Mr. Giggle Pants

Untitled from Shawna Schneider on Vimeo.

Eating Machine.

He's only 9 months old and I fear that he may eat us out of the house soon.

This kid loooooves to eat! Not that I should be surprised... he wouldn't fit in around here if he didn't.

Up until about a week ago, his food came in the pureed form. And he loved it! Then he started to show serious favoritism for the homemade "real" food. I don't blame him... it's way yummier! This led to tastes of food from my plate and then next thing I knew he was mashing/gumming real bits of food off of his tray. Once he discovered finger foods, he started to refuse the pureed food, although we are now able to sneak some spoonfuls in while he is shoving fistfuls into his mouth.

He loves the independence and control of feeding himself.

At this point, his favorite finger foods are sweet potatoes, apples, pears, mangos, carrots, peas, toast, cheese and little bits of chicken.

Mealtime is easily his favorite time of the day. He is so happy and smiley while eating! It can last upwards of an hour... if you keep putting food on his tray, he will keep eating it!

Mr. Bottomless Pit...

Oh, and at this point, he is strictly a lefty when it comes to eating...

Concentration is a crucial part of self-feeding.

Slacking on the job!

If you look closely at the above picture you can see the fangs! Our little vampire baby still doesn't have his 2 front teeth.

KyKy convo.

During Gavin's morning nap today, Kylie and I went down to the basement to play. I decided to put in my new exercise dvd and Kylie decided to curl up on the couch and watch my sweat it out. After I was finished, I thanked her for watching me and she said, "I like to watch you mommy"... I think I responded with an "awwww" and then she followed that up with, "and I like to watch you clean the floor." Hmmm, "You do? What else do you like to watch me do?" I ask. "Make tuptakes," she answered matter-of-factly.

I have to wonder what the motive is behind these compliments.

And, did daddy put her up to this??... clean the floors... make cupcakes. :)

Here are a couple recent pics of my little squirt.

Disney on Ice.

A couple weeks ago, Matt and I took Kylie (Gavin stayed home with grandma Lori and Pa) to see Disney on Ice at The Q in Cleveland. She had seen many commercials about it on TV for a few weeks leading up to it and was so excited and anxious to see it in person!

It was a wonderful show... very bright and colorful and entertaining.

Waiting for the show to begin with her little Tinkerbell doll.

She sat on daddy's lap for the majority of the show to have a better view!

Santa! (AKA Goofy)

Gavin plays peek-a-boo.

Moments.

It's time for more iPhone candids...

1. The kiddies all ready to go bye-bye yesterday morning.

2. Me with my babies.

3. Kylie and Tinkerbell at Disney on Ice last weekend. (More photos to come soon).

4. The Gav-ster looking quite handsome.
5. The boys hanging out in the basement. (I love that little hand on his daddy's shoulder!)
6. Gavin rockin' a mohawk post-bath.
7. Ky enjoying a bowl-full of snow. She loves it.
8. Baby feet. I love how they are all curled up...
9. Gav, pre-bath, entertaining himself in the mirror. He loves looking at that cute baby in the mirror!

She didn't get this from me.

My little girl loves the snow!! She loves eating snow (always has) and she loves playing in the snow. Thank goodness daddy is always game for going out with her. I tend to be a little cold-blooded and much prefer to stay inside cuddled under a blanket with some cozy slippers and a mug of hot chocolate!

The two cutest snow bunnies I've ever seen!

She had her 1st "real" sled-riding adventure this past weekend. They went with some neighbors to a big hill at a local park and apparently she did GREAT! Matt said she was so brave and did amazing going down a big hill multiple times all by herself. Surprisingly, they lasted an hour despite the freezing temps (10 degrees!!). Maybe next time mommy will suck it up and join in the fun! :)

Gavin's Stocking.

Grandma Pat has a really neat and special tradition of making a personalized Christmas stocking for her grandkids' 1st Christmas. This being Gav's 1st Christmas, he received this amazing gift!!

Grandma re-created Gavin's bedroom to a "T"! From the wall color, to the curtains, to the dresser and knobs, to the lamp, to the crib... it is perfect!! It is even 3-D with beads and sequins throughout. And, Carmen even made it onto the scene in this stocking, too, just like Kylie's.

I LOVE it and I'm sure Gavin will treasure it forever!

Not a great photo, but you can see Gavin's, Kylie's and Matt's childhood stocking.

Thank you, Grandma Pat!!

9 months old.

In a blur of colds, sleepless nights, teething, family visits, and a funeral (we'll miss you great grandma Galbreath), I missed the opportunity to post on the 6th. On January 6th my favorite little man turned 9 months old! I cannot believe that he has been living outside of me almost longer than he lived inside me!! Craziness. However, at the same time, it's hard to remember life without him. He is such a bundle of joy. He smiles 90% of the time. If he isn't smiling it probably means that he is hungry or tired or just wants to be held. He is such a cuddlebug and LOVES to be held! He also loves his big sister more than anything else in the world. All she has to do is walk into the room and he lights up! He's starting to appreciate his furry sibling (Carmen) more and more everyday. He loves to eat and is starting a few little finger foods (and he thinks that is so fun!). Loves bathtime. Rolls all over the place and doesn't seem to have much desire to crawl. Has 4 teeth, 2 on bottom and 2 on top (laterals) but still no top front teeth. Says "dadadada" and some other jibber-jabbers, but no "mama" yet. If we ask him to say "dada", he just giggles and gives you a big grin and then usually obliges. And he is still growing like crazy!

He had his 9 month appt. today, and he is 21 pounds (50-75th%ile) and 30" long (95th%ile).

I love this serious face... I'm sure it was quickly replaced by a toothy, dimply grin.

Checking himself out in the mirror... one of his favorite things to do (typical male).

I always see him looking down into this mirror and then I see his little cheeks puff up and I know that he is smiling at himself. I had to capture this moment when I saw him doing it the other day!

That's a handsome fella in there!

Christmas- Part 3.

Our final Christmas celebration was with the Hotchkiss/Marra clan and it was great time, as usual! Kylie loves hanging out with her cousins!

The cousins posing for a quick photo before tearing into their gifts!

Mrs. Claus handing out gifts...

The kids all crowded around grandma waiting anxiously for their next present.

The little guys weren't too amused. Opening presents is SO overrated. (I have a feeling next year will look much different!)

Sara and Leo

Checking out their new "Chuck the Trucks"...

Playing a little DS...

Once we cleared away the mess, it was time to re-load with the adult presents!

My favorite little gift!