Into Everything

Okay, so I think I said before that my house is baby proof for the most part. Well turns out that for the most part it's NOT that baby proof at all. How naive of me to think that putting a few picture frames and nick-knacks out of his reach and putting up a few baby gates would suffice. Guess where he wanted to play and explore yesterday? And there was no redirecting him to more appropriate things to play with. He was insistent that this is where he wanted to be.


I guess it's time for some more baby proofing. I really don't want to have to screw those plastic latches on all my cupboards and drawers, so if any moms out there that have any better ideas please let me know. In the mean time, I have found a new higher place to keep my cleaning supplies.

big belly and a clean baby

I said I wasn't going to do this, but I feel like I might regret it later if I don't. So I had Francie take a picture of my belly to see what 20 weeks looks like the second time around. After she took the pictures, I didn't think think they were too bad, I mean after all I am 5 months pregnant, and I think I am about the same as far as weight gain compared to last time. Then I found my 20 week pictures from my pregnancy with Anthony and WOW what a difference.

So here I am in my first pregnancy at 20 weeks. I'm practically sticking my stomach out to make myself look pregnant.

And here I am this time around. See what I mean?
The front view isn't as bad, so I just have to try to avoid letting people look at me from the side view.

And here are some cute pictures of Tony I took tonight after his bath.

He loves the bath so much, I probably let him stay in a little too long. Look at his little feet, they are all water-logged.

Here he is all clean smelling. Don't you just love the smell of a clean baby?

And here he is all ready for bed. He would probably argue that statement if only he could talk. Our bedtime ritual is getting to be a bit difficult lately. He wants to stay up til 9 every night and I'm sorry but he needs to go to bed earlier or he and I both get grumpy. (cause I need some me time in the evenings)
In case anyone is wondering, my 2 days out of town wasn't a vacation it was work related. But I still managed to get some good sleep and do some shopping and dining without a baby in tow, which was really nice. Tony didn't seem to miss either Todd or me, he really is quite content with his Grandma. In fact he did so well I decided Todd and I should go to Chicago for a couple days for our anniversary coming up soon and leave him home with Grandma and Grandpa.

quick note

I'm out of town in about 5 minutes for 2 days, Todd is also out of town on a fishing trip. It will be the first time Tony is away from both his mom and dad for a whole day. I know he will be in good hands at grandma's and will probably not even notice we're gone, but I'm going to miss my sweet little boy.

Oh and look what I learned how to do, I got a cool little signature. Thanks to Sasha who by the way has all kinds of cool bloggy tips that I plan to explore soon.

Need some blog help

I'm trying to update my blog layout, the sidebar is outdated, obviously I'm not running anymore, so I see no need to keep track of my lack of running. I need a new ticker countdown for the baby on the way, and I need to update the pictures. Also I really want to figure out how to put a cool signature at the bottom of my posts, anyone know how to do that besides paying someone to do it for me?
Well I've spent enough time just trying to change the background and so the rest will have to wait till tomorrow.

Halloween Eve

Halloween got bumped this year for Friday night high school football games. So around here tonight was Halloween. After the cold and ever so slightly snowy weekend we just had, we were all very happy with our 62 degree weather.

This picture was taken by my friend Kristen last weekend when we got our first snow here in Michigan. Thankfully it didn't last long. I just love this picture though so I had to steal it from her blog.

This was Anthony's first Halloween, and although he can't walk up to the doors, or say trick or treat, or even eat the candy, that didn't stop me from dressing him up and traipsing him around the block with all the other kids. He even managed to snag me a few pieces of candy. They kept trying to give me candy they thought he could eat, like marshmallows and gummies, I was kinda bummed cause I wanted the chocolate. He can't eat any of it, so it's all for me, and I don't want marshmallows I want chocolate!

Anyway here is my little penguin.

Of course Todd and I both had to have a picture with our little penguin.
Every year on Halloween, since I've lived here in Michigan, I go over to my sister Rachael's house, along with several others, eat pizza and go trick or treating. She has all the kids, so it's easiest if we come to her. Plus she lives in a good neighborhood for trick or treating. The block is long enough that the kids get plenty of candy, and short enough that it doesn't take all night to get around it. Tonight my sister had a special treat for all of us. She made homemade hot apple cider with Cinnamon sticks, whip cream and carmel sauce (just like they make it at Starbucks) and it was sooo good. She even bought some disposable to-go cups so we could sip it while we walked around the block with the kids.

Here are some more pre-trick or treating photos.

My niece Kristen (cuz-cuz) with Anthony. Kristen was Shawn Johnson the Olympic gymnast. My niece Katya was Nastia Lukins, the Russian born USA Olympic gymnast.
My nephew Ben was Brian Urlacher from the Chicago Bears.As for my nephew Jack, I'm not really sure who he was, but his costume was really cool. I'm not a Star Wars fan myself, but I'm guessing he was some character from the movie. Here is the whole gang. Obviously we aren't the only one's who prefer to spend Halloween at Rach's house.

Anthony actually enjoyed his stroll around the block. I can't wait till next year, it will be even more fun for him (and me).

I'm sure Rachael and Francie will be posting about the night too with pictures of their own, it's always fun to read each others interpretation of the same event and see who gets the best pictures. Usually it's Francie, but every once in a while Rachael and I get a few good ones too.

Pretty is for girls

Lately I've had several strangers mistake Tony for a girl, despite his all boy, primarily blue wardrobe. They will say "she's so cute" and when I correct them, they always say it's the hair that threw them off. This past weekend at church a lady said to me, "Your little boy is so pretty, he looks like a girl." I'm sure she meant this is the most innocent and complimentary way possible, but I couldn't help but be a bit annoyed. My boy does not look like a girl.

I will admit he probably does need a haircut though. Or shall I say, did need a haircut. Today he got his first one. He was such a good little boy too, for the first 75% of the time, then he'd had enough, he was done being messed with. The hairstylist still managed to finish the job with both his ears still intact despite the near misses with the scissors.

Just getting started.

This mirror was what kept him entertained during the haircut.
Here he's telling her he's had enough.

But my hairstylist, Rachel is a pro, and pressed on despite his protest.

He really was a good boy.

Of course daddy had to come along for this momentous occasion.

Here is a before pictureAnd here is the after. Isn't he handsome. Of course we saved a locket of his hair and put it in a little ceramic box that says "the first haircut of the prince"

Too big for baby toys and baby food

Anthony is into everything these days. He loves all things not intended for children to play with. Remote control, camera, keys, cell phone, shoes, cardboard boxes, magazines, the dog dishes, toilet water, you name it, if you would rather he not play with it, that is exactly what he wants to do. Never mind that he has lots of toys scattered about my living room intended just for his entertainment. Oh no, they just aren't nearly as much fun.

I still haven't completely unpacked from our weekend away and he has figured out how to climb into the suitcase and go through it looking for new and interesting things to play with. He loves it, every time I bring him downstairs he climbs into it. Maybe I will just leave it out a little while longer. We got a package in the mail today and the empty cardboard box entertained him for 45 minutes. Climbing in and out of it and playing with the air bags used for packing.

Here he is again in the box, notice the ripped up magazine in the background. He destroyed a perfectly good toy catalog. I guess I don't need it anyway. He seems content with the box.

Here he is showing off his new hat. I've been meaning to buy him one now that it's getting cold outside. The last thing he needs is to get sick. He was at Grandma's today and came home with this on. I guess grandma got tired of waiting for me to buy him a hat. Doesn't it look so cute on him? Thanks grandma. He has also started showing a little bit of interest in non-baby foods. Bananas has always been his favorite, if you give him anything with banana in it he will eat it. Well now he is eating a real banana not just the puree from a jar. Whenever Todd eats one he spits out his pacifier (a sure sign that he wants to put something else in his mouth) and gets a few bites for himself.