Girls night and big boys!

Last night my mom, Jillian, Marion, JoAnne and Marion's mom all went out for girls night! It was so much fun!! We had dinner at the Olive Garden (one of my favorite restaurants! Who doesn't love the salad and breadsticks, LOL) It was Mar's idea after hearing about my trip to Lake George and lunch with my parents there a few weeks ago. I guess it is one of her favorite restaurants too! I missed Joe and Joey a lot, but it was nice to have a night out to relax.

Here is a picture of all of us!




For the past few days, I have been trying to get Joey on a schedule of 3 meals and 1 snack throughout the day. It has been going well! :) I usually give him cereal and fruit for breakfast, yogurt and fruit for lunch, yogurt/cheese/grapes/juice for a snack and it really varies for dinner. Last night he had his first "real" meal. I made Joe dinner before I left to meet the girls, and I just put it in the food processor for Joey. Joe said that Joey loved it! It was chicken, potatoes, carrots and mushrooms baked in the oven. I am so glad he enjoyed it :)

Here is a picture of our big boy sitting in his highchair...feeding himself a "big boy" snack of grapes, cheese, puffs and a sippy cup of juice. I can't believe how grown up he is!! :(





I have to share these next 3 pictures...

Trying out his new hat

Busy weekend

I started this blog thinking I update every day or two...Wow, what was I thinking?! There just isn't enough time in a day anymore! After chasing after Joey crawling everywhere and making sure the house is safe for him, cleaning and everything else...I just don't have as much extra time as I thought I would. So, I suppose I will update on here as much as I can.

The past week or so has been great, but really busy! Last Thursday Joey and I took a trip up to Saratoga to walk around with my good friend Megan and her son Vinny. Joey and Vinny were born only 2 days apart, so it is nice to be able to spend time with another baby who is his age. They held hands in the car, and then Joey proceeded to steal his bear bear (security blanket bear) out of Vinny's hands and carseat. I gave it back to him and Joey was not too happy! We ended up having to pull over on the side of the highway so I could hop in the backseat with him... because he was screaming so hard that he gagged himself. Twice that day...he stuck his hands so far into his mouth that he gagged himself. I REALLY hope this isn't a new thing for him!!!



On Saturday...Joe, Joey and I headed up to Saratoga state park to celebrate our nephew Ryan's birthday party! It was a beautiful day, and a nice break from the humid weather we have been having! It was great to visit with family, and all the kids had a lot of fun playing in the stream right by the birthday area. Somehow I only managed to take 2 photos:

Justin Playing in the stream with his dinos


Marion and Makenna




Last night my mom invited us over for homemade pasta!! MMMM, it was so good! Joey had a lot of fun playing with Grammy, Grampy, Aunt Jillian and Uncle Mark...he had so much fun that he passed out before dessert! Haha, I am just kidding! Although, I am sure that he will love dessert once he is old enough. Here he is reading a book with Grampy:





Joey started waving "Hi!" the other day and it is so sweet! I love when he does it :) I will try to upload a video soon! On another note...I have been telling my best friend, Sarah, all about how I can not go ANYWHERE without a stranger coming up to Joey and reaching in to touch him. Especially at the grocery store! It grosses me out and a lot of times I think they are just going to talk to him and all of sudden the hand goes in to touch him! I think it is nuts, and you can never be too careful with strangers and germs! Well, the other day I went out to get the mail and I had a package from her...I cracked up when I saw what was in it! A little sign to hang on his car seat handle that says, "You can look, but please DO NOT touch the baby" I thought it was hysterical and I am definitely using it on the my next trip to the grocery store. Thank you so much Sarah!! :)



Well, I have been writing this while he plays in his highchair after finishing breakfast and now he is ready to get down and play! So, enough for now...but here are a couple photos from the past week! :)

8 Months Old!!!

I can't believe my little baby is 8 months old today!! It is crazy to think that it was only 8 months ago that we were just snuggling in the hospital...and Joey was only a few hours old. He has gotten so big, and really is turning into a little man. He has quite the personality...and isn't afraid to show it! Starting just a couple of weeks ago, he has decided that if he doesn't get what he wants...he throws his arms up and down while pounding on the floor/table/wherever he is and kicks his legs like crazy! Of course, we don't give in to whatever the fit is over...but sometimes it is hard not to laugh!

He recently discovered that he can pull himself up on things, and especially likes the ottoman and couch...although he pulled himself up in the bathroom trying to get into the tub tonight before his bath!!! Naps are getting more difficult, and my sweet little boy who used to snuggle and lay right down for a nap has found out that standing/playing in his crib is much more fun! Haha!!

Joey LOVES the camera and is usually willing to give us huge smiles and laughs! He especially loves looking at himself in the mirror, and cracks up as soon as he sees himself! He also has become interested in feeding himself, and likes to pick up puffs and grapes (peeled and cut up, of course!)I think we may start giving him a few new foods that he can pick up on his own. He does a great job using a sippy cup for water and seems to like holding onto the ones that have the handles. He really enjoys eating, and has been trying to grab the spoon to feed himself so I think it may be time for a "mommy" fork and a "joey" fork. We will see! He eats A LOT! He is drinking about 24 ozs of milk, 1/4 cup of cereal, 1-2 jars of veggies (or about 1/2 cup if I make the veggie), 1-2 jars of fruit (or again, about 1/2 cup if I make it), and usually a few puffs or little pieces of fruit. Little piggy, he must take after his mom. Haha!

He doesn't have another check up with Dr. Duff (Latham Peds...we are really happy with them!) until next month. We had to bring him in a few weeks ago for a rash around his eyes (turned out to be eczema and was all cleared up in a few days thanks to cortizone cream) and I asked the nurse to weigh him as I feared he was getting close to 25 lbs. Big boy weighed in at 23 lbs 8 ozs! Thankfully his infant car seat goes up to 30 lbs, but his beloved doorway jumper has a cut off of 25 lbs. Now that he is mobile and crawling all over the place...he hates his exersaucer. He has however, taken a liking to playing in his pack and play (must have been those 2 months he spent sleeping in it while we waited for JCP to replace his crib...but that is a whole other blog!)This is a lifesaver when I need to get a few things done/shower.

Joey and I had a lot of fun today with my parents...we went shopping at the outlets in Lake George and then had lunch at the Olive Garden. I put him in one of those wooden restaurant high chairs for the 1st time...and he loved it! Thank you to my mom and dad for a great day!! We love you guys so much!!




Enough for tonight...Happy 8 months sweet Joey, we love you <3

Party Weekend!

I know that I'm a few days late on updating about this weekend, but it has been a crazy whirlwind around here lately! My parents hosted a graduation party for me this past weekend and it was so great to have a chance to visit with everyone. It was wonderful to see everyone, the weather was gorgeous and the food was delicious! Thank you to everyone who made my day so special. Here are a few (okay, maybe A Lot )photos from the party!

Jillian and Joey


Best friends and best buddies


Cousins


Richards girls and Joey





Lots of swimming fun!




Even Bubba joined in the fun!


Dana and Joey




Me and my Dad


The Girls


Makenna














Joey and his cousins

Jillian and a tired Joey


Me and Mom



I believe that was way too many pictures to post on here, but I wanted to make sure that those of you who weren't able to make it would be able to "share" the day. On Sunday, we headed over to Dena and Nick's for a birthday party for Nicholas. I can't believe how big all 4 cousins are getting. It seems like just yesterday Nicholas, Matthew, Christopher and Michael were just babies. It was great visiting with everyone again, and the party was a lot of fun. The 4 boys really love their little couisn Joey, and I can't wait for him to get a little older so he can play with them. Here are just a few (I promise!) pictures of the party.









That is enough for today...I know there was more photos than actually blogging...but hey, who's complaining? :)

Finally Friday!

I look forward to Friday ALL week long! Joe doesn't have to work, and it is always so great being able to spend the day together as a family. Joey woke us up this morning at 7:45am, yelling to us....and when we peeked into his room-he was standing in his crib just staring at the door! Wild man :) It seemed as though he was yelling to us, "Enough already, get me out of here!" LOL!



We had a few errands to run and then headed over to JoAnne and Gary's for dinner. We had a good night visiting with them and also Aunt Dawn, Aunt Dana, Uncle Jay, Kylie and Noah. (Joey missed you Uncle Dave!) Dinner was delicious...but it is hard to go wrong with tacos! YUM!

We also went on a nice long walk around the neighborhood. I don't have a picture to share, but can I tell you how much I love Bubba? I mean, he is the cutest little dog...and he happily joins us for walks in the bottom of the stroller! I think a few people may have been peering out their windows at us, but I think it is hysterical!

Tough day, Joey? Soon after putting up a fight, he was all tuckered out and sleeping by 8:30.


Well, it is getting late. Tomorrow is a big day as my parents are having my graduation party! I can't wait to see everyone! Lots of family, friends and good food. Already sounds like a great time, right?

Just like last time, here are a few extra photos for you:

New Blog!

Well, I finally decided to make a blog. As much as I enjoy reading them, I never felt like taking the time to make one! But now that I have...here it is!

There is no better way to start off a blog then to post a few photos, right?! I can't believe that our sweet little boy is almost 8 months old! Can you even believe that he went from this tiny baby (well, as tiny at 8 1/2 lbs is) to as big as he is today?
Here he is just a few hours after being born:


Here he is just a few days ago:


He brings so much love and happiness to our lives! He is really starting to get his own personality and decide what he likes/dislikes. Lately, the only time we can get him to sit still and snuggle is right before a nap or right before bed. Just last night we were talking about what we missed most about Joey when he was a tiny baby. We both answered...how you could just hold him in your arms and he would be happy! He is very independent and likes to explore the house! He has been crawling all over, standing up while holding on to something and sitting himself up on his own. We are pretty sure that Bubba is his best friend, and as much as I hate to admit it...Bubba's toys seem to be more entertaining then his own!

That is enough for today! Here are a few more pictures to end with :)