14 Months Old!

My Trip to Union Station

As my mommy mentioned in her blog, she and I made a trip to the old time train station building here in Kansas City called Union Station right before Christmas. The KC Amtrak stop is still there. It also has a children's science museum, historical stuff, and changing exhibits there now. Anyway, every year for Christmas they have a huge toy train display complete with villages and dozens of motorized trains. It was so cool!!!! I loved it. I giggled and ran around looking at different parts of it from behind the plexy glass partition. Mama is promising me a toy train set of my own when I get a little bit older. I also got to go on a kids train ride around the big Christmas tree they had. So fun! Mama kept reminding me that I needed to stay sitting and once she reminded me, I listened. Here are some pictures and a video. Enjoy!

Merry Belated Christmas Everyone!

Change My Diaper!!

"What we've got here is failure to communicate." - The Warden in "Cool Hand Luke" (edited for correction:)

I hate wearing poopy diapers. Yuck! I want them off and changed ASAP. So, I've been working on the word "di-dee" for diaper and pretty much have it down. When I have a full pants, I tell Mom or Dad "didy" and try to get them to change me. Problem is that sometimes they don't understand me. They say my didy word sounds like Daddy or Dee-dee-dee or di-di-di sometimes. Phhhhth! Throw me a bone here! I want my dang diaper changed NOW! Yesterday afternoon, it took numerous attempts before my parents finally got it, and then they sure felt stupid. Serves them right. I kept going back and forth from one room to the other (Mom was on the computer in the guest bedroom and Dad was out in the living room)trying to get one of them to understand me. They didn't realize this until after Mommy finally understood me and then checked in with Daddy. Those two are such dorks some times!

Baby Signs and Talkin'

Hi Guys! Wanted to let you know that I used my first sign yesterday - for the word "more." Mommy was very excited! She has been trying to teach me some signs since I was about 8 months old (she says she wishes she were more consistent with it, though). Anyway, I think its pretty neat, so now I use that sign all the time. Mommy hopes I learn the signs for "all done" and "diaper" soon. She says that would help us communicate a bunch.

I am also still working on my words. I finally learned how to say "yes" yesterday. We'll see if I get as good at saying and using it as I am with "no." It also sounded like I was trying to say "kitty" yesterday when I was playing with my friend Clayton's cat. I am parroting all kinds of words I hear adults using. Its fun to be like the big people!

I'm 13 Months Old!

Gosh, I am 13 months old already! Seems like my birthday party was just a few days ago. Well, I've been busy this last month. First, I caught a case of roseola, a virus that causes fever and a rash, right around my birthday. The doctor saw my rash at my appointment and diagnosed it. She said I must have had a mild case since it barely affected me. Then me and the rents went to San Diego for Thanksgiving. See the details in the post below. All of us had fun. But, I caught another germ and got sick on the plane ride back. I've had a yucky head cold for the last 2 weeks but am getting better. Guess I am building up my immune system. Cold season is no fun!

These days I am working on using my spoon and fork (I'm not that interested most of the time), shaking my head no and saying no (Mama wishes I'd learn how to say yes), getting people to laugh and laughing when I want to be silly, getting into every nook and cranny of the house (I love the stuff in Daddy's bathroom organizer, pulling the CD's down off their shelves, and trying to un-decorate the Christmas tree), practicing throwing my ball, singing and dancing along to music, saying Yeah randomly, squealing, and talking babytalk like I'm actually having a conversation.

Oh, since Mama forgot to give you my 12 month stats at my doc appointment, here they are: Height - 30.5 inches (75th percentile), Weight - 23lbs. 10oz. (70th percentile), head circumference - 17.75 inches (25th percentile). If you look back at my 9 month stats, it look like I barely grew in length or head circumference these last 2 months! But you might remember that Mommy said that the nurse that month was very generous with her measurements so they weren't very accurate. The doctor said this same thing when she saw my numbers this time. Oh, and my 4th top front tooth finally popped through the other day. That makes 6 total. Mommy is wondering where my other 2 bottom front teeth are hiding!

I think that covers it! I hope I feel all better soon so I can go play with my friends again. I miss playgroup! I was going to go today but now we have a little ice storm outside to deal with so it was canceled. Bummer! Oh, I saw snow for the first time a few days ago. Weird stuff! We sent out Christmas cards to lots of people and I've enjoyed looking at the cards and pictures we're getting in return. Mommy tells me to wish you all Happy Holidays!

Happy Belated Thanksgiving Everyone!

Hi Everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We sure did. I got fly for the third time! We went out to San Diego, CA to my uncle Daren's place. It was so much fun! Uncle Daren is silly and tried to teach me how to run really fast. He also gave me many rides around on his shoulders. His girlfriend, Anna, is my new best friend. She is so nice. She snuggled me and played with me lots. I liked exploring Uncle Daren's new condo. He has steps so I climbed those a bunch. I'd rather skip the coming down on my own part, though. Climbing up the stairs = fun; climbing down the stairs = a waste of my time. I also got to hang out with my Grandma and Grandpa Laub and they were fun as always. They even babysat me one evening which went fine. I fell asleep on Grandpa's chest. We got visit my mom's friend Kim from grad school who also lives in San Diego. I liked playing with her sons Max and Miles. Uncle Daren also showed us the beach and ocean and the Wild Animal Park. We saw lots of animals there, but I think the gorillas were my favorite. I got to pet some of the animals, too. Cool! It was an awesome trip. I enjoyed my Thanksgiving dinner including the turkey, sweet potatoes (my old favorite), and pumpkin pie (a new favorite). I think I am most thankful for my family since they are a bunch of really nice people. Wish I could see everyone more often. The only downside to the whole trip was on the way back home. I got a fever on the plane, but it didn't really bother me too much. I slept during both flights which was a relief to Mommy and Daddy. So, I've been sick with a head cold for the last 2 weeks. Yucky. But its finally going away. Mommy wonders if it was one cold or 2 in a row. I sure was a snotty bugger for a while. It made it really hard for me to breathe at night when I was sleeping. Mommy says that's what she gets for taking me on a plane twice in the matter of a month. Yucky airplane air plus new germs as well as all the excitement and energy wipe-out that comes with vacations means I was susceptible to getting something. Maybe I should be thankful for my health as well. Happy Thanksgiving - hope you are as blessed as I am!

My 12 Month Portraits

My Birthday Party Slideshow

Happy Birthday To Me!!!!

I am 1 year old today!!! Yeh! I'm now a toddler. Peace out - I gotta go party!

Another Haircut Before My Birthday

Just got another haircut an hour ago. That makes number 3. Mama thought I needed to spiffy up before my doctor's appointment tomorrow and my party on Sunday. She says I was too shaggy. She was scared to give the haircut this time because it was more involved (she had to trim around my ears) and I move more now. But, it turned out pretty good again. Check out the pics.




Oh, please keep your fingers crossed for us. The party decor for my birthday was supposed to arrive today or tomorrow and now the tracking info. says it won't come until Monday. That's a day too late for the party which would be a major bummer. Let's hope the estimate is wrong and it gets here tomorrow or Saturday. Mom talked to customer service and if it gets here too late, she can send it all back and get her money back but she would be sad. Please, post office, get me my package fast!

My Twelfth Month

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!

I have been grumpy this week. Mama thought it was just teething. Then, Tuesday evening, I developed a fever of 102 degrees. Uh oh, Mama thought, maybe Nicky's getting sick. Other than the fever, I didn't show many other signs of illness other than a very slightly stuffy nose. My parents let the fever do it job and it seemed to work. By morning my fever had broken. I did get some Tylenol to help me sleep at about midnight. I also had some diarrhea the next day but nothing too bad. I think I am pretty much over whatever was going on. My immune system must be working!

In other news, another tooth has popped through. Its my other front tooth on the left side. That's number 5 for those how are counting. Man, I wish my toofers would give me a break for a while. This teething stuff is hard work! Mama says the fourth top tooth looks to be popping through soon. Mama says they are just trying to catch up since I started teething a little later than is usual.

Today is the last day of the first year of my life. This year went crazy fast! I go to the pediatrician tomorrow and we are having a party with some of my friends on Sunday. Don't worry, we'll post lots of pictures!

My Orlando Trip

Happy Halloween plus some more teeth

Happy Halloween everyone! And happy birthday to my uncle Daren who is 28 today! Well, I am going to dress up as a... wait for it... Monkey today. You know, since Mom and Dad always call me that anyway, they figure its a fitting costume. Anyway, here are few pics.


In other news, my two top front teeth popped through (one Monday and one today) so now I have 4 teeth total. My bottom teeth are fully visible now so here's a picture of that.



Still recovering from our vacay in Orlando - it was super fun. I really liked the Disney characters and all the animals at Seaworld. I'll have a slide show and post on the vacation later. Peace out for now.

-Nickster

Oops! Turned 11 Months

Oopsie! I turned 11 months old on Tuesday and forgot to post my specs. Well, according to the not-always-accurate Mommy measurements, I am 30.5 inches long and the scale says I am 24 pounds about. I have had busy month with: teething (2 and counting), walking (I am getting good at it and pretty brave), exploring (T-R-O-U-B-L-E, I now do stairs), playing (I attend 2 playgroups a week and I've had numerous playdates as of late), eating (Mommy wants to know why I like to eat paper so much), and being silly. I've clapped a few times but don't do it very often. I also like to squeal a bunch.

This coming month will be my last before I turn one! Time flies. There is some exciting stuff on the horizon, I am told. Daddy has a conference in Orlando the 20-25th and we are going with him. Disney World, here I come! When we get back, I get to trick-or-treat for the first time, although Mommy says no candy for me this year. Then, it will be time for my birthday party. I don't know what that is but Daddy keeps telling me I'm gonna like it. I'm going to my first birthday party this weekend for my friend, Lilly, so I guess I will get a preview for what I am in for.

Guess I Look More Like Mom

10 to 11 Month Slide Show

Tooth Number 2

My second front bottom tooth popped through today. Man, this teething thing ain't fun. I have been fairly decent to live with lately, but you can tell I'm in pain at times. I am always chewing on my fingers, drooling tons, and occasionally I'll let out a little whimper/whine to let everyone know that it still hurts. It is hard to sleep through the pain, and I let out a little cry in my sleep and roll over before settling down and drifting off again. Mama says, "Poor little buddy," and gives me my teething medication. Did I mention before that I love my teething tablets? They are the best. Sometimes, I go and find them if I can and bring them to Mom when I want them. I always smile when she opens up the bottle. And that Orajel stuff is helpful, too. It makes my gums and tongue numb which feels weird. We'll see if the top front teeth want to pop through soon or not. Well, I'm going to go watch the Bears. Peace out.

Walking Video