couches, chairs, ladders and climbing walls at the playground.  If it is in front of you, you will find a way to climb it.
- still enjoy Sesame Street but, also love Thomas and Friends, Super Why and Word World, all on PBS Kids.
- excitedly point to letters everywhere we go - on signs, license plates, the t.v.  Though we limit television, Super Why (along with lots of reading) is teaching you beginning reading skills by identifying letters. You correctly point to and say "O" whenever you see one.
- point to your mouth when hungry.
- are getting better and better at communicating. You call out "Mama" to get my attention, "more" when you would like more food or to continue an activity, "again" to repeat a favorite book, "ba" when you want milk (usually while standing at the fridge) and "bubble" for us to blow them for you.
- are wearing 18 month clothes and have moved into some 24 month.  You are quickly growing out of your size 6W sneakers, are wearing size 7 sandals and size 2T-3T socks.
- don't sleep well away from home.  You are definitely a toddler of habit when it comes to sleep and only like your own crib.
- love to see trucks and motorcycles pass by when out walking or in the car.
- have started dancing to music and think it is funny when we dance with you.
- are ticklish under your arms and your neck.
- nap once a day, averaging two hours.
- sleep about 10.5 hours a night, from 7:30 pm to 6:00 am.
- eat a LOT of fruit.  Your favorites are apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, strawberries and blueberries.
- are still a good eater and will generally eat whatever we are eating.
- have overcome your bath terror and again eagerly run to the bathroom when you hear the water being drawn in the tub.  You have also learned to love the pool and sprinkler park.
- are an excellent traveler.  You have now flown a total of four times (two round trips) to Greece and Buffalo, NY. 
- say, "No, no, no," shake your head and wag your finger when you do not want something.
- point to things you do want and point our fingers at words and pictures in books to follow along.
- have seven teeth, four on top and three on the bottom.
- are very sure on your feet, have excellent balance and body control.
- will take our hand when we ask you to or when you you need help.
- absolutely adore your Thomas trains.  They make up the largest part of your daily play time.
- will get your shoes and stand at the door when you want to go outside saying, "Go baby" or "Go, go, go."
- can dribble a soccer ball.
- like playing chase. A sure fire way to hear your belly laughs.
- are mimicking words more and more.  Last week as you stood in front of the fridge I asked, "Would you like dinner?"  You said back, "Dinn-o."
- can stack 3-4 blocks high but, still prefer knocking them down.
- cling to us for a long, cuddly hug when we come in to your room to say good morning, as if making up for the missed hours while you were sleeping. One of my very favorite times of the day.

Life with you is so incredibly happy.  Though there are trying moments as you begin to assert your independence and use repetition to learn, I am aware just how fleeting this toddlerhood will be and am holding fast to and delighting in every day I am blessed being your parent right now.

I love you to the moon and back, and again,
Mama

the age of understanding...

When asked, "Where do you put the keys?" he got up from the floor, keys in hand, and stood on his tip toes to try to put a key in the front door lock.

As he stood in the living room clearly looking around for something, I said, "You left Henry in the kitchen," (his favorite, for now, train), he walked right into the kitchen, picked Henry up from the spot he was left in front of the stove and happily went about his play.

If asked, "Would you like to eat?" he walks over to his highchair pointing and gesturing. 

Ask "Do you need a new diaper?" and he goes to stand by his bedroom door, waiting for us to catch up and take him to the changing table.

----------------------------

Brain as sponge doesn't quite seem to cover how fast he is mimicking, catching on, learning and understanding.  As a first time mom, I often wonder if I am doing enough to nurture his learning. As the first and, for now, only child he plays independently quite a bit.  I have no idea how much is too much.  Is there a limit?  We read books, play trains, blocks, kitchen and I narrate a good portion of the day in English and (my limited) Greek. But, am I actually supporting his development the way I should and how does one even know?

Outside of play dates, running into other kids at the park and the one day a week that he spends with his Nanny and her daughter, he doesn't have structured socialization time.  I'm looking at options for toddler classes, thinking that now might be a good time to get him used to being around groups of other children his age.  But, which to choose...a gym class to get out some of his ever-present energy? A parent/child music class for more of a mellow experience? *sigh*

He is bright, sweet and funny and I want to give him every opportunity to reach his full potential, whatever that may mean for him. So, any tips would be welcome...

First time mom also = over-thinking and second-guessing. A lot. Clearly.

catching up...

As for George...We just returned from G's fifteen month pediatric appointment.  He weighs in at 24.7 pounds (50%), measures 32 inches (75%) and his head is 48 cm (75%).  The doctor was very impressed as he demonstrated his climbing ability, flipped through the pages of board books and charmed her with his dimpled grin.  Although babies raised in bi-lingual homes often start talking much later than kids learning one language, she mentioned that his dozen or more words are actually above the average for his age. He braved it through three vaccines and happily accepted a Spiderman sticker pop (stickers back to back on the end of a tongue depressor) as we left the office. 

We have a new obsession around here: Trains.  Lots and lots and lots of trains. The container that holds them is emptied out first thing in the morning and not cleaned up until a few minutes before bedtime.  All day long, trains run around our kitchen floor, furniture and window sills.  And, tracks?  Ha!  Who needs tracks?  Our trains run on any surface our little guy can imagine.  And, that is the point.  Imagination.  Just what we want for him.  The electronic toys were already at a minimum around here and now, they are all but forgotten.  In favor of "chhhhhhhooooooos."  Many thanks to my cousin and her girls for some hand-me-downs that were happily added to our small starter stash - rest assured they are already well-loved :)

When G is concentrating hard or processing something new, he wears this expression and utters an "Oooo" sound.  I love capturing these little bits, pieces and quirks of his development.

On the homefront...We are still on a search for the elusive perfect-for-us house and, while we look, are starting to get the condo ready to list.  This past Friday night, Mr. Boom and I took a trip to Home Depot and left with paint, a closet organizer, interior doors and hardware and a plan to get a start on improvements during the weekend.  The closet organizer is installed and we both have a bit more work to do before it is blog-worthy but, we are both happy with how it turned out and the better use of space.  When it's all together, I'll post before and after photos.  Bringing out the tools for this project meant that Mr. Boom had a good use for this handy little stocking stuffer from Christmas: 

On saving money...I am actively shopping grocery sales and couponing.  My weekly savings at the grocery checkout averages about $25.  But, this weekend, even though it was the trip for stocking up on meats I was able to combine sales prices with coupons and doublings to save a whopping $36.70!  That's a third of the total bill.  Very, very pleased and well worth the pre-planning.

Some of the best deals:

(3) Coffeemate creamers for $2.50 (on sale 3 for $5, used a $1 off coupon + a 75 cent coupon that the store doubled)

(2) Yoplait Yogurt 4-packs for $3.50 (on sale 2 for $5, used 50 cent coupon that the store doubled and saved an extra 50 cents for scanning items myself)

Pork shoulder $1.99/lb - purchased a 3 pound cut that is in the crockpot right now for our Pulled Pork dinner tonight 

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.99/lb - purchased 4 pounds

Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs $1.99/lb - purchased 4 pounds

In order to really take advantage of meat sales, I use a very essential kitchen tool: a vacuum sealer.  I bought a FoodSaver several years ago off QVC and it has paid for itself many times over.  Whenever there is a great meat sale, I have no qualms about stocking up and no worries about using the meat before it's expiration as I'm able to vacuum seal in portions that suit our family and certain recipes, then freeze them for later. 



The bags I put together today are a perfect example.  Four chicken breasts are the amount needed to make Shredded Taco Chicken (a favorite in our meal rotation) and two pounds of chicken thighs are just the right amount for the Chicken Marsala slow cooker recipe or, one of a few others. Saving money and saving time = a saner me (or, that's what I keep telling myself!).

first steps...

Today, our sweet little growing-up-far-too-fast boy took his first steps!

We knew it was only a matter of time before he made the short leap from cruising along furniture (and walls, and any other available surface!) and walking behind his push toy to taking actual unsupported steps. I had just hoped that he would hold off and do it on a day when Mr. Boom and I were both home and, honestly, was also half hooping that G would reserve his first couple of steps for his Daddy.

Well, he must have heard my wishing. His first two steps were just for Daddy, and the next few and then, finally, I was able to come in the room and catch a couple for myself from behind.

Soon enough, we'll be chasing him all over the condo but, right now he'll only try his new skill when he is bribed with a coveted item, such as the wireless computer mouse. Can you say obsessed?

11 months of you...

My sweet George,

My letter to you this month is few days late. I could blame it on the busy events of last week, preparing for your first Thanksgiving and going out of town but, to be honest, I think it is more because I cannot believe that my next letter to you will be on your first birthday. The past eleven months have been filled with countless joys and my heart and life are fuller than I could have ever imagined because of you.

At 11 months you...

• stand on your own for brief moments, until you remember you are supposed to be holding on and grasp for the closest surface.
• walk around the house behind your push toy. You are so fast, quickly learned to maneuver around corners and away from walls and say "voom, voom, vooooom..." as you go. Pretty much the cutest. thing. ever.
• initiate peek-a-boo several times a day, whether it is from behind a chair or around a corner. You'll start the game and let out big, long belly laughs when you make eye contact with whoever plays with you.
• are headstrong. You want what you want, exactly when you want it and will stop at nothing to get it. This includes scaling the couch, using your toys, pillows or whatever else can serve as a step stool - unassisted. Oh boy!
• eat, eat and eat some more. You still have a terrific appetite and continue willing to try anything. You are still eating purees in addition to whole foods, mainly to help give you enough to eat because chewing with only two teeth is tiring work.
• have slept though the night several times in the past month. Then, you hit a growth spurt and your sleep took a dive again. Then DST started and complicated things further. One day you'll figure it out.
• are wearing 12 month clothes (though some pants are already too short!) and size 3 diapers (size 4 at night).
• are saying: Mama, Dada, Yia Yia (grandma), voom (vroom), this, and got.
• love books. You flip through the pages of your favorite books several times a day and hold them out to us to read to you. When we read the Mr. Brown book one page says, "He can sound like a hand on a door. Knock, Knock, Knock." Mama will knock on the floor and you'll crawl over and knock, too.
• have some separation anxiety. You want to know where your Daddy and I are every moment when we are at home. If one of us goes in another room, you will crawl over and knock at the door, yelling for us.
• will pick up the tiniest piece of nothing from the floor and put it in your mouth. When I attempt to retrieve whatever it is you will either 1) smirk and crawl as fast as you can in the other direction or 2) fish it out of your mouth and proudly hand it over. Let's work on developing #2 a bit more, shall we?
• play well with others. We have had a few playdates this month and you have played so well with the other babies around your age. You will share toys and are very gentle when you touch other kids.
• enjoy music. You fall fast asleep to your music in the car and bounce/dance to the Toddler Tunes music channel on cable or the songs on your toys.

You have grown so much in the past month and, every once in awhile, I catch a glimpse of you as the big boy you are becoming. It both thrills me to see you thriving and saddens me (just a bit) that you are a baby for just a few more weeks. I plan to enjoy every minute of time with you in this last month of babyhood.

I love you with all that I am, to the moon and back,

Mama

maybe there is a resemblance after all...

G is a miniature version of his dad, right down to that oh-so-cute dimple on his right cheek. Whenever we are out as a family, people stop us just to comment on the striking resemblance between father and son. They look at me and say, "Well, maybe he got your eyes? Maybe." He may not have gotten much, if any, of my appearance but he did inherit a couple of other things.

From an impossibly young stage, he took to raising one eyebrow in expression. Classic mom.

Then, there is his love of books.

I've been reading to G every day since we arrived home from the hospital after his birth and there is no denying that he is an early bookworm. The past month or so, he has been determined to teach himself how to flip though his board bocks page by page and about a week ago, he got the hang of it (mainly he'll get them right side up...ha). He'll flip to his favorite pages in his favorite books, hold them up to one of us and grunt for us to read to him. You've got it, buddy!
And something else he learned this past week? Clapping! He knows the word "clap" in both Greek and English and will clap if we ask him to or along with us. Love it! 10 and a half months is SO much fun.

we have a teether...

Our little guy has had a runny nose and has been drooling more than usual for the past week. I've been trying to figure out whether he's had a mild cold, was reacting to ragweed season or maybe, just maybe, he had started to teethe. Today, at dinnertime the answer was apparent in his smile. I noticed a tiny slit on the front of his bottom right gum and, sure enough, when I ran my finger over it there was a bit of a tooth poking through

Yes we are all stocked up on infant acetaminophen, baby orajel, teething tabs and cold teethers which are kept in and rotated through a glass bowl in our fridge.

Other than waking earlier than normal the past few days, he's been his normal happy self. Our tough little guy!

G is 8 months, 1 week.

eight months of you...

My sweet George,

When I used to imagine ahead to this point, I pictured you as a still dependent infant relying on Mama and Baba to carry you around and attend to your every need. You had other plans in mind and lately, several times a day I catch glimpses of you as a big boy. You are on the move, crawling, cruising and exploring your world. You still look back to make sure we are there with you and count on us to catch you from falling but, you are quickly gaining independence and are growing and changing at a rate that makes me both extremely proud and more than a little wistful.

Until today, I've been able to take your monthly photos all by myself. Those days are now gone and you do not like to sit still for more than a moment. Baba and I carefully set things up today to be as sure as we could to snap a few pictures in just seconds, knowing you'd be off in a flash. That's about how we do things now. Plan as well as we can, baby proof and follow you around and around and around. Such a busy boy!

At eight months you:

• are crawling. A few weeks back you decided it was time to move beyond rolling and started a half crawl, dragging one leg (mainly your left) behind or tucked up under you. Within days, you figured out that being on all fours was much more efficient and have now mastered the crawl - and fast!
• are cruising! Crawling was not enough though. As soon as you had that down, you were pulling yourself up to standing on anyone and anything and now are cruising along the edges of furniture. Be still my heart.
• are such a good eater. You are adventurous and will try anything we give you from purees, to snacks to semi-solid foods.
• are still toothless. Being all gums hasn't slowed down your eating at all though! In the past two weeks you've eaten watermelon, meatball and cupfuls of puffs and Cheerios.
• love music. You have started to bounce around when you hear songs you know and will bang your hands on a surface along with a tune. You particularly love your two toy pianos right now.
• enjoy Mama's singing voice (though I wonder why!). Your favorites are "Itsy Bisty Spider", "Bingo" and "The Wheels on the Bus". If I need to get your attention or you get restless during a car ride, any of these will help right away.
• wave hello and good-bye.
• are growing in more hair, little by little and, it's so light! We're still trying to figure that one out.
• really like Sesame Street and watch an episode each morning as Mama gets ready.
• love to swing! As we walk toward the park, you get very excited and start cooing and kicking your feet as soon as the swings are in sight.
• have fun with the climbing train at the park - especially the portholes. You love peering through the round openings, especially if one of your favorite people is on the other side.
• play peek-a-boo with a blanket, a toy lovey or around someones head while being held. It's your favorite game right now.
• enjoy watching other kids play and watching dogs and cats. You fell in love with your great Aunt Patty and Uncle Joe's collie, Murphy at camp - especially as he chased his frisbee.
• are a happy, smiley, giggly boy. You have the sweetest disposition and the best smile around. Your dimple just melts me!
• are wearing 6-9 months clothes, although you have plenty of room to grow in them. You can still wear a lot of your 3-6 month onesies and shorts. You have a longer torso but are still lean through the middle.
• have deliciously chubby thighs, arms and cheeks...we kiss them all the time!
• love the water in any form - sippy cup, baths and swimming. You are a water kid and love to splash around.
• are a people person. You love to meet new people, study faces and have a quick smile for anyone you meet. You tend to charm even the grumpiest of strangers when we are out and about.
• are fascinated hearing Greek. Your Yia Yia and Papou only speak Greek to you when you are with them on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while Mama is at work, and Baba speaks in Greek to you at home much of the time.

You are the very best part of every day. I love you to the moon and back little guy,

Mama

can wings be (temporarily) clipped?

Since I am working late tonight, I was able to spend the early part of the day at home with G. The weather cooperated and gave us a cool, slightly overcast morning - perfect for our now well-loved local park. Arriving just when the park opens at 9:00 on a weekday allows G to explore all on his own without the need to compete for space with other children. He loves crawling on this train structure (with Mama right on his heels!).

On the train, there are a few levels separated by small steps. Today, G decided crawling around wasn't enough. He was determined to tackle the stairs. He put his hands on the first step and rocked back and forth for awhile, trying to figure it out and then, in a flash, he was up the first step and then the second. He turned around to grin at me with a look that shouted, "I did it, Mama!"
In an instant I was both beaming with pride and utterly saddened. My little guy is proving to be sharp, fearless and a very quick learner. All wonderful things except for one small point...I'm not ready to let go of my bitty baby.

He is asserting his independence and testing his wings (er, feet) far sooner than I ever could have imagined. Just this weekend he decided to full on crawl rather than scooting around. Within a day he was pulling up to standing on, well, everything (good-bye glass coffee table! drop that crib mattress!) and now stairs? I think this is just the beginning of a wild ride.

George is 7 months, 3 weeks.

first swing...

We had decided that last Saturday, at 7 months, it was high time the George learn to swing. Knowing that the forecast predicted terribly hot and humid conditions, we figured we'd outsmart mother nature and get to the park by 8:30 am before the worst of the heat rolled in. The surprise was on us as the heat of the day was on full blast long before we stepped out the door that morning. As in, we were drenched by the time we made it to the park - 2 short blocks from our doorstep!
Still, G did get to swing (for about three minutes) and he seemed to get a kick out of being suspended in air, looking around at the park and playing with the chains. Something tells me our neighborhood park is about to become a favorite of this little boy!

seven months of g...

Hello sweet boy,

Today you have been in our lives for seven wonderful months. It's your third season, your first summer, and it's been a scorcher! We've had to get creative with outings to keep you cool and, earlier this month you had your first swim in your very own little pool. Which you loved. A lot. We are so looking forward to taking you on your first vacation to the lake next month.

At seven months you:

• have made it through your first illness - an ear infection. You were pretty uncomfortable but bounced back quickly. Then, after only 4 days of the antibiotics, you developed a rash all over your little body. Likely diagnosis? A slight allergy to penicillin.
• are rolling as far as we will let you. We'll put you down on the floor to play with your toys and in mere seconds you'll roll yourself across the room to something more interesting. Thinking that crawling is in the very near future. Let the baby proofing begin!
• are still toothless for now.
• have made nighttime a guessing game. Just when we think you've gotten the hang of sleeping better (read: 1-2 short wake ups), you all of a sudden revert back to a few nights of being up every hour on the hour. Let's grow out of this one quickly, okay?
• giggle. A LOT! At silly sounds we make, belly raspberries and when we laugh. It's the best sound in the world. I hope you can always find and enjoy humor in the everyday.
• love your food. It is such a pleasure to feed you and to be treated to your joyful, "Mmmmmm's." So far you have loved everything you've tried and we're hoping you become as much of a foodie as your parents. You eat a mixture of jarred food and food that I make for you (chicken, peas and green beans so far).
• are quickly climbing the growth charts. At your 6 month appointment you weighed 16lb, 14 oz (35th percentile) but, just three short weeks later (7.15.10) at the sick appointment for your ear, you were already up to 18lb, 4oz!
• are still wearing almost all of your 3-6 month clothes and have started being able to wear a few more of your 6-9's without them looking huge.
• are still nursing well. I pump for you during my work days and you, thankfully, have been taking your bottles without a problem.
• have handled Mama's transition back to work (part-time) like a champ! You spend two days a week with your Yia-Yia and one day with Christine and your friend, C.
• understand object permanence, especially when it involves the t.v. remote control!
• like playing peek-a-boo with a small blanket or burp cloth.
• have started to suck your thumb a bit more to self-soothe. It's not all the time, but seems to comfort you when you remember to use it.
• really, really want to stand on your own and would be happy if we held you up to do so all day long.
• are slightly obsessed with the pull chains on the ceiling fan in your room and love turning the light on and off, and on and off and...
• reach your little arms up to us now when you want to be held. love this!
• have a new way of letting us know you want something - you hold out a hand and touch together your thumb and first two fingers in the direction of the desired object. so cute!
• no longer want to sit in your infant carrier in the stroller. You now sit in the stroller facing forward and intently watch the world go by. You seem to be particularly interested in passing cars and trucks.
• no longer want to sit in your stroller at all when we are on indoor outings, such as the mall. Thanking your grandma everytime I put you in the ERGObaby. You end up content and I'm happy to have your snuggled close.

We absolutely adore you, little guy, and are continually amazed by how much you change everyday and how much you have changed our lives for the better.

I love you to the moon and back,

Mama