Happy New Year

It is hard to believe that New Years is already here. What a busy year it has been. Devin had a super fun Christmas and will have a busy week ahead. He is with Rich's parents today, and then will have his first overnighter at my parent's tonight. Up to now, Devin has always been with Rich or I at night. So we are very excited to have an entire night all to ourselves. Yeah! We are also Tahoe bound on Thursday for a long weekend to celebrate our third anniversary on Sunday. We should see quite a bit of snow, but hopefully there will be a break in the weather so we can take Devin snowshoeing and do a few other fun outdoor things. I'll post pictures next week.

We think Devin is getting six new teeth right now. He's had the eight front ones (4 top and 4 bottom) for a while now. We see parts of all of his first molars on top and bottom and then his canine teeth on the bottom look like they are getting close. It takes so long for them to actually erupt. Just when you think they should be through, they aren't and then two days later, they are close again. Devin has been managing it pretty well overall. He'll be fussy for a while, but then be better later. It really comes and goes.

Devin has added a few more signs to his list. He can sign for "help", "airplane" and "fish". The airplane and fish look pretty similar, but they are there. He also understands us well. We can give him something to put in his diaper pail or hamper. Usually whatever we send ends up in the diaper pail though, but it's close. And he'll get something and bring it back. His comprehension seems to be progressing great.

He also has picked up a new trick...although I wouldn't call it a trick. When he undresses for the bath, he'll pee as soon as you take his diaper off and you are about to put him in the tub. He only does it at bath time thankfully. I think he's putting together how his body works...maybe that is the first step towards potty training. We'll see.

Thanks so much for checking in on us. We wish you a wonderful and heart warming New Year!

New Friends

Earlier today, Jen's former roommate from college stopped by for a visit with her husband, Rod, and their sweet kids, Nick and Ellery. Devin was very interested in playing with them both right away. We were so glad they came by as they all live in Orlando now.

Devin had a ball climbing in and out of Nick's carseat.
From left to right: Nick, Devin, and Ellery
Nick thought he'd grab on to Devin since he was sitting in his seat and all. Earlier, Devin was practically pulling Nick around when pulling on a toy Nick was holding on to. Boys will be boys. But they definitely had a great time.

Merry Christmas

Devin had a wonderful Christmas. Here are some pictures of him opening his big gift. He was so determined to get into that box.

Now, what do we have here?
Almost there . . .
Ah, some handlebars.

Yeah, a ride on my new tricycle. He and his cousin had a ton of fun riding and pushing each other around Christmas day.

Happy Holidays

Dr. Appointment - 14 months

Devin went in to the doctor's office for a routine checkup yesterday. He weighed in at 26 pounds and 10 ounces which puts him in the 85th percentile for weight. And he was 33 inches tall which puts him off the charts for height. He still has my little head coming in the 35% percentile, although many would consider that average.

Now that Devin is mobile, it was a much bigger challenge keeping him entertained at the doctor's office. He still loves to tear up the paper on the exam table, which keeps him sitting still for about...oh two seconds. But he sat in my lap just fine so the doctor could listen to his heart and check his ears. We are so thankful Devin is a healthy and happy guy.

We just moved Devin up to size 6 diapers at night. He was waking up wet every morning, so we figured it was time for the bigger diaper. Thankfully, that worked great last night. I think the size 5 will still work fine in the day and we are happy about that since you get so many more in a package.

14 Months Old

Devin has crossed the 14 month mark and is all grown up. He is such a fun kid. He still has a passion for the outdoors and music. If he had it his way, we'd play his CDs over and over and over! He doesn't really dance yet, but he does wave his hands up and down with excitement. He will do that in the car too.

He is a great eater still. He will even eat the olives off my pizza! What a deal. We pretty much have him on all organic food, and he seems to love everything. We are very lucky!

We think Devin has a few molars in the back of his mouth now. He'll chomp on you if you stick your finger in there to check, so we just assume there are some big teeth back there. Maybe the doc can get a better look with one of those wooden sticks today.

Devin is walking and running all over. And he has figured out how to bend over and pick something up and stand back up on his own. A true test of balance. He also loves to walk up the stairs and will wait for someone to grab his hand.

We are finally sleeping better. Yeah. For a while there, Devin kept waking up to climb in bed with us, but now he will stay in his crib all night. He will wake up, but go back down. And he is so funny. He loves to pile his blankets up and dive on top of them. Does having a blanket under you keep you as warm as being under a blanket? Probably not, but Devin loves to snuggle his blankets. I usually end up putting more on top of him in the night.

Devin spends his days with his grandparents rotating between Rich's parents and mine. We are so thankful for all the time they spend with Devin. He is learning so much from all of them it is fun. His latest trick is that he takes his diaper to the diaper pail. He puts it in and then waits for you to show it is gone. Pretty cute.

Devin goes to the doctor later today, so I'll update his stats in another post. I'll also try to get a few pics of him too.

We hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season. We are very excited for Christmas this year!

Third Word

Devin started talking in a way that actually makes sense. We are so excited. He saw a picture of a baby on his package of diapers and pointed at it and said, "Baby!" It was so cute. He also saw himself in the mirror last night and pointed and said, "Baby." So, now we are up to three words- daddy (which he calls me too of course), nana (for banana), and baby! I think we'll have to work on "mamma" next huh? haha

We were at a holiday party with our neighbors yesterday and Devin had so much fun walking/running around and carrying ribbon and stuff from the gifts. I can tell this is going to be a VERY fun Christmas.

All Signs

After I finished my last posting, Devin added a third trick to his lineup. Not only will he dive into the clothes hanging in the closet, he'll also go head first onto a pile of pillows. He is our no fear child...or is this when people say, "He's all boy alright!"

In the past week, Devin has really started signing a lot more. Yesterday he even put two signs together. He was signing for "milk" and "more" while at the same time, shaking his empty bottle. We were amazed. Sign language is an amazing gift that allows young children to communicate in their own special way. Devin recently has picked up a bunch of new signs and we've found that we only have to show them to him once. He is also trying to say words. You can see him focusing so hard on what we are saying. Right now, "nana" for banana is about all he has perfected. But we are on a roll it seems like.

Such a Funny Kid

Devin has found a few new hobbies. 1. Putting mommy's hair brushes out the dog door. 2. Taking mommy's hair brushes (when not out the doog door) and carrying them in head first into the closet.

Hmmm. Wonder if I could put mommy's brush out there?
Yep
Now, how do I get it back?

Here's Devin diving head first into the closet. It is hilarious.
So funny!

Peek a boo.

Such simple pleasures.