Pushing Limits...

Like most babies these days, I have been sleeping on my back since birth. While both Mommy and Daddy May slept on their tummies when they were babies, I really haven't spent too much time on my tummy. To be honest, I've never been a big fan of "tummy time." I tolerate it ok for a few minutes, but, after rubbing my face into the blanket, or floor, or mattress time and again, I just get cranky. Lately, though, I have started getting strong enough to hold myself up better. I am also starting to learn how to use my feet to push myself forward. Today I even moved forward enough to reach one of my favorite things... my monkey book!

Even though it will be a little while before I get this crawling business under control, I have made great strides toward something even more exciting--walking! I have two different jumpers and a walker, so I have very strong legs. Today I even stood all by myself for the very first time!!

Granted, I only managed it for a few minutes, and Mommy May was right there to make sure I didn't get hurt. But I still think it's a really big deal, and I am super proud of me :-)

Over the Hump...

Time sure does fly when you're having fun... no, seriously! Can you believe I am already 7 months old?! I keep inching closer and closer to my first birthday, and I am now more than halfway there. I plan on having one heck of a partay, that's for sure.

In the meantime, I spend my days much like other infants... I resist taking naps, try to pee on my family members, and do my best to get more baby food on my face than I do in my mouth. I also do more adorable things, like squealing and laughing, rolling over and over all over the place, and reaching out to snuggle my loved ones. I have even been known to help Mommy May fold the laundry:


OK, subject change. There has been some talk in our family, from time to time, about whether I could be cute enough to be a Gerber baby. The general consensus, of course, is yes. Because everyone in my family loves me, though, they really can't be objective about it. Last Saturday, we went out to lunch with Yin-Yin. I was having fun sitting in the high chair (still a new and exciting event for me!) and reading one of my books to Yin-Yin. A few very nice ladies from a nearby table came over and said that I was one of the cutest babies they'd ever seen!

I guess I should just be grateful that I don't always look like this picture Nani snapped, eh?

This is more like it!

All Decked Out...

Yin-Yin is single-handedly contributing to my status as a fashion plate! She got me some awesome new clothes for Christmas, which I have been sporting proudly... check out my big boy jeans:

Here I am, striking a relaxed and happy pose:

Now, the clothes may make the man, but I'm sure you'll agree it's the eyelashes that make the gorgeous baby:

I'll close for now with a few cute pictures of me reaching... reaching...

Gotcha!!

Baby May's First Christmas...

Happy 2009, everybody!!

I realize that I am inexcusably late with this post... time just keeps getting away from me!! I would never have guessed just how busy the holidays could be. There was something to do everyday, whether it was cooking, cleaning, going shopping, visiting people, having guests over, and on, and on, and on!! Of course, I didn't have to do much of that stuff; I spent most of my time playing and napping and looking adorable. But I did tag along for the ride and have a great time!

Finally, Christmas day arrived, with all of its glory. Oh, and all of its presents, too!! See if you can find the best present of all in this picture:

Nani helped me open a few of my presents:

I really liked what I got: lots and lots of books, a toy box, Baby's First Christmas ornaments, a wagon, a toolbox, a football and baseball, some great new clothes, and much, much more.... I wasn't as crazy about the actual opening of the presents, though. The noise of all the tearing paper was a bit much for me; in the end, I let everyone else open my presents, and I just enjoyed playing with everything. I even got my own personalized water bottle:

Later that day, we headed over to Yin-Yin's house for dinner and more presents... she had the biggest, most beautiful tree I've ever seen:

A few days after Christmas, Aunt Lucy and Uncle Pete came up for a visit. It was great fun to spend time with them. We were naughty and didn't take too many pictures. I had to get another round of shots on the 30th, so I had another few days of fever and soreness. Then, toward the end of the trip, Tía Lu got pretty sick, so we both ended up laying low.

We did snap this quick photo right before they went home, which, to be honest, isn't the best picture ever, but I'll share it anyway:

I can totally see why people get so excited about the holiday season... it's a wonderful time filled with food, family... and awesome gifts!! What could be better than that?!

An Important Announcement...

I've been a little lax about posting, what with preparing for Christmas and all... it's funny, though... I keep hearing about how Santa and his reindeer will climb down the chimney on Christmas Eve to deliver all of our presents. First of all, we don't have a chimney; secondly, most of our gifts seem to be coming by UPS and the postal service. Oh well, maybe Santa is trying to streamline his operation.

On to my big news: I turned 6 months old this past Saturday!! My half-birthday passed without much fanfare, just a nice, relaxing day. I thought it was about time that I post some more compare and contrast pictures, to show just how much I have grown. This picture was taken when I was exactly 1 month old:

Even laying down, my little feet didn't reach the end of my tub, and my washcloth easily covered my hips. Check me out now:

Pretty soon, that little monkey washcloth just isn't going to be enough!

I still spend lots and lots of time trying to figure things out... here I am staring intently at my hands:

My hands have been getting me into some trouble lately, when it comes to sleeping. I have gotten really good at taking my binky out of my mouth, but I'm not quite as adept at getting it back in. Mommy May is starting to train me to put myself to sleep, rather than being rocked, which is fine, except that I keep pulling out binky and then fussing. Hopefully, in a few more weeks, when I can pop it back in, things will settle down.

Last, but certainly not least, I am big enough now to sit up in the shopping cart when I run errands with Mommy May!! We don't have a good picture yet, but we'll keep working on it. All Mommy May has to do is strap me in and then give me a book to read. I love books more and more everyday! Here I am reading to Daddy May:

I hope everyone has a great Christmas (or whatever tradition you celebrate)!!

Clownin' Around...

I have learned to laugh. Full-on belly laughs and squeals. Mommy May says it's the sound of pure joy. It's still pretty new to me, and, so far, only Daddy May knows the secret to getting me to laugh. Try as they might, I refused to laugh for the camera, so you'll have to settle for me being cheeky yet again:

Daddy May and I were embarrassed to be caught wearing the exact same outfit, so we hid from the camera. Hmm... I think Daddy May and I need to rethink our strategy:

And, because I know you can't get enough, another look of complete and total suprise:

I pretty much have that one perfected, no?

Evan Almighty...

Prepare to be amazed, because I am on a roll!! Every day, I get stronger, more aware, and better with my hands.... just look at this picture Nani took the other day:
I've been working on grabbing my baba for a while now, but I only just learned how to hold it up myself.

I also posted recently about my new foot fetish. I have been working feverishly on learning how to suck on my toe. Here's a close but no cigar:

And... Eureka!!

Boy, that felt good! But I have more intellectual pursuits, as well. Who says Mommy and Daddy May have to read to me every day? It's so much more satisfying to read to myself:

Being brilliant sure is exhausting... I make sure to take plenty of breaks:

Well, that's it for now. Only 15 days till Christmas--can you believe it?!