Happy 3rd Toothday!

Raymond's Grandma & Grandpa D. (my parents) visited this past weekend! They flew all the way from MI to see their precious grandbaby. We were so EXCITED to see them again! We hadn't seen them since Christmastime.

And oh, what a blast we had! We really packed the days full of fun activities. There was so much to do! Raymond stayed up way past his bedtime every night!

What did we do while Grandma & Grandpa D. visited?

Well, we went to Cracker Barrel (HAHA!), the huge Fountain Hills Art Fair...

...a huge group meditation & pot luck, the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show...

We watched 2 pretty darn good movies...

...AND we celebrated their 30th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY with some great Seafood... What a great time we had! We sure love them and miss them.

Needless to say, Raymond has been well-loved, as always.

In addition to all the excitement of the weekend, Raymond popped a tooth today! Top left, second over from front. I was told when the second over begins to come in, then all 4 will probably come in at the same time. Nothing like getting it done all at once! :)
Raymond's been teething excellent. I think the first 2 toughened him up. He's a real PRO now!

Happy Birthday, 8-Month-Old!

Sure enough, today Raymond turned 8 months old... Wow, seems like yesterday he was a tiny newborn. I'm so amazed that although I do my best to savor every moment with him, time continues to fly!

In case you're wondering, mommyhood fits me very well. I feel I was totally prepared for it and I LOVE it! There is nothing like the love I have for this little man... I never knew this kind of love existed until I had him. I think other parents can totally relate.

Enough with the sappy stuff! What did we do today?

Well, Raymond sat through a ton of 8 mo pictures (taken by mommy)... he visited with mommy's friend Jeanette... we walked all the way to the pet store to get cat food & back... we had a great dinner & talked to daddy on the phone/internet many times... Raymond had a babysitter after he went to bed so that mommy could attend her Spiritual Development Class... and Raymond woke up during

the HUGE Thunder-storm we had at 10pm...

It was a LOUD T-Storm with lots of rain... Raymond's first real storm and it was scary for him to see all the lightning and hear the thunder while alone in his dark room. He cried so sad! So, Raymond & his mommy curled up in a blanket outside on a chair and watched the lightning & trees and listened to the wind, rain & thunder... Raymond just needed a little comfort from mommy (and a little MILK helped, too) before settling back in bed for the night.

Cutting Teeth (again)!

Yes, there are two big bumps on Raymond's top jaw & he's been fussy... Here come the front teeth! The poor kiddo... It seems SO painful and they haven't cut through the skin yet.















Valentine's Day was a REALLY busy day for us... We went to a Valentine's Playdate with a ton of other kids where we mingled, passed out Valentines and played with toys for hours.
After a good 3 hour nap at home, we packed up again and visited Raymond's best buddy, Jack, for more play & dinner! What a wonderful day it was!! A memorable 1st Valentine's Day. We hope yours was as exciting!

Jack & Ray say:
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, EVERYBODY!!!

We're trying new things!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, EVERYONE!

Yes, it's been a while. I must admit being mildly discouraged after typing a nice, long blog a couple weeks ago, only to lose it while trying to attach a video... So, I took a break out of frustration. But I'm back and ready to make up for lost time!

So, Raymond is growing like a weed! He's eating a variety of veggies, cereals and some apple & prune juices daily. Oh, and Cheerios... does that boy love playing with his food! He loves to eat -- anything. Attached is a video of his first taste of CARROTS last month... FUNNY! He eats them no problem now.

At the 6 mo. check-up...

Raymond had his 6 mo. check-up and shots at the pediatrician's office yesterday morning. Of course, he's looking great and is very healthy. He weighed in at 18lb 8oz -- that's 4 oz less than his 4 mo. well-check in November! He grew 4 whole inches to 28.5 inches long. In the 95th percentile for length, but just a tad above normal for weight now! I KNEW he was thinning out!

Raymond's eating both rice cereal and oatmeal now. He doesn't seem to care what it tastes like as long as it's food. Cool! Maybe he takes after his mommy and will love broccoli! *fingers crossed*

We found out his blood type is O POS, just like his mommy's... At least he got something from his mama! HAHA! Well, daddy doesn't know his blood type and honestly, people tell me he looks more and more like his mommy everyday!

Here's a great pic of the kiddo's teeth!

Happy Old Year!

It's still 2007 as we write...

Christmas was simply excellent. We spent time with family, Raymond travelled like the little travel pro he is and we kept comfy and warm in the company of family and friends. The trip felt a little too short this time... Unable to meet up with many friends this time around and we regretted it when it was time to fly back to Arizona. We promise to see EVERYONE in 2008. Our friends and family are SO important to us...

Raymond got his 2nd tooth 2 days after we found the first one. It was interesting to have a teething baby on vacation, but overall, it all went very well.

For Christmas, Raymond received lots of clothes, toys and other neat things. His favorite things include the DRUM & BALL from Auntie Alicia & Uncle-to-Be Lance... And Alicia knitted this awesome big blue blankie Raymond sleeps with every night! He received a neato BABY EINSTEIN DVD from Auntie Cassie so he can learn some more sign language and items in the house! Also, Great-Gramma & Grampa gave Raymond a WOODEN XYLAPHONE, BEAD TOY and STAINLESS STEEL SIPPY CUPS! Great-Uncle Dennis & Aunt Kathy gave him a SLOTTED SHAPES TOY which he loves, too! Great-Unlce Chuck & Aunt Nancy gave him a neato BOOK & COLLEGE MONEY! And he got a PILE OF CUTE CLOTHES from Great-Uncle Rick & Aunt Debby... Oh, and more COLLEGE $$ and a STUFFED TURTLE from Grandma & Grandpa W. What a Christmas!!!

The BIGGEST present came from Raymond's Gramma & Grampa D. A ROCKING HORSE!

Oh, what fun it was for him to open & play with his presents! (And the wrapping paper, too, of course!)

Raymond would like to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to all who gave him Christmas presents -- many I haven't even mentioned, but still count! It all was greatly appreciated, as were the nice Christmas Cards...

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Everyone!!!

It's almost Christmas!!!

Happy Holidays everybody! Raymond and I are in Michigan right now enjoying the chilly weather and the family trees. Raymond is exactly 6 mo old today and guess what!!! Raymond's Gramma D. discovered that Raymond cut his first tooth today! (That would explain the pain he was going through last night at bedtime.) A little tiny sharp white hard dot on his bottom jaw... AWWWH... Happy Toothday for Ray-Ray!

No pic of the tooth -- he barely lets us peek! Instead a pic of his first bite of rice cereal 12/15 -- he's a pro! And a video of some fun with the dog the 12/18 when we arrived at my parents' house. Raymond just loves animals!!! This kid is a blast!!!!!! :)