Finishing touches...

I think I am finally done decorating my son's room.(Those of you who follow my blog may have read my nursery tour post here)

I am so happy with this room - I still love just hanging out up there (though I must admit, the window seat is kindof chilly in the winter!). However, there were a few details that I had planned in my mind which have finally come to fruition. Great things come to those who wait...or something like that.

I commissioned my little sis (who is following in my foot-steps in the direction of nursing, but like me, has had her share of inward turmoil...the battle between scientific practicality and flight of fancy artsy/craftsy) to illustrate some of my husband and my favorite children's literary themes for the walls.

I am thrilled with how they turned out!

 Top left: Curious George
 Top right: Babar and Celeste
 Bottom left: Calvin and Hobbes
 Bottom right: Winnie the Pooh and Piglet
(all white frames and matting from Ikea)

Mr. Tumnus in Narnia (sorry about the unavoidable glare)

 Peter Pan - My personal favorite.

Isn't she amazing?!! Thanks Auntie Lills!

The second touch was a more recent addition. I've been wanting to somehow incorporate some of my photography into the nursery. So I ran to Ikea (again) and grabbed some simple white frames and hung a few of my favorite shots from the past year.

I was loathe to pound nails into my father's beautiful cabinetry, so I stopped at Ace looking for some Command hooks. What I got were even better! These strips worked like a charm. They made it a lot easier to hang the pictures exactly where I wanted them, and they will leave no damage. Yay!

 I was a little worried that it would be a bit too busy and take away from the more simplistic look I was going for...and some might say that it does...but I think it personalizes the room a little, so overall, I'm quite pleased with it.

11 months

Bound and determined to stay on top of things this month...
This child is busy. I was recently at work and a coworker had brought her 9 month boy to work with her. He literally sat in his stroller quietly for at least 45 min straight playing with one toy.
And that was it folks. That's when I realized that there is nothing of the lazy, content and calm personality that I hear I possessed when I was a baby. Nope, it definitely seems that this boy is all hubby. Folks, I am really in for it.

But why does he have to be so darn cute?

Do you know how hard it is to stay mad at a face like this?

Or this?

In other news...yes, I am well aware that my son needs a hair cut. However, I am stubbornly resolved to push that off until after his first birthday, which is approaching painfully quickly.
I almost changed my mind after an embarassing episode yesterday. I was leaving for the store and quickly and thoughtlessly put a hair clip in his hair because I didn't have time to style it and I'm tired of it being in his eyes. "I sure hope I don't run into anybody I know...I can just pretend he's a girl and nobody will no better." I'm sure you can guess how this story ends.

Anyways, the powers that be say that around this age, babies should be pointing for things they want.
Check.

Using their pincer grasp well.
Check.

Drinking from a cup.
Check. (If you don't add "without spilling" as a qualifying statement)

Standing and cruising.
Double Check.

I sure wish shoveling massive amounts of foods into already bulging cheeks was on that list because he excels in that department.

He also excels at taking off his socks. So now, even though he is not walking, his little feet are shod in cute shoes all the time.

And so it is. Me and my little Levi-man, surviving in the house together. It's going to be a LONG winter I think. And most days will end like this...eagerly waiting for Daddy to come home.

This child is moving more, eating more, weighing more and sleeping LESS. NOOOOOO!!!!!

I love my crazy, hyper-active, adventurous little son to bits.

But some days, I just miss my weightless, sweet, immobile, sleepy little newborn :)

Catching up

He was NOT in the mood to be taking his nine months pictures that day. Too bad, so sad. Get used to it, son.

Loving bath-time with Daddy

That poor kitty is still just out of his reach

Ten months and all grown up

Standing, and often-times letting go!

First bike-ride...spent the whole ride trying to remove the helmet

You can see his 'trouble-maker' face here as he bangs those piano keys

Not happy about being forced to take a picture with Grammy and Cousin P

Here she is, cute as a button in her car seat

He is almost 11 months old. Time has flown. I already sent out invitations for his first birthday party (which I am already stressing out about, and it's not even going to be a big production!).
He is waving bye-bye, clapping his hands all the time, saying dada, mama, baba, and lots of other ramblings, which is a nice change from his usual grunts :) He is not walking yet, but pulling up on everything and cruising along, and loves to walk around holding onto hands.

He still loves being with his beautiful aunties (minus the one who is away at college. boo)

He is still all cheeks

And all boy

Nine Months

While I have been doing a lot of this lately:

My son, who is approaching his first birthday much more rapidly than I prefer to admit, has been doing a lot of this lately:

Oh, also lots of getting himself into situations he can't get out of yet...like last week when he was afraid to crawl on hardwood floors ...

 Or when he opens drawers

And gets stuck under them

He's finally started babbling, and I must admit I think he has an adorable little voice. In the space of two days' time, he's started saying "ba-ba", "ma-ma", "da-da", and "ta-ta" (are you noticing a variation on a theme here?). Oh, and my parents swear he also said "Opa". Believe what you will.

His top teeth are starting to come in, so he's doing a lot of this...

which is perfectly fine on his plastic-coated crib rail, but slightly more awkward on my friend's daughter's nose.

I will admit I still get a kick out of walking into his bedroom to see this

and this

(Yup, still catching flies with that mouth)

As we've reached this nine-month stage, finger foods have made a much-loved appearance

as has that little-boy-plotting-mischief grin. Ah yes, it is starting to become apparent that this boy is his father's son. This was confirmed to me the other day when I asked my mother what she thinks his little developing personality is like in comparison to other babies. I wish I could say I was surprised when she said, "I see a little bit of a devil in him." Alas...I was not.

However, as devilish as this little boy is going to be, I know there will continue to be moments that make my heart melt, moments when I have to just give pause and thank God for this incredible gift...like when I see him sleeping on his video monitor, surrounded by his furry friends, with his little cloth-diapered bum in the air

And then moments when I just have to laugh at this silly boy...like the other day when I made the mistake of putting him to sleep in nothing but a cloth diaper...with worn-out velcro tabs

Anyways, though this boy is gonna be trouble, and though he's already getting into things and having mini tantrums...at the end of the day, he's still my sweet, happy little William Levi.

And I love him so much.

Where is time going?

Since my baby boy is turning eight months this week, I figured I'd better get a 7 month photo up. This pictures is courtesy of my baby sis, my aspiring photo pupil who will soon surpass me because she's just much cooler and artsier than I :)

"Yes mom, that's right, I am no longer your little baby, I am turning into a little boy." 

Another day, another month...

At five months...

He is starting to like bath-time more and his kicking and splashing sends the cats scampering

He has finally discovered his toes...

But he still prefers his fingers

His head has grown...

He is kinda-sorta sitting up  (ok, yes, he fell over two seconds after the shutter snapped)

He still loves to stand, and now he is starting to balance himself against furniture for short periods of time.

He's getting stronger on his tummy

He still has not figured out that one does not have to open one's mouth as hugely as possible with every smile

He still loves his owl friends...

...and oh yes, he is still drooling :)