Auntie Kris Visits...and more Xmas

Billy turns 9 months old this week! January was a busy month for Billy: he cut 4 teeth practically on top of each other - his two front top teeth and two bottom front teeth!

We also finally moved our living room furniture down into our den, and he's been busy crawling around down there.

His Auntie Kris came for a quick visit over Martin Luther King weekend. We snapped some photos, as well as video of Billy trying to climb our basement stairs with his Auntie's help.

(If you can't see the video below please click here...)



Here's a few photos from Auntie Kris' quick visit:























Here is a medly of pictures from Christmas that we took at our house and at Grandma Peggy's:

Billy's First Christmas: Video

Hey, gang. This is part one of the big Christmas update I promised. I tried to get Billy on video opening his presents, but as you'll see, the darn thing filmed UBER dark again, even though I turned on all the lights I could and opened the windows. However, maybe you'll be able to see part of it. Perhaps turning up the brightness on your monitors? (If you watch it on full screen it lightens up a little bit...)

My new year's resolution is to buy a REAL video camera. GRR.

If you can't see it, never fear. I've got some photos for the next update.




If you cant see the YouTube window, go here.

Billy and Santa

After waiting in line FOREVER at the mall, Billy met Santa this weekend. (Please click on the photo to see it in full view. ) He wasn't too sure what to think of the big guy. But he wasn't afraid.

Billy's 7 and a half months old. Developmentally, he's reached some major milestones this month: he can sit on his own, crawl and can pull up onto his knees. He's also managed to pull himself to a standing position in his crib - but he hasn't learned to get back down yet. Instead, he just lets go and keels over backward. He's already cracked his head several times. Hopefully he's a fast learner!

Also this weekend, Jeremy put up the tree and Billy is enchanted with all the ornaments and lights. We'll snap lots of pictures and hopefully video Christmas morning so everyone can see how much fun Billy has on his very first X-mas!

That's it for this update. Sorry it was so quick. But we hope to give you lots to look at next time.

Hopefully everyone has a safe and magical Christmas this year!

Love to all,

Karyn, Jeremy & Billy

Big Halloween & First Veggies Update!

Hi, gang! It's been a while since I updated the blog, so I have quite a lot of ground to cover, including Halloween and some Billy milestones: his first foray into the world of veggies and sippy cups!

As some of you already know, Billy was a monkey for his very first Halloween! He was a very good sport as Daddy dressed him up and took him around our neighborhood Trick or Treating. In these photos you can see Daddy in one of the Halloween t-shirts Mommy designed for her online store. And the trick or treat tote bag is also one of Mommy's designs. Below are some closeups and all of Billy's "loot."











This month, Billy turned 6 months, and he got the O.K. from the pediatrician to start adding veggies to his diet. The first one we tried was peas. He was willing at first - until he got that first taste! After only a couple of bites, he threw up all over mommy (We think he gagged on the spoon...oh dear, that's close to a bad 80s reference, isn't it?).











We tried again the next day (notice the different bib?) but still, Billy still turned his nose up at the yummy goodness of peas. His daddy, who is a meat and potatoes guy all the way, walked around looking smug for the next couple of days. So we tried him on carrots next... Billy thought they were pretty yucky too. Now, however, Billy's expanding his palate, and will tolerate sweet potatoes. And he will choke down applesauce and bananas...but he makes a face with every swallow.










Below are photos of Billy trying his first sippy cup of water! He wasn't quite sure what to do with it at first. He enjoyed licking it. And banging it. But after a while he grabbed it and started chewing on the spout. He seemed surprised every time water came out of it!




Finally, Grandpa Bill and Grandma Dar sent Billy a surprise Thanksgiving present! Billy really had fun opening his first gift-wrapped box. He even tried to eat the wrapping paper!













Despite a bit of itchy eczema in his elbow joints and ankles, Billy is doing really well. He's even started to crawl, and can stand up by himself if he's holding on to something!

The other news is that we bought a webcam and can now do live video chats with anyone how has the technology - and Windows Live Messenger. Granny Lyn was our first guinea pig and successfully chatted away with Billy. If anyone wants to get in on the act, send me an e-mail, and we'll hook up.

We hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!

Love,

Karyn, Jeremy & Billy

Billy's Mad Creeping Skillz

Just a quick update. Our new Webcam arrived in the mail today, so I thought we'd test-drive it with some video of Billy scooting around the floor. Mommy's webcam operating skillz aren't as mad as Billy's creeping skillz!

You can see the video below or view it directly at YouTube here...



One last note: Billy turned 6 months old today! He's started eating oatmeal cereal, and next week, we're going to start him on veggies.

Until the next update,

Karyn, Jeremy & Billy

Billy Eating Rice Cereal Video

Just a quick update.

Billy got to meet his friend John for the first time this month. John, a loyal UK fan, brought Billy an adorable UK bear. John also helped teach Billy to crawl, and the very same weekend, Billy started creeping across his Grandma Peggy's floor! He can now move his body a couple of inches at a time, so John must be a great teacher!














Billy's been eating Rice Cereal for a couple of weeks now, and he's really enjoying it. I took two quick videos of our lunch-time today for you guys to see just how well - and how messily - Billy eats.

Here's Part One:



(If you can't see it, watch it at YouTube...)

And Part Two:



(Again, if you can't play it, try viewing it at YouTube.)

Hope all are well!

Love,

Karyn, Jeremy and Billy

Billy Went to New Jersey

In mid-September, Billy went on his first road trip to meet his Great Grandmother and his Aunt, Uncle and cousins. The trip had several firsts in it for Billy - his first long road trip, first night spent in a hotel, and he started on Rice Cereal! His first solids!













Billy was really excited about the food, and kept grabbing the spoon and shoving it as far as he could into his mouth. Most of it ended up on his chin, but what he got in his mouth he really enjoyed.

Billy stayed for several days in New Jersey. He got to meet his Aunt Deanna, Uncle Richard, cousins Cristopher, Alexis and Elizabeth, as well as Paula, John and Baba (aka Nicky!). Here he is with his aunt and Uncle, and Elizabeth.










Alexis caught a cold, so we just got a picture of her alone, giving us the all-thumbs-up!

On Tuesday, John took Daddy, Uncle Richard, and Nicky to see the Yankees play the Orioles at Yankees Stadium. Jeremy was so excited to go, because it's the third oldest MLB ballpark (built in 1921), and he wanted to see the Yankees play there before it's torn down (The Yankees are building a new ballpark that will open in 2009). Above you can see Jeremy standing next to a plaque dedicated to Babe Ruth that is on display out in center field with all the other Yankees greats. Billy was too little to go, but hopes that he'll get to go to the ballpark next year!











On Wednesday, Uncle Richard took Mommy, Jeremy and Billy to the Jersey Shore. It was Billy's first time at the beach! Here you can see him in his Point Pleasant hat that we bought on the boardwalk. He also got to go to the aquarium - he'd never seen such big fishies before! Billy really liked the seahorses, but by the time he got to the penguins, he was really hungry. The penguins were getting fed, and Billy was a little jealous, I think. He was certainly telling anyone who'd listen about it!




















But best of all, Billy like spending time with Nan, his Great Gran. She made the funniest faces and smiled at her whenever she paid any attention to him. He certainly told her lots of stories!















Billy's now 5 months old. This weekend he's going back to Ohio to hang out with Grandma Peggy and his Bonfiglio cousins! He also just got his Halloween costume in the mail - he's going to be a monkey for his first Halloween.

We'll be adding more photos then, and possibly even a video of Billy eating. Until next time,

Hugs!

Mommy, Daddy & Billy