TJ Helps Mom Vacuum

TJ got the chance today to use his new vacuum and help Mom out.

   

TJ's First Emergency Room Visit

On Saturday, 4/14, TJ had a little accident.  While playing with Dad, he dove into the coffee table and got bad cut on his cheek.  Mom and Dad didn't panic too much, but decided he needed to go to the ER.  There the doctor gave TJ his first ever stitches.

Hospital's have lots of stuff to play with with.  It takes your mind off your boo-boo.

   

The day after, and things aren't so bad. Just hanging out on the porch looking tough.

   

Easter 2012

TJ was big enough this year to try some new activities like meeting the Easter Bunny and looking for Easter eggs.

Mom took TJ to meet the Easter Bunny.  He was nice enough, but he didn't give TJ any candy.

   

TJ also participated in an Easter egg hunt at Mamah & Poppy's house.  Mom had to explain to TJ about looking for Easter eggs.

   

He started to catch on.

  

But TJ found that other things are more fun than Easter eggs... like playing with the gate 

   

And chasing his big cousin Scarlett.

   

Bubbles are fun too.  Here TJ takes a break from gate-playing to take in some bubble fun.

   

TJ's First Haircut

Mom and Dad took TJ to get his first haircut.  They went to a really fun place called the "The Hairy Elephant".  There were toys in the lobby and and neat barber chairs that looked like cars, planes, and more.

Here's a "before" picture.  As you can see, TJ was due for a trim.

TJ waiting patiently for the haircut to begin.

Mom consulting with TJ's stylist about men's fashion.

Cut in progress.

Whoa! Much shorter in back.

TJ hardly recognizes himself.

TJ's First Birthday Party

On Sunday, November 13, the family stopped by TJ's house to celebrate his first birthday, which was just a few days away.  They had a wonderful party.  TJ tried some new things like cake (which is good) and opening presents (which is also really good and fun).

TJ waiting for his cake.  He's never had cake, so he doesn't know to be excited.

But he figured out what it's all about.

Then it was time to open presents.  TJ wasn't sure what to make of all this new stuff in the family room.

He discovered that balloons are fun.

Once we explained it to him, he was really excited to learn all these presents were for him.

But he still let Mom and Dad open most of the presents for him.

There were so many, Dad was not sure where they would all go.

Bonus Video:  TJ eating his first cake ever.

TJ's Improving at Piano

This evening TJ performed at the piano for Mom and Dad.  They were impressed with how much he has improved since last summer.

 

TJ's New Skill

TJ recently showed Mom and Dad that he has a new skill:  climbing.  Mom and Dad are excited for TJ and this new ability, but they now have to be a little more watchful.  And just when they thought the house was baby-proofed.  Don't worry:  there's a gate on the stairs now.

 

TJ's First Halloween!

TJ had fun on his first ever Halloween.  He learned that pumpkins can be carved into Jack-o'-lanterns, which are really neat.   Also, dressing up in costumes is fun.

 

The day before Halloween, Mom and Dad gave TJ his very own Jack-O'-lantern, which had the same number of teeth as TJ does.

 

 

 

TJ dressed as a dinosaur for Halloween, and his costume was very comfortable for walking around in.

 

 

 

Gee, Jack-o'-lanterns sure are fun to play with.  

 

 

 

And TJ liked how the Jack-o'-lanterns lit up at night.

 

Back on the Farm

Mom and Dad took TJ back to Daniel's Farm in St. Peters to meet Aunt Carrie and Uncle Patrick and cousin Scarlett.

 

TJ played in the corn again, but this time is was much more fun because Scarlett was there too.

 

 

 

Boy, that fan feels good on a hot day.

 

 

 

TJ also tried out a tricycle.  He is still too small to ride one, but he really wants to!

 

On the Farm

Mom and Dad took TJ to a fun place today.  They went to Daniels Farm in St. Peters to see some real farm animals and pumpkins.

   

First, we had to check out the pumpkins.

    

    

   

It certainly smelled like a barn near these pens.

    

     

    

Even though he sees some every day, TJ seemed most interested in some kitty-cats.

    

    

    

They had tractors too!

      

    

    

TJ wasn't sure what all this yellow stuff on the ground was.

    

   

   

 Oh, it's called corn.

   

    

    

And you can dig in it with a bucket.

   

    

     

Really dig down.

    

 

    

    

Once he had a moment to took it all in, TJ started getting into some corn-play.

    

Playing with Sticks

Today, Mom and Dad took TJ out back and he discovered how much fun it can be to play with sticks.

    

More Walkin'

TJ is really getting good at walking.  Now he can walk really well holding onto Mom or Dad's finger with only one hand.  He can even take a few steps all by himself.

   

Here's TJ demonstrating, with some encouragement, how he can walk a few steps on his own.

   

   

  

Here's TJ trying out his new squeaky shoes.  He really likes them.

   

He's Really Got This Walker Figured Out

TJ used to be able to go only in reverse in his walker, but look at him now!  He really has it down.  He can turn on a dime and speed across the kitchen.  In this video he's hauling around some canned goods with him because he just paid a visit to the pantry.

   

Standing, Walking, and Crawling (in that order)

Lately, TJ has been getting more mobile.  He enjoys standing, and he can stand for long periods of time while hanging onto something.  He's also getting good at walking as long as Mom or Dad are there to help.  Surprisingly, he can't quite crawl yet, but he has just started to figure this one out as well.

Here's TJ standing in his play pen.  He can stand like this for nearly thirty minutes.  He's also starting to walk around the inside.

   

  

   

Here's TJ walking with some help from Mom.  He also takes a moment to show us his musical inclinations.

   

   

   

Finally, here's TJ working on his crawl.  The floors are a little slicker at Mamaw and Poppy's house.

   

TJ's New Walker

TJ likes walking so much, his parents bought him a walker to get around.  So far, he only knows how to use it to walk backwards, but he's working on it.

Walking around near the table.

   

  

Taking a stroll across the kitchen.

  

  

  

Getting into stuff that is now more accessible.

   

   

Discovering other new things to get into.

   

Eating Solid Cereal (Sort Of)

TJ recently sampled his first non-liquidy food:  organic cereal "puffs."  These puffs are light cereal bits that melt in your mouth, and TJ maybe kinda likes them.  Here's a video of TJ sort of eating them.
  

TJ's First Swing

At the end of June, Mom took TJ to the park to meet some friends.  There he had his first ride in a swing.  He wasn't sure at first, but he decided he liked it.
 

Father's Day

June 19, 2011 was Dad's first Father's Day.  Mom made him breakfast with an omelette and pancakes featuring a special message from TJ.

  

  

Later that day, Dad and TJ hung out on the deck to enjoy the weather.

  

  

  

Then, they ventured down to the yard to check out the grass.

  

Pool Time

At the very end of May, TJ paid a visit to his cousin Scarlett.  There he took his first dip in the pool!  He seemed  to like it.

TJ Loves Jumping in His Bouncer

One of TJ's favorite pastimes now is jumping in his bouncer.