Uh Oh!

Aside from saying "mama" and "dadda", Joseph has learned to say, "Uh Oh!" And uses it correctly! When he falls or drops something. It is so cute!
I've been noticing that lately he mimics not only sounds, but tones. He loves loves music, and stops doing whatever he's doing when he hears something he likes. He's been dancing for a couple of months. And at church he likes to sing with the congregation. Trouble with that is that he doesn't stop when the rest of us do. I think I need to put him in music classes.

Joseph can walk!

Joseph took his first few steps today completely unassisted! Just hours shy of turning 10 months. This little boy seems to be in a hurry! Hooray for Joseph! Video of this milestone will be posted later.

Bonne Annee 2010!

New Year's 2010 - Paris, France

Jared and me wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

The Sammons family at Sacre Coeur.

My little French bebe!

Jared took to the French culture very nicely!

Spending time with Delphine and her family.

Christmas fun

This weekend was full of Christmas fun! On Friday Joseph and I went to Meagan and Jared's parties at their school. Joseph was so excited to see Meagan and to be around other kids. He could hardly contain his joy! It was so sweet to see Meagan and Jared interact with their friends at school and have fun playing games and eating treats. When we were leaving Meagan said she was going to miss school because she wasn't going back till next year. Music to my ears!
On Saturday we went to have cookies with Santa! Our subdivision hosts cookies with Santa every year and the kids love it! They get to visit with Santa and have yummy cookies and punch. The event is held at the country club, which is decorated beautifully for the holidays. This year, they received reindeer food! So, Meagan and Jared said they would sprinkle the special food across the lawn. Who knows, maybe they'll catch a glimpse of Santa's reindeer on Christmas Eve!
After visiting with Santa and other neighbors we went to make gingerbread houses. How fun that was! Meagan and Jared each decorated a house and I made one for our home this year, as well. We sat there for such a long time putting more and more candy on our houses! You can hardly see the gingerbread at all! It was really nice to sit with both Jared and Meagan and share that special moment with them. (Joseph did not go this year. Maybe next year. Maybe!)
We had a great family weekend! It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

Seven is Heaven!

Seven is, in fact Heaven! Joseph turned seven months this October, and boy oh boy, has it been fun! He is much more aware of his surroundings now- more than ever! He has managed to sit up (from laying) on his own. And is also getting up on all fours and rocking. Time to lower that mattress!! Joseph has been scooching everywhere now and trying to get into things he's not supposed to. For example, the stereo, DVD player, and cable box. Much like his Daddy, he loves to handle the remote control. A guy thing, I suppose. He loves bath time and has learned to make big splashes. Time to move that activity to the bath tub! He smiles and enthusiastically kicks his little legs everyday when Daddy comes home from work. He also loves the attention cousin Jared gives him. Jared is so kind and gentle and patient. He is Heaven sent! I have a feeling he is going to look up to his big cousin always. Joseph also opens all the kitchen cabinets he can reach from his walker. Two days ago he started opening the oven! Quick, Daddy! Find those child proof locks! And something I found out about our little guy recently... he LOVES soft blankets! He doesn't have a preference, yet. But he loves to snuggle with his blankies. The softer the better. I think we're going to have a "Linus" on our hands, minus the thumb sucking! Our little boy is growing quickly! And I can't believe how blessed we are to have him! Here are a few pictures from October.

I love his little toosh! At home relaxing...

I am so glad he's still small enough to change in the trunk! It's cleaner than many bathrooms!

Jared reading to Joseph. It amazes me how gentle and kind Jared is with Joseph. For those of you that don't know, Jared is my other baby. Not biological- but whole heartedly!


He was so happy to be splashing around! Next bath will be in the tub! I'm tired of mopping the kitchen floor!

Mommy's little helper? He wouldn't let go of the cookie sheet this evening! Little did I know, he wanted it to put in his mouth! Can we say teething!

Happy Halloween 2009!

Halloween was so much more fun this year than ever! We went to several Fall festivals, Halloween parties and pumpkin patches. I hope Joseph enjoyed himself as much as we did! Here are a few pictures from the festivities.

I think these pumpkins were too weird looking for Joseph!

Now these pumpkins are more like it...

Content in the pumpkin patch!

A demon, Po (Kung Fu Panda), Phillip (as himself), and BatGirl at a pumpkin carving party.

Kenneka and Po.

Beautiful BatGirl and a handsome demon playing bingo at the college Fall fest.

Po

Po and his Mommy next to our Halloween Snoopy, getting ready to go trick-or-treating!

October is my favorite time of the year! The weather starts getting nice (if we're lucky!) The colors of leaves start changing. The Fall festivals are at their peak. The Halloween decorations are out. Bright orange pumpkins everywhere! I LOVE it! And I am so happy to be sharing this time of the year with my family.
October has kept us busy so far. We've gone to festivals, pumpkin patches, and celebrated Meagan's 7th birthday. And it's not over yet! Halloween parties are still to come!!

Jared and Meagan showing off their face paintings from a fun Fall festival.

Jared, Meagan, Joseph, and me at Meagan's surprise birthday celebration (Build-a-Bear). She LOVED that place! She chose a beautiful purple kitty and named her "Sara". Then she dressed her in a sassy purple ensemble with dazzling silver shoes, and got Sara a tiny baby, too!

Joseph on our way to a pumpkin patch. The weather was a little chilly, therefore the hat. Plus he looks simply adorable in it!

Joseph and me at the pumpkin patch. There were so many pumpkins to choose from- Daddy took a long time to pick the very best one! But he got it!!

The pumpkin patch was haunted. Here is a glimpse of the ghost!