Me and Uncle Nick

Finally made it to the beach!!

After one full year of life, only miles from the sandy shores of the Gulf of Mexico, my sorry mother finally got around to taking me to the beach today. I forgive her because I understand that she is not a beach person. It's okay every once in a while, but it's a lot to pack up and go even when you're close and only for a few hours. Then it's packed with out-of-towners (no offense), yada, yada. ANYWAY, we went!! It took me a while to take it all in, but then I started to enjoy myself. I ate plenty of sand and what didn't go in my mouth was in my diaper. Uncle Nick walked with me to the water and that was my favorite part. Mommy forgot my earplugs, so I couldn't really play in the surf or at the pool, but just letting those waves "get me" was great. We went to visit the Johnson family at their condo. It was very nice of them to invite us and we thank them sincerely!!

Rain, rain, go away!

Is that a rushing river? No, it's our street!! Is that the edge of the bay?? No, it's our backyard!!!

On Wednesday, we got 4 inches of rain in a short period of time, causing this situation. It also happened to be the day that Mommy and Daddy had the contractors at the house adding on to our patio. It was a big mess.

Swimming with Cousin Hannah

Hannah, you're so silly!
This is okay, but I think I want to get out!

This was my second time swimming at Aunt Diane's in recent months and I didn't like it as much this time. The last time it was freezing cold and I was all about it. I wanted to splash and get crazy. This time, I was more reserved and even climbed out (with Mommy's help of course) when sitting on the steps. Mommy and Uncle Nick think it was b/c we went in with this float first. It scared me a little even though I didn't cry and the water wasn't super warm yet either. I was also very interested in Hannah's dog, Hogan, who lives with her Granny and Grandpa (Aunt Diane and Uncle Rip). I kept saying "Titi" since all dogs are of course also named Cricket!!

Not so sure about the pool today

Pics of me playing with my new stuff

Trying to get a pic with all of us in it and looking at the camera...it wasn't happening. This is the best of the bunch. I was pretty tired at this point and did not want to pose for a picture.
Playing with my little people farm
My new pull toy caterpillar. It comes with little balls that spin when you pull it, but Daddy has been working with me on something...when you get a ball, throw it. Therefore, I don't want the balls in the caterpillar. In this pic, they were on the other side of the room. Daddy is hoping for a left handed pitcher that throws it fast (Daddy usually says the exact speed, but I don't remember that). Anyway, I'm supposed to make it to the big leagues!!

For me??

Here are a few pics of me with some of my awesome birthday gifts: A new generation of "Kermit" fans is alive and well. Thanks Nessi! "Kerm on, girl, Kerm on!" This was one of my favorites today.
My new Auburn hat and Mickey Mouse crocs.
My Learning Puppy...Mommy and Daddy may regret this purchase to any parents out there. This thing talks everytime I touch it. It sings songs, labels body parts, etc., but it talks EVERY TIME I touch it.
Yeah for me!
Walking with my Grandpa Hemmert

I also received a lot of great books today, including one of Mommy's all-time favorites, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. It is a great book that we will take special care of so that I will have it forever.

Thank you to:

Granny and Grandpa Hemmert

Maw Maw Seibert

Uncle Nick

Aunt Nana, Uncle Vernon and Joni

Great Granny and Grandpa Kichler

Great Granny Hemmert

Chuck and Rita (my Ohio relatives who recently visited Alabama)

Aunt Sylvia

Uncle Leonard, Aunt Susie, Rachel, Wayne and Sarah

Uncle Johnny, Aunt Nancy (Martha :-), Katie and Mitchell

Cousin Nessi

Uncle Tommy and Aunt Kay

Ms. Margaret and Family

The Christensens and Gundersons (who we know would have been here if they could have!)

Lois and Willard

You all made my first birthday very special. Thanks for everything!!

Only a few things in life are better than cake!

Party People in the House!

My John Deere tractor cake made by Mrs. Britton who has made cakes for everybody's birthday in Mommy's family forever.
My family before we sang Happy Birthday to me!
Mmmm, tasty.
More, please.
Again, shove it in!! I learned that yesterday.

Today was my birthday party and it was great! We had family and friends over to celebrate with hamburgers, cake and ice cream. I was so excited to have cake AGAIN!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Good Morning, Birthday Boy!
My hat actually says, "Birthday Boy"! P.S. I also started walking this week!! For real, across the room walking! I sort of skipped the baby steps and just started to dart across the room. Look out, world!
Cake is good!
Shove it in before they take it away!

Today I am ONE YEAR OLD! I had a cupcake at Ms. Lynn's and chocolate cake

(that Maw Maw made) tonight. I really enjoyed it as you can tell. It's the most sugar I've had in my entire life, but it's my birthday right? Mommy and Daddy can celebrate too b/c I've survived my first year even though they feel like they are winging it most of the time. In addition to walking, I am talking more (yeah for PE tubes!!--Mommy's SLP note). My favorite word to say is "Cricket" which sounds more like "Titi" and I whisper it. It's probably the word I've heard most in my short life since Mommy's is usually fussing at her to leave me alone!! I say "mama", "dada", "muh"/more, and I fuss at Cricket too (only you can't understand it). It is definitely fussing, though, b/c I am up one side and down the other of that poor little fur ball!

Fat lips

I guess I am going to have a lot of these in my life...I just don't know if my Mommy will be able to handle it. This particular "fat lip" occurred when I was playing with Daddy near the window sill in the office. I fell down square on the corner. The next day at the baby sitter I skinned up my upper lip and nose. As you can see, I can still offer up a smile. I am smiling a lot more these days thanks to my ears being cleared up. Yeah for tubes!!

Dancin' Machine!

Getting PE Tubes

These pics are from my surgery on May 1st. I had PE tubes placed in my ears at 8:00 AM. These are in the car on the way to the hospital and before the surgery. No pictures were taken afterwards as I was a crying mess until about 1:00 from the anesthesia. Inconsolable. The doctor said my ear drums exploded with pus b/c they were so infected. Mommy and Daddy knew that was the case b/c I was up for about 3 hours screaming my head off the night before. The only way I could get comfortable was to sleep (sitting up) in the rocking chair with Mommy holding me. The light at the end of the tunnel was that I was getting tubes the next day which have cleared my ears. Unfortunately, I now have a fever of unknown origin. The preliminary culture from the gunk in my ears is strep and the doctor changed my antibiotic to a stronger one. It is yucky tasting and has messed my tummy up pretty good. We are going to give it one more day before we call the doctor again for something else. We will get through it. I had to go to the pediatrician's office on Monday, so maybe I picked up a virus there. They gave me two shots in my legs of antibiotics during the surgery also. Hopefully, I will be a new man soon. We'll keep you updated.

Clean up, Clean up!

Pardon Mommy's singing, but this was too adorable not to post. She hates to clean, so she's training me early!!

Zerberting the window and Playing with Cricket

Freddie and Mommy

Since Mommy is usually behind the camera, here is a rare shot of us together.