Halloween 2010

Friday: Andrew and I went to a clay handprinting party! It was great and we are looking forward to seeing the final product soon!

Saturday: We had planned to go to a big Halloween Party, but Andrew was exhausted (probably from all the cheering during the football game! GO OREGON!)

Sunday: We had planned a wonderful gathering at a friends home, but unfortunately her daughter was ill and the party was canceled. (now I have a ton of witch cupcake cones) We managed to make it to a Harvest Festival at a local church. (Andrew was exhausted and fell asleep). That evening we gave out all 30 of the full size candy bars we had purchased. WOW! That was a record for us.

We are looking forward to November and lots of wonderful family time! (especially when the nieces come to visit!)

October 2010

It is hard to believe we are already in October. I do love the crisp, cool mornings and the pumpkin spice lattes! Andrew is doing so well. He attends daycare a few days a week and absolutely LOVES it! Every morning when I drop him off, he runs to the window to wave good-bye to me! He has become an incredible "preschool" student! Sitting with the "big" kids and participating appropriately at times! WOW! He is our dare-devil. Fearing nothing. He tries sliding down slides on his back with his head first and jumping off the couch. I am constantly worried as he fears not. Greg and I aren't really sure where he gets this from, but WOW, he keeps us busy. We are looking forward to several Halloween events this weekend!

State Fair and Friends

Andrew has had a a busy few weeks. Here is the rundown.
He loves climbing and running everywhere. He has figured out how to unscrew tops and lids. He loves to grab faces and give a kiss, or shake his head no when he doesn't want something. At the Oregon State Fair he made it clear that he is NOT a fan of Smokey the Bear or the Beaver. He thinks people dressed in costumes are quite scary. Andrew loves french fries, pulled pork and yogurts! He is our HAPPY little boy!

Hawaii 2010

Our Family and Grandpa Chuck and Grandma DiDi, had an amazing vacation to The Big Island! Mom and Dad used their points to hook us up with a great stay at the Hilton Waikoloa Village for the first six days and then we drove to Kiluea Military Camp for three days and finally returned for a night in Kona before flying home! After a little craziness on our first night (the hotel had overbooked and we stayed one night in the Marriott next door) we checked in and had been upgraded to the "Presidential Suite". My excitement that I would likely never stay again in this nice 3,000 square foot suite! WOW!!! We had an incredible trip! We enjoyed snorkeling, swimming with sea turtles, playing with Andrew as he experienced water for the very first time, swimming in 92 degree water, going to the volcano and experiencing the red glow it produces at night. We stood line and sat next to Greg Grunberg (Heroes) and his family as we enjoyed Shaved Ice! It was such a wonderful trip and we look forward to going back soon!

Happy First Birthday!

We had a great First Birthday! Andrew loved hanging with friends and enjoyed his first cake. I frosted it with cream cheese frosting and then made a "baby friendly" cake! He loved the frosting. It was a fun day. Andrew decided to take a nap in the middle of the party (right when we were supposed to serve cake!) He is quite a character! We love our little man!

Eating, Playing, Growing!

In precisely one week Andrew turns 1! I have mixed emotions, mostly because it is still rather surreal to me. I cannot believe where I was a year ago and where we are now. Andrew is an amazing baby! He has the best personality (even though temper tantrums have started). He is so much fun! Recently he has decided that he MUST feed himself. He actually does well!

Our Little Basketballer

Andrew loves to play with any balls in the house and he recently became attached to his basketball hoop (Thanks Auntie Michelle and Family!) He normally stands, but has decided it's fun to sit and play too...

11 months

It is so hard to believe that Andrew is now 11 months old. In one short month, he'll be a year! WOW!! He is as busy as ever. He LOVES to find any toy possible (or dad's IPod Itouch)down the stairs. He works hard to stick those toys through the slots of the gate and loves to hear them crash down. Andrew is in love with the outdoors. Anytime he gets a chance he runs to the front door expecting someone to let him out! He also loves to get into anything at his level! He is our busy little boy!

Clicking

Our Loud CLICKER in Action!!!

Walking And Faces

So Andrew started walking (officially many steps) on Sunday, March 28th! What an incredible event that was. We keep taking tons of video! He loves to walk everywhere, which is so funny, since he looks so little! Today while at a friend's house, Andrew decided to do that crazy face and I captured it! Along with his teeth. Yes, they have arrived. He's got all four on top and the two bottom! Hopefully we won't have too many more for awhile!

Walking Machine

Today was a big day for us! Andrew realized that he can walk, whenever he wants to without assistance. He's been taking steps, just only one or two at a time until today! It was actually funny, because he just suddenly took a bunch of steps this afternoon and now he sees that as an easy way to get to different places. It is so funny to see him. Here is the video of him walking and then one of him jumping on his bouncer.

Andrew

We are enjoying Spring Break. Unfortunately Andrew is on his third round of medication for ear infections. He is doing well, though and his energy is as busy as ever. Taking more steps and getting more teeth. He is noisy, busy and so lovable too. He isn't in to sleeping at night, so that has been a struggle, but he is a really good baby. Here is a fun photo from the day!

Nap Time

Sometimes, you just gotta take a nap... no matter where you are or what you are doing....

BATH TIME!

Andrew loves his bath! He has graduated to the Ducky Bath and enjoys every minute! He especially loves his little fishes that Grandma DiDi bought! Here are some candid shots. (He loves to splash the water everywhere too!)

9 Months!

Andrew turned 9 Months on March 3rd! What a busy little boy. He is into everything and loves to stand up and prepare to take steps. He is our official "furniture mover" and loves to push every chair or storage ottoman all over the house. He is still fighting a double ear infection, but what a trooper. His weight remains around 19 pounds 5 ounces. He favorite things continue to be; his friends at daycare, laughing, moving, kids, and his train and computers!

What's Up With Andrew?!

It's been a busy, sickness filled couple of weeks. We found out that Andrew had a double ear infection and have been busy treating that. In the meantime, he has found lots of great opportunities to crawl and on Friday decided to take 3 steps by himself (of course Kaye missed it entirely). He weighs around 19 pounds 4 ounces and loves being around people, especially at his daycare with other kids!!! As you can see from the above photos, he has a constant runny nose and hates to have it wiped! Also, he loves to climb everywhere and get stuck! He's all boy, that is for sure!

World's Greatest Baby Relay Blooper Reel

Pampers is having a contest of sorts, where you are to get video of your baby crawling. The baby must enter the screen from left and exit right and it needs to be short. Kaye had a hard time getting the video completed, so once Greg got home he was able to help her get a video that would work. In the meantime there was one of the best blooper videos ever! Enjoy!

January

Andrew has continued to be a busy, busy boy. His highlights have been that he loves to pull himself up onto various items and then will let go for a bit and then grab back on. I predict we will have a walking baby on our hands sooner than later. He is also into everything! Which means nothing is safe, as he finds anything he can to play with. He loves to get into his carseat and play with it. Unfortunately as you can tell from one of the photos it flipped over on him and he got a nice scratch on his face. There is never a dull moment in the Swires' household, NEVER!