September 23, 2003 – I’m almost one year old!!! I can’t believe it – neither can mommy or daddy. Time flies when you’re having fun! I’ve accomplished so much in the past two months. Now I can get up into a sitting position from lying on my back. First I roll over onto my tummy (which I used to hate doing), then I push myself up. Well, when you want something bad enough… and, wonderful news – although I can’t officially crawl yet, I can scoot myself from one end of a room to the other by sitting and shuffling my legs and butt. Hey, whatever works! And when I get near something enticing (couch, coffee table, etc.), I try and pull myself up. Still a little unsure about putting weight on my legs, but I’m trying! I can turn the pages when mommy reads me books at night, I can wave hello and goodbye, and I even tried my first finger food the other day. Up until then, the gag reflex was too strong and mommy was afraid I would choke. Then she heard that Cheetos cheese puffs work well because they practically melt in your mouth. But somehow she couldn’t bring herself to feed me those bright orange things. But guess what? Now they sell a “natural” Cheeto with white cheddar. Anyway, I ate two the other day. Mommy had to show me how to do it – she only had to eat about 2 or 3 before I caught on. The fun part is how messy my hands get after eating them J Maybe I’ll try a graham cracker next. Hey, did I tell you I got my fourth tooth on the bottom? Finally. Another big accomplishment is that I had my first sleep-over this past weekend (at Auntie Moe’s). My first night away from mommy. She missed me but I did fine. Well, pretty soon it will be Halloween. Noah says he wants to be a ghost. I’m going to wear his old Teletubbie “Po” costume. I think it will fit perfectly. And I’ll look just as cute in it!! Speaking of Noah, I worship him. Everywhere he is, I want to be. Everything he plays with, I want too. He makes me smile and laugh and sometimes he even shares with me. I think you learn sharing early when you have a sibling. Anyway, it’s fun having a brother and I can’t wait til I can get up and run and jump with him (sorry mom!)

August 2, 2003 – The big news is that I did very well with my surgery last week. It was pretty rough immediately after… my eyes were swollen shut and I couldn’t see mommy or daddy (but I could hear them!) My head was wrapped in so much gauze that it looked (and felt) like a helmet. We went home on the 5^th day and I am recuperating. And since I’ve been home I’ve had a voracious appetite (obviously didn’t eat much while I was in the hospital!) Anyway, thank you, everybody, for your thoughts and prayers. Two weeks prior to surgery I went to my pediatrician for my 9-month checkup. I weighed 17 pounds 12 ounces and measured 28-1/2 inches long. I’m getting to be a big boy! I say mama, dada, baba, yaya, and other associated sounds (like raspberries – especially when I have food in my mouth). I like to play peek-a-boo, to throw toys off my highchair tray so that mommy will pick them up, and to lift the “bumper” away from the side of my crib so I can see what’s going on “out there”. I like music – I turn on the music boxes in my crib and I also like when mommy sings to me (she says I’ll realize someday that she sings off-key!) Well, I’ve gotta get some sleep. 5:00AM comes pretty early (that’s when I like to wake up mommy!) Bye!

June 13, 2003 – Is this kid for real, or what?! Do they sell Prozak for 2-1/2 year olds?! Go, go, go… talk, talk, talk… throwing tantrums for no reason… am I going to be this way when I’m that age? Naaahhhh… I’m having the time of my life! I can sit by myself now – too cool! Mommy can actually leave me to play with my toys (with pillows behind me, just in case; and a watchful eye on that maniac brother of mine). I have 3 teeth on the bottom and 3 on top. The ones on top are not all the way in, but they’re trying. Speaking of teeth, I’m eating rice cereal and jarred food now. We’ve started on bananas (my favorite), applesauce, and peas. I think mommy is going to try sweet potatoes tomorrow (thank God; I’m really getting sick of peas for dinner). And, very important, I received my hearing aids last week. I have mild to moderate hearing loss in both ears; but I can still hear pretty well. These aids help me even more. I’m pretty good about leaving them in, although 2-3 times I’ve been caught chewing on them (yikes!) Well, my second (and hopefully last) surgery is scheduled for Friday, July 25. I’m not scared, though -- everyone is praying for me, and mommy will stay with me in the hospital, and, as you know, I’m a very strong boy J

May 10, 2003 – So much has happened in the last 2 months… mommy and daddy apologize for not putting any recent photos on our web sites (last photos are from Christmas?!!) but Noah and I are keeping them very busy. Just when they think they have a moment to edit photos, guess what? One of us needs attention… it’s kind of like a zoo or circus around here!! But, we promise to have the sites updated within the next 2 weeks J Can you believe I’m 7 months old already?! I was baptized in March, had a few growth spurts (up to almost 16 pounds and 27 inches!), found my feet and enjoy sticking them in my mouth, can roll from my tummy to my back, can sit very well with assistance (or alone for a few seconds), and BIG NEWS – I now have 3 teeth (the better to eat my rice cereal with). I smile and laugh most of the time, but I’ve definitely learned how to get mommy’s attention – I’ve perfected my special “notice me” cry that she can’t ignore J I will be having my next (and hopefully last) surgery next month – date TBA. Mommy will stay in the hospital with me like she did last time. Then I can put that behind me and enjoy the summer!

March 1, 2003 – I’m like a magnet – anything and everything that comes close to me ends up in my mouth. Chewing, chewing, chewing (or should I say “gumming”) is what I do all day. Mommy thinks I’m teething (Noah got his first tooth at 5-1/2 months). And I was very cranky yesterday – skipped a nap and cried a lot. Mommy ended up putting Orajel on my gums just in case. I slept well… until my brother woke me up with his crying. Apparently the batteries in his Musical Fishies were dead. Mommy and daddy had to come in at 2AM and replace them. Can you believe that?! Does he have them trained or what?! Well, enough about him. What’s new with me besides gumming/teething… I turned around in my crib the other night! Mommy left me facing one way and when she got up in the morning I had kicked and squirmed my way so that my head was at the other end!! Cool, huh?! And I’ve been working well with my speech therapist and physical therapist. My ST makes noises to check my hearing (she will help a lot when I get my hearing aids), and listens to the sounds I’m making so far. My PT shows mommy the stretching exercises I need to do every day (my neck’s a little tight) and to make sure I’m up to par with lifting my head and pushing my arms when placed on my belly. I’m not quite as strong as I could be in that area but I’m progressing well. So, overall I’d say I’m still a happy, content, and curious baby (except for yesterday!). I love watching faces, I love to smile, and I love being held in mommy’s arms J

February 13, 2003 - Get me out of here!!! This toddler is driving me crazy! Does he always have to talk so loud? And screaming… it’s his favorite thing. Boy, he’s lucky – he spent his first two years in a quiet household. Me, on the other hand… oh well. I enjoy watching him. Mommy’s even caught me laughing at him (you have to admit – he’s pretty funny). Sometimes I laugh at mommy too. I certainly smile a lot. Everyone says I have a good disposition and am pretty content. As long as I’m fed, changed, and able to get a few catnaps here and there, I’m happy. I hold my head up pretty well now. I haven’t rolled over yet, but I’m almost there. Oh, and I made a new friend. My Mema T. gave me a “lovey” blanket with a bunny rabbit face. Daddy named it “Harry” (hare-y; get it?!) I like to sleep with him and feel the silky edges. Well, I have to stop dictating to mommy now. She has to turn off the computer and get upstairs to watch the Survivor premier!! Later!

January 22, 2003 - Did I mention how cute I am??! Mommy says I’m adorable and she’s always looking at me and smiling. It makes me smile too. BIG smiles! Then I gurgle and make other noises. I love “talking” to her. I let her know when I want to communicate. If I’m left too long in my car seat/carrier, I cry until someone picks me up. I’m a sociable little guy. I’m starting to “chew” my hands/fingers and bring my bib or blanket up to my mouth. I can lift my head when placed on my belly. I just like to MOVE! Legs pumping and arms waving when someone talks to me or picks me up… mommy thinks I’ll roll over and crawl sooner than my brother did. I don’t know what his problem was… as far as I’m concerned, it’s all about being mobile!!

January 20, 2003 – I’m 3months old already and getting bigger and bigger every day! I haven’t been to the doctor lately for an official weigh-in, but mommy’s scale shows I’m around 13-14 pounds. People say I look more like my brother now that I’m sporting some chubby cheeks (though they’ll NEVER get as big as his!) I’ve been sleeping through the night pretty regularly since last month. Noah and I are doing pretty well together in our bedroom. We don’t seem bothered by each other’s cries. But I don’t get these toddlers. He’s sleeping soundly one minute, then wakes up scared or something and runs into mommy and daddy’s room to sleep in their bed. Wonder how much longer he’s going to keep that up! Not much I can do, though. Too little to go anywhere so I just lay there and wait for mommy to come in and feed me. This is the life!

December 14, 2002 – I slept through the night!!! 9 long hours!!! Mommy and daddy were so excited. They know I will fluctuate and this isn’t set in stone, but it’s a start! And I’m getting bigger and bigger… I don’t think I’ll ever get those chubby cheeks that Noah has, but I’m trying to catch up to him. That’s all for now. Not much to say… gotta catch a cat nap.

December 8, 2002 – Everyone says I’m a very strong boy. I made it through the surgery with flying colors and am recovering very well. Mommy and I spent 4 nights in Children’s Hospital. She didn’t leave my side, except for a few hours one day to visit Noah. All the doctors and nurses were very nice. I think I was their favorite J Big news – I’m smiling now! Real smiles! I’m still not sleeping through the night, but we’re all getting more sleep now that mommy and daddy have moved me out of their bed and the bassinet into my crib in Noah’s room (OUR room). Noah doesn’t seem to mind my crying and vice versa. I think we’re going to get along really well. I can’t wait to learn everything from him. He is so smart! For now I just eat, sleep, poop… and smile!! It’s going to be a wonderful holiday at our house this year! Happy holidays to you, too!!

November 11, 2002 – My first surgery (to open the sagittal suture in my skull) is scheduled for Friday, November 22, 2002 at Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. I’m not scared (I won’t even remember it), but mommy and daddy ask for your prayers. I’ll be in the hospital for 2-3 days and mommy will be able to stay overnight with me. Family will be in town to offer support and to watch Noah. Mommy and daddy will keep you posted on how everything goes. Before you know it, I will be recovering and we will be celebrating the upcoming holidays.

November 10, 2002 – Wow – one minute I’m in a nice, quiet womb and the next I’m bombarded by all kinds of sights and sounds – the loudest and most obvious of which is my big brother, Noah. What is it with these 2 year olds? Can’t they see I’m still adjusting to all these changes?! I need quiet so I can take in my surroundings, not be startled or overstimulated, and, of course, so that MY cries for attention can be heard over his! This is a competition, you know! Mommy and daddy are doing pretty well at juggling their time and energy between us. One thing’s for sure – we keep them hopping with diaper changes! Oops… time for another one! Bye for now!