Nap time at our house

Today I think Colin learned the art of getting out of a nap... or at least attempting to get out of a nap. Around nap time I took him into his room, sat in the rocking chair and started singing him some songs (which we do every time) He started to get sleepy and likes to put his hand in my face as he is drifting off to sleep. Well this time he managed to stick his hand in my mouth as I'm singing and apparently it tickled. He started to giggle which made me laugh (big mistake) and thus the nap time was pushed aside as Colin, now wide eyed and ready to play, wanted to be tickled again and tried to stick his hand in my mouth over and over. I stopped singing to him and just tried to rock him to calm him down and hopefully make him sleepy again. Our little boy is smart and tried to pry my mouth open with his finger. When that didn't work he eventually stopped and started rubbing his eyes. Nap time take 2.... this time he decided to stick his pacifier in MY mouth and actually got it in the first time - which was just as funny as his hand being tickled - maybe even funnier to him. At this point I just stick him in his crib for a few minutes hoping he'll tire himself out. I left to take a load of laundry to the basement and as I'm coming up the stairs I hear our ceiling light shaking that is directly under his room. Colin is now standing up and jumping up and down in his crib and shaking it so hard I'm afraid he'll hurt himself. He thought it was extremely fun and much better than a nap. As I'm getting him down for the 4th or 5th time (I've lost track by now) he all of a sudden starts clapping. FOR THE FIRST TIME! And how do you not praise something you've been trying to teach him for a while. I praise him and then start our nap time routine all over again but Colin is so proud of himself he keeps clapping - with a huge grin on his face. And he is really cute doing it - it was all I could do not to smile at him. He eventually fell asleep after and hour and a half and is now sleeping peacefully and will hopefully do it for a long time. I need a nap after all that. Lets hope this is a one time event and doesn't happen tomorrow during nap times.

Let's Go Swimming

We have been taking a baby swim class through the university and Colin is quite the swimmer. Well... he really just loves to chew on the balls but he LOVES the pool. Now when we go he likes to stand at the glass fence surrounding the pool and excitedly slap his hand on the glass until its time for us to get in the pool. His mommy is hoping he becomes a good swimmer! He must drink a gallon of pool water each week (by choice-he lunges his mouth towards the water so he can drink it) and doesnt like getting his head wet. We have yet to put his face under water. He likes it when Brent goes under the water and blows bubbles. We learn sign language each week but Colin is more interested in getting in the water. Last time we learned the sign for wait but I don't think Colin will attempt to learn that one any time soon. He loves the froggy float toy and likes to lounge back and relax when we put him in it, at the same time tries to monopolize all the balls and collect them all as we pass them. His motto is if one tastes good the rest must be even better! He goes more for the green balls than any other and loves this big green beach ball - its a challenge for him because he can't get his arms around it and it always gets away from him. That doesn't stop him from trying. Its been great to get to know other parents and kids Colins age. And you never get too old to play in the pool! I think we get more excited about going than Colin.

Driving along in my automobile...

One day last fall I went running, passed a yard sale and came home with this amazing find - a jeep for Colin! It has been in our basement all winter and Colin recently discovered it when he was helping me do laundry a few weeks ago. He really just wanted to chew on the car but last week the weather finally got warm and we brought it up on our deck and Colin rode around in it. He wasn't too sure about it and just wanted to get out, crawl around and put berries in his mouth. He's a fast one and I caught him slipping them in his mouth just in time. The walker toy (we're not really sure what its called) that's in the background is Colins favorite thing. He crawls over to it, stands up and walks with it back and forth. He has learned to redirect it and go all over the place - and can even dodge people and toys! He is so proud of himself and every time wears a huge smile on his face. We're so proud of our little boy!

one last snowfall!

Yesterday we got 8 inches of snow - hopefully the last we will see this year. Colin didnt make this snowman but his parents sure had fun making it. Colin wasn't sure what to make of the snowman and after a few minutes outside he did a faceplant into the snow and wanted to go back inside.

Weekend at the farm

We spent a weekend at the farm a few weeks ago to celebrate my birthday. Its funny how with our students I feel old but with the other moms in our playgroup I feel so young - I wonder if you ever really feel your age... But we had a great weekend at the farm with lots of family. Colin loved the warm weather and being outside everyday. Unfortunately its been so cold here that he hasn't been able to play outside since. (there are 8 inches of snow on the ground right now - spring please come soon)

I wanna be just like Daddy!

Colin loves being where we are and doing whatever we are doing. Here he is "getting ready" with Daddy one morning. It might not look like it but he is getting more hair. Its really cute because a few strands will stick up... good thing Daddy fixed that in this picture!

Back in Action!

Yes, it has been almost a month now since our last post. Our computer had a hard drive crash, so we were relying on Best Buy and their SLOW service. Of course a ton has happend since our last post as Colin is now 10 months old. Pulling himself up has been the norm, but lately he's been moving around tables, and moving on walls. This one picture shows one of his favorite things to do. Get into the fridge and pull himself up. As he goes up, all the food goes down! He pulls everything and anything he gets his hands on. Not many casualties, but a galloon of milk did pop open! It was rescued after loosing half of its container.

Another thing he has enjoyed doing is giving high and low fives! He is a team player let me tell you. We love how much he smiles and laughs with us. He also has his little basketball hoop mastered. Of course I am super proud as a father. I joke with people that he is dunking already. Okay, so its only about two feet tall, but he's developing quickly. haha