BOOKS, FABULOUS BOOKS!!

Everywhere you look around our house, there is a children's book laying around, almost to the point of being dangerous (do you know how slippery those little suckers are if you step on one that's laying flat on the carpet??).

Mr. Reid LOVES books. He loves touch and feel books, books that play a little tune, books with paper pages and books with cardboard pages. He looks at books about letters, numbers, shapes and Bible Stories. He. Loves. Books. With the exception of only one book ever. "I Love You This Much" about Big and Little Nut Brown Hare. He. Hates. That. Book. Don't know why, probably never will.

His most recent favorite is a John Deere book about a tractor. I bought it for him yesterday and since I brought it home, he has requested that one of us read it to him about 4523938 times.

We've gotten books as gifts and of course, we buy some every few weeks to keep things fresh, because when your baby shuffles through ALL the books fifteen times every our and pulls out the one he wants, holds it up to his Daddy and says "book??", then you better be ready to read. And here's the thing. Even if HE doesn't get bored with his books, WE do, and we need variety.

Another great and valuable resource for books is the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Dolly's foundation wants every community's child to have a new book every month for the first five years to promote reading. So individual communities can sign on and commit to fund the program for people in their area. Doesn't matter if you're rich or poor, if your community runs the program, your kiddo can get age-appropriate, quality books in the mail EVERY MONTH FOR FIVE YEARS!! Wow. Our community operates the program through Deaconess Women's Hospital. To find out if your community offers the program, go to the following website: www.imaginationlibrary.com . You can also sign up for books for your family at that site.

Happy Reading!

Em

When baby makes too much noise, just cork him up, right?? Actually, Reid likes to put shape sorter thingies in his mouth...often.

Easter Egg hunting with Great Aunt Debbie
All my cousins at Nanny's house

MOVIN', GROOVIN', AND GROWIN'

I have been so bad about telling you all about my latest adventures. What with being cute and all, it leaves little time for baby blogging, you know?? So let me try and catch you up...

I have started to get braver with my walking, putting 7-8 steps together at a time, wandering away from the safety of the couch. And at my Minas Koressel's I learned how to climb stairs on Easter...wow.

I'm still loving my books and now I'll point to interesting things on the page. Once I even repeated after Nano Morrison and said "blue" when we were reading the book about colors. Well, actually I said "boo" but you get the picture.

I like music, and am starting to get a little taste of the boogie fever. I dance best on my knees on the floor. Sometimes I push the doorbell button on my little tent twice just so I can dance. Push it once, it rings the doorbell. Push it twice and it plays "No place like home."

Mommy is trying to slowly wean me off bottles, but we're taking it slow. I only drink milk now, though, No formula anymore. And I can finally use the sippy cup like a pro! Yay for me!!

So, now you're caught up with all my shenanigans. Seems like every time you blink, I can do something new.

MY FIRST HAIRCUT!! CALL ME "SLICK."

You saw my crazy hair in the last post. Well, Mommy sent that picture to Leeanna as proof that I really needed a haircut bad, and she worked me into her schedule at the shop. We went on Friday night, and boy was I good. Mommy held me and tried to make sure I didn't wiggle and lose an ear. Daddy entertained me so I would look the right way. But even with all that, it took Leeanna's experience and her brilliant idea to get the job done right. If you zoom in on the top picture, you'll see in my hand...a CHEET-O!! I never had a Cheet-o before, and ya know what?? I. Like. Cheet-os. Even if they're covered in my own hair. And you can see from the picture below, how handsome I am with my new slick cut...both ears intact.

CHECK OUT THIS FAR OUT NAP HAIR, MAN!

52 WEEKS OF REID

Yeah, yeah, I know what I said. 365 days. So I've already failed miserably...sue me. I am amending my previous post so people don't get their knickers in a twist. I can tell ya that there is probably a picture (or ten) of Reid taken every single day--but there have lately not been enough hours in the day to get on and blog daily.

So here are some favorites of this week, which include the first birthday party, playing at the park, and some really seriously bad nap hair. Enjoy!

(edited later: OOPS, the site will only take so many pics at one time...so you will see the bad nap hair on another post!)

THIS IS IT! Day 1 of 365 Days of Reid





I'll have to post the birthday bash pictures later. First I want to get started posting on my 365 days of Reid. Today I turned one year old and I had a great day. I heard from people I hadn't heard from in a long time, got to go visiting, and got to go get my first pair of BIG BOY SHOES (check out my new kicks in the pic below) at Stride Rite. In case you're wondering, all this talk about my tater feet is true. I am in a size 5 extra wide. Anyway, back to my special day. After a really great nap, I got to go outside and play in the sunshine. There was such a nice breeze. Today's pictures are from the late afternoon while me and daddy enjoy a fun moment together in the back of his truck.

Oh, and a note to Cousin Jen--enable the comments on your new blog so all the cool people who check in can leave a message. Glad a little guy like me could inspire you so much!

Love, Reid

COUNTDOWN TO BIRTHDAY FUN!

My first birthday is almost here! Party on Friday at daycare, party Saturday with my family, then a whole week off daycare with mom. Pray for good weather so there will be lots of time to play outside and have fun!

Just for the record, on my birthday, I have eight teeth, can pull up and stand anywhere and can stand with "no hands." I can say "ba-ba," "mama," "ktyktykty" (kitty). I love books, and usually sleep thru the night. I can eat lots of different finger foods, and spaghetti is just about my favorite!

Hope to see you all soon! Let me know if you're reading and leave a comment.

Love,

Reid

HOW BIG IS BABY REID??? SO BIG!

Mommy keeps trying to get me to open my arms up wide to say "SO Big" but I'm not quite there yet. Won't be long before I'm a bona fide toddler. How crazy is that? When I smile you can see all 8 of my teeth and I am always standing up so big and tall. I've been mastering my skills pretty quickly in the past week or two. Tonight, I even let go of my little music table and stood for a few seconds without help. Good thing I've got a nice cushy diaper, though, cause "fall down go boom" is becoming my middle name.

Mom and Dad are hard at work planning my birthday bash. Yeah, it'll be out of control and over the top, but if it makes them happy, let 'em do it. As long as I get cake, I'm okay with it.

COMING EVENTS...STAY TUNED

I have recently been inspired by some other bloggers who have started a neat way to archive their year. As Woobie's birthday approaches, I'm going to try to live up to the challenge, and post a picture of Reid for 365 days, starting on his birthday. What an awesome way to see the dramatic changes he'll be making, and the fun activities he'll be getting into over the course of his second year. I' m sure I'll fail to get the postings on here EVERY day, but will try to make sure the pictures make it, even if a few have to land in the same post.

Hope you're all doing well and staying warm!

Woobie's Mommy

Peek-A.....
BOO!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to all the people I love and
who love me.

I'M BAAAAA-AAAACK!!

Oh, yeah! I am feeling so much better! I finished my second antibiotic this morning (hooray!). Butt rash...gone. Crankiness...gone. Sleepless nights...gone. Goofiness...right on track.

And in honor of my improved outlook, I have unveiled a new word. Can you say "HOTT-A"? As in "The sun makes it...HOTT-A!" You have to say it in a loud whisper. Very cute, if I do say so myself.

And I can wow you some more, too. Think real people food. I ate some. Think carrots and ground beef. Think crackers. Think a little cheese and sausage off a pizza. Just a little, but I liked it all.

And as if you are not already dazzled enough...wait for it...here it comes...I drank out of a sippy cup last night! Big things are happening folks.

BAD NEWS BEARS!!

Went back to the Dr. today to get my ears checked, and guess what? My left ear is infected again. I still have a cold and cough, and now I have to start ANOTHER antibiotic. I am tired of medicine and will try to grab the sticky dose dropper every time. Really, all I want is to be left alone to play and crawl around as I please. Please cross your fingers for me that this time, the infection will go away, and I can get back to my happy-go-lucky life. I mean, really...I have grandmas to visit and birthday parties to go to and this is really cramping my style!

Hope you're all doing well and dodging ugly winter germs.

Love, Reid

Check out my Technique with this here spoon!
STARTING TO FEEL A LITTLE BETTER

For those of you who've been checking and on the edge of your seats to see how I'm doing, thanks for thinking of me. Fact is, Mom and Dad have been sick right along with me so they weren't able to help me with the computer for a little while. We are all starting to feel better, though, thankfully. I had an ear infection and had to take antibiotics, and the cough and cold is still hanging on a little. Just this afternoon, I started having a fever of 102 again, so we'll see how that turns out when its time to go to daycare tomorrow. Pray that the ear infections don't come back...they're yucky. My appetite is back and I am back to playing most of the time. Just a little grouchy here and there, and still need some help sleeping.

We are all ready to get out and go again and are tired of being cooped up in the house. In two weeks, I will get to spend the night at Nanny and Papaw's house while mom and dad go out for a big night at "The Chocolate Affair". Get ready, Nanny...

I hope you're all doing well...

Love,

Reid

I Am Sick Today...Poor Little Me.

I've been coughing since Sunday, but overall did pretty good. But it all got to be too much for me yesterday. The runny nose, the cough, probably a sore throat and all the excitement at daycare put me over the edge. I mean, I didn't even feel like playing or getting into things...not eating much either. So Mommy called the doctor after hours--hold tight they say, and try to give me some fluids. Mommy has tried, but I didn't want too much of that through the night. At least I got a good night's sleep. We both stayed home from work today, and I still don't want to eat or drink anything, so Mommy called the doctor again. I get to go see her at 10:30 this morning. Pray that I get my appetite back because Mommy and Daddy think I'm pretty pitiful right now.

I'll let you know what happens...I'm not used to being sicky, but I'm doing me best. Still in a pretty good mood despite feeling bad.

Love you,

Reid

I'M A PARTY ANIMAL!!

Hey, look at me--I'm Reidie the Red Nosed Reindeer! I have been partying up a storm all thru this holiday week and boy am I worn out. There has been someone to visit or someone visiting me every day. My sleep schedule is WAY out of wack. But its all worth it because Santa has been very good to me. You can see that Santa came to visit and I told him everything I wanted for Christmas. A few days later, he brought me this cool new clubhouse to play in. I must have been a very good boy this year. Dad even let me play with his XBox 360--well not really. I'm just pushin' buttons, but I LOVE buttons! I've also been really turning on the charm with all my friends and family, showing them I can be even cuter than normal.

By the way, I went to the doctor last week. At a little over nine months old, I am 20 lbs. 12oz. and 28 1/2 inches long. That puts me at 60th percentile for both height and weight. The doctor told me I was handsome (blush) and doing all the things I'm supposed to be doing at this age.

I hope you all got a visit from Santa, too. Sending you lots of kisses and hoping you have a blessed new year!

Love,
Reid

MERRY CHRISTMAS--CAN'T WAIT TO MEET SANTA!

Oh, I have been so good this year...well at least since I've been born earlier this year...I just KNOW Santa will bring me some goodies.

In the coming week, there will be so much excitement. There will be a Christmas party at Miss Julie's tomorrow and the jolly guy himself is supposed to show up. Then on Friday all Mommy's family is coming to MY house for dinner and presents. As you can see from the picture, though, I find that the boxes the presents come in are probably more fun! Then all my aunts and uncles and cousins from Daddy's family will be coming to visit--some of them live pretty far away, so I don't get to see them much. And there will be more parties with more family all the way into next weekend. So...I wonder how screwed up my routine will be by the time I go back to Miss Julie's in the new year...?

I get to go to the Dr. for my 9 month checkup this Friday. I expect she'll tell me I'm perfect yet again. I will show her how I can clap, crawl and stand up (with only a little help), and I'll show her the two new teeth I'm getting up top (that will make four up top and two on bottom). I may even show her what those teeth can do. Did you know that teeth can BITE?? I taught mom that lesson just the other night when she was trying to trim my nails. I hate it when she trims my nails. I may just bite her every time she does that in the future...

Anyway, its past my bedtime now. I actually stay up til 7:30 sometimes now. Just want to send a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my family. I hope to hear from you all in the new year.

Love,
Reid

GO STEELERS!! (Well, do the best you can...)


ALMOST 9 MONTHS OLD--LOOK OUT WORLD!!

Thank goodness, whatever problems with pictures this site had, they are over now, cause I've been doing lots of neat things and you guys have been missing out!

On Tuesday, I turn nine months old (already??). In honor of this occasion, I have learned to army crawl and you should see me go. Mom and Dad have got to keep EVERYTHING off the floor that's not a toy, because I'm pretty quick. There are no hands and knees involved in this kind of crawling--its a special maneuver with my shoulders, hips and toes that looks like hard work, but gets me where I need to go.

I've also got FOUR whole teeth in my mouth, but most finger foods still kindof ick me out. I can do the puffs but so far, everything else (real green beans and cheerios, for example) are harder for me to figure out. We're also working on standing up while holding on to furniture, but I'm not so sure why I really have to hold on...

Love you all! Hope you're having a great holiday and I'll see you soon!

Reid

Okay, so I'm frustrated! I've been trying to post my Thankgiving blog, and have not been able to successfully post all my new and wonderful pictures!! I know my fans are waiting...please be patient while I try to figure it all out.

In the meantime, please know that I have been busy growing new teeth--I have two coming in up top! :)

Love, Reid

CAN YOU SAY "CUTE?"
Here's a couple of the most recent pictures mom and dad have taken of me. I'm really gonna hate that nakey one a few years from now...but at least they made sure that all my "naughty bits" are covered.

Gosh, this week I am taking off with my rolling around and occasionally make some army crawl movements if there's something I really want to get to. Sometimes it is so frustrating to try and get at my toys, though, and Mom and Dad aren't much help. Dad always tells Mom that I'll never learn if she keeps helping me out and pushing the toys closer...anyway, hopefully I'll be crawling before Christmas, cause there's gonna be lots of stuff I'm gonna want to see and get into, and if I'm still going at this rate, it'll take forever!

Today I had a really busy day. First, Mom and me went to church, and saw my Great Grandma K and Great Aunt Joanne from Gatlinburg. That was during nap time, so when we got home, mom tried to lay me down, but after about a half hour I was up and at 'em. Not too long after that, Uncle Denny and Aunt Judy dropped by to visit and hug, but we couldn't stay long, because we had to leave again to go to Great Granmda's surprise birthday party (she's 85!). There were so many people and so much excitement, that no one was able to get me to take a nap or eat a bottle. There were so many people there who hadn't seen me in so long, that I got LOTS of hugs and lovin, but eventually it was just too much. Mom had only driven a few miles down the road before I was konked out completely. I'm such a trooper--even though I was sooo tired, I didn't get grouchy or anything.

Tomorrow, its back to Julie and the kids to get back into my regular routine.

A NOTE TO Nikki: I was so happy to see that you popped in to see the site and hope you visit often! I didn't post your comment since it had first and last name--didn't know if you wanted that posted or not. Let me know! I'll send some pics soon. Look forward to hearing more from you!--Em

HAPPY 7th MONTH BIRTHDAY, BABY ROO!! (A Mommy Hijacks her Baby's Blog)

Hi Friends and Family! Today I thought I'd take over a give the baby a break. There's so many of you I haven't talked to in awhile. We're all doing fine and me and Bryan are loving being parents. Days are busy, and there is definitely not enough time to spend all together, but we do as much as we can in the mornings, the evenings and weekends. Our home has become a display area for all the contraptions (Jumparoo, high chair, exersaucer, to name a few), toys and books we use every day, and when I say "display area," I really mean disaster area. Boy, are our lives different now than seven months ago--but way more fun!

Last week Bryan got an opportunity to really do some Daddy/Baby bonding for a few days. I was in St. Louis Thursday through Saturday, so he was on his own in Babyland for the first long period of time. He did such a good job following the routine, adding a few of his own, and making sure our Woobie got fed, clean, changed and put to bed each night without a problem. Bryan's so good about playing with him and teaching him things--I see the possibility that Reid'll be an athlete and a scholar by the time he's three.

(My cousin Rick Bland who lives in Atlanta, called while I was updating the blog just now--he say's "hi" to everyone in Evansville. Baby number two for Ricky is due in about two months :) It's good to have family that keeps connections going, dontcha think?)

Reid's two little bottom teeth continue to grow. The one on the left is popped through a little bit and the other rests just under the surface. He really hasn't complained much about pain, but we keep the teething tablets and orajel on hand just in case. As soon as he agrees to open his little mouth, I'll try to get a picture of them.

We had another success this week--baby is consenting to eat sweet peas! At least there's one green food he'll tolerate to offset all those yellow and orange ones he loves so much.

Little Roo's new sound of the month: Rooaaaaaaahhhhh! (a grunty, growly roar, deep in his throat.) We think he might be part bear.

New word of the week: DADAdadaDADadadaDa Da dee!! (what am I, chopped liver??)

Love and hope to see you all soon,
Emily