Happy Birthday Grammy!

We had my mom's birthday party on Saturday night. Here are some of the highlights!

Kai and his Papa

10 months

At 10 months, Kai is...

• crawling around really fast
• standing up on his own
• walking with help
• learning how to use a spoon
• getting into everything (this boy is ACTIVE!)
• waving hello and good-bye
• crawling up and down the stairs
  
• saying his first word, "HI!"
• thrilled when he sees new people
  
• smiling and laughing tons!

I was laughing so hard yesterday. I turned on the TV to tape a show. Since Kai is never around the TV, he stopped and watched the TV while I was turning on the VCR. He was fascinated. An ad for diapers came on with babies. Kai got so excited seeing the crawling babies. He started to wave to them and said "HI" over and over again. Then, he crawled as fast as he could over to the TV, stood up, and gave the TV a big kiss. Yep, this boy LOVES to be social! (even with the TV!) I wonder where he gets that from? :)

Unfortunately, Kai has had a double ear infection for a couple of weeks. But, it really has not stopped him or kept him from being busy. He still crawls around and gets into everything. But, now, he just lays down and rests for a few seconds and then bounces back up and he is off!! His favorite thing to chase, of course, is Maxie, our cat. Poor Maxie-- she is chased around the entire house.

Here are some photos of him tonight. He doesn't want to eat anything but finger foods, unless he gets to control the spoon. So, here is tonight's meal, all over his face and hair!

More Todd Photos....

Todd

Way back in June, our friend, Todd Smith, came to visit. I think we posted some photos of his trip back then. But, what we didn't post were the incredible photos he took of Kai. Wow-- yes, he is a professional photographer, as you can guess. Click here for his website.

Here are the photos-- we have had them for ages, but it just hit me tonight that I never posted them. So, sit back and take a stroll down memory lane, when Kai was 'just' 6 months old.

More Halloween Photos...

What can I say, we love Halloween!!

Kai had a ball going trick and treating with the kitty cat and Joe. Plus, we went to Grammy's school and saw her dressed up as an "old lady" and participated in the costume parade. There was plenty of dressed up kids to see-- so, you can see why it only took Kai about 2 minutes to fall asleep tonight. A lot of excitement!!

Halloween Friends

Kai and his friend Soren get a little buzzed with the excitement of the holiday!

Halloween

Chicago

I almost forgot to add the photos from my September trip to Chicago to see Christa and her family. It was great to meet Patric, the newest Desir family member. Christa and I spent the whole trip talking and it was the best medicine ever. We even kicked Julio out of their bed (sorry again!) and slept together with both Kai and Patric sharing the bed with us. So, I'm not kidding-- we really did talk into the wee hours of the night. Plus, it's so nice, waking up in the middle of the night to nurse and looking over to see your dear friend doing the same. It was a new definition of the family bed!

Cabin

We just got home from a weekend trip to Sarah and Andy Healy's cabin in Wisconsin. It was a great trip-- very refreshing and relaxing. It gave Kai a new area to explore-- he is crawling and standing and into everything. He is one active little guy!

Ally and Ken

Ally and Ken had their babies!! Jack and Madeline arrived a full 10 weeks early, but they are doing so good! We can't wait for them to come home soon from the hospital and get strong to play with Kai.

Fall Photos

Peace Protest

We brought Kai to his first "End the War" peace rally. I think I heard him singing and chanting along with the crowd.....

St. Olaf

Our friend, Foday, was playing a soccer game in Northfield at St. Olaf College--so, we went down for the day, with his parents, to watch him play. It was Kai's first sporting event and we're guessing, with Foday's help, that he will be a soccer player!

Miles

We realized recently how much Kai loves dolls. So, his Grammy (my mom) bought him his first doll. You should see him pump his arms in excitement when Miles (the doll) comes around.

Child Care

So, I quit my job and am staying at home now! Here are some photos of Soren, Kai's best friend. We're lucky to watch Soren on Monday and Wednesday mornings. It's hilarious to watch the two of them crawl around the entire house, smiling the whole time. I really didn't think you could be 9-months old and have so much fun!!!

More Summer Photos

We have so much fun at the cabin-- here are some photos of Kai at the end of the summer up in Ely. The second photo is of Kai on his first nature hike. He loved it!

Crawling

Kai is CRAWLING!!!!!

Tuck

Our dear, sweet little kitty, Tuck, passed away two weeks ago. As many of you know, Joe and I loved the little guy so much and it has been such a hard time for all of us (including his kitty sister, Maxie, who is so confused and upset). Tuck came down with a terrible virus in his spinal cord and he quickly went downhill. We miss Tuck so much!