High five.

In a shocking turn of events, Samuel's 5 month birthday is TODAY. And you thought it went fast when it was YOUR kid. Sheesh!

Happy 5 months, Mr. Sameoh!

And for fun, here's a look back at Alex and the WIPpo at 5 months. For the record, this was my favorite WIPpo picture, ever. Quite possibly the little guy at his cutest, though I will deny it if ever asked.



Sam-e-oh and the bear.

My little mister Sam-e-oh turned 1 month old on March 13. Where does the time go?

And for fun, here's a look back at Alex's 1 month with the WIPpo.

Is it just me or does Sam-e-oh look more...advanced? Like, say...more like Alex's 2 month picture?

No? Just me? Mmmkay.

Alex And The WIPpo.

Le sigh. I knew this day would come. No matter how hard I stamp my feet or how big of a tantrum I throw, time will continue to whiz past me in little, amazing moments. Rolling over. Sitting. Crawling. Pulling himself up. *poof* Almost walking. One month. Six months. Nine months. *poof* One year.

Today is an Easter Basket of emotions for me. I get all verklempt when I relive the last year in my head. To think about the things we've done, the places we've visited, the life that we've started...it just floors me. And to think that from here it will only grow and blossom and get more crazy and fabulous...well, that's just almost unfathomable. I am the Mom of a ONE year old. Note how I didn't say "years". That drives me absolutely bonkers, take note. Shelf for just a minute how OLD that makes me feel and think about it. He's not a baby anymore. Soon he'll be running around the back yard trying to catch Jake and squealing with delight over the fact that he can pee outdoors in the field at Grammi and Poppis house. Yes, this happens. I was raised in the middle of a corn field (literally), so nobody will get arrested, I promise.

Seriously, Kristi. Enough with the jibber jabber sap story. Get to the pictures!

Okay, okay...a special thank you goes to Aunt Kelli and Uncle David for the supa sweet banner. We can use it for all his birthdays, because it isn't customized for a specific year...so cool!

Laughing at Mr. WIPpo.

Laughing at Daddy.

"Hello old friend."

Silly boy.

Speaking of Daddy...guess who wins 'husband of the year'? Um, that would be Joe for getting me a COACH PURSE for Alex's birthday. Seriously, what husband does that?! MINE, thankyouverymuch. Should this trend continue, I just might think about becoming a family of four. I keed, I keed. Or do I?

Alex And The WIPpo.

ELEVEN MONTHS. As in, one month from ONE YEAR. Somebody get me a paper bag, stat. I just can't handle this.

Here's something else I can't handle -- the cuteness of my kid.

"Good morning, Mommy.

Thanks for making my hair look so handsome."

"WIPpo is so last month. This toy, however..."

"Well...it's been real. It's been fun. I'm outta here."

"Seriously, I wasn't kidding. I'm outie."

"But I suppose I could sit back down and give you

one more irresistible smile."

Joe and I are in awe every, single day of how lucky we are. Alex is an amazing kid. Granted, I don't have much to compare him to, but everyone that meets him--even perfect strangers in the grocery store--comment on how sweet he is, how smiley he is. I am so, so, so blessed to be his Momma. Happy almost birthday, kiddo!

Alex And The WIPpo.

Lucky you! Three posts in a row containing pictures of my sweet little boy. Ten months and growing!

Gah. He's so big I can hardly stand myself.

That sweet face...those chubby and delicious cheeks...

"Look, something shiny!"

"Seriously Mom. Totally bored."

"He has a chubby belly just like me!"

I melt. Literally a puddle on the floor.

"I can wave now!"

Where Does The Time Go?

A lot can happen in nine months. Joe and I dated for nine months before we were engaged. We were engaged for nine months before we were married.  Nine seems to be a good number for us.

This also happened to us over a nine month period. Well, it happened to me, but in the interest of "family togetherness" I'll say "us."

And take a look at what's transpired over the last nine months:

My little man has sprouted like a bean before our very eyes! Mr. WIPpo went from seeming like a giant, stuffed hippo to being Alex's best pal. I know it's horribly cliche and that every mom says it...but really - where does the time go?

Alex And The WIPpo.

Mister Alex has officially been on the outside as long as he was on the inside. I know it's strange, but I feel like he's been around for longer than I was pregnant...which is weird because I felt like I was pregnant for 3 about days longer than eternity.

"Well, hello there, Mommy. This routine again?"

"Hmm...this is certainly interesting."

"Peek-A-Boo!"

Somehow, the WIPpo ear always ends up in his mouth...

I'll give you a moment to recover from the cuteness. In the meantime, here are the stats from his 9 month checkup, which was this morning.

9 Month Checkup - Weight: 19 lbs. 9 oz. (25-50th %ile); Length: 28.5 in. (50-75th %ile); Head: 46 cm. (50/75th %ile)
6 Month Checkup - Weight: 17 lbs. 5.5 oz (50th %ile); Length: 27 in. (75th %ile); Head: 44 cm. (50th %ile)

We can now start adding proteins to his diet,a so I bought a few jars of the stage 2 meats on our Target run today...um, gross. I realize my son needs to eat and grow so I will feed him this crap but SERIOUSLY. No wonder children grow up and rebel. I would too if I was forced to eat that poo.

In unrelated news, Joey and I bought the new Super Mario Bros. game for Wii. I can't stop playing it. What's even cooler is that by the time Alex is old enough to play with me I will have mastered it and can challenge him in a save-the-Princess marathon and CREAM him!! :) I'm such a cool mom.

Bummed.

So...I can't post Alex and WIPpo pictures until Monday because my Mother-in-Law accidentally took our camera home last night instead of hers...and the pics are on it.

Rats.

Alex And The WIPpo.

I nearly forgot that today was the 15th! With all the hubbub around BDBC, Santa visits and Christmas shopping, time just skated away on me.

Nevertheless, here's my little man looking all chunky and fabulous at 8 months. Hard to believe this time last year I was as big as a house with enormously unapologetic cankles. Le sigh...

"Good morning Mommy and Daddy!"

"Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi."

I just love this one...he looks like, "I will gladly pay you for a hamburger next Tuuuuesday."

"Mom...this WIPpo fellow is very delicious."

And just for fun, here's a pic I snapped last night while we were all snuggly in our jammies watching "The Sing Off." (OMG such a good show...story for another post.)

BREAKING NEWS!

We interrupt what should have been a product review post (which is obvi delayed until tomorrow) to bring you this very exciting and urgent news:

ALEX HAS A TOOTH!!!

Joe noticed it during dinner last night - it's the bottom leftish one. He's been gnawing on everything but the kitchen sink lately (and he would chew that to pieces too if only he could figure it out) so we knew it was only a matter of time. I'm honestly not sure I'm ready for this. It makes him seem so...so...old.

Since I don't have a time machine, I will relish in the moment and shout from the rooftops about this latest milestone. My mom said I popped my first 3 teeth through in a 2 day period, so if he's like his Momma the others aren't far behind. And if the little wiggle worm will sit still long enough to snap a good picture of his mouth I'll have one to post soon.

And because I was out of town for the 7 month Alex and the WIPpo pics, here they are:

Alex And The WIPpo.

Look at my little 6 month chunky monkey:



I know, right? He's basically hilarious. A bit under the weather at the moment (runny nose, small rash on his face, Sir Sneezalot, etc.), but is still giggling and being a sillypants as always. I just ruv him to itty bitty bubblegum pieces.

Half a year, wow. It actually doesn't seem like that long of a stretch, considering I incubated him for longer than he's actually been out in the wilderness. Come to think of it, that's a great bit of perspective for me. See me on his 9 month WIPpo picture. Then we'll talk.

Don't forget to come back early tomorrow...very exciting fings!