New Stuff!

I was so busy trying to get you caught up, I haven't had time to tell you about all the new cute stuff William is doing (and some not so cute).

Crawling like crazy! And fast!

Tooth #7 broke through Sunday (bottom, right side)

Loves LOVES!! his books. Will actually sit still and LISTEN for an entire book or two. Turns the pages of his books. Will actually look at books by himself when he is playing -although many times upside down. Several times he has been upset and crying. When we opened up a book to read to him, he settled right down. I must say, this brings a tear to this teacher's eyes.

He has rediscovered his hands and their usefulness. He has found the opening and shutting of his hands to be extraordinary. So amazing that he can sit and watch his hands open and close for several seconds at a time. We call this phenomena: The sound of one hand clapping. He also opens and shuts the hand several times before grabbing an object as if to reassure himself that it is all working. We've done a little work to develop this movement into "Hello!" and "Goodbye" waves without much success so far.

Pincher grasp! It is finally here, sort of. In the last week William has finally noticed the smaller sized beads on some of his toys. He is also getting some foods to his mouth with about 83.4% accuracy. Every day it gets quicker and quicker. It has been amazing to watch it develop almost over night.


Well, that is all for now....

goodnight,
the heidts

The Great Wild North (pronounced Nor-T)

I'm playing catch up here. There are several new posts - you'll need to go down to see them all.
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We left for Rochester on Wednesday afternoon. William was a trooper in the car - we were a little worried as he is more mobile now if he wouldn't be as content to sit for as long in the car. We had a few little fussy times, but overall it went wonderfully. William enjoying visiting with the Grandmas and Grandpas very much. On Thursday evening, William discovered he could climb the stairs! He spent a good chunk of the rest of our visit practicing this skill whenever he had a spare moment of free time (whenever anyone wasn't looking). Not to worry, he was always spotted very carefully from both the top and bottom of the stairs.

Playing with Grandpa and the frog puppet

Going Up!

We made it!

Friday was a big day for us! We got to see a lot of different people. On Friday, William got to meet his new cousins for the first time. We had to be careful as William is still sporting a runny nose. William came with us for some quick pictures and then he went back to hang out with Grandpa Kevin. The babies were beautiful as expected and it was so fun to hold them and snuggle them close! John and I both got to hold BOTH babies, although John did not attempt to two baby hold. We enjoyed visiting with Mike while the babyfest was going on.

Cousins! (L-R) Elena, Alexander & William held by Mike and John


Mike and his babies! Elena & Alexander

Me practicing my 2 baby hold.

Friday afternoon, we had another special treat! My friend from high school (Robyn) came with her 1 year old baby (Jacob) to visit. It was fun to see her again and catch up as well as watch our boys play together. Okay, well sort of play at the same time in the same room. Jacob is now walking and William loved watching him run all over the place.

Me, William, Robyn & Jacob. Why do we always wait to take pictures at the end? Neither boy is very happy to sit still for a picture here.

Friday evening, John and I met Jessica and Chris for dinner while Grandpa and Grandma babysat. It was delightful to go without the diaper bag or worry about high chairs not to mention the adult conversation!

Saturday we went out for lunch with Grandpa and Grandma and then back to the store where Grandpa works to help him out. William liked the egg shaker toys and the big drums the best! It was REALLY busy when we were there, so we didn't get to do the fun stuff like sit in Grandpa's chair or play with the cash register. Next time.

Playing drums at Grandpa's store

Playing with Grandpa Heidt's dump truck on Saturday afternoon

Saturday evening, Aunt Megan came for dinner to visit. William really liked seeing Megan again. We all ate dinner together with William in his high chair! Megan and William read stories and played with toys before William had to go to bed.

Reading a new book with Aunt Megan

Building....something with Aunt Megan

Sunday morning, we went for brunch at Valentinos with Aunt Kaye and Scott. We were impressed that we got to visit with them as their flight from Germany came in LATE on Saturday night! No pictures from that as our camera was packed up in the car!

Hip -Hippo- Hurray

We picked up a new push toy from one of the neighbors earlier this week. It is pretty cute. Within the first few moments of having it in the house, William safely pulled up on it and took a few steps. He wasn't sure he liked when it moved so he stood up, took a few steps and then would sit down again.

Pushing on your knees isn't as scary

Tastes good!

Exer-baby! Also works for ballet and squats.

Oh! And the yellow handle part folds down and then you can sit on it. How fun is that? Especially when Daddy is pushing you?

Our Bruiser

Playing catch up here after returning from a wild trip to the great North. Now that William is more mobile (read: faster), he is getting himself into more trouble than mommy can keep up with. Our little bruiser. There are 3 bruises on his forehead (above R eye, 2 in an X shape over his left eye). He has a bump on his chin and several scratches under his eyes. Looks like we should invest in a face mask. Or a padded room.

Why I love my dad, Rochester

Just a quick post with two things I need to tell you. We are leaving for Rochester tomorrow afternoon sometime and returning on Sunday. I called my parents to inform them that they would be hosting us starting tomorrow when I happened to mention to my dad I was on a quest. A quest for a brownie recipe.

It all started on a cool night last weekend. The chocolate cravings were kicking in and it was actually cool enough to turn lights on as well as the oven inside the house without getting heat stroke. So, I pulled out the brownie mix. On the side of the box, I spied a recipe for "4 star brownies". I am unable to resist such things. Brownies good enough for the 4 star rating, but not enough for 5? Irresistible. So I made them and they were excellent. So good, I would like to have them again. Alas, the box is now gone with the recycling last week. So I've googled and searched and can't find the stupid recipe anywhere. As a result, I was out at the grocery store picking up a few things which included another box of brownies only if it had my recipe on the side. I went to THREE different stores without any 4 star brownies in sight.

That brings us back to this evening while making reservations at the McGarry Motel. Turns out my dad was at the grocery store. I told him the whole brownie deal and he promised to take a turn through the brownie aisle. I didn't hold much hope as 1) I couldn't find the mix and 2) I didn't think he was actually listening for part of the story. I was very VERY happy when my dad called back later to confirm the kind of brownies I was looking for : he has them! Hurray!

Hmmm....after reading over this I have to apologize. I promise an update tomorrow with pictures. Remind me to show you the neat new walking toy the neighbor gave us!

Ma Ma Ma

John put up a link to William doing some babbling on Saturday. I was worried no one would notice it and I think it is darn cute. There is a link on the left side of the page, but here is another one for you (same thing) William saying "Ma Ma Ma". Very exciting, although I know he doesn't know what what it means yet.

We've been working really hard at pulling up this weekend. William no longer requires something to hang onto when standing up. He just needs something to help himself balance as he pushes up (walls, cabinet doors, people's legs, etc). A few times in the last couple of days he has even let go with both hands and stood unassisted without any help or leaning on anything! WOW! Very exciting for us and a lot scary also! We are also fighting what looks like might be our first cold. Not bad to make it almost 8 months without getting sick once. So far, we just are sporting a runny nose which he refuses to let me wipe. Ick. I think it is bothering me more than him. He is quite happy to wipe the boogers across his face and then continue playing. Me= not so much.

Anyone want a drink? These were moved later because he was able to pull the whole box around while standing there (all 24 cans are full)

Pulling up on the cabinet and reaching for the drawer!

Mudd and William looking out the windows...and a lot of mess in between!

It was time to upgrade to a toothbrush now that there are so many teeth in there!



Last, it appears the Giggle Drill has been recalled. However, ours is NOT one of the serial numbers affected by THIS recall. Is it safe to play with? I don't think we will find out. Very sad.

I'm a Turkey

Thank goodness for short weeks! William is still a mystery to me. After our urgent care visit last weekend, he hasn't really improved or changed any. Still irritable and not wanting to eat his solids. Yet, nothing else really to go on. If these are teeth- HURRY UP!

Today was a little bit better with the solid feedings and we went ahead with the last meat:turkey. I'm not sure he liked it a whole lot. But, he did eat it all. Note he also has a very sticky looking teething biscuit in his grubby hands. He used to really like these, but now will only hold it and drool on it. This holding drooling= very messy. Oh well.

Turkey for dinner and a nice close up of our counter tops


Hmmm...not sure

But, still opening my mouth!

Did you mean to put that stuff in there?

I don't know what this look is, but it is funny!

The battle for the spoon begins. Who will win?

The triumphant champion gazes at his prize. This is a serious victory folks...

Right after our turkey dinner extravaganza, we saw a herd? gaggle? pride? of wild turkeys meander through our neighbors backyard! Our pictures turned out blurry - but how funny is that?

Edited: PS The red bump on his forehead, right side is where he ran into the corner of a wall earlier in the day. He cried less over that than when I try to wipe his face after eating.