Swimming with Grandpa

Oh how we love grandpa. He makes funny noises, funny faces, and plays funny games. Every time Grandpa walks into the room, William's face lights up - here comes the FUN guy! As you can see above, they like to hang out and make faces at each other. Finally, here is the swimming video I have been promising you : Grandpa and William!

6-9 Months Slide Show

Well, it is probably about time. I've actually had this almost done since before Thanksgiving. It has just taken me this long to put it up. Still coming up: video of William swimming, photos of our backyard after the ice storm, and a Christmas card preview. I know you're all just sitting on the edge of your seats.

Now, back to Santa's workshop!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

First Steps

Well, it is official. We have a walking baby...wait! Doesn't that make him a...toddler? I'm not ready....



Anyway, we got some video of him taking steps. He took a lot of them today unassisted. I would say somewhere in the hundreds. However, the video we got wasn't great. We'll try to get more tomorrow to post.

Also coming soon: William's 6-9 month slide show, video of him learning how to dive and a Christmas Card preview. We are busy busy busy busy busy....back to work! Here are some pictures from earlier this week to hold you over until then.

Standing up

I'm not sure what the appeal is with the medicine dropper...but it sure is a fun toy!


Come on to Mama...

Not sure how we feel about this one....

Seems like this is a tradition. I know we did it growing up. But, I really hate waiting in lines. I hate crowds, the stress, ugh. I also don't know if I agree with paying so much money for a few medium quality prints. Ack. So we did it - because I was worried I would regret it forever if we didn't.

William and Santa

The good news is that it only took 3 minutes to do and was relatively painless except for how much this print cost. Of course they do not allow other photography. I handed William over to this guy and William spent one minute just checking Santa out. Then, he cried. We (we being the Santa staff and myself) successfully distracted him with a squeaky reindeer in order to get this half smile. He still isn't totally sure about this whole thing. Neither are we. But! It is done and now I don't have to worry about doing it over the weekend when the mall is crazy. I just wish it didn't have the stupid snowman border thing. Blech. I just wanted a picture of my kid wearing his reindeer sweater sitting on Santa's lap. For a few bucks. Is that too much to ask?

Ick. I guess I better go and find my holiday spirit somewhere around here....

Thank you Great Aunt Bonnie!

William has obviously been a very good boy this year! In the mail today, we got a very special handmade Christmas stocking from my Great Aunt Bonnie with William's name on it! It matches all the other stockings in our family and it is perfect! Thank you so much!

P.S. To My Family: Please note I understand this does not constitute a thank you. A hand written one will be sent in a timely manner. With pictures.

Take a Walk with Me

Last night we were in the kitchen discussing the reorganization of the pantry area. Glass jars and heavy cans are regularly being dropped on the floor these days. Bags and boxes of pasta are continuously being opened and spread out upon my kitchen floor. As we discussed, I set William up on his feet in front of me. He got his balance and leaned forward towards me. Usually at this point, he just free falls towards me until I catch him or he bangs his head on something. Last night, the ending was different. Last night, William leaned forward towards me and picked up his feet. I could hardly believe my baby walked to me. So, I did it again. William did it again, this time walking 4-5 steps to me!

Then, we got the video camera out. Of course, William was not super cooperative. But, we did manage to get this one little clip of him doing a little walking...

P.S. Turn down your volume. I was pretty excited.

The Wedding, Newport, A little Boston

My cousin got married on Saturday afternoon. It was a very pretty service in which I did not make any huge mistakes during my reading. The shoes I wore were maybe a mistake. But, no mistakes in the reading.

My cousins: Beth and Chrissie


William all dressed up and ready to go...somewhere, anywhere


Favorite activity: climbing up the stairs used during the ceremony


Sheila, Bobby and Beth


Us in front of the huge Christmas tree in the lobby


Great Grandpa Tom and William at the reception


After the wedding reception, we had time for a little dip in the pool - William's first time swimming! He was a little unsure at first!


But, once we were in, he had a great time! Swimming lessons next year? We'll see!


Swimming/drinking the water


Brrr...mama is cold! Is it time to get out yet? William says NO!

On Sunday morning, we had breakfast with the family and then spent some hanging out in Newport. Here is some of what we did:

Took a cliff walk. A lot like it sounds. Walking along the coastline.

(Turn your head) We toured the Breakers mansion, formerly owned by the Vanderbuilts

The Breakers from the back (by the way, this was their summer cottage)


Kevin drives, Kim navigates...


William eats


A drive along the coast at sunset....


William kisses himself in the mirror

Newport road sign : Yes, your butt is litter!


Monday morning, we squeezed in a little historical walking tour. The tourist information center was out of the tour materials, so the person working there just gave us directions. So, here is some historical stuff. We're not really sure what or why some of it is historical, but it is according to the tourist person. This is the Quaker Meeting House built in 16something.


This is the colony house built in 17something


The Hazard house...

This is Trinity Church. It has a very old cemetery next to the building.


The old stone mill in a park.

How William currently feels about history. Yes, we know he is missing a shoe.


Back to the beach!

William wanted to take a dip into the Atlantic Ocean. We agreed, but only his toes!


William dipping his toes into the Atlantic Ocean

It was hard to get ONLY his feet wet without getting mine also!


Sandy toes


The empty beach


Outside our room in Newport

Playing peek-a-boo in the car while he was supposed to be napping...can you see him anywhere?




We had a little time before we had to be at the airport, so we decided to check out the U.S.S. Constitution. It was closed, so we went to Bunker Hill.

John climbing the first of many steps at Bunker Hill

The monument

The USS Constitution from the top of the monument


Kelly and William (in the dark lower right) at Bunker Hill