Felix's 1st Birthday Party!

We spent a lovely 4th of July with family at Grandma Maxine's house, which also doubled as the setting for Felix's 1st birthday party. Steve, Vicky, Ralph and Ann joined Grandma, Dennis, Mark, Karen, Cassie, Nick and I to wish Felix a Happy 1st Birthday! Vicky brought a wonderful cake, complete with a mini cake for Felix that he demolished. Several of us went on a tube float down the Waupaca River, which was a little lower than usual. Ralph and Nick found nice sticks to help get them through the tricky patches. I had an embarrassing scene, where I overreached for an empty can Cassie dropped and flipped my tube, smacking my back on the rocks in the process. Ouch. Anyway, we floated back to Grandma's, dried off and had cake. Once we hosed off Felix, he got to open his presents. Thanks to everyone for his gifts! He's already gotten his hands on most of them, and they'll grow with him for a while.

Our little man will actually turn 1 year old in six days! Boy, this first year has flown!

Felix: 11 mos

First Steps!

I knew it was going to be a race to see which came first: step or tooth.  And the winner is... first step!  Felix and I tagged along with Nick to watch his softball game last night.  Felix and I were hanging out in the grass near the field and playing with a cattail.  Felix had been showing more interest in standing, especially the past few days.  So, he was holding the cattail, practicing his balance, when all of a sudden... step!  Then the inevitable fall on the bum.  He did it again a few minutes later, and I managed to get a picture just after he took his second step (hooray for camera phones!).  I give him a few weeks and he'll be running.

Felix: 11 mos

Fun on the Farm!

We had a nice time at Eugster's Farm at my company picnic. We went on a wagon ride, fed a baby goat with a bottle, and had a nice dinner. Here's some pictures from today:

Felix: 11 mos

Sick of Being Sick

I'm not sure where it came from, but I've had a hideous cold for two solid weeks now. Ugh, ugh, ugh. And Felix has it now, too, so we're back to doing sneak attacks to wipe his nose. He had a fever on Monday and Tuesday, so he stayed home with Nick on Tuesday. That wasn't great for either of them - Felix didn't feel well and Nick couldn't get any work done. But I think we'll all be on the mend soon, and my fingers are crossed Felix doesn't develop an ear infection on top of it.

On the bright side, the weather's cleared up and we took two bike rides this week. My parents bought us a used Burley bike trailer, so once we borrowed a bike for Nick, we were able to ride. Felix was a little unsure at first (maybe it was having to wear the helmet), but he seems to enjoy it as well. It's nice to be able to get out and exercise again.

Tomorrow is my company picnic, so we'll be able to take Felix to his first petting zoo! We actually went last year, but since he was only 6 or 7 weeks old at the time, I'm not really counting it. I'll post pictures soon.

Felix: 11 mos

Happy Father's Day!

As we approach Nick's first Father's Day, we've been celebrating all the good and bad that comes along with having a baby. Felix is our joy, as he continues to learn new things and amaze us with his abilities and skills. Like how much he can poop and how very bad it smells. Or, like how much he enjoys bananas. Or how fast he's moved into 18 -month clothing (today).

We also get the not-so-great, as we believe Felix is finally about to cut that first tooth. We now have physical evidence along with the grumpy, crying man (as I'm writing this, he's playing in the living room shirtless and rivulets of drool are cascading down his chest and tummy. We can also see a tiny speck of white where his front left incisor will be). We had such a good stretch of sleeping through the night until last night. It might take a week (hopefully not!), but by the end of this, he should have his first tooth! I've gotten so used to his gummy smile that it will be weird to see him with any teeth, but I'm sure I'll get use to it and love it just as much. :o)

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! We love you!

Felix: 11 mos

Uh-Oh!

Felix is now 11 months old! Only one month shy from a year and such a great big boy! He's really active now, so much so that it was impossible to get his normal "month" picture this month. He immediately tries to roll on his stomach when you put him on his back, which makes diaper changes especially challenging. :o) Felix still loves to use his push-walker, and he's getting better about balancing himself when standing up. His record is about a minute without falling. He's also learned that dropping things is fun! He's learned to say "uh-oh" when he does. For a while, it was just "uh-uh", but he's figured out the "oh" now.

We spent a nice time up in Green Bay this past weekend. Nick's friend from high school got married, and while he was at the reception, Felix and I got to visit with lots of family. 

Felix: 11 mos

Into June

We had a nice end of the month, going to our first family Brewers game (extended family included - Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Cassie and Jeff). Being in a party suite spoiled us all, I think. :o) Alas, the Crew lost, but it didn't ruin the day.

We also redid the landscaping along the front foundation of our house. Out with the old, overgrown arborvitae bushes, in with lovely shade plants (ferns, astilbes, hostas, sweet woodruff and dwarf goatsbeard), and larger focus bushes - a viburnum and an azalea. It should look very nice when they grow into the space. But for now, it's nice just to have the big bushes gone.

Nothing new on the Felix front. He's still being Felix. :o)

Felix: 10 mos