Cousins

We had a playdate with all of the cousins and Simon loved it. He loves being around bigger kids.
It was very hard (I repeat, very hard) to get a picture with all 5 together. They are very busy boys on the move!
Here was the best we could do:


We did manage to get a few pictures of them playing separately. Love all of these boys!

Busy Boy

Simon has been quite the busy boy with activities over the last few months.

First he started at "Let's Play on Francais". This is a class in our neighborhood where kids get to sing, dance and play in French. The best part about this class is the teacher....it is Simon's Nonna!
Here he is ringing the bell to wake "Frere Jacques". He loved ringing that bell so much each week that most of the time he had to hold it for the entire class.



He has also been going to Gymboree with his cousins. Here he gets to crawl all over the place without worrying about getting hurt because there are mats everywhere. He loves it!





He also started a class at the Old Town School of Folk Music called "Aloha Baby". The teacher is part Hawaiian and part Maori from New Zealand. So, we have been busy learning songs and chants from both countries.
Here are a few cute pictures:

Simon is 11 months old!

Dear Simon,
Just one more month and you'll be the big "1"! We can't wait, but in the meantime you've had such a wonderful month.
You love "walking" anywhere you can. You can walk along all of our furniture and pull yourself up on everything. You can even turn from one piece of furniture to another and step in between. Your Daddy and I both think you'll be walking by your first birthday.

You are talking up a storm! It is still mostly babbling, but you can say "mama", "dada", "cat", "nonna", "ball", "dog" and "up". It is amazing how quickly you are finding your words.
Daddy and I took our first trip out of town without you. We missed you so much, but we brought the Ipad with so we could skype with you everyday. You had such a great time playing with Nonna, your cousins, Auntie Stephanie and Uncle Mark. Thank you so much to Nonna for watching Simon. You are amazing!
Popo also came to visit this month. It was just a few days before his birthday so we got to celebrate with him which was a lot of fun. We seemed to have so much fun that we forgot to take any pictures, but we'll make sure to get more next time.
You are still loving baby food and not solid food as much. You eat a few kinds of crackers and grapes. But, if it were up to you (which unfortunately it isn't) you would be on an all yogurt diet. You love it! Some times you even complain until you get a second container of it.

This month we did our first fundraising walk. It was the March for Babies for the March of Dimes. Our team was able to raise over one thousand dollars to support research and treatment for premature babies. It was a truly moving experience and we are looking forward to making it an annual event.


Your spark shines through with everyone you meet my little angel. I love you more everyday (if that is even possible!) There are big changes coming for you this month my love. Whether it is eating, walking, or talking, I can't wait to see what you've got in store.

Love Always,
Mommy

Simon's 9 Month Pictures

Here are a few of Simon's 9 month photos taken back in March. He is such a great little model. Always happy and such a trooper.

Simon is 10 months old!

Dear Simon,
Another month has flown by and now you are 10 months old! You have turned into such a big boy this month. You are crawling around so fast. If you see Zoe, you crawl even faster. And you are now pulling up on everything! You can stand against every piece of furniture we have. There have been a lot of tears over the last week or two because you think you can walk and when you let go you fall down. I know that this will be a short phase and you'll be walking safely very soon. You also started standing up in your crib. I couldn't believe it the first time I walked in your room and you were standing there facing me. You are such a big boy!

We had our big trip to California. You had such a good time with our California family and we can't wait to go back. Once you were "approved" for carry on, we were on our way home to more adventures.


You still love your baby food and are just now starting to want to eat a little bit of table food. However, you still only love vegetables and not fruit as you can see below.



You started using a sippy cup this month. Though you really like to play with it more than drink it at this point.



Your friend Landon turned 1 and we went to his party at the Kohl's Museum. You had a blast and we will definitely go back.



Here you are on St. Patrick's Day (plus a few more cute shots)







I love watching you grow and shine. Your personality is so funny and warm. I love you more everyday and can not wait to see what the next month brings.

Love Always,
Mommy

California Dreaming

A few weeks ago Simon and I went to California to visit his Auntie Gabrielle, David and Buster. We had an amazing trip. Simon was a perfect angel on the plane. When he wasn't sleeping he was busy charming all of the other passengers.
Buster and Simon adored each other! Buster would lick Simon's face every chance he had and our little angel would laugh and squeal.



We spent a morning on a hike at the Griffith Park observatory. The views were amazing and we can't wait to go back when Simon is walking so he can hike himself.
Here is Mr. Hollywood (see the sign in the background?)


We also went for a picnic at Zuma beach in Malibu. It was so fun for Simon to watch the waves and he loved the seagulls.






Simon also got his first haircut while we were there. He did really well and looks very handsome. Special thanks to David for taking 150 (that is not an exaggeration) pictures of this milestone event. It made it really hard to pick which ones to post because they were all amazing. Here are a few...make sure to check out his cool ride (yes, it is a Ferrari)!





Thanks again to Gabrielle and David for hosting us. We had such an amazing time and we will be back soon! We miss you and love you!