Bye Poop!

Joseph enjoys helping Daddy with diaper clean-up. We use cloth diapers, so poopy ones get sprayed with a hose attached to the toilet. At the end, we flush the poo. Joseph politely waves goodbye each time. He usually flushes a second and third time just to be thorough.

Here's Joseph helping with clean-up.

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P.S. - We both washed our hands afterward.

Watch Out Nice Ginger Guy!

Watch Out Nice Ginger Guy!
Originally uploaded by lidowski_baby

Marylon, Art, Rebecca and Squash all visited us for Christmas. Heather made hot cocoa and cookies for the three decorating. Joseph played with the dog all weekend and trampled half a dozen presents while helping. Joseph received a geode from Art and Marylon, a set of "Snap-onz" toys from Mom and Dad many other wonderful gifts. Be sure to check out the Flickr photos for Joseph and me posing with the new rifle.

Christmas morning came too quickly, and everyone had to return home to make work the next day. Before the Haydens departed, we ate a wonderful brunch prepared by Heather. I helped with the bacon, but managed to singe my eyebrows, hair and forearms.

Bathtime Bubbles

Joseph completed two baby swimming courses. He kicked, he floated and reached for the pool toys, but it took him a little longer to discover the master bubble blowing. Fast forward a few months and bubble blowing conquers all other bathtime fun activities. It's fun for baby. It's fun for mommy and daddy. It makes everyone laugh.

Winter Wobblies

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Nana sent a very nice pair of winter boots.  They're tall, warm and water proof.  They're the perfect pair of baby booties--if Joseph could just walk in them... Here's a video of Joseph trying his new booties and not getting very far.

Funny man on the rise

From my vantage, I see a sense of humor developing daily. I laugh every time at the touch-anything-to-your-head-and-call-it-a-hat shtick--Joseph tells it five to ten times a day. The original version involved a stacking cup at bath time, but several remixes involving butter knives, baby shoes and cat toys keep it fresh (or at least prove that delivery trumps content).

Generally, Joseph enjoys both incongruity and silliness. I loosened his car seat straps last week and bid him to "hop on out and come inside with Daddy." He stared at me a few seconds, then looked to each of the straps helplessly.

"C'mon, let's go, Buddy. Hop on out, carry in these bags and make us some lunch." I added, sternly.

After some thought and serious judgment about the distance between the seat and the car floor, Joseph squirmed with pleasure. He met every new request with louder and louder giggles. He surprises me with how fast he catches on.

Plain silliness works too. Next time you visit, try making this silly face: pucker your face into a blowfish impression and bob your head like an angry Sheneneh.

2 Hungry Caterpillars

Ready to Blow Out the Candles
Originally uploaded by lidowski_baby

Joseph celebrated his 1st birthday this weekend! Mommy baked this Hungry Caterpillar cake for her hungry caterpillar. GiGi, Nana, Grandad, Grandpa Joe and Grand-Debbie all visited to celebrate the little guy's big "1." Be sure to check out the messy cake-eating photos on Flickr. You have to be "Flickr Friend" to view the photos. If you need help signing up to be my friend on Flickr, send me an email or call.

Banana Freak! (and Bathroom Doors)

Here are some Adorable Videos™ from October. Our main feature is Banana Freak! We included a bonus "DVD Extras" called I Can Close Doors.

BananaFreak!: Click To Play

I Can Close the Door: Click To Play

A Helping Hand

Leaves!
Originally uploaded by lidowski_baby

Everyone needs an occasional helping hand. Recently we've been helping Joseph walk by holding onto his hand, but he takes steps alone when he forgets there is nothing to hold. Here he's walking through the leaves at John Bryan State park. We thought his ruddy cheeks and orange shirt complemented the color of the autumn leaves.


We also caught Joseph's steps on camera later this week. They may not be his first steps, but they're his first steps on camera! I made this week's video a little campy, so include some comments about the personal intro versus the classic title screen.

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Just Come Closer and No One Will Get Hurt!

Come here Duck!
Originally uploaded by lidowski_baby

Aunt Rebecca visited for a wonderful time. She presented Joseph with this duck toy as an early birthday gift. It flaps mechanically when you push it forward. He played with it until he was too tired to make it work and cried. One sleepy time and some mommy cuddles later he was ok.

Joseph also enjoyed Squash, Rebecca's lovable black lab, and his kennel. The kennel provided excellent cruising support, and Squash accelerated learning the word "dog." Or "dah" as Joseph puts it. Fortunately he can say "pup" just like George taught him last month.

He also tried drinking from a cup solo recently, hence the video. I think it's the longest video we've posted so don't feel bad just watching a little bit. It's a lot of fun and wet baby mess.

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He was also totally adorable today when I returned from work. I burst through the door and demanded to see my number one son. When I turned the corner, he knelt on a single knee with two "number-one" fingers thrust upward. An accident, I'm sure... or was it...

Mom Came for a Visit and Some Fun

My mom visited last weekend and everyone had a really great time. Heather and I saw 2 movies in the theater and went for a hike while mom watched Joseph. Mom helped a lot by wearing Joseph out all day long and even taking care of the poopy diapers. All I had to do was let her win at Scrabble! Here are some of the videos of Joseph having fun... sorry you didn't make it into the videos, mom.

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Above: Joseph is happy to be swinging!

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Above: Joseph runs away from the Grr Monster!

P.S. - She won at scrabble fair and square.

The Best of August and September 2007

Here's a mash-up of all the cute things Joseph allowed us to catch on video this month and last. He claps, kisses, crawls, walks, climbs, grabs, talks, burps and wins the world record for longest series of raspberry sounds made by a baby.

Click To Play

Joseph Holds Up His Marathon Medal

2007 Air Force Marathon
Originally uploaded by lidowski_baby

I ran the Air Force marathon this weekend... and here's Joseph wearing the medal! He deserves it since he skipped his morning nap to cheer me on. He also helped me train by sitting in the jogging stroller while I pushed. He loved sitting at the finish line. Heather and I are pretty sure he thought everyone was cheering for him.

Just Passing Through

Joseph cruises through the living room with his new mail cart. Also, he can climb the entire set of stairs...

Click To Play

Joseph and a Distant Cousin Hold a Look-Alike Contest

Joseph and a Distant Cousin Hold a Look-Alike Contest
Originally uploaded by lidowski_baby

Here is Joseph and one of his distant Hayden cousins at the Hayden family reunion. I thought they looked an awful lot alike. What do you think?

The TP Bandit Strikes!

Everyone close your bathroom doors! The TP Bandit is on the rampage... oh, by the way he can stand up now too.

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The Melon Adventure

Mom and Dad Hernandez hosted us again on the way back from North Carolina. They put on another wonderful feast with homemade salsa, Chicana, tortilla, Mexican rice and homemade beans. I again called George to let him know what I was eating. Mom Hernandez treated Joseph to some farm-fresh melon and his first time eating on his own. He started by using his hands, but quickly resorted to the "I'm Mommy's Little Piggy" style of eating.

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P.S. - I forgot to mention how great the food was at GiGi's and GrandDebbie's house!

Trip to North Carlolina

We just returned from our trip to see family in North Carolina. First we stopped in Kentucky to see Grandma and Grandpa Hernandez. They put on a veritable feast, and made all of George's favorite foods (you probably remember George as my best man from the wedding). I called him up right away to tell him I was eating ribs, spicy baked beans and potato salad!


After Kentucky, we drove to see my Grandma Debbie, Grandpa Joe, Great-Grandma Landen and Great-Grandpa Landen. We had a very nice lunch together and the great grandparents posed for a photo-op with Joseph.




A short 3-hour hop later, we were at Gigi's house (Great-grandmother Joyce) and ready to celebrate my cousin's high school graduation. Joseph enjoyed his first trip to the pool (GiGi and mommy encouraging him in the video). The video is a little boring, unless you just like looking at babies smile and float...

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Grand-Debbie (as my mother wishes to be called) was also at the graduation party. She took the opportunity to expose Joseph to some new experiences as well!

Splish Splash

Heather and I took Joseph down to the Metropark for a good time in the creek. We hiked to the creek and dangled his toes in the water. The park rangers caught a crawdad, a salamander and a minnow for the babies to examine. I caught a snake and showed to all the babies. The video shows Joseph splashing in the water:

Click To Play

Here he is trying to grab the crawfish. I don't have a picture of the other creatures, but when the salamander made its way around he almost made it into Joseph's mouth. Mommy promised him a pet salamander when he gets to be a big boy.



Joseph puzzles over the (non-poisonous) water snake we caught. Of course, he went straight for the head. Poor snake.



The little guy tuckers out on the way back to the car. He took his entire morning nap while we walked around the park after our hike to the creek.

Inchworm

Joseph just started this artsy version of crawling this week! Don't worry, we took the plastic bag away from him.

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Doo-doot Ch ch!

Joseph laughs and laughs as I make a funny noise. The best part was when I showed this video to Heather on the television. Joseph saw it too and started laughing at himself laughing on tv. He put his little head down, and started beating his fist because he giggled so much.

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Robert Promoted!

Hey Family and Friends,

I promoted to Captain on Saturday! We celebrated with a private ceremony at the house. Heather made a delicious bourbon cake, my friend Mike sang the Air Force song, Art made a speech about vacuum tubes and we all ate delicious sandwiches.

Love,
Robert

Click To Play

I Love You Mr. Bunny!

I Love You Mr. Bunny!
Originally uploaded by lidowski_baby.

Joseph met the Easter bunny on Easter. He liked him soooo much that he wanted to give him a kiss.

Joseph Eats 2d Solid Food!

Joseph Eats 2d Solid Food!
Originally uploaded by lidowski_baby.

After conquering rice cereal, Joseph turned goat and began devouring his clothes.

Joseph Eats 1st Solids!

Here's Joseph eating his first solids (rice cereal). It's a short video and not much testament to my video skills. He really took to the new eating with a spoon thing. Sometimes he even manages to swallow before exhaling, giggling or, best yet, smiling with his mouth open while he makes a rice cereal beard. There's a much longer video too, but it was too big to post on YouTube.

Let's Go Baby Gymnast!

Here's a suspenseful clip of Joseph trying to roll over. Will we make it? Let's cheer him on, yay!

New photos

Joseph and Daddy
Originally uploaded by lidowski_baby.

We posted some new photos of our smiling baby. Click here to see the photos.

Joseph and Mommy Make Frontpage News!

http://www.skywrighter.com/sports/2007/0223/19fitness.asp

Joseph Rolls Over!

Joseph rolled over for the first time today. Actually, he rolled over about five times, but only from his belly to his back (he doesn't like being on his belly for long). My dad says that's not a good sign for his wrestling career. We'll try to catch the next roll or so on video...

-Robert

Joseph Wants to Tell You How He Feels...

Here's Joseph just razzing away. He started this cuteness within the last week or so.

Joseph in the snow

Joseph in the snow
Originally uploaded by lidowski_baby.

We all went outside to play in the snow this past Sunday. Joseph got to wear the fancy snowsuit Grandma Debbie bought him. It was his first time to make a snow angel. For more photos of fun in the snow Click Here

Today: I AM HAPPY!

Happy Baby!
Originally uploaded by lidowski_baby.

Giraffes, yay!

Ash Made it Better!

Ash Holding Joseph
Originally uploaded by lidowski_baby.

What ever George did, Ash made it better!

Super New Year in Lexington

George and an Unhappy Baby
Originally uploaded by lidowski_baby.

We spent a wonderful New Year's eve in Lexington with George, Ash, and Mom and Dad Hernandez. Ash has been taking all kinds of glamour shots of Joseph and Heather--she spent less time on George and me :-(. Also, Ash kicked everyone's ass in "Harry Potter SceneIt." Mom and Dad Hernandez and Ash made delicious New Year treats.

Here's a video of George holding Joseph (I haven't figured out how to rotate the picture or change the light settings):



I think Joseph's crying because George just told him he has to go to bed before the ball drops.

Joseph Wears his Special Christmas Shoes

Joseph Wears his Special Christmas Shoes
Originally uploaded by lidowski_baby.

Merry (Late) Christmas everybody! I had a few moments today, so I posted a back log of blogs. Everyone who didn't make it to our house this December 25th missed the most adorable Christmas ever. Proof? These reindeer booties from Diane Slocum! Thanks for the booties Diane; Joseph appreciates the warm toes. Check out the rest of the Christmas photos at flicker:

Click Here

Rhea Visits

Payback!
Originally uploaded by lidowski_baby.

Rhea visited us in December. We had a good time going to Christmas parties and out to eat. She even had an opportunity to help give medicine to Joseph... and here's what he gave back. Joseph says he's sorry, the medicine didn't taste very good!