Catching up

Lately, I have realized that blogging is a way for me to record what is happening with my family, like a journal, and since I am not very good a journal writing I felt like I better get my blog up to date.
When we were in California my cousin Jennifer took some photos of Andrew at 6 months. She did an excellent job. Since Patrick is in the Navy she bought a flag as a prop. I though it was a nice touch. Patrick bought the sailor onesie when he was in his officer training.

Every time I see this picture I can hear Andrew's fake laugh,

"agha, agha, agha".

My adorable slobber monster.

Andrew drools and spits up everywhere!

I have a large exercise ball that Andrew loves to play with.

He uses both his hands and feet to lift it for a total body workout.

For Patrick's first Father's day we thought that he might be on call. So I got up extra early to make him breakfast (french toast, and bacon), I wasn't able to get up early enough to give him breakfast in bed, maybe next year. Luckily for us he ended up not having to go in to the hospital. He gave a wonderful Father's Day talk at Church. We came home and Andrew got to play with his Dad while I cooked dinner (Steak and mashed potatoes of course). As you can see Andrew loves his dad and laughs the hardest when he is around.

My mom bought Andrew his first bandanna, while we were in California.

I thought I would get a picture of him in it.

Andrew's aunt Crystal gave him one of her old Marine hats.

I have no idea how he knows that Marines don't smile in pictures.

He looks so tough.

There is no point in using a blanket anymore, as Andrew is now scooting himself backwards. He really wants to go forward but has not figured it out yet. In the pictures below he was on his blanket scooted himself off the blanket through the table legs, around the table legs and eventually back to the blanket, where he then turned himself around to face the blanket. It was fun to watch him move and finally get himself back to his toys. At the end I picked him up sat him back on the blanket and let him play with a tennis ball. He is getting really good at picking up the tennis ball even though it rolls.

Andrew is definitely teething now...poor boy, and poor me. He is more cranky then normal, which is to be expected since he is cutting teeth. No teeth have emerged yet, but his gums are swollen and are starting to look more white. He is not into teething toys, but he loves to gnaw on carrots and cucumbers. This is probably because they are cold when they come right out of the refrigerator.

Patrick's friend Dan came and stayed with us during the week for several weeks while he did a rotation in the city. His wife and daughter came for a night his last week of the rotation. Our plan was to go to the Bronx Zoo on Wednesday when she arrived, since it was free. Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate. And it started to rain fairly hard on our way there. We decided that we did not want to be soaking wet so we chose not to go. Then we got stuck in traffic. I Love the Bronx. Anyway, we tried again on Thursday, but meshing an infant and toddler's schedule is not easy. We did finally make it to the Zoo. I like the Bronx Zoo. It is so green and there is quite a bit of shade which is nice on hot days. We did run into a disgruntled teenager who chose to use some choice words at Marie as we tried to get by the crowd. We aren't even sure why he was upset. Welcome to the Bronx. We only stayed for a little while as both the kids were cranky. I feel bad that things didn't go as planned, but it was good getting to meet both Marie and Alyssa. I hope that we can see them again soon.

Andrew got a new toy from my friend, Carla Bonilla. He loves it and I do too, because I can set him in it and he will play for a little bit while I get things done. There is one button that if he pushes it music plays. I will dance for him when it does. He doesn't quite remember which button it is but when he hits it and realizes that the music is playing he always quickly looks up at me smiling. He is so funny.

Andrew's very first bath was very traumatic for him, but now he loves his baths. In fact, when he sees that I am filling up the bath tub he practically jumps out of my arms to get in. He splashes, chews on his rubber ducky, and tries to grab the wash cloth from me as I wash him. Bath time is one of my favorite times because it is one of Andrew's favorite things to do.

Andrew is growing so fast. I can't believe that he is seven months old now. What an honor it is to be his mother and watch him grow up. That is it for now. I will try and finish catching up later.