Party all the Time, Party all the Time!!!

Do you want to......
Remember that song? Okay, maybe it's just stuck in my head because this weekend was FULL of parties! Let's see, Friday night- Wine Tasting Event with friends to celebrate my birthday. The picture above was from last year's birthday (there was NO wine drinking then), since I forgot to take pictures this year. Bad Blogger, I know! But, as Will would say, I was too busy flitting around and being a social butterfly to drag out the camera. Oh well, it was still a great time with everyone and we got to taste some yummy champagne and wine!

Saturday- Two back-to-back One Year Old birthday parties to attend. James wasn't feeling too well (runny nose and the beginning of a cold) so he didn't want to be put down and play with his friends much. Here is a picture of me and the birthday girl.
Next party was for another of James' playgroup buddies. I strategically chose this picture of Dillon and his smash cake so that his face would not be revealed and I wouldn't have to get permission from his mom for the photo post. Blogger legalities and all that......

I think James picked up some good pointers from Dillon on smash cake procedures and protocol!

He did perk up towards the end of the party and wanted to hang out with his good friend, Benjamin. I tried, but both boys would simply NOT look at the camera at the same time. Being difficult as usual for the camera.
As for Saturday night, I had another party to attend in honor of my good friend Keri. She just passed her US citizen exam and we had a "Proud to be an American" party for her. It was a great party, complete with games (Are you smarter than a Canadian?) Sadly, most of us who attended the party weren't smarter than her when it comes to US history and our government! Oh well! Congrats Keri!
Please wish me luck this week because I'm going to need it! James is sick again with another cold(runny nose + teething+ nose plunger = fussy baby!) , I have a cracked tooth and am waiting for my appt. with the oral surgeon (can we say liquid diet???) and Will is out of town until Friday for work! AHHHHHHHH! Keep me in your prayers, thoughts, whatever!

Happy Easter!

Here are some pics of James with his "Easter bunny." Will and I can't wait until next year when he will be able to participate in the hunting of eggs!

Toys, toys and more toys!

Early Saturday morning, I went to this HUGE consignment sale for children's clothes, books, toys, games, equipment, etc. I found some great toys for James at about 1/3 of the retail price. Since he is standing up now, I wanted to get some developmentally app. toys and they seem to be a big hit!
He LOVES the lights and all the sounds that this one makes. Yes, folks, pure joy is pushing a button and watching something light up and sing for you!
His new piano was a big hit, until he realized that I left the play area gate open to take this picture and he was determined to crawl out as fast as possible. He still loves escaping from "baby jail." Hopefully, these new toys will buy me some more time in the play area. Of course, I kept some of the toys in hiding for future use, instead of bringing them all out at once. See, I'm learning!!!

Life as we know it....

is about to come to an end. Yes, James is pulling up on things and trying to climb now! After witnessing his attempts on various furniture items around the house, it was only a matter of time before he tried out his new climbing skills in his crib.

So, instead of laying down for his nap this afternoon, I walked in to check on him and this is what I saw...

I laid him back down in his crib and told him to go to sleep. This usually works quite well during naptime. A few minutes later, I checked on him and saw this.....
Once again, I laid him back down with his blankie and told him to go to sleep. Several minutes later, after hearing some suspicious giggles and squeals, I walked in to this sight....

Notice the little foot waving between the slats. Yeah, he had fun kicking it out from the slats. Now, I'm extra worried that I'll be dealing with a twisted or sprained leg/foot in the near future. Fortunately, he can plop down on his own without falling. But, with this new-found sense of accomplishment, napping is the LAST thing on his mind! I think I'm in for some long days ahead.....

Rainy Days and Runny Noses

Sorry I've been MIA on the blog for the past two weeks, but James has come down with a nasty runny nose and we just haven't been able to leave the house. No play dates, no play groups and no gym daycare. Our only outings have been trips to Publix and Target in between wiping his nose and fighting over the nasal aspirator (nose plunger from h#ll!) I took him to the doctor just to make sure it was only a cold. Luckily, his ears and chest checked out fine, so it's just a runny nose that has to run its course.
On Sunday, the weather was nice enough (and James was well enough) for us head out for a late lunch and stroll along Channelside. Will and I enjoyed a hearty lunch at Bennigans and James enjoyed his fistfuls of sweet potato veggie bites. He goes at them with both hands grabbing, but only a couple actually end up making it into his mouth!
Sunday marked his eight month old birthday! The sign still has to be strategically placed behind James without him seeing it. Will didn't realize this and went to straighten up the sign after this first picture and it was downhill from there. There were several other outtake pictures of James reaching for the sign, trying to eat it and eventually tearing it apart. Why must he be so destructive? Oh well, at least Blu-bear can withstand his grip!

Our Little Cherub

For his seven month portrait, I let the photographer talk me into putting angel wings behind James. I was very skeptical at first. I thought "He's a boy. He'll look silly in angel wings. "
But, one look at these cutie-pie pictures and a cherub sent straight from heaven was born! Yes, I'm a believer in putting angel wings on little boys now! Just look how cute they turned out! Mind you, I am not biased in the least....
Here's his future chippendale dancer application photo! Love the red bowtie!
Back to my sweet, angelic little boy! I love those little piggies!
Please disregard the little red rash around his mouth. I'm not sure why his face keeps breaking out, but it clears up within a day or two. We are weaning him from his pacifier (daytime use only) so hopefully that will help the problem. That's all for now!

Hyde Park Art Show

This weekend was the annual art show in Hyde Park. It got rained out on Saturday, but Sunday showed signs of sunshine, so we decided to head out and support our local, starving artists. Well, there weren't too many "local" artists and by the price tags on most of the art, WE would be the only ones starving if we purchased what we liked, but I digress....

The event was very popular for many families (evidenced by the high volume of traffic and strollers!) James enjoyed viewing all of the artwork and offered up a big grin to many of the art patrons. I can't say "toothless" grin anymore. Yep! His first bottom teeth started coming in on Saturday. I haven't been able to photograph the elusive pearly whites just yet, but man, those things feel sharp!
Afterwards, we enjoyed a nice lunch at Sally O'Neals Gourmet Pizza Kitchen in SoHo. And, James enjoyed his lunchtime bottle!
Darrin and Wana (godparents) enjoyed the afternoon with us. Of course, Auntie Wana had to get in some "James" time.
After both boys were fed, we decided to say our goodbye's and head home. Once at home, the boys enjoyed some play time in the play area, commonly referred to as "the baby pit." As you can see, daddy is tuckered out by the end of long afternoon and James is still ready to go! Once he sees the camera come out, he smiles (as if on cue) and is ready to pose!
Yep, that must be my child!
The outing hopefully fostered some deep sense of art appreciation and developed his sense of visual awareness. Yeah right! But, at least it made for a sleepy child who was ready for bed and went down easily! Whew!