Face Bling

Kate Middleton isn't the only one sporting some shiny new accessories. For weeks I've been noticing a diamond-hard mass growing in my mouth, and mom and dad have been getting even more excited when I smile. They've been following me around with the camera a lot too, snapping away and trying to make me giggle, even sticking their fingers in my mouth. Gross. I didn't know what was going on, but finally dad showed me a picture that he took. Now I understand: witness the shine and glory of my first tooth!

Mom and dad are trying really hard to get more pictures, but I don't like showing off. Good luck you two.

Marco...Polo

Today I got a special treat for Easter.  I went for my first swim!

I really enjoy splashing in the water every night when I take my bath, so I figured I would have a good time in the pool. I guess it can be a little intense for some of my baby friends when they first go in the pool, so mom and dad had all eyes on me to see how I'd react. 

Don't let the pictures fool you! I loved it! I was curious about what was going on and pretty serious about taking it all in, so I didn't giggle and laugh a lot. But dad and I were having such fun chasing mom around the pool that I totally forgot about my nap...and so did mom and dad. 

In retrospect, I think my serious face actually serves as a good reminder that water sports aren't all fun and games. It's good to be a little cautious when there are babies in the pool. Just a little holiday PSA from yours truly.

Operation Grandparents

Well, what a week I've had! First, my Nanna shows up, then my Pop Pop, and then my mom and dad up and disappear for, like, three whole days. That's the first time they've both been gone for so long. At first I kept looking around for them thinking this was a really intense and strategic game of Peek-A-Boo. And then, well, I just kind of forgot about them. No offense, guys, but out of sight, out of mind. I am just a baby.


While my parents were gone me and Nanna and Pop Pop had lots of adventures. I'm afraid I can't really share much more with you, dear readers, because it's Top Secret grandparent stuff. But here are a few photos of me and Pop Pop that have been sanctioned for release to the public.

On a different note, yesterday my mom told me I was eight months old. I threw my spoon across the room in bitter protest. But then I realized that getting older is just a fact of life, so from now on I'm going to try to do it gracefully. The first test will be getting through my first birthday party without having a complete breakdown...We shall see.

Bonus Post

Like I said earlier, a lot has been happening with me lately. I've been making lots of new sounds and eating lots of new things, and doing lots of new stuff like pulling myself to standing. All this new stuff is a little unsettling, and mom has been my ballast. She's been hanging out and playing with me a lot as I get comfortable with my more mature self. As a result, she's gotten really behind with pics and info for all my friends out there in cyberspace. 


In an effort to catch up, these are some photos that my Auntie Maria took when she was visiting. Ahem, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close up.

I Just Met a Girl Named Maria

I was laying in my crib this morning, waiting politely for my mom to get up before I started fussing, just thinking and talking to myself about all the stuff that has been happening to me lately. It seems like the last couple weeks have been a whirlwind of firsts. I sure am growing up fast. And something tells me that mom and dad say the same thing to one another when they're snuggling up for sleep at night. (I know those two so well.)


One new thing that recently happened to me is I finally got to meet my Auntie Maria. Mom and dad have mentioned her a lot, so I was looking forward to finally meeting her myself. And then you know what? It was the weirdest thing. I woke up from a nap and she was there, and it was like I already knew her. Her voice was so familiar, like I had heard it in another lifetime. Every time I looked at her she had a big smile on her face, and you can tell she loves me a lot already because of her baby death grip. There was no way I was wriggling out of her hands! Check out the love below.

Needles to say, I had lots of fun with Auntie Maria. And tomorrow my Nanna comes for a whole week! And then Pop Pop comes for the weekend! We're going to have so many adventures, I can't wait!

Where for Art Thou, Rodeo?

The rodeo has officially picked up stakes and left town. Dad is happy because he doesn't have to hear that Lady Antebellum song over and over again on the TV. I guess that's some consolation for the fact that he didn't get to go. Luckily one of mom's mommy friends was going and we got to tag along. Thank goodness, because look what I would have missed!

And I learned about a new sport: mutton busting! Mom couldn't get any pictures because we were in stroller exile outside the tent, but we still had a pretty good view. Basically it is like bull riding, except instead of grown men riding bulls, of is little kids riding sheep...And it goes a little something like this:

"Our next rider is Connor. Connor is five years old and hails from Sugar Land, Texas. His favorite food is Hamburger Helper, and when he grows up he wants to be a ninjaaaaa! Connor is riding Lambchop." And then the gates open! Yee haw!

I know, it is a little disturbing. But those kids were so proud of themselves, it was hard not to cheer them on. Tick tock, just four and a half years to go, and I can't wait!

And now, here's a final photo just for you, Pop Pop. It's food on a stick! Can't wait for your next visit!

Put on Your Sunday Clothes

Even as the frost is only beginning to break its winter spell over my Nanna's garden in Baltimore, it is getting HOT HOT HOT here in Houston. My mom says it is "unbelievable," but my dad doesn't seem to be phased at all, so I'm not worried either.


We left the house right after breakfast this morning to take a walk, but first we got in the car. That's kind or weird: getting in the car to go for a walk, but ok. 


We went to this place called The Heights. Mom kept saying there was a "sense of community." I kept looking around trying to find it because it was making my mom really happy, but I don't really know what a sense of community looks like. We walked on the Hike and Bike Trail and then past a lot of houses. People kept saying hi to us and asking questions about me. Next we stopped in a deli had a cold drink--formula for me and tea for my parents. When we walked down the street some more, we found a store that sold lightly used baby clothes. Mom and dad couldn't resist this little number. 

It's Ralph Lauren, no big deal. (I don't actually know who Ralph Lauren is, but I think he's the guy riding the horse that's embroidered under one of my buttons. Buttons!)


It was a good day.