Steps and SOOOO BIG

Otto had two new firsts yesterday.  Since he learned how to crawl he hasn't been doing it much-he still prefers to be carried!  So yesterday I took him to the park to play around with the wheels and hopefully crawl a bit.  I set him down a bit away from the wheel to try to entice him to crawl up the stairs over to it but instead of crawling up the stairs he tried to walk up them!  He would put his feet first instead of knees first.  So I held him under his arms and let him climb the stairs and he did it like a champ!!!!  When we got home we climbed up and down the stairs of the porch a million times.  He must have been exhausted but each time he would squeal with delight and his new accomplishment.   When Trevor got home he took him up the baby steps in the driveway and he just laughed and laughed. 

Otto's other new first happened while Trevor was giving him a bath.  I skipped bath time so I didn't see the first time he did it.  Trevor asked him how big he was and showed him how to answer"SO BIG" while his hands were in the air.  And...Otto did it back.  And will do it every time we ask the question.  We did it a bunch of times yesterday and again this morning all to the same result.  We ask how big he is and Otto puts his hand in the air while we say "SO BIG!"  It's adorable.  That little guy is getting so responsive and smart and capable.  

AND WILLFUL!!!!  He is absolutely turning into his own little person who does not like diaper changes, or being put down to play by himself while I go do something, or going in his car seat, or getting dressed, etc! 

Ohhhh and he's getting another bottom tooth and the top ones look like they are close behind. That little guy is just growing leaps and bounds!!!  His first birthday is just right around the corner.

Anyway, we have video of him climbing and in the next post I will have video of so big.  Enjoy!           

HE'S A CRAWLER!

It is official!!!!  On Saturday, September 11 , during Stacy's visit while Trevor was in Venice and Toronto, Otto crawled for the first time.  Otto, Gram, Stacy, and I went for a walk around the reservoir and then grabbed a coffee and a bite to eat at LA Mill.  We decided to walk around to a few little shops.  We stopped into Yolk first and bought Otto a ball then we continued on to Lake to look at some cute clothes.  Stacy was trying on a shirt so I put Otto on the carpet and rolled his new ball to him.  We were doing that for a while and he was making all the moves to crawl and then finally he just did it!  We were in shock and sooo thrilled.  This video is the tail end of his crawl.  He was mostly finished by that time but I caught a bit of it.  We must have just hung out in the store for 20 minutes just watching and video-ing that little guy on the floor.  It was the most exciting moment and everyone in the shop was pulling for Otto to crawl.  What a day for that little 10 month old!!!!    

Aunt Stacy

When we got back from San Diego the fun continued with Aunt Stacy's visit.  She was my one armed angel and helped out SOOOO much with Otto.  I had to work one day so she watched Otto and took him to the indoor park for about 2.5 hours.  She snuggled with Otto every night and opened and shut the washer and drier with him every day.  We took him to the park a bunch of times-Stac took these photos of Otto playing with the wheel, on the swing with me, and in the rocking dino.  And she took the other photo the morning of trash day.  Otto likes to watch the big trucks pick up the garbage so we make sure to get out on the porch the moment we hear the trucks.  Aunt Stacy SAVED us while Trevor was away and we miss her like crazy! 

Visit with Morgan and Troy

For the Labor Day holiday Otto and I took the train down to San Diego to visit Sarah, Morgan and Troy.  Sam and Maybe met us by car.  We had a fun time on the train.  It was a little hectic getting on at first but once we were settled it was smooth sailing.  And seeing the boys play together made our journey totally worth it!  Morgan is sweet and adorable and Troy is a big bundle of love who is also giving Otto his hand me downs!!! We had a wonderful time and can't wait to do it again. 

Trevor is in Italy

Well, Poppa is away for two weeks.  We are sad and miss him but we've been trying to do some fun things while he is away.  Gram and I took Otto to the LA Zoo for the first time.  It was pretty hot and sunny but we found a little shade in the petting zoo and indoors while looking at the small animals.  Otto LOVES meerkats...and they love him!  I stood him up to the glass and he ran right up to him and he giggled "heh heh heh!"  We watched them for about 10 minutes with out Otto getting board at all.  It was sooooo much fun.   Gram took a photo of us petting a sheep.  Otto wasn't too interested-he prefers the little guys.  CC came over today with her kitty and again Otto laughed and laughed.  We have got to get this baby a pet.  He still loves to drive so when we went to go get burritos for dinner I ran in and Otto and Gram got in the front seat and played with the wheel and mirrors.  The first photo was taken when I came out of the restaurant-Otto was hanging out the window having a ball.  When Trevor left I took Otto into his room to play with the globe and to point out where his Dad was going to be for the next couple of weeks.  He really enjoys spinning it around.  And the final picture was taken in the park when Otto was just about to go down the slide.  He was contemplative because it is a pretty big drop and I usually go with him.  He was never that excited about the slide until this week.  Now he loves it and gets sad when I take him away.  What a brave little guy! 

Otto is 10 months old

Ok, I can't seem to choose anymore.  Here are 4 pictures from our photo shoot.  In the first he is happy...then he is getting a bit board...then sleepy...and back to happy.  He's such a cute, fun guy.  He still loves playing with the door handles and the washer and drier.  He laughs a lot..."heh heh heh".  He is big into opening and shutting anything.  And he has begun to mimic with little sounds and fake coughs.  Now when he sits in the annex (the excersaucer in our side) by our kitchen table he pulls the table cloth over his head when I say "where's the baby" and then uncovers his face and I respond "there he is!"  We've been doing that every morning lately while I eat breakfast.  I love it and he does too!  Another little fun thing-he holds his arms out and holds his hands in fists and sort of grunt/growls in a triumphant manner.  HE CAN DO IT!