Didnt I tell you?

Two Front Teeth

Well, he got his two front teeth by Christmas!

We've got news!!

Simon's first little tooth is starting to pop (creep) through slowly. You can see the jagged little top and you can feel it, but it's taking it's sweet time. Picture to come (as soon as we can get a good pic of it! hah). Simon seems to be so much more mature with each day (can you call a baby "mature"?) and he is making a new funny face. Actually more of a grimace. It cracks me up every time. He is in a much better mood now that he is over his first cold (though Bill and I are still trying to shake it) and I think he will have a good time dressing up on Halloween. Oh, I won't give away the surprise, but let's just say you'll want to come back and check this thing out again real soon.
Ok, Ok, I know I spoiled it, but it gets much better..I promise!

Simon got some more shots Thursday, and along with him teething, eating solids, getting more adept at rolling all over, and learning about the world, it's been a busy couple of weeks! He doesn't want to nap--just play instead. I often catch him on the other end of his crib playing with his musical toy. He's been a little fussy recently and I am not sure what it's due to--teething? Lack of sleep? Shots? Separation anxiety? Oy. He is growing well-in the 98th percentile but doc says he is big, not FAT (ahem). Simon is very grabby right now and is always pushing away from me wanting to grab things and throw them on the floor. Fun times. New pics to come soon!

Five Months

Sorry I have not posted anything in so long. Some days it was a struggle to find even a few moments to myself without Simon crying, let alone find the time to get my thoughts together to blog. But crying is the rarity now, and more often than not he is just playing away happily and I am actually bored! It's been a lot of fun along the way--Simon is five months old now and is changing so much. He is exploring everything, wanting to show off how strong he is by trying to stand and bounce, and learning about textures, light, and sounds. It's fun to watch him stare at something and see him learn about something for the first time, like watching his shadow on a door and trying to put his forehead against it so his head is up against the shadow of his head. Of course I think he is so smart, and even though I know he doesn't have a clue what he is saying, I still swell with pride when he says "ma-ma." Of course, "ba" is his other favorite "word," so maybe I shouldn't get too excited.

I know you are wondering, so we weighed him yesterday and he is 19 pounds. Yes, you heard me right.

Well, he is calling for me ("ma-ma!"), haha, so I need to go. Thanks for checking up on us. We will have new pics up soon.

Yes, I know you check it often and it never changes..

Hahahah

This is how you make him fart.















And this is how he feels afterward.

Amy dressed him this day, I promise.

Back in Black

Ok where were we...
Camp is next week, and then the madness slows down to its regular pace (somewhat).

Simon is doing wonderfully well, and Amy is.. well, I was going to say incredible as always, but she's growing more incredible each day. (Man that sounds like something sappy that people say when they don't mean it.) But seriously, she's growing so much as a new mother. I love to watch her with him. It brings joy to my heart even now (11:30 at night when all my bones are hurting cause of capture the flag with high school students tonight) just thinking about them together.

Simon has begun to learn how to roll himself over. He loves to stand up, with assistance of course, and does so at every opportunity. He's so aware of everything and has the most piercing stare. He's making more and more funny noises each day. He started a new squeaking noise last week that is hilarious, and a whole new one today that I can't even explain.

He got to meet a lot of the family this last week as everyone came out for graduations and vacations. And spent 3 days this week with the grandparents. He loves his grandparents (they're probably sneaking him candy when we aren't looking hahah).

Oh and seeing as how I've been to more graduations and grad events than you can shake a stick at, I was thinking about Simon graduating. 18 years. I'm sure they'll fly by. I realized that will be 2023 or 2024. Hahah Space Odyssey. He'll graduate on a space ship or something right? Adds perspective to a lot of things. My 1980 Vespa will be far more vintage in his mind :)


Here's the new digs..

Cousin Che.






































Aunt Julie.



















Friends Ryan and Dayna (Simons so young here).














Friends Darcy (with Simon) and Luis with their boy Samuel.

































Emily (I think Dan was home playing WoW)















We've been thinking back on the past 3 months lately, and are extremely thankful to everyone for all of the help in those first months. Thank you for blessing us by visiting, bringing meals, running to the store for me at midnight (Dan Vitullo), washing dishes, helping with the house, and mostly loving on Simon and Amy. I am truly grateful. Your friendships mean the world to us.

Photos hosted on Flikr

I prefer to put the photos directly on this blog, but since work is so busy I figured this would work. Enjoy. Once June is over life should be a little more normal, and updates should return to regular pace.

Growing more and more everyday.
We took Simon out to Fashion Island today. It's such a great place for kids. There's a merry go round with the coolest animals on it (including a cat with a fish in its mouth), and a koi pond, and a train ride, and a pet store with kittens. But the best part for Simon right now is all of the fountains. He LOVES the sound of running water for some reason, and this place has some of the best fountains around. Once he started getting tired, we found a nice fountain and took one lap around it and he was out like a light. Good day together with the family.

He's getting stronger all the time. He has control of his head and loves to look around. He's discovering his hands, and just stares at them all the time. When we lay him on his stomach he pushes him self up so that he can look around.

We had a child dedication at the church last week on Mothers Day. We would've invited a lot more of you, but we sorta didn't think about it (probably because it was Mother's Day). Sorry if you wanted to be there and we didn't mention it to ya.

Mother's day was great. Simon got to spend the day with all of the Grandparents and finally meet Aunt Julie and Cousin Che. We all had a great visit. Jean Smith won the Su Doku tournament.

The fastest year

Luis said it never slows down again.

Sorry for a delay since the last post. May is a crazy month for people in youth minstry. Loads of plans and such to prepare for graduations and summer.

Simon is awesome. It's hard to believe a month and a half have past since he was born.
He's outgrowing clothes. He's been in the church nursery for the last two Sundays. While we trust the people in the nursery and our church, it's a weird feeling to hand your baby over to someone else for a while.

He's smiling now. We have a good time playing games together. I make strange noises and faces and he tries to imitate me, then we laugh together and then he poops sometime shortly after. Babies always poop. Everybody poops. I wonder if we'll still poop when we get to heaven. Hahah I can't believe I'm writing about poop. Guess that's what happens when you deal with a baby for too long.

Ok ok... here's what you really came for:

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! This picture is from the Huntington Beach Pier after the Sunrise Service.
We hope you have a great day celebrating the risen Christ.
The idea of the Father sending His Son to die for us has new meaning this year. Amazing.