A New Home!

Happy Birthday!

We had Alexander's first birthday party a week early - a case I'm working on is scheduled to go to trial in Philadelphia on the 15th, so I'll be working most of next weekend. We wanted to make sure everyone got to see him on his big day, so we came back to Michigan to celebrate. We decided on a Bob the Builder theme, since Alex LOVES to watch Bob on TV. So many people came to wish Alex a very happy birthday, and he got lots of fun presents. He especially liked the Nemo cake that his second cousin Mandi picked out just for him (thank goodness she did - if we only had one cake, no one else would have gotten any!). Grandma Bauman made a special Bob the Builder cake. Grandma Toni and Grandpa Glen, Grandma Barb and Grandpa Ross, and Grandma and Grandpa Bauman were all in one place today!! A bunch of other friends and family came too: Aunt Melissa, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Leslie, Great Aunt Debbie, Great Grandma Mayner, cousins Mandi and Tim (and Tim's friend, Courtney), and the Bird Family (Julie, Scott, Mitchell and Carson, along with soon-to-be-born Baby Boy Bird).

1st Christmas

11 Month Photos

Alex was sick the day his 11 month photos were taken at Portrait Innovations. We were very lucky to get any photos with even a semblance of a smile. He was a trooper ... we discovered shortly after the photos were taken that he had been sick with Roseola!

Here are the pics...

Santa ... He's No Easter Bunny!

We took Alex to sit on Santa's lap over the Thanksgiving weekend while we were in Michigan. Needless to say, Alex was not a fan of Santa. Compare his lack of reaction while sitting on the Easter Bunny's lap to the realization he's sitting on Santa's lap!

Thanksgiving

10 Month Photos

We had Alex's 10 month photos taken on Saturday. I am only posting a few because we will be using the rest for our Christmas card, and I don't want to ruin the surprise!

Lil' Hef

Brian bought this onesie for Alex ... I had to get at least one picture of him in it before he outgrows it!

***DISCLAIMER***

Posting of this photo in no way implies endorsement or approval of

Playboy magazine or its objectification of women.

First Haircut!!

Today, Alexander got his first haircut. We went to a place called KidSnips in Lincoln Park. Alex got to sit in a silver "Mercedes" while his hair was cut, and he also watched a Baby Einstein DVD. Alex did great - he didn't cry once. Everyone commented on how good he was - that, and how pretty his blue eyes are! I looked like a complete first-time-mom: I had my video camera in one hand and digital camera in the other. Brian was in charge of making sure Alex didn't try to venture out of the "car" - but he also took a few pictures. I think we memorialized every moment. Before we left, they took a Polaroid picture and put it on a certificate, along with a few locks of his hair. Alex also got two balloons (one red, one blue) and some penguin stickers from the "treasure box". Below are some pictures from today...

Today's Picture...

Is from last night ... just after Vilma dropped Alex off.

9 Month Photos

Here are some of Alex's 9 month photos:

So Many New Things!!

Alex is already 9 months old - as I post this, he is nearly 10 months.
At his 9 month checkup, Alex weighed in at 19 pounds, 1 oz. He is 28.5 inches long.

This month's highlights:

• Alex got 3 new teeth - all on top. One more is working its way down on top. Once that tooth comes in, Alex will have a total of 6 teeth. (Very, very SHARP teeth - Brian compares Alex's bite to that of a pit bull!)
• Alex is able to pull himself to a standing position, and will walk around the edges of furniture or toys (while holding on).
• Shakes his head "no".
• Dances when he hears music.
• Picks up fruit or veggie puffs and feeds himself.
• Moved on to "Stage 3" foods.
• Learned to crawl up stairs (oops!!).
• Waves "bye-bye".
• Says "ma-ma" and "da-da" - we are still trying to determine if it's with meaning.
• Likes to explore the apartment -- very fond of opening drawers and cabinets in kitchen.
• Races around the island in the kitchen - loves it if we crawl behind and "chase" him.
• Is learning to share with his friend Thomas.

Below are some pics from this month.