Hello Strangers!

Ok, so I have been a very bad blogger!!! Life has been as busy as I am and I just haven't made the time to write about my adventures.

Here is a little movie that shows what I have been up to.....



I promise more to follow soon!!!

Love,
Liam

Hanging with the 'Rents

Hello!!! Long time no blog (there may be a correlation between this and mom's final schedule). I am almost 14 months old and as busy as ever. I don't think I have any new tricks, just getting better at the old ones! I am talking more and more, walking more and more, and learning to express myself better. I have gotten "more" down pat!! I really like to point to show Mom and Dad what it is I want. I have been walking outside a lot more too and it is great, as long as I don't have to be in the grass because I don't like to get dirty or maybe it is the uneven terrain. The sunshine sure has been great though!

My best friend is definitely my dog. I love Darwin so much!! Mom bought me a little stuffed animal that looks kind of like him and I like to pick it up and squeeze it!! The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is look for Darwin. When he is outside I go to the window and pound on it until he comes over to see me. He is a really good sport because I can get kind of rough... pulling his hair, etc.

My hair is getting pretty long and it is still curly! I must have gotten it from my Grandma Lisa or my Grandpa Ed. I am also getting my molars which HURT!!!! All in all, I am really starting to look like a little boy and less like a baby. I can't wait to grow taller so I can reach all the stuff Mom and Dad try to keep away from me.

Other news.... I got to play with a bunch of women at Danika's wedding shower, hang out with Grandma Pam while my parents went out for Mike's birthday, and am looking forward to a weekend in Sunriver with Gina and Andy!! Next Friday is my great-grandpa's 83rd birthday and my mom's whole family is getting together for dinner. I really like seeing my great aunts and great uncles, so I can't wait!! April 4th I have to have surgery which is not going to be fun but the doctors promise they do this procedure all the time and my parents shouldn't worry too much.

That is about it for me! Here are some pics of me with my parents and my stuffed Darwin doll......

1yr Old and Lovin' It!!

So as most of you readers know, I recently had a bithday and am now a whole year old!!!! I didn't celebrate much on the actual day because I was really sick :-( I am feeling much better and have been trying out all sorts of new stuff to celebrate my foray into toddlerdom......

Because I am getting older, Mom decided it is time for me to try spoon feeding myself. It was soooooo fun!!! I proceeded to smear it all over my face, my tray, and my clothes. How cool is that?? I manage to get some food in my mouth and I am pretty good with a spoon.

As soon as I was feeling better, Mom and Dad decided it was time to take a little adventure to rejuvenate. So we went to the beach! This was not my first time but it was the first time I got to run in the sand. I laughed and ran all over the place!!! I was kept trying to get into the water and had my parents chasing me all over. I can not wait to go back!!

Yesterday, we went to lunch with one of Moms friends from Planned Parenthood and then I got to go see where she works!! Her boss Christina is very nice!!!! And, Carmen was great too.

Today I went to the Portland Chinese Classical Gardens with my Uncle Mike and Mom. She got some neat plants and I got to run around!! I really like to play outside, and the weather today is just perfect for that. In fact, I think there is some fun to be had before it gets dark!

Bubbles or Cake? Bubbles of Course!!

Mmmmm bubbles! Maybe I am kind of silly but I have tested cake and I have tested bubbles, and I have to say I really prefer bubbles. I suppose this may need some explanation...... Lets start with some fun updates.

I am officially a walker now. I spend more time on my two feet than on my knees!!! I even walked outside the other day for the first time. I still fall and crawl sometimes, but it is so great to be cruising along standing up!! The things I have access to now, it is a whole new world!

I have been talking a lot more and eating more and more grown up food. I even boycott the jar food because I want what Mom and Dad are eating. I love tofu, oranges, corn, and yogurt. I have also been trying to play with Darwin with out biting him. He is so fun. I really like to pull his tail. I wonder what he would like better? My biting or tail pulling?

I am fast approaching my first birthday, how exciting is that?????? So hard to believe I have been blogging for a whole year!!! Thanks to all of you for keeping up with my growing, changing, and turning into a little man!!! It has truly been an amazing year.

Busy busy busy me

Phew! It is finally calming down a bit at my house..... Christmas is over, the new year is here, and NFL playoffs are well under way. Mom goes back to school today and starts her work with Planned Parenthood on Tuesday. Uncle Greg has been in his new house for about 2 weeks and Dad is working on the house. All the Christmas stuff is put away, so the house is Liam proof again. Everything is getting back to normal.


I am walking a lot more and with out being bribed!! I think I am really starting to get the hang of it. Of course, I am still wobbely but much better than before. I can step sideways and forward, bend at my waist, and stand up from a sit. Pretty cool stuff! I am WAY fast when I hold onto furniture.

My other favorite new activity is to test Mom and Dad. There are certain cupboards and drawers that I know I am not supposed to get into and when I do, they tell me no. My response has been to look at them, smile very very big and go ahead with whatever it was I was doing before. So far this hasn't been working as well as I would like, hence the use of the tantrum. Dad calls it my washing machine dance. I fling my arms up in the air and flail wildly!!!!

We went on a super long bike ride this weekend. We went all the way to REI and then back home. I slept most of the way. I am really starting to like my helmet. Devaki is coming over to watch me on Thursday and she is going to take me on a ride too!! So fun! Because Mom is going to be working Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, Devaki is going to start coming over every Thursday and play with me. I can not wait!!! If anyone is interested in Tuesday afternoons, please let Mom know.

Here is a picture of me at bath time, quite possibly my favorite time of day (besides morning when I play in bed with Mom and Dad). I keep hearing how skinny I am getting... I think it is because I am so busy with my crawling, climbing, and walking. I love keeping my parents busy chasing me all over!!

I am eating pretty much everything that big people eat now. Last night we went to dinner at Uncle Greg's and I had spaghetti with garlic bread, mmm mmm!! I still think yogurt is my favorite food but I am pretty good about trying everything. I had a grilled cheese sandwhich for the first time this weekend and I can not wait to try milk. That happens after my 1st birthday, which is less than a month away!!! Unbelievable!! Me, a whole year old.... how cool is that?

My First Christmas!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!!!! My goodness it has been a very busy couple of weeks... it seems as though I haven't had a second to sit down and blog about my adventures until now.

I have done everything from tree hunting to riding a train to ripping through mounds of paper. I have got to meet some of my moms old friends, Clara came back from Moldova and Shainah (who I know from before) came in from Chicago. We went to Zoo Lights with some of my dads family and Emily. It was so much fun, even though if you were to look at all the pictures of my face it looks like I am scared. It was very chilly but the lights were very bright and the train around the zoo was great.

I went to dinner at Clara's parents house and the Falks house. I love getting to see everyone!!! It is just great.

Christmas was so incredible... so many boxes, so many toys and so much paper to rip through. We went to my dad's aunt and uncles house for Christmas Eve and then to my grandparents house. Christmas morning we spent here at home and uncle and grandpa came over. Then we went to my great-grandpas house with Mike. I am just now getting back on my normal sleep schedule but it was definitely worth it - so great to see everyone!!

I got a rocket from my great-grandpa that talks to me and lets me know when astroids are near, I think that might be a tie with the cell phone uncle Greg got me as my favorite new toy. Everything I got is great, though, so it is really hard for me to pick... I think it is best to play with one for a little bit and then another and another and another...

Look at me, I am a busy bee!

Hello and happy holidays to everyone! I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the frosty weather. I have been very good. I have mastered a new smile that seriously stretches from one of my ears to the other! It is great, and it gives me a chance to show off my eight teeth. Mom said she promises to post some pictures of it soon.

This is going to be my first Christmas and I have been having a lot of fun preparing. Dad put lights on our house and Mom has been busy baking cookies and decorating. We got to go out and cut down a tree too!! It is so tall and is currently being protected by my baby jail... if I could just figure out a way in now because there looks to be a lot of neat stuff for me to grab.

Other news.... I got my first ear infection, have had a couple play dates, met my Mom's friend Clara for the first time, and got to ride in my new bike trailor!!! We went to dinner at Margarets house and I got to test out my smile a lot! It has just been a lot of fun running all over. Here are some pictures of me in the trailor with my new helmet and hanging out with my friend Indy.

I have also been busy walking. I am up to 4 steps, which doesn't sound like much but let me tell you, it is hard!! I usually take a couple, get my balance, and take a few more before I fall. Today I was trying to walk all over the place!! Ok, it is bath time for me. Merry Christmas everyone!!!


 

A Big Adventure and San Diego Part 1

Hello, hello! This has been some week!! It all started on Thursday with my first Thanksgiving. We went to Kevin and Mary's house for dinner. Aunt Mary made me this very cute pilgrims hat in celebration. I had such a good time seeing everyone and getting to try all the yummy food. I got to sit in my new high chair that clips onto the table. I spent the whole time during dinner kicking and rocking the table. It made me laugh to see Mom, Dad and Mike jumping to try and catch spilling liquids. Because Mike's family lives far away he came with us, my great-grandpa liked him so much he invited him to come to Christmas too!

On Friday morning we got up very early and Grandpa Rick drove us to the airportso we could go to San Diego for Anne and Ben's wedding. I have never been to the airport and it was neat to see everyone running around with all their luggage. We ran into a couple of Mom's friends and then set off for the gate. Our first leg was to San Francisco and luckily the plane wasn't very full. I got to have my own seat. My parents were a little worried how I would react because I have a bit of a cold and have never done it before. I slept the whole way! They didn't need to worry at all!! I woke up after the plane landed and then got to play in SFO for a bit, until we loaded the next plane for San Diego. We arrived in San Diego, got our rental car, and were off to find Anne so Mom could get to the rehearsal in time. After the rehearsal, we all went to dinner on a big boat that went around the marina. After dinner we were all so tired it was off to bed at the big house on the beach!!

Saturday was all sorts of chaos! It was mom's birthday and Anne's wedding. I spent the morning with Mom and Dad, until Mom had to go off for wedding stuff. While she was away Dad and I met up with Danika and Ben. We went to Balboa Park and walked all over (I slept most of the time). Then it was off to La Jolla for the wedding. It was a very nice wedding and there were so many babies to play with!!! I had a very good time. After the reception, it was time to go back to the house to sleep.


My favorite day so far has definitely been Sunday! We went to the San Diego Zoo with Ben and Danika. As my friend Ben says it is way better than our zoo. I saw panda bears, giant gorillas, monkeys, polar bears, koalas, lions, bears, and so much more. Again the orangutans were my favorite, they even had a baby one!!! He was about my size but much better at getting around. I had so so so much fun at the zoo!!!!!

Today we are heading over to Coronado and Littly Italy to explore some more. It has been sunny until this morning when the rains came in. Oh, well... we are still going to get in as much of San Diego as we can!! Got to run, we are off for some pizza! 

Play Time Galore!

I have been having so much fun since my mom discovered UrbanMamas!! I went to play with my friend Indiana at Sydneys coffee house over in NW. It was so fun!!!! There are toys, loads of room to crawl, and good coffee for my mom. Indy and I chased each other, snacked on some crackers and then got to meet all sorts of new kids! Mom learned some tips to use when she takes all these pictures and I got to see what it looks like when little people walk!! Speaking of which.... I took my first steps!!!!!!! It ended with me falling into the table but not too shabby for the first try.

Here I am in my new hat. It is so warm and mom tries to find every opportunity for me to wear it. I also got some matching mittens but they are more like socks because there isn't a thumb hole. I like to try and eat them.







Yesterday I got to go play with my friend Violet. We went to Sip & Krantz (another one of our favorite new spots!). It was so great to see her. Both our mommies are busy, so we don't get together that often but when we do it is fun! Violet is learning to sit all by herself.... I can't wait until we can run around after each other, which won't be long! I am off to go christmas shopping with mom and get us ready for our trip to San Diego next week. Mom's friend Anne is getting married and we get to go see it!!!! This will be my first out of state trip and my first airplane ride! It is all so exciting. Happy Thanksgiving everyone and I promise to post lots of pictures from my trip when I return.
 

Moving Pictures - Kitchen Edition

Daddy was messing around with some video this weekend of me crawling and playing in the kitchen. It's not professional and not from an Apple, but it gets the job done.

How Big is Big?

Happy Sunday everyone! This was a wild week for me, it included my 9 mos well baby check-up and a trip to the neurosurgeon. My visit with Dr. Lydia went very well! Here are my current stats:

Height - 29"
Weight - 23.1 lbs
Head - 19.5"

I got the first half of a flu shot and was supposed to have blood drawn so they can check my lead levels. These two nice nurses tried and tried and tried to find a vein but had no luck! I will go back to try again next week when I get the second half of the flu vaccine. Dr. Lydia said I am doing great developmentally and that it is time for me to learn to put myself to sleep. Everything was fine, except.... My head is still big!! Friday mom and dad took me to see Dr. Wehby who specializes in baby heads. She checked me out, looked at my ct scan and then decided it was time to measure my parents' heads. Guess what?? We all have big heads!!!!!
Here are some pictures in my new cloths. Mom wanted to get some fun shots for the christmas cards. I tried to attack the tree and I would not sit at all! She may have got a couple pics but my guess is, we will be trying again soon. Today we are watching football with Ben, Danika, and Emily. Yippeee, so much fun!
 

Messes, A New Friend, and Teeth!

Hello! I finally got a moment to write in between all my crawling, climbing, teething, mess making, and yelling. I am fast approaching the 9 month mile mark and it seems like I am changing a lot. I am making more faces, have more interest in stuff I didn't care about before, and I love feeding myself cheerios!!

I had my first playdate a couple weeks ago with my new friend Indiana. He is a little older than me and so much fun to play with!! We ate yummy lentil soup that his mom, Shelby, made. Then we crawled all over and chased after each other. He is a happy guy like me and I can not wait for the next playdate!!

I am not a 100% at getting stuff in my mouth... it is easier with cheerios because I can grab them. Darwin hangs out underneath my highchair because he gets all the food I drop. I am good at spilling things, let me explain...

Yesterday I went to lunch with Mike, Emily and my mom. We had sushi, which is great because I get tofu and rice! I decided to play a trick on them, I started playing with the chopstick and when Mike tried to take it away, I dove for the very big and very full water glass!! I DUMPED IT ALL OVER!!! It was good everyone laughed because in another 3 years I don't know how funny they will think it is.

Uncle Greg is still living with us but not for much longer, he bought a house! It has been wonderful with him here. He even lets me play his guitar. He says that when I get a little bigger he is going to get me a motorcycle. That makes him the coolest uncle ever.

Ok, gotta run! I will post some updates after my 9 month well baby check-up next week!! Wish me luck, I think I have to get shots again :'(