Snow!

We finally got some snow. I was happy that Josh would finally be able to put on all the snow gear we got him. Scott picked up a sled and he and Josh visited the neighborhood sledding hill. I just caught their last sled ride of the day as it was getting dark. Josh looks like he is having a lot fun and also yelling "Daddy, don't hit the fence!"

Look Who's Sitting Up

Can you believe it? And Josh is always very interested in Daniel's toys and has a hard time sharing them back with Daniel!

Where Were You

when the the 44th President was inaugurated? Josh and Daniel watched a little of President Obama's inauguration. "The Washington Monument, look at all those people". Then Josh moved on to more important things, like playing with trains and making cookies (and putting flour on Aunt Shana's nose).

"Josh" by Josh

Future Ice Hockey Player?

The first day we moved in our neighbors said "this is the best block in the neighborhood". It could be the block party or the cocktail evenings or just how friendly everyone is. The neighbor's home-made ice rink doesn't hurt either. The "big kids" have been out all day playing hockey while the weather stays cold.

Josh and I were watching and had a long talk about how "when he was 10 he was good at ice skating". So, imagine our surprise when Josh decided he wanted to try it too. The neighbors had a small pair of skates; we strapped on his bike helmet, and Josh bravely stepped out onto the ice.

The rule was he had to hold on to the bucket, and he made it all the way around the "rink". Somehow he never got caught up in the hockey going on all around him and the reward, a cup of hot chocolate. Josh is constantly surprising us, saying he doesn't want to do something, but then once he sees it, he is ready to try!

Josh

hanging around on a cold day.

Ballons

Daniel loves balloons. He is completely fascinated by the balloon. If a balloon is in the room, he is looking at it and he wants to hold it. Of course whenever Daniel finally got a hold of the balloon, Josh would realize and claim it back...

Ten

Sometime over the past few months we have gotten in the habit of bringing a raisin snack for Josh when he gets picked up. Basically, you can expect a full blown meltdown if you forget them. It seems that I forget the raisins more often than Scott does and the other morning while I was dropping Josh off, I got lectured. "Now mommy, you have to remember to bring the raisins or I will be very sad at you". Luckily, Scott remembered the raisins that afternoon. Josh ended up eating them at home. He put them on the table and said "ten". This is Josh's raisin art.

I have to go back to my screen

Josh was typing "words" on the computer and asking me what it said. He then demonstrated for me what the "word" meant. "That means you jump with your arms up, mommy". Then he said "I have to go back to my screen". And we did the whole thing over again after he added one letter to the word. "That means you jump with your arms out". "I have to go back to my screen". "slsjfldjls means you jump with your arms low".

Laundry Day

Who Needs Toys?

Life is good when you can roll under the chair and play with the bottom of it.

Dinosaurs

In true "boy" fashion, Josh is also interested in dinosaurs. Trains, trucks, planes, constructions, dinosaurs. What is the next thing? We went to the Natural History museum and Josh really liked seeing the dinosaur bones, except he was scared to go anywhere near the t-rex unless he was being held. I don't blame him, that t-rex has big teeth!!!

6 Months Old

And having fun in the exersaucer. How did that little baby get so big???

He is: rolling, eating food, and is super cute!

Haircut

Josh's latest haircut. I love the way he looks when he has just gotten a haircut, but then I like it also right before the haircut. Maybe I just love the way he looks all the time...

December Wrap-up

Before I forget, some thoughts from December...

• Daniel is officially rolling, back to tummy and tummy to back. I can't keep him in one place these days.
• At least one of us has been sick during the entire month. Poor Daniel has only had one or two nights of easy breathing the whole month and Josh gets a runny nose every other week.
• Josh still loves chocolate, it is his favorite.
• Josh definitely knows what presents are, and received many of them this holiday season.
• Josh is starting to read. Can you believe it? He is sounding out words like hat, cat, bug, pig.
• Josh just seems so much taller all of a sudden. His head is clearly above the table now and he can reach the water in the bathroom sink.
• Daniel, despite constantly being sick, is still all smiles. It might be 3am or 5:45 am but he is more than ready to give you a big smile.
• Daniel is finally taking a bottle. We cut him off from nighttime feedings and it seems to have worked, he is now eating more during the day.
• Daniel likes bananas, apples, and pears. He has really liked peas at least once and also likes sweet potatoes. Daniel does not like plain rice cereal.

Daniel Baby

Mazes

Josh loves to do "mazes". Here he is wearing my hat.