11-27-08 Thanksgiving Holiday

This year Mommy, Daddy, and I stayed in Iowa for Thanksgiving. We had some of Mommy's friends from work out to celebrate the holiday with us. We really had a fun day. There was lots of great food, including whip topping from the pie that Mommy's friend let me get into.

Been feeling rather poopy lately

I haven't been feeling well for about the last couple of weeks. Last week before Thanksgiving I got a really bad fever (103 degrees) and had a really bad sore throat. I didn't want to eat or drink for days. Mommy took me to the doctor and they did a chest x-ray and checked my throat. They said that it was a virus. Mommy stayed home with me from Monday through Thursday. Then after I got over that stuff, I started coughing again. I tell you, feeling sick is not fun.

11-10-08 Getting all dressed up to go shopping

11-6-08 Grandma Johnson Came to Visit

Grandma Johnson came to visit this weekend. I stayed home from daycare on Friday and Monday and got to spend a lot of quality time with her. I kept her very busy, but not as busy as I keep Mommy and Daddy. I tuned it down a little for Grandma because I want her to come back again sometime soon!

10-31-08 Halloween

I went trick-or-treating with my friend, Grace. I dressed up as a purple dragon and Grace was a scarecrow. We were really scary.

10-29-08 Eating with a spoon all by myself

Mommy and Daddy have been giving me a spoon at dinner time to practice with. Tonight was the first time that I successfully got some food in my mouth with it! Wow! It worked pretty darn good and it is a lot less messy too except I do have to use my hands to put the food onto the spoon.

10-28-08 Daddy's Birthday

Today was Daddy's birthday. He had to work today, but we went out to eat for supper and then I gave him a picture of the new camera that Mommy and I bought him. He was really excited because Daddy loves to take lots of pictures of me. Since I have been born, he has taken some 8000 pictures of me. I am serious!!! I guess it is because he loves me and wants to capture all of the special moments that we share together. I love my Daddy!!! Happy Birthday, Daddy!

If you fall off of your ZEBRA, get right back on!

10-13-08 My weekend

This weekend Grandma and Grandpa Dunn and Uncle Mitch came to visit. We went to a picnic at Mommy's work and then on Sunday we went to a pumpkin patch in Cedar Rapids. It was so much fun. My friend Grace and her parents and brother, Devon, went with us too. We had a great time. I can't wait to put on my halloween costume now.

10-4-08 Went to Lincoln and I got to see Uncle Rusty

This weekend we went to Lincoln because Uncle Rusty and Danielle came into town from Arizona. We all hung out together. It was really good to see them. I just wish that they lived closer so that I could see them more often.

Playing the piano

A couple of weeks ago, Mommy, Daddy and I went to Kansas City to see some of our friends. While I was there, I learned to play the piano. I was really good at it.

9-30-08 Almost gave my first kiss to a girl

Today at daycare I almost gave my friend Grace a kiss. I walked up to her and then at the last minute I decided to just pet her on the head. I guess I decided that if I gave her a kiss that it could drastically change our friendship. Thus, I decided against moving to the "next level." For now, we will just stay friends!

9-26-08 New words

I have learned to say some new words this week. Besides saying "Mamma" and "Dadda", I also learned to say "no", "uh-oh", and "paci". "Uh-oh" is one of my favorites. I throw things on the floor and say "uh-oh". Then Mommy and Daddy have to pick it up.

9-26-08 One-year doctor appointment

I had my 1-year doctor appointment. It was not a fun one. I had to get three shots and a finger poke. I was not a happy camper. I cried really hard and Mommy felt bad. The rest of the day I didn't feel well. I didn't take a good nap. I didn't want to eat. To top it off, I didn't go to bed that night until 1:35 am. I felt better on Saturday though.

Here are my stats at one year:
Weight - 27.72 lb (95%)
Height - 32.28 in (>97%)
Head Circumference - 19.69 in (>97%)

They said that I was very proportionate (whatever that means)!

9-20-08 My birthday party

This weekend, Mommy and Daddy threw me a big birthday party. We had lots of people at our house. Both of my grandma's and grandpa's were here and my cousins, aunts, and uncles too. We played in the house, ate cake, and I got to open lots of presents. It was fun! I am so blessed to have so many people around me that love me enough to share my special day with me. Wow, I am a lucky little boy!

9-15-08 My First Birthday!

Today is my first birthday. The day started off with me getting lots of presents from Mommy and Daddy. Of all of the gifts, I think that my favorite one was the balloon. After that, Mommy and Daddy took me out to eat. We ate at a pizza place and then Daddy took me in the game room and I tried to play my first arcade game. After lunch, we headed off to Niabi Zoo. I got to see lots of wild animals including a monkey, zebra, lion, and tiger. At the end of the day, I was really tired. I took a nap on the way home. When we got home we ate dinner and then Mommy and Daddy gave me a cake with a number "1" in it. I ate my cake and then it was off too bed. I had a great first birthday.

9-15-08 My Little Man's Birthday. Where has time gone?

To Grayson:

Today is such a big day. I can hardly believe that my sweet little boy is already 1 year old. I have to say, I am sort of having a hard time with this. It has been unbelievable to me how quickly this past year has gone. I know that people use to tell me how quickly their children have grown up, but I really don't think that you understand that until it is happening right before your eyes.

Being a parent has brought such endless joy to me. I keep thinking back to how I was feeling a year ago before you came into this world. I really didn't know if I had it in me to be a parent. Now I don't know what I did with my life before I was a parent. I remember sitting in the hospital looking at you in awe that I finally knew who you were. Before you were born, your Daddy and I used to say "who do you think is in there?" We would laugh. Now we just look at you with gleaming eyes and say "that is who was in there."

Your Daddy and I have watched you do so many things this year. You went from being so helpless lying in your crib to walking up to us and holding your arms out for us to pick you up. You absolutely made my heart melt the first time you smiled and made me cry the first time you fell down and hurt yourself. If I could protect you from all of the heartaches that life brings, I would. Since I know that I can't, I promise you that I will always be there to guide you through them the best that I know how. You are such a special, special little boy. I love you with all of my heart. Happy Birthday to Mommy's sweet love.

9-10-08 Melt Down

I had a melt down today when Mommy and Daddy took the phone away. Guess what? They didn't give it back to me either. Next time I will try harder!

P.S. So the story goes that Daddy had this same sort of melt down when he was a little boy when he found out that Batman wasn't on TV anymore.

9-7-08 Playing outside

This weekend I played outside a lot. I was everywhere. I rolled around in the grass, walked down the sidewalk, and I even got to help Daddy mow the lawn.

9-1-08 Messy Face

These were taken right after my bath....

8-30-08 I finally decided to wave

Tonight Mommy and Daddy decided that we would go out for dinner. I was sitting in the high chair at the end of the table and low and behold, I looked across the way and saw another little person just the size of me sitting in her high chair too. That is when I decided to pull out all of the stops!! I decided to wave at her. Then she waved back at me. The rest of the time we both sat there laughing and screaming at each other. I don't know what will come of our relationship in the future, but I definitely know that I am going to be a ladies man!!!

8-27-08 First Words

The past few days I have been making a habit of saying my first distinct words. I consistently say "da" and "mom" and "mama". Today though, I had another first word. It goes like this...Mom, Da, and I were driving in the car to Iowa City this morning. They were talking about all of this politics stuff. I decided that I wanted to contribute and so piped up with "Barack". Well, I don't know if I really meant to say that, but as long as they think that I did, I will let them believe that.. Shhh, don't tell!

8-26-08 Little G-Man going like a mad man

As fast as Grayson goes when he is pushing his walker it is a good thing that Troy and I aren't in a nursing home and need him to push us in a wheel chair.

8-15-08 My first haircut

Grandma Dunn gave me my first haircut. She cut my bangs and trimmed the rest. I look pretty good, if I don't say so myself!!

8-15-08 Me in Grandma and Grandpa's yard

This is just a picture of me in Grandma and Grandpa Dunn's back yard.

8-18-08 Trip to Atkinson in NE

This last weekend we made our summer trip to see Papa and Nana Dunn in Atkinson. It was my Uncle Mitchell's birthday so we surprised him with a party. I also got to spend time with my Aunt Tiffany and Uncle Henry and Cousins Caden and Carter too. We had a lot of fun now that I can walk around all by myself. We came back on Monday. It was a long trip (over 8 hours) but I did really good. I watched my video and Mommy read me lots of books while Daddy drove.

8-06-08 I am now a walker without help

I can now trot around the house with both of my hands free of my walker. I still prefer the walker, but I am now able to work it out both ways. I hope you can see the video of me. It is a little dark

7-26-08 Hanging out with my friends

On Saturday we went to our friends in LeClaire. I got to hang out with Davis, Jack, and my new friend Rylan. Rylan is only a few weeks old, Jack is 5 months, and Davis is 3. Davis had a walking cart just like mine. We had a blast.

7-25-08 Ragbrai in Tipton

On Friday a whole bunch of people on bicycles came to Tipton. They were right in front of my house. I wanted to see them really bad, but Mommy kept me in the pack-n-play so that I didn't get mixed in with all of them.

7-15-07 I am 10 Months

On July 15th, I was 10 months old. I am really trucking around the house now. I am working on walking without the help of my walker. I will take 2-3 steps and then I just decide that it is easier to crawl. I am really good at going up the stairs (fast) too, but I still haven't mastered going back down. I can show you "how big" I am and I love to clap my hands and yell "yeh". Recently I started to not like the baby food so much anymore. I am getting so much better at eating "big people" food that the other isn't as appealing anymore. I have tried lots of new things (pineapple, salsa, tacos, hamburger, hotdogs, greenbean casserole etc) and like most everything. I am also starting to be a big helper. One of my favorite jobs is to help clean my bottles. It is so much fun playing in that water.

7-13-08 A few days with Mommy all to myself

Daddy left on Wednesday to go to Denver to see Uncle Rusty. That left Mommy and me at home all by ourselves. We were really busy. On Thursday, Mommy took me to the doctor because I had some kind of rash on me. It didn't seem to bother me too bad, but Mommy thought that it looked horrible. The doctor said that I had a "hypersensitivity reaction" to something. I don't know what it is, but Mommy and Molly are trying to figure it out. Today, Mommy and I just hung out at home. I got to play in Mommy's tupperware lid drawer. Boy, that was fun. I found just the right lid and then I carried it around the rest of the day. I also learned today to show Mommy that I am "so big". One time I put my arms so high into the air that I fell over backwards. I am really excited to see Daddy. I have talked to him on the phone, but I can't wait to see him and get all those hugs and kisses from him.

7-4-08 Fourth of July

I spent the 4th of July in Lincoln. We went to my Aunt Amber's house for lunch. We had water fights and played in the water. It was a lot of fun, but I got really wet. After that, we went out to see Great Grandma. She sure loves to try to hold me, but I don't like to be tied down too long. After that we went to see fireworks. They were really pretty but by that time of night I was sooooo tired that I just had to call it a night.

7-4-08 Happy Birthday America

7-1-08 A strange dot on the floor

I found a strange dot on the floor in the livingroom and so I had to investigate it. I tried to pick it up, scratch it, and hit it, but I couldn't get a hold of it. Then all of a sudden it went away. Then it came back. Finally I learned that it was a sun spot coming through Mommy's window. I guess you learn something everyday.

6-23-08 Grandma and Grandpa Dunn came to visit

This week Grandma and Grandpa Dunn came to visit me. Grandma is staying with me all week because my daycare provider is on vacation. We are having so much fun. I think that I am wearing them out though. I am very busy. Grandma taught me how to imitate her coughing and how to give big kisses.

6-16-08 Chicago Again

I went to Chicago with Mommy and Daddy this week. We left on Monday and came home on Thursday. Daddy had meetings there all week. On most of the days Mommy and I just hung out in the hotel room or went walking around down town Chicago. We went in lots of stores and when we got back to the hotel I was always really tired. Daddy also took me swimming for the first time in a big swimming pool. It was really fun except the life jacket that they put on me made it hard for me to turn my head. On the last day there we went to the Navy Pier. That was pretty cool too. Someday I am going to go for a ride on one of those boats.

6-15-08 Flooding in Iowa

We have had terrible flooding in Iowa. The water is everywhere in Iowa City, Coralville, and Cedar Rapids. I can't believe it when I see big signs for businesses that are almost covered with water. The water in Iowa City is 32 feet above the flood level. The interstate is closed and all of the bridges in Cedar County are closed too so we can't even get to Iowa City if we wanted. That is pretty crazy, if you ask me.

6-15-08 Father's Day

Today is Daddy's first Father's Day. What a big day for him. We didn't do a whole lot today because we are going to go with Daddy on his business trip this week. We decided we would try to do something then. I did get Daddy a really special picture. Mommy had one of her friends (Molly P) paint a water color picture of me. It turned out really well and he was really surprised.

6-15-08 Nine Months Old

Today I am nine months old. I am everywhere and trying to get into everything that I see. I also crawl really fast now, pull myself up on everything and I am trying to learn to walk behind my walker. I get mad and sit down and cry though when I run into something with my walker. Although I am getting better at getting it to go where I want. I can't wait until I can walk all on my own. I have also learned to point at things. I am excited for the summer to play outside. I will write more later.

Stats at 9 months:
Weight - 23.98 lb (92%)
Height - 29.13 in (77%)
Head Circumference - 19.69 (>97%)

6-8-08 Grandma Johnson, Tierra, and Zander came to visit

Grandma Johnson, Tierra, and Zander came to visit this weekend. I was a little bit scared when I first saw them and I cried just a little bit. Mostly I just stared at them and tried to figure out who these new people were in my house. Yesterday we went shopping and I rode on the carousel. Grandma bought me lots of jammies. Today we are just hanging out at home. It is raining and I am a little bit crabby, but I am having lots of fun playing with my cousins!

6-7-08 Riding on the carousel at the mall

Today Daddy took me on the carousel at the mall. That was so much fun. I just screamed and screamed. I didn't want it to stop.

6-5-08 My First Steps

Tonight I took my first steps. Mommy and Daddy were sitting on the couch and I decided to get up and walk across the floor with my little push wheeler. I think they were pretty surprised. Wow! I am pretty good!

5-29-08 Lip Smackin' Good!

5-26-08 I can pull myself up now

Tonight I pulled myself up in the crib. I am such a big boy and thought that I was sooooo cool. I will post a picture soon.

5-26-08 I love Mommy's cell phone

Step 1: I have the phone and I am happy!

Step 2: Mommy takes the phone away. I am getting mad.

Step 3: I am now throwing a fit.

I absolutely love Mommy's cell phone, especially when I get to talk to my grandparents on it. Mommy puts them on speaker phone and then I can hear them talk. I like to hold the phone too. I like to push the buttons but sometimes I hang up on people. When Mommy takes the phone away, I usually cry...hard.