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!!!!!! :)

It's the holiday season!

Hello everyone!

Happy Holidays 2007! Raymond's 1st Thanksgiving was spent at home in Phoenix with his Grandma & Grandpa W. , Great-Aunt Camille & Great-Uncle Gene and Mommy & Daddy. Raymond just turned 5 mo old. We were so fortunate to have had 2 friends bring over a total of 3 homemade pies (mmmm!) and Grandma W. cooked lots & lots of yummy food! Raymond was so thankful that he gave us a gift of officially sitting up on his own unsupported for the first time!!!

Three days before Turkey Day Raymond & I flew last-minute to Vegas to surprise Raymond's Aunt Kim as Erik proposed to her on the gondola at the Venician! We surprised G&G W. that we showed up and boy, did we have a great time!

Now we're getting ready for X-mas! Raymond is asking for college money -- what a great kid, eh? HAHA... The day after Thanksgiving we all went with our neighbors to the Payson area to cut down our X-mas tree! We have a blue spruce this year and Ray seems to like nawing on the branches whenever he can get a chance. He chose the tree, not us. :)

Raymond & I are celebrating X-mas in MI with our family & friends. Raymond is so excited to see his Grandma & Grandpa D., his Great-Grandparents, his Aunties and all the rest of the family! (So am I.) Unfortunately, daddy has to stay in Phoenix b/c he's on-call this X-mas... We're really going to miss him! :( (But we'll call every night and send his pictures, webcam, etc.)

Raymond's First Tumble!

Can you believe I got this on video?? WOW! Cool thing was he didn't get hurt and didn't cry. He rolled right onto my lap and looked around wide-eyed and in a daze. I was laughing so hard and daddy just missed it! We have it on video, though!

Sorry it's sideways. There's no way to rotate it, so you can move your screen sideways if you'd like... HA HA!

I think it's so neat that he looks to us to judge what his reaction should be. Social learning!

Toes on the Nose

Oh, does Raymond love to have his toes touch his nose! He's a little too stiff to pull them on his own yet, but boy, does he giggle when I do it for him!

Also, the other day, I was playing the "don't eat the piggies!" giggle game with Ray and he suddenly showed interest in examining and holding his feet. One hand on one foot then the other. Neato! he looked so proud of himself and looked at me as if to say, "Aren't you proud of me, Mama?"


So proud I had to take pictures!


We have SO much fun together!!!