Visit with Grammy & Grampa/March for Babies

On Thursday, April 16, Grammy Pam and Grampa Bill came to stay with us for a few days. They arrived while Fischer and I were still at daycare, so it was nice to see them when we got home. They hadn't seen Fischer since Thanksgiving (when he was 5 1/2 months old!).

It was bath night. Changing and dressing or undressing Fischer has become a wrestling match, so we gave in and let him be nakie before his bath. All fresh and clean after his bath, Fischer showed off for the camera, doing one of his crazy laughs.

Fischer got a chance to see things through Bill's 'eyes'!Our wide-eyed guy was happy to have all that extra attention. Grammy and Grampa just couldn't get over how CUTE and funny Fischer is :)
The last evening they visited, Grammy and Grampa watched Fischer while Joe and I got our CPR certification re-newed for daycare. We had a very nice visit. It was refreshing to come home to dinner being ready, laundry going, and dishes done! Thanks again, Grammy!As we were on our way out the door, Fischer needed to say bye to Papa and give him hugs. Ahhh. The next night, Fischer joined me at Kavarna for coffee night with Kristy, Flora and Leo. Before we left, Flora lead Fischer in a crawling race through the restaurant. Were their hands dirty afterward! What great fun for the kids and the spectators! Did I mention Fischer's a wiggly worm and impossible to get changed and dressed? Most times I change his diaper and clothes in his crib or on the floor in his room or the living room. When I turn to reach for his diaper, he almost always pops right up and turns on his "crickets". He loves playing with the crib soother Grampa Ken got him :) What a cute tushie, too!
On Saturday, April 25th, Fischer and I participated in the March of Dimes March for Babies. We raised $150 to fund research that will help all babies be born healthy like Fischer was. We met up with friends from daycare. Before the walk began, we huddled with all kinds of other people indoors--it was a very wet day! Holly and Maurice's son, Collin, was cozy and dry like Fischer because we had stroller rain covers :)Team Bright Beginnings had bright green t-shirts this year. Last year, in our team photo, I was sporting our pink team t-shirt and a 7 1/2 month pregnant belly. This year the babe's on the outside in his own team t-shirt ;) Thanks to everyone who marched for babies!

Easter Weekend--as told by Fischer

Good morning, Mama! I'm so happy it's Saturday, because it's Family Day!Sure, I'll wave for the camera. I've been waving more and more these days, it's about time you put it on the blog. We're going out for breakfast?! What a great way to start the day. But wait, Papa Bear is still in bed. How will we get him going? I've got it--let's stay in our pajamas. Yes! It's our first annual pre-Easter pajama breakfast. Let's go to Bill's Pancake House. This place is awesome! I love watching the waitresses. They're always smiling at me, and they bring me my own glass of water with a straw.
Papa helped me sip my water like this. Mmmmm!Papa ordered pancakes. He let me try some. Through breakfast all I could say was "mmmm, mmmmm" because it was so yummy. I fed Papa some so he could taste how good it was.
After we got home, even though we were stuffed, the "crazy neighbors" invited us over for donuts and coffee. It's always fun visiting the neighbors. When our visit was done, we went and played at home until it was time for my nap. I've been trying this whole new "one nap" thing. Some days it works better than others. Saturday was a day that one nap worked out great! (except I missed a visit from Grandma D...Thanks for the Easter card!) It seemed like we got to DO so much more!

In fact, after I woke and we ate lunch, Papa took a nap. So Mama and I got out the stroller and invited the Crazy Neighbor Lady (Chris) and her daughter, Taylor to go for a walk. We went down our street, through a park, and up the next street. It was such a pretty day outside. By the time we got back, Papa was ready to go grocery shopping with us.

I was a very very good boy at the store. I helped hold and crinkle Mama's list, and Papa let me see and feel all kinds of different fruits and vegetables--so colorful! The old ladies and kids at the store always laugh when I smile at them. What fun!

When we got home, the Crazy Neighbors were grilling out, so Mama and Papa added a couple brats to their grill. I got to try a little when we sat down for dinner. Brats are a little chewy, but I like them.

After dinner, it was still so nice outside that I got to play in my car for the first time. Chris and Taylor got it for me last summer at a garage sale. Sweet!

Riding on the grass was a little bumpy, but beeping the horn was fun! Thanks, Chris and Taylor!
We didn't do a whole lot on Easter Sunday. Mama dressed me in a sweater that I thought looked like a decorated egg! By the way, that afternoon, everything we did this weekend caught up to me, and I need that second nap. I slept for an hour in my crib, and then called out for Mama. When she picked me up to snuggle, I couldn't help myself...I fell asleep again! So, while Mama read to herself next to me, I finished my nap on the big bed. Happy Easter, everyone!

Continued Adventures in Mobility

Fischer is a very happy and busy child. He's thrilled and totally absorbed by anything new that catches his eye. And, now that he's able to get around everywhere, he's free to investigate things at will--this is when those "eyes in the back of your head" are needed most! The gated living room and his pack-n-play keep him contained, but that doesn't mean he's always happy about it! Fischer wants to play and be played with almost constantly. It's a ball, but we've gotta make dinner and fit other things in, too, Buddy! Fischer's very outspoken, too, no matter what emotion he wishes to portray ;)

We borrowed a "Jumpstart Baby" computer program from our "crazy neighbors" that Fischer just LOVES. In fact, I had the bright idea of showing it to him on my laptop. When I tried to take it away because he was drooling on the keys, he grabbed for it and ended up ripping one of the #8 off the keyboard! So, it's a better solution to prop my open computer up so he can't reach it but can see it, and we connect a keyboard that he's free to bang and drool on. Viola!

His newest "tricks":

-Fischer stands on his own for random lengths of time--he often throws his hands out or up and bounces on his tippy toes before finally landing on his butt. He can also stand and clap.

-Fischer plays "shy" when someone he hasn't seen for awhile or isn't familiar with strikes up a conversation--he lays his head on mine or Joe's shoulder and holds on tight, while smiling and flirting nonetheless.

-Fischer has started waving "hi"--he extends his arm and opens and closes his fingers. He mouths 'hi' but doesn't really say it yet.

-On Monday, April 6th, at 10 months 3 days, Fischer took 2-3 unassisted steps at daycare! Joe came into his classroom to hang out after taking the kids to school, stood him up, knelt down across from him, and Fischer took off toward Joe :)

Fischer and his friend Hailey are watching out their classroom door. I can see them from my office :).

Check for 3 new videos on Fisch Finder--ones of Fischer standing and 'bodyslamming' Joe, one of him standing for me, and one where he's saying "Kitty" for the Crazy Neighbor Lady.

One more thing...

Fischer and I are walking for the March of Dimes March for Babies on Saturday, April 25th (right around the corner!). There's a link to sponsor us at the top of Fischer's blog page. I'm pretty bummed that I haven't gotten donations, yet. Please sponsor us--even $5 or $10 makes a difference! THANK YOU!