Tuesday, August 11, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOEL!!!!

Yay! Joel is one today!





Here are Joel's current stats:


-Weight and height are currently unknown. We will find out what they are at his doctor's appointment tomorrow.

-Joel crawls all over the place and loves for you to chase after him on all fours.

-He can stand up on his own for about ten seconds at a time.

-Joel took one little step while in the pool a couple days ago. (We were very excited!)

-Joel's third toe is his longest toe.

-He really likes the vacuum and will follow me all around the house while I sweep the floors.

-Joel will eat anything.

-Joel can drink out of a straw. (We discovered this at Sonic a couple days ago.)

-He has eight teeth in front and two top molars.

-Joel loves the water. We enjoy playing in the pool in the backyard (we recently upgraded to a larger pool- thanks, Nanny!) Also, whenever Joel is crawling around the house, his path always leads to the bathroom because he loves the tub.

-Joel enjoys reading. He is an excellent listener and he loves turning the pages. Some of his favorite stories are: Bear Snores On, I Love You Stinky Face, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Five Little Monkeys, Opposites, Touch and Feel Farm, Polar Bear Polar Bear What Do You Hear?, and many more.

-His hair is getting very mullet-y, but I don't think he could handle a hair cut just yet.

-Joel has said mama and dada, but he is currently only saying dada whenever he wants me or his dad or anything else.

-Joel likes being pushed in his swing in the backyard. I can't take him outside (not even to get in the car) without him diving for his swing. Which brings me to the next stat...

-Joel is very strong! He is also a little daredevil. A dangerous combination; I always have to be on my toes with him. He falls down, dives head first, stumbles, and bonks his head multiple times each day.

-Joel snorts and growls and grunts a lot. He is also has a lot of facial expressions. (see above photos)

-He now clings to me when I am holding him and try to set him down. (I absolutely love this and pretend to set him down all the time so I can feel his little hugs!)

-Joel gives high fives and kisses. I love kissing his mushy cheeks, and he will sometimes turn his cheek towards me to get a kiss. :o)

-When Joel gets excited, he sits on his knees, bounces up and down, and flaps his arms up and down. The things that excite Joel are: wheels spinning, getting to eat bites of grown-up food, toys spinning on the floor, the sweeper, arriving at our destination when he gets to get out of his car seat, his swing, splashing, and steering wheels.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Indiana Vacation Part 2

We visited with Andrew's side of the family during the second half of our Indiana vacation. We had a wonderful time visiting with family and friends. Here are some pictures to recap our time:


Our ever-expanding group of friends

Please, Joel, make yourself comfortable!
Grandma and Joel

Joel with his Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Moser

Git-along little doggies

Playin' with Dada


Joel's favorite toy: his table (thanks Hallie!) There is a soup bowl in the middle, but Joel thinks it's a steering wheel. Fun times!

At the dunes by Lake Michigan


It was a very hot day


Joel and Uncle Shawn

Joel with his Aunt Monica and Aunt Chandra


Feeding time with Grandpa


The Family


Joel loves wheels and pretty much anything that can spin


We had a mini birthday celebration at the Moser cookout, even though Joel was only 11 months.





The result of all that confetti cake and icing: passing out on the front porch swing with Aunt Monica and Uncle Shawn

15 minutes later...

Three generations of great smiles!

Joel and Great-Grandma Whitehead

Joel found a steering wheel at the park. I can't wait to take him back there once he can walk; it was the perfect park for younger kids. (But I had a blast, too!)

Pool party!


After pool cuddles

I love my precious boy!