Dear Santa:

I know we didn't hit it off very well the other day. And I didn't get the chance to tell you what I want for Christmas. So, here's my list:

- Mug full of hot coffee
- Some live wires
- An open bottle of beer (I just want to pour it everywhere)
- A box, stool... whatever will help me get up onto the tables in this house.
- Another empty milk jug

That's about it. By the way, I forgive you.

Movin' On Up!!!

My parents' have a new obsession... I can walk (and drop right back down on my butt)! Really, the only reason I try to walk is because I am so entertained with everyone else's excitement. They smile so big for me. And I smile right back. It's contagious, you know. But, to get from A to Z, I crawl. And I am not light on the knees and hands. No Sir-reee. BAM! BAM!! BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM!!!!!!! You always know when I'm afoot and aknee.

You'll also always know when I'm on my way up the stairs. I'm loud and fast. I like to get half way up, turn around, and give a big loud happy growl A spectator's growled response is always appreciated. If ever I am blue (screaming my face off), someone will open the back door and offer me the stairs. It's like an olive branch. Off I go. Love love love the stairs. Don't mind the big rug burns I have on my forehead, nose, lip, and chin . I am learning (on Dad's shift) that this stair climbing is risky business.

Dat!!

Dat's me and a pumpkin. I like pointing my finger at them and saying "dat!?" And my mama will say "pumpkin!" But that's not all. It seems as if lots of things have names around here. My favorite things to point at are cats (just the sight of them makes me vigorously pump my legs), airplanes, trees, and dogs. But be sure not to leave any of my dats unanswered. Or any of my needs unmet, for that matter. You wouldn't believe how horrible of a sound my cute little face can make. Fingernails on a chalkboard have nothing on me.

Get me off this FUN BOAT!!

I didn't like being stuffed into this life jacket! But it's the law. Fortunately for everyone else on board, I quickly chilled out. It was such a beautiful day on the San Francisco bay, it was hard to have a bad attitude. Believe me, I tried. My auntie and uncle took us for a ride so we could watch part of the Bay Bridge being repaired. I didn't notice. I was fed and my diaper was changed... and that's all I cared about.

I'm #1

Turning one is messy work, but someone's got to do it. As you can see, I had no problem making myself right at home with this cake. I had a 6 incher all to myself while everybody else ate cupcakes.

I can move forwards, now. I still make very little use of my knees, but as long as I am on a slick surface I can sufficiently pull myself around with my buffed out arms.

We recently returned from a week long trip to Idaho. I was an exceptional traveler. For real. And while I was there, I pretty much just watched the world go by. Oh, and my Grandma insisted that I should be eating some more finger food. She was right. It's much more entertaining to feed myself. That means that I am less grumpy at mealtime. Phew.

Don Dylan

Well it's been a while and not that much has changed with me. I have a little more hair now. Oh, and I can do military presses!! Unfortunately, what I am really trying to do is crawl, but instead of getting on my hands and knees, I get on my hands and TOES. Dang it! And instead of going forwards, I go backwards... and wind up under some furniture. And cry.

My mom is beginning to think that I am somehow full blooded Sicilian. Whenever someone takes away a toy or tries to dress me I go haywire. It definitely would be easier to put a halloween costume on a feral cat than to put a simple shirt on me. The only way I am truly manageable is when I am strapped to someone's back. Above is what I look like when I am restrained. Aren't I sweet? Just don't cross me.

My Great Grandmere is hot!

And so am I. As you can see, we look alike. I wonder if she also had a distaste for all things dairy. Or if she liked to growl and yell at the top of her lungs, too. I bet we have lots of things in common!

Make that FOUR Teeth!

Well I mentioned that I had a tooth coming in. What I meant to say was that I have FOUR teeth coming in on top. And hot diggity, it hurts! Thank goodness for my Motrin drip. Well maybe it's not a drip, but it's pretty clockwork.

I've been doing a lot better the last couple of weeks. Of course nobody is really sure why, but we're thinking it's because I'm drinking less formula and eating more solids (unless my brother swipes it when nobody is looking). Tomorrow I go in for my 9 month appointment. This will be the first month I don't get shots. Amen.

Sitting up? Check.

Yes, you did just read about me rolling over. Now I am sitting up. I still need a safety net behind me, but not for long. Now that I'm upright, my mom piles these gerber stars (finger food) on my tray so that I can practice my pincer moves. She has also discovered it's a great way to make me hush up. If I'm ever complaining too much, I'll find one shoved in my mouth. I get so preoccupied with the foreign object on my tongue that I quit growling.

Do you like my new chew stick? I'm glad someone figured this out because I have another tooth coming in and it hurts!

Sleep. Eat. Cry. Repeat.

And that's what I have been up to lately. Thank goodness my grandma thinks it's endearing...she might be the only one. That's us just chillin on the beach. She's really trying to get me to sit up. And I can only really practice when my big brother isn't around to jump on top of me.

Here's me on my sleeping shift. This IS cute. Not as cute as George, but it will do.

Rock and Roll!!

Look who rolled over... ME! I'm obviously not the firstborn because nobody was watching when I did it. Poor me. All of a sudden, I could hear my mom say "No WAY!!" and she and Dakota came into the room to marvel at my accomplishment. Never mind that I am almost 8 months old.

My mom is a little nervous to admit it, but my mood has started to improve. I was finally moved into my crib for nighttime sleep... and I slept through the night. This is huge. HUGE! So maybe I am more rested. Who knows. Who cares?! I'm happier and that's all that matters.

On the mend...

Things got pretty bumpy for me last week. Two inhalers, an antibiotic, an oral steroid, tylenol, and previcid can really help put you back in the game, though. Let's just hope my big brother keeps his boogers to himself for a while.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We didn't get pinched! Can you tell that my shirt is probably almost the same size as my brothers? Actually, it's not. I'm just so top heavy that it makes me look like I could crush my big brother.

So I am on round three of my new formula Neocate and my body rash has finally started to go away. Whew! Though my mom is really happy about this, she is a little grossed out by the smelly side effects. My diapers make her eyes water and my breath smells like a wet dog. Bleh.

Oh, I have a tooth coming in!! This really is my first tooth. I had a faker a while ago that was called a natal tooth. This one is the real deal.

Me and My Bouncy

Well they finally did it. They found something that I like to do. Bounce! It sure beats that lame exersaucer or vibrating seat. I guess I also like to go on walks in my stroller. I am actually quite accommodating when we take big brother to the park. You don't even have to keep the stroller moving. I just enjoy watching all the big kids.

I just got over another bout of vomiting. When I got weighed at the gastroenterologist, my mom wasn't disappointed to hear that I had lost a pound. One less to lug around.

19 Pounds of Love

Just to be clear, most 1 year olds weigh about 20 pounds. I am 19 pounds...and I'm only six months old. Grrrr!!! And I am just getting started. Last Saturday I had my first solid food. I still thrust most of it out, but I think I'm getting the hang of it. My mom read that preemies are notorious for having irregular sleep patterns (I definitely fit that bill) and she is hoping that the rice cereal will fill my gut enough to make me sleep longer. It's worked the past two nights.

Below is a photo of my brother eating MY food. What an animal!

Dylan 1.5

We were really hoping for a full new release, but guess this will have to do for now. Someone finally figured out that zantac wasn't doing the trick for my poor little esophagus. I have a new medicine and have been switched to hypoallergenic formula (which seriously smells like vomit). Now I don't cry or barf nearly as much. That's a good thing because my mom can barely stomach the smell of my bottle feedings. If I started barfing up food that smelled that bad going down.. it wouldn't be good. Oh, and the rash I had all over my cheeks has disappeared. I'm very sensitive!

Unfortunately for my mom and dad, I'm squawking "rise-and-shine!!!" before 6 am. It's very uncivilized. But I can't help it. I'm wide awake, hungry, and ready to play. Well maybe not hungry. But I do want to eat.

Can you say AMEN?!

I slept through the night on Monday. It can be done! But first someone has to try to figure out how to keep me strapped into my miracle blanket. I get my arms out every time and then get all frustrated because I feel like a bug tangled up in a spider web. AND I've been max'ing out my diaper. So I have been upgraded to a size 4 for the nighttime. That's big. Don't tell my doctor. Don't worry, though. I'm still in a 3 during the day. Fours are just my fat pants.

Inspection Time

Look who thinks he knows a thing or two about perfection? How did I do, big brother? Do I measure up to your standards?

Last night my mom really botched up my bottle feeding. She didn't screw the lid on correctly so when my dad went to feed me, it poured all over my face.

Was it something I said?