8 Months Today!!!

8 Months! And VERY excited about it ;)

8 Months Today! 2/3's of a year old.  Wowzas!

8 Months Old!

8 Month Old!  SOOO BIIIG

So clearly, my mommy didn't listen because as you can see here are pictures of me... sticker on my belly... Elmer by my side... And she wonders why I don't listen to her "No Blake's" all the time.  You're only as good as your leader, right mommy? ;)  It's okay though.  It's fun to see mommy and daddy work up a sweat to get me to look at the camera and smile.  Jokes on them, really!

Please just take me inside...

Does it look like I'm having fun?

Well, I experienced my first outing in the snow, and let me tell ya, overrated!  After 20 minutes of getting me all bundled up I was SO done with my sled ride after about 30 seconds.  Wheeeee!!! NOT. That is supposed to be fun?  I was stuffed like a sausage, couldn't sit up from all the bulk, cold wind in my face, no thanks.  Where's the beach?  It didn't help that I toppled over face first into the snow... Yeah, inside please.

I'll enjoy the snow from in here :)

My new favorite thing to do is "SOO BIIIG!!"  You just have to say my name and I throw my hands up in the air.  I also like "Patty Cake" but my mommy thinks I'm confused because I just throw my hands in the air for that too.  I will stand corrected here... Patty Cake ends in the "so big" movement so technically I'm not wrong.  Thank You.  (How many of you just said the Patty Cake rhyme in your head to confirm that???)  Daddy is still working on "bye bye" with me and the newest thing we've started is "say your prayers."  We pray before dinner and I'm slowly learning to put my hands together.  Oh!  I almost forgot to mention... I say DADA alllll the time.  Don't tell my mommy I put that in here.  I think she's a little jealous.

Isn't this what you do after a big meal?

My jungle gym

Like my sweet trick?

All snuggly on my bunny (my pillow)

Eating daddy's pancakes

My ashes on Ash Wednesday

For Lent I gave up baby food.  After all, that stuff's for babies.  I want what you're eating - tacos, pot roast, egg bake, grilled cheese, pancakes, sweet and sour chicken, ice cream, birthday cake, etc.  I love it all.  My mommy made most of my baby food and I only got through about half of it.  I haven't caught onto her game yet but she'll distract me with "adult" food on my tray and while I'm trying to pick it up she'll shove that spoon in my mouth!  It's ok though, I don't want to waste it.

Happy Valentine's Day!

The goofy groundhog supposedly brought us good news but you would never know if you looked outside.  We got about 8" yesterday and it's still falling today.  I'm sure I'll love playing in the white stuff one day... I think I'm going to have to - I hear skiing and snowmobiling are fun!

Can I have this bottle?

Will I be walking the next time I write???  We'll see!  I'm getting closer every day!  Enjoy the snow if you go play in it!  I'll enjoy it from the comfort of my toy room.  Happy St. Patty's Day!  See y'all in March :)

Love,

Blake

My favorite hangout place

Just showing you my baby blues

Always making a huge mess in my play room

7 Months Today!!!

7 Months Today! 1.27.13

7 Months Today! 1.27.13

7 Months Today! 1.27.13

Good Evening! Happy Sunday!  Sorry this is getting out to you so late as I know some of you are on the edge of your seats. :)




My mommy went out last night to Toby Keith's Bar and I think her red solo cup was filled up one too many times.  She told me she's a little slow moving today.  I've been trying to cheer her up with my high pitched squeals but I'm not sure she thinks they're so cute...  What's a red solo cup anyways?  Is it like a sippy cup?  I forgot to ask her.

New Year's Eve kisses from my mommy.

Happy New Year, by the way!  I hope everyone's year is off to a great start.  My New Year's Eve was pretty low key.  Daddy and I took mommy out for dinner and then we just came back home and hung out.  I rang in the new year in my dreams.  Except for another double ear infection, I'd say January has been good to me!  That set me back a few days but I'm back it and growing and changing by the second.

Ear infection, smear infection. Still smilin'

Hi!

My newest stunt!

We started golf lessons and I was tuckered out afterwards!

My new big boy car seat!!

If you don't mind, I'm going to brag here a little.  I crawl now!  All over!  I have gotten into everything in sight.  It's so fun to explore my house.  Electrical sockets, lamp cords, the DVD doors, you name it!  I just like to keep mommy and daddy on their toes.  After a lot of grunting and panting, I can now sit up from crawling/laying down.  That is hard work.  And my newest trick is pulling myself up on things!  I know!!!  I am so proud of myself too!  I smile and giggle to the world as I wobble on my legs.  Let me also mention I got two teeth!  I'm well on my way to steak and burgers.  As you can imagine I have done a lot of growing in the last month.  So much that I finally graduated from my baby carrier.  Those things are for babies!

Looking for birds

I don't know about all of you, but I know we're looking forward to spring, and sunshine, and warmer weather, and playing outside, and having the windows open, and baseball, and golf, and, and, and...  Bring it on already!  Let's hope that silly groundhog brings us good news.

Sort of over shopping too, Mom!

Hanging out watching the Illini game

I don't mind the camera so much anymore, but, mom, please.... no more monthly pics.  I'm so over the onesie and sticker on my belly.  I don't want to lie down with Elmer anymore.  I feel like your circus animal.  There I said it.  Hope I didn't hurt your feelings.  We'll see if she listens people.

Well, folks!  Until next time, keep it real.  Talk to you all real soon!



Love, Blake XOXO

Putting out fires!

Just being me.

Can you see my teeth???

Always sticking my tongue out to feel my new teeth.

6 Months Today!!!

Today, I am one-half year old!  I can't believe it, either...

6 Months!

I showed Elmer who's boss!

Mommy - take your sticker and ^&*$&%^&$!!!

Whew!!!  What a crazy, busy, fun month!!!  I took in a lot of Christmas festivities.  Just to name a few: The Merry Cary parade with my cousin, Maddie, the Grand Geneva lights and gingerbread houses, the Dancing Horses Christmas show, and of course... I visited THE man everyone speaks of - SANTA!! I wasn't so sure of him.  I know y'all say he's a nice man but I didn't take my eyes off him for one second.  And then he showed up again at Grandma and Grandpa Gillund's house on Christmas Day!  I really had my fill by then.

Smiling, playing, laughing! What I do best!

Can't get it in fast enough.

My girlfriends from Green Bay came to visit me too!  After a busy day of playing we all went to Shelly's!  (Chili's - that's how my friend Kali says it)  Everyone enjoyed their chips and salsa and french fries and I enjoyed my oatmeal and squash!  That's right, folks!  I eat food now!  Apples, pears, peaches, sweet potatoes, carrots and squash. YUM!  Peas on the other hand...  wow, nasty!  I gagged and choked and spit those out ASAP!  My daddy told my mommy to never make me try those things again.

My first time in the shopping cart like a big boy!

Helping mommy make Christmas goodies.

Hammin' it up!

I got to spend a lot of time with my Grandmas and Grandpas, aunts and uncles, and cousins and friends, which is really what this season is all about.  I met my Great Grandma for the first time and had a ball with her.  My mom says I'm a really lucky baby to have all these people love on me.  My mom wants everyone to know that she and daddy had to take the dining room table down and the dining room is now my toy room.  That's how much I got for my first Christmas.  She will be discussing a new policy with all of you in the very near future ;)

65 in December?  You bet I'm going to swing!

My new toy room!  (Sorry mommy...)

Thank you everyone for making my First Christmas very special!  I wish I could say one that I will never forget but I'm sure I already have.  But don't worry!  Mommy and Daddy had that black thing out a lot so I will look back on this one day and smile.

One of my many cute hats!

Here's to a very happy, healthy, and fun new year!  Be safe however you choose to ring it in!

(and GO IRISH!!!

My cousins and I!

My family!

Merry Christmas!

You again???

Really, Dad???  Make me balance on this cube?

5 Months Today!!

5 Months Today! 11.27.12

5 Months Today! 11.27.12

Cinco de drinko!  Cheers to me!  I'm 5 months today!

5 Months Today! 11.27.12

Let's see here... at my 4 month checkup (on 10/30) I weighed in at 17 pounds 12 ounces and I measure 27" tall.  Off the charts for height, people!  Maybe I'm the future Michael Jordan???  I'm not even sure who he is... never heard of him!  But, I take it he was good at something.  Let's not talk about the shots...  Who invented shots anyways??  I'd like to meet them... in a dark alley...

My daddy is a great pumpkin carver!

Raaawwwrrr!  Happy Halloween!

I know you're all very curious as to what I was for Halloween!  Or did my mom already spoil the surprise with her obnoxious picture taking and texting?  Raaaawwwrrrr!  I was a tiger!  I had so much fun handing out candy to all my neighborhood friends.  My mom let me lick some Smarties and they were delicious!

Cutest tiger mommy's ever seen

Future Leatherneck?

Relaxing in my Jacuzzi!

These days I'm pretty much sitting up on my own.  I continue to love my toes in my mouth - actually, I love anything in my mouth.  If its within my reach, its mine... and its getting slobbery.  Drool is my middle name.  So put away your fancy cashmere sweaters and diamond necklaces because I'll just mark them with my drool.

King of the couch!

I've been out and about lately.  We were taking advantage of the beautiful weather we were having before ol' man winter set in - and boy has he set in.  I took one for the team and went downtown Chicago for my cousin Maddie's annual American Girl trip. Yep! 7 girls and me!  Sound familiar? (same scenario in the hospital when I was born).  I made my first trip to Champaign for my Aunt and Uncle's engagement party.  Congrats Auntie Kate and Uncle Kevin!  I look forward to the bearing of the rings.  I had a lunch date with my pal, Dominic.  Our mom's talked and talked and we just hung out.  Someday we'll be clinging bottles and talking and talking like them!  Oh, and let's not forget something really awesome.......... GO NOTRE DAME!!!  IRISH #1!!! (sorry Daddy, I cheer for winners!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Not feeling well and you still have that dumb camera out!

Let me meet the inventor of this thing too...

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving!  I was (and still am) under the weather.  I got my first cold and double ear infection.  Happy Holidays to me :(  I still manage to be pretty smiley and good natured but when that nebulizer mask comes at me, you can bet I will not be smiling.  I did get to try some sweet potatoes - delicious!!  Well, it's about time for a bottle and my cozy bed.  When  you hear from me again Christmas will have come and gone.  I hope Santa is wonderful to you all.  I have yet to meet this character you all talk about - let's hope he's everything and more!  Merry, Merry Christmas! 

 

LOVING the Santa train!

My own Christmas Tree in my room!

 

Being silly!