Hot Fun in the Summer Time...

Oh, wait...it is January!  Who knew that the shorts and short sleeved onesies I unintelligently bought for 3-6 months would actually get some wear!  Anyone else wishing for at least a bit of winter weather?  Foster has several cute sweaters he has not yet had the chance to wear, and all those cute cords!!!  Ahh!

Mom and Me!

Foster has been really into the soft book he has.  He loves to sit up and slap at it, and even pick it up and toss it around.  So cute!

Little Aviator

I just wanted to share this picture.  Auntie Meme bought Foster this onesie, and I honestly thought he wouldn't ever get to wear it.  It is a 6 month size, short sleeve, and very thin.  It is also silkscreen, which I am not a fan of...However, it is so cute with all the airplanes and the writing underneath.  With the weather having been so warm here in Florida this winter, I realized that he might actually get to wear some of the items I thought he would outgrow before he got the opportunity to wear.  So excited!

Swimmin', swimmin', swimmin'...

Yesterday Foster was a mess.  Spit up all over himself, did not take good naps, teething like a madman...you name it, we got it!  However, while I was rearranging and organizing his closet (as he has outgrown so many clothes, shoes, socks) he played on the floor in his diaper and top!  His feet were chilly but I could not get his socks to stay on.  I certainly would pay good money for socks that stay on! SO...I put his "Flipper Slippers" on his tootsies and he was a happy camper.  He kept stretching out his feet and kicking them as if he was doing backstroke.  Our little swimmer!

Mirror, Mirror on the wall...

Who's the cutest boy of all?  FOSTER!  I caught him checking himself out in the mirror in his playgym this morning.  He has looked at himself many times before, but this morning, he simply could not get enough of himself.  WE may have a Narcissus on our hands!

6th Month Mayhem

Jan. 15th marked Foster's 6th month birthday.  We took our monthly picture with Andy and Wow, what a difference.  I have gone back and compared month 1-6 and it is truly amazing to see what a change has occurred in our handsome little guy.  He was a cute baby from the start, but I mean really...this kid needs an agent.  He can smile on command and with that dimple and those All-American chubby cheeks (the ones on each side of his "rose petal" mouth, as Susan calls it) he should be a baby model.  Of course, we are partial, but he is just so cute!

The Highchair Hype!

I Love my Highchair!!!

I am writing today more for myself than anyone else.  I am going to need to be able to look back when I am on child # 2 and remember that Babywise is amazing, but routines will change.  Now that Foster is taking a shorter evening nap (we are forcing a shorter nap to extend night sleep hopefully from 10.5 to 11.5-12 hours, thus producing a waketime of 7, and not 6-6:15) we are feeding him a bit earlier than originally set.  He goes down at 5 for a nap and we feed him at 6. So...last night we decided that it was time for Foster to begin eating with mom and dad at dinner.  He had actually already eaten when we finally sat down to a meal of freshly steamed shrimp (just off the boat) and crisp, fresh veggies-so delicious!  So, we decided to strap him in and see what he would do.  He has been taking all his solid food in his Bumbo, which is only a problem bc he wants to lean really far forward and bite at his food- hilarious but frustrating!  However, I am ready to transition him to the highchair.  We strapped him in and, we gave him a spoon and his sippy cup (which he has no idea what to do with, BTW).  He did try to put the spoon in his mouth several times which could be just another sign of his genius nature or just that he is in the stage in which everything he touches goes in the mouth. We will opt for the first, obviously.  Anyway, he was so cute and simply content to be sitting down to dinner with his parents.  What a great evening!

What a Gerber Baby face!

I am such a Big Boy!

" A Shark Ate My Baby!"

This title must be read in our best Autralian accent of course.  I just wanted to share these pictures from the other night.  How cute are these?

Oops, forgot to post 5 Months Old!

With all the craziness in our lives, I completely forgot to post this super cute picture of foster at 5 months old.

Seeing an Old Friend

While in NC, we could not pass up the opportunity to see an old friend, Amy.  She and I swam together at ECU, and at one time Daniel, Amy and I lived in the same house!  Great memories together, and we remain friends.  She is pregnant with her second son, Austin, who is due Jan 17!  She, her husband Brian, and their 14 month old son, Brain Jr. joined Daniel, Foster, and I for lunch in Charlotte.  It was so nice to catch up and to see their family growing!  They have a built a beautiful home on some family land and have beef cattle!  I can't even imagine the work involved in running their small farm.  Brian keeps busy while still working full time and growing their family business of beef!  We can't wait to have them visit us in Florida.  Hopefully they will swing by on their way down to see Brian's Father in south Florida this summer!

Foster Takes a Trip to the Country!

Daniel's 11 days of leave ended with a trip to his hometown of Troy, NC.  Although Foster had already been on several trips, this was Foster's very first trip to see his Nana and Papa Russell.  He also met many of Daniel's family members for the first time and enjoyed their company and attention.  Although we loved seeing everyone, we had to cut our trip short, as Daniel and Foster both got sick.  With so many different people around at the holidays, you just never know what you are going to get...sickness and all!  We therefore spent New Year's Eve day in the car driving home and missed ringing in the New Year, as we were all fast asleep.  There is always next year, right?

New Yorkers Come to Town!

A Few days after Christmas, we had a delightful visit from my Aunt Judy, Uncle Brian, and Grandmother.  Judy and Brian flew in to visit my grandmother in Beaufort, SC and then drove her down to spend the day with us.  Foster was so excited to meet his Great Aunt and Uncle and it was so nice to spend some time with everyone!  We enjoyed a quiet lunch at home, serving homemade BBQ and dip with veggies.  Daniel and I were reminded that just one year ago we took our "Babymoon" to NY with Foster in my belly!  I guess that was his first official trip north!  The weather was slightly different, seeing as how we ended up being on the last flight that landed, due to the massive snowstorm that had started Christmas day!  It is amazing to think that was only one year ago.  Wow! How time flies when you are having fun!

My Great Aunt Judy and Uncle Brian!