1/2 Year - Odds and Sods

Well, who can believe it, I am now officially 1/2 way to my 1st birthday (and my first birthday cake)!   I have been pretty busy in recent weeks, so here are a few odds and sods.

Earlier this month, I celebrated my first Easter up in St. Cloud with my Grandpa Andy, Auntie Nik and Cousins Max and Noah.  I didn't help dye the eggs this year, but I think I will be a good helper next Easter.  We all made it to church Easter morning and I liked listening to the brass instruments.  We missed Grandma Andy and know that she would have made it a very special day for me if she could have been with us.  My Easter basket had a few goodies (Horton Hears a Who stuffed elephant and $100 for my savings account) and Uncle Phil and Maureen brought me a stuffed bunny.  Oh, and "the Bunny" left a fishing pole and some tackle for me at Mike and Mary's house.

We celebrated Dad's birthday on the 10th of April - Mom and Dad took me out for a six mile ride in my jogging stroller and later that day we had a nice dinner at Cafe 128.  I am starting to think that dining out is for the birds - Mom and Dad are having to work a little harder to keep me entertained (and quiet) so the other diners can eat in peace. 

As a birthday surprise, Mom had arranged to have Dad's friend Brady fly in for a visit on April 16th.  Brady stayed with us for four nights and we did a lot of cool stuff.   On Saturday the 17th I went to my first Major League Baseball game.   We all went to see the Minnesota Twins play in their new stadium, Target Field.  We had rock star seats about 10 rows behind home plate and enjoyed a hitting fest as the Twins beat Kansas City on a bright sunny day.  Weekend highlights also included a ride in my stroller at the outdoor Walker Art Center's outdoor sculpture garden and a trip to Minnehaha Falls and the Sea Salt Eatery for fish tacos.  Mom and Dad didn't have baby food along and tried to get me to eat some oyster cracker crumbs mixed with water but I wanted none of that.  The weekend visit by Brady also included dinner at the 112 Eatery where Mom and Dad resorted to keeping me entertained by letting me "gum" a lambchop.   I grabbed that sucker with both hands and sucked like there was no tomorrow - good stuff!

On Earth Day, I was banished from daycare because of a slight fever the day before.  So, after Mom and I dropped Dad off at work, we went to see my first rock and roll show in front of the student union at the U of M.  Cloud Cult, a local favorite and band that Mom and Dad saw when I was still "on the inside" played a free concert to kick of Spring Jam.  It was a little loud, but I saw lots of other babies there enjoying the show.   After the concert we picked up Dad from work and headed to my six month check up.  I am 15 pounds and 3 ounces (11th percentile) and now 27 inches long (70th percentile) - a long and skinny baby.  Dr. Seiler said that it is okay that I am a featherweight and that there is no need to worry as long as I seem to be eating well.

I would say that my first six months have been a charmed existence.  The verdict is still out on daycare - I suspect full days with mom or dad all to myself would be best, but I have lots to entertain me at Lasting Impressions and I like all of my friends in the Little Squirts' room. 

Uncle Matt is coming to town on Monday, and I hear lots of people are coming in for my baptism later in May. I'll be wearing the baptism gown that Grandma Andy knit many years ago and was worn by my cousins Max and Noah. My cousins love me very much and I know that I have big booties to fill!

Hope everyone is having a great spring!  I know that I will grow up in a great family full of people who love me.