Island Baby

A few weeks ago we went on a trip to see our family in Hawaii. Simon had an amazing time. From swimming to playing to meeting new friends and family it was action packed from beginning to end. There will be a lot of pictures in this post because there were just too many cute ones to choose from. Special thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for having us for the week. It was truly wonderful and we can't wait to come back!

All the family together at Grandpa's 60th Birthday party


Ready to Swim Mommy!


Meeting Bob Fong at the Knight Family Care Home (Victoria House)


Relaxing in my floatie


Happy Family


I love to swim!


Simon with Grandma and Ada


Reading the book that Janeth bought me. It is about Kittens (I miss Zoe!)





We spent the day at the beach and Simon had so much fun. He played in the sand with his sand toys and even went for a "swim" in the Pacific. It was so much fun that Simon had to take a snooze in Mommy's arms after all of the excitement.



















The weather was amazing and Simon was a perfect angel on the very long plane ride. It was hard to come home and sad to leave Grandma and Grandpa, but we are happy they are coming to visit in the summer! Unfortunately we weren't so lucky when we got home and there was a blizzard 3 days later. It was the third largest blizzard in Chicago's recorded history.....Simon just had to take a peek at the snow.

Simon is 8 Months Old!

Dear Simon,
Another month has flown by and it was one with a lot of excitement. We went to Hawaii to visit the family (more on that in another post).
You've continued progressing with speaking. You are constantly babbling with a lot of "ba ba ba" type sounds. The biggest news is that you now call me Mama! I was so excited the first time I heard it. At first I didn't "count" it as your first word, but it has become clear that you are calling me Mama. You say it most when you are sad or tired and that makes it all the more endearing.
You also started sitting up this month and you love to be such a big boy. Now you can also ride in a shopping cart up front with me. You love it! Anything that makes you part of the grown up group makes you so happy. And you sat in your first high chair at a restaurant when we went out to breakfast a few weeks ago.


You and Jackson are getting cuter together everyday. You always hold each others hand and you "talk" to each other too. Jackson had been taller than you, but you had a big growth spurt this month and it seems you are taller than him (for the time being).



You are really eating up a storm these days too. Lots of cereal and vegetables. I thought you were really ready for teething biscuits because you are always grabbing for our food when we eat, but take a look at these pictures.






As you can see, you really are not liking teething biscuits so far. I'm sure you will come to love them along with all the new foods you still have to try.

We have had a wonderful month with you. I have a lot to share and tons of great pictures from Hawaii, so more to come.......

I love you with all of my heart!
Love,
Mommy

Big Boy and his cousins

Simon started sitting up on his own last Saturday (January 8th). It happened so suddenly. He had been able to do it for a few seconds, but then tip over. That day we went to a very fun indoor play place/coffee house near where we live with Auntie Stephanie, Dennie and Jackson. I think Simon was so busy playing and watching the big kids that he forgot to tip over! He could suddenly sit forever and he LOVES it! Such a big boy!
Here are some pics from that day and later that night when Mom and Dad went out for a party.

Simon's 6 month pictures

These are already one month old, but thought I would share......







Love that boy!

Simon is 7 Months old and Happy New Year!

Happy 2011!!!!
2010 was the most amazing year for us and we can't wait to see what 2011 has in store.
This was an exciting month for Simon. He got to spend time with family, friends and also celebrate his first Hanukkah, Christmas and New Years! It was a very busy month to say the least.
We had a fun play date with Jessica and her kids Peyton and Landon. Auntie Stephanie came with cousins Dennie and Jackson. It was a whole lotta boys and adorable Peyton. Simon loves to watch bigger kids play. As a matter of fact, it is really the only time he sits still. He is constantly wiggling around, but if a bigger kid is around this boy is mesmerized.
From left to right we have Dennie, Simon, Peyton, Landon and Jackson


We also went to the Museum of Science and Industry with some dear friends and Nonna and Cousin Will. Simon absolutely loved it. He got to "meet" Bert and Ernie at the Jim Henson exhibit.

He even rode a cow at the farm exhibit

Here's one of all the kids. From left is Sebastian, Will (Simon on his lap trying to take Sebastian's cup) Justin and Fletcher.


Simon, my angel boy....you are such a treasure. Over the last month you have changed a lot. You are starting to scoot around which is adorable. You also started really making clear sounds like "Da Da" and "Goo". Of course it is nonsensical at this point, but Mommy likes to say you are "talking". You imitate us all of the time especially when we say "Hi". You like to say "Hi" back. You started on more foods this month and you love it all so far. Auntie Gabrielle says that you have a "spark" and I think that is the perfect way to describe you. You are a truly special boy.

I love you with all of my heart,
Mommy

Simon's First Christmas

We had an amazing first Christmas with our little angel. Of course he didn't really know what was going on and was more excited to play with the wrapping paper (actually eating it) than his presents. Next year will be really amazing since he will have a better idea of what is happening.








The cousins playing nicely together.......

.......just a few seconds later

It was an amazing holiday. We feel so blessed to have loving family and friends. And of course we had the best gift of all.....baby Simon!