Breakfast giggles

This morning I was quite hungry. After getting Joshua in his chair and fed at least some of his breakfast, I poured myself a bowl of cereal. My growling stomach was so thankful for the first bite that an instinctual "mmmh" came out. Joshua thought this was funny and giggled. So of course like every parent, when we do something that makes our child laugh we do it over and over. I was able to catch some on video - enjoy!

Bathtime!

I love Great Grandma Conway

July brought us another visit with the Buffalo family. We were lucky enough to make it to Great Grandma Conway's last party and see her awake and talking. Joshua was even able to give her a hug and kiss. His presence in the apartment brought many people comfort. Grandpa even couldn't keep from smiling.

Joshua also met all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. He had a lot of fun playing with Joey and the trains.

This was also the first time Joshua got to meet Uncle Mango in person. I'm not sure what he was more excited for, meeting his uncle or being allowed to play with Mango's new IPhone.

There were lots of first the rest of the week including the first time to a zoo. Joshua really enjoyed watching the elephants. It was a perfect day at the Buffalo Zoo, sunny but not too hot. The elephants were out walking around and tossing hey on their backs. He was so excited he would not stay in the stroller. He just started running around (sometimes in circles) screaching. He chose to wear camo that day so as to blend in and perhaps get a better look at the animals.

Both he and Papa enjoyed the children's area and going down the big slide.

Later that week I took Joshua to a place I used to hang out with the kids I babysat . . . Island Park. We spalshed in the wading pool, picniced under the gazebo, ran around the playground and was pushed on a swing.

That wasn't enough for one day so we then walked over to Glen Park to see the falls, and of course get some Sweet Jenny's. Lucky for mommy he was more interested in walking around than the ice cream - oh the sacrifices we make as mothers.

We love you Great Grandma Conway!

Joy Grandparents summer visit

Just as Nana and Grandpa Mehler were leaving Whozat and Grandma Joy came to spend a week with us. We all had a good time just relaxing, enjoying the sun (as well as the air conditioning) and watching Joshua become more steady by the day with his walking.

Grandma and Joshua had lots of fun playing with his water table on the back deck. Joshua would watch as Grandma poured the water into the table. He expecially liked to splash and pull all the toys out of the water.

During their visit we also got 1 year pictures. Grandma came with to help with the outfit changes and kept Joshua distracted while I picked out the shots I liked. (How nice it was to have family around!!!) Joshua was sporting his best when he took a picture with me and my mom. I just love the little hat and his perfectly crossed legs as he reached out to each of us.

(picture to come - I have to scan it in)

Joshua was learning not only to walk but also to climb. After constantly being pulled away from the table and chairs, Joshua resigned to climbing into toy bins.

Nana and Grandpa Mehler summer visit

I was very excited for the first birthday cake eating. I imagined chocolate cake all over, and Joshua just planting his face directly into the pile of sugary goodness. When he not only refused to eat the caek, but also tried to feed it to the dog, I was crushed. I thought there must have been something wrong. Perhaps they mixed up the babies in the hospital when they took him for his hearing test or something. How could my chid not only turn down cake, but also chocolate?

My faith was restored when Nana and Grandpa Mehler came to visit. Nana was sampling some of the left-over cake with a little ice cream. Joshua came over to see what she was eating. He took a seat, and when offered some, he not only took a bite of ice cream but also asked for more.

It must be a Nana tradition to take joy in giving children sugary treats. I'm just happy it was only birthday cake and not snickers and coke like Michael's Nana used to give him.