Declan's New Accomplishments

Tony and I can't believe Declan will already be 8 months old on January 9. How time flies by! Some of the new things Declan is working on:

- Starting to venture out from baby food to things such as cheese, pears, bananas, cheerios, avocados, breads, etc. He still only has his two bottom teeth, but he has really good at gumming his foods.
- He is SO close to crawling. He gets up on all fours, and rocks back and forth. He is scooting like crazy, and we really need to keep an eye on him!
- He is saying mama, dadada, bababa, and nanana all the time!
- He is very curious, and is always interested in anything that Tony and I are doing.
- He smiles more then anyone I know. I hope he stays this happy through his teenage years!
- He now can recognize family and friends, even though he doesn't see people often. He seems to know who he has met before.
- He is developing a little bit of separation anxiety, and gets scared if he can't see us while he is playing on the floor. It's kind of cute, but hopefully it doesn't get too bad!
- He is incredibly flexible (which Tony and I have no idea where he gets this from), and loves to take his socks off and put his toes in his mouth - weird, but cute!
- Declan and Luca are still best buddies, and love to hang out with each other. Luca is very nurturing with him.
- If one of us watches Declan for a while, and the other one of us comes home, Declan gets so excited to see us, and squeals and laughs, which is the BEST thing to come home too!

That is about it for now! Happy New Year!

Declan's 1st Christmas

We spent Christmas Eve at the Caswell's, and had our traditional Famous Daves for dinner, which we look forward to every year. This year, Declan joined us at the table. He even got to try some corn bread muffins!

Not quite sure what this gift opening this is, but he seemed to enjoy ripping off the wrapping paper. However, he seemed more interested in the wrapping paper after it was opened!
Getting sleepy......

Thanks for all the fun gifts Grandma!

Tony's parents gave Declan the rocking chair that Tony had when he was little, which was really neat! It's still a little big for Declan, but he gave it a whirl. He seems to like it!

I love books!

We spent Christmas day at my parents house, and the day began with Declan opening his gifts. No one really cared about their own gifts this year. I think Declan had more gifts then everyone else put together!

A new piggy bank from Aunt Tolly!

Hi Dad! This is fun!

Ok, I am ready for my next gift!

Playing with his new blocks

Hanging out with Grandpa Rooney

Ooooh, what could this be?

Declan did not want to go bed, so he played with his new rings and provided much entertainment for all of us in Dad's hat.

Visitors

We had some fun visitors in December......

Will and Katie came down for dinner, which was so great to see Will one last time before he had to leave. They got down there just in time to see Declan before he went to bed.
Colleen showing Declan the tree, which he was fascinated with!

Will was on "put Declan to bed" duty while us girls ran to grab dinner and while we were waiting for Tony to come home from work. He did great! Declan thought his watch was very yummy!

Will's Birthday!

Will was home for two weeks from Afghanistan in early December, and Kate threw him a surprise 30th birthday party. We brought Declan with, and he was such a trooper! Will was very surprised, had no idea! Here are some pics from the night....

Colleen and her boyfriend Andy

Declan getting sleepy, but didn't want to miss the party

Kate and Will walking in for the surprise!

Declan playing with the party decorations!

Playing with Aunt Tolly

Best Buddies

Luca and Declan have always been good buddies. Luca is so gently with Declan, and Declan always wants to pet (and sometimes pull at) Luca! It's really cute to watch them interact together. I got some pics of them playing recently. Luca is sharing her toy with Declan, which is a little gross, but it was too cute!

December Update

This month has been crazy for us, so I haven't had any time to update. Declan has been eating his baby food so well! He love everything (which doesn't surprise us!) and is now starting to try the 3-baby foods (mashed turkey dinner, mac and cheese, pasta and meat sauce), puffs, and cut up bananas! He is learning how to gum his food really well. Tony and I decided to let him get messy the other day since we had to throw him in the bath after anyway. I think Tony and I laughed more then he did.....the pictures speak for themselves!

Some new developments.....

We think Declan will begin crawling sometime in the near future. He has been getting in the hands and knees position within the last week, and can scoot himself around in circles. It's pretty funny to watch him flop around. This morning, I went into his room, and he had scooted himself backwards in his crib and got a leg stuck in the crib - it was so sad!

He's also talking more and more....especially at night before he goes to bed. He sure has alot to say after he comes home from daycare! The sounds usually consist of "dadada", but he has been saying "ma" a few times lately. Not "mamama", but just "ma!" It's kinda funny!

He has taken a strong interest in books, and loves to sit on the couch and read his books. His fav so far.....Goodnight Moon. A classic!

Still loving baby food, and loving his sippy cup. We used water in it for a while to get him used to it, but we have tried formula a few times, and I think he's getting the hang of it! I think we are going to start with some "bigger boy" food in the next week or so. Our doctor told us we could start him trying puffs, biter biscuits, etc., but the containers says not until they can crawl, so I don't know! We'll see...I guess if the doctor says it's okay, then we should be okay!

His hair is growing more and more, and getting more blond! It's already getting a little long over his ears. It's probably too early to get his first haircut, but sometime soon!

I think that's it for now! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Sick House

This stomach flu went through all of us this weekend, but we are finally feeling better. I must say taking care of a baby when you are sick is not easy (thanks for coming over Mom!) We spent the whole weekend at home, so I was able to get some cute pics of the little guy.

He loves to sit on the couch by himself....I think he feels like a really big boy!

6 Months & A Stomach Bug....

Declan had gotten his first stomach bug last night, and we had our first experience with Declan throwing up. I must say, it was awful! It was so sad watching him and him not knowing what was going on. Tony stayed home with him this morning while I went into the office, and now I am home with the lil' guy and he is sound asleep. It looks like he got it from daycare, because when I went to call Melanie this morning to say Declan wasn't coming in today, she called me first to say that her boys all had the stomach bug. Hopefully, it will pass soon, and not onto Tony and me!

On a better note, Declan had his 6 month appointment last Friday, and with the exception of his shots, it went great! The shots weren't even that bad. He had four of them in his leg (including the flu shot which is so impotant!) He is 19 pounds already and doing so well! Dr. Khorey said that he was extremely social. The appointment was a late afternoon appt. on Friday, and we could tell that Dr. Khorey was having a long and tiring day, and we think Declan cheered him up. He had plenty of smiles and "dadadadas" and "gagagas'. He also tried to grab his face when he was being examined. It was pretty funny.

That is about all for a quick update. I will add some more pictures soon!

Hanging out with Melanie....

Melanie took some pictures of Declan today at daycare and emailed them to us at work. It was such a fun little surprise and it looked like he was having so much fun! He looked like such a big boy that I thought I would share.

A few from the weekend....

Here are some pictures from this weekend.....

Vroom Vroom.....

We had to post this video of Declan eating last night. He thought it was hilarious when I said, "vroom vroom" and danced around, so Tony got it on video. Luca wanted to join in the fun, so she barked about halfway through.

Enjoy!

Our little big boy....

Here are a few random pictures from the last few weeks of Declan.....

Getting ready to go on a walk with mom

Chilling on the couch with his pal, Luca

Playing with Angela

Hanging out with Daddy and Luca