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Showing posts from July, 2005
Gardner learned how to do several things yesterday! I spent almost the entire day just one-on-one with him, reading, playing, singing, dancing with the little fellow. He can now make his little dump truck drive around while saying, "Vrrroom!" He also learned how to say "three" with me when I counted, "One, two, three!" I always count when I snap his PJs, etc., and yesterday, he ended my counting with a "ppphhweee!" I sat down with him to watch his Baby Einstein DVD in the late afternoon. I usually take advantage of that time to get some household duties done, but I decided to sit beside him and enjoy the show along with him this time around. At one point, a giraffe puppet walks up to a saxaphone and takes in a big breath. Garner reared back, turned his head as far as it would go, and held his ears. I laughed out loud....he knew he was about to blow that saxaphone, and the squeaky sounds which came out Gardner obviously did not care for! As you ca
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Gardner likes to help me unload the dishwasher. This is not, as you might think, a silly little stinker grin on his face. He has learned that the camera has a bright flash, and this is his "I'm ready for the flash" face.
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Check out Gardner's new wheels. This little car transforms into a walker/scooter contraption, to help him practice his walking attempts. He thought Mom was a bit crazy yesterday.....I took back the first one I purchased because I read bad reviews about it AFTER bringing it home. I think this one is a keeper.
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Gardner LOVES black beans.
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Look at that devious little smile on his face. :)
Little Mr. Independent. That's Gardner's new nickname. :) He has begun to explore his surroundings with such fervor that he doesn't like to be held back from doing so! He is crawling, pulling up, and even walking along when he grabs onto something with wheels (such as his little laundry basket in his room)! He has learned to shut doors, open cabinets, make "music" by scratching on the air conditioner's intake vents, play drums with my pots and pans, and even wash his hands (it's never too early to teach them hygiene). His determination to make more sense of the awesome world around him has also led to a decrease in desire to take daytime naps (although the little man still happily sleeps 13 hours at night!). He has also now reached the point where he won't sit still for diaper changes unless he has a novel item to hold and investigate in the meantime. I scramble each time to find something new that he can turn over and over in his tiny hands....be
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Gardner's first time in the "big pool!" We took him to Mrs. Reed's house (where I used to swim as a kid) and put him in his whale float.
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Finally, he ventured out of the float and I got him to dog-paddle around.
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He learned fast!
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Gardner....more pool photos. He never wanted to sit down....he stayed on his hands and knees and splashed the entire time! A water baby, just like his mom.
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We took a road trip with Brian, Becky, and Andrew to Callaham's Peach Orchards on Saturday. This was Gardner's first experience at a petting zoo. Here is his first time seeing a goat. He wasn't quite sure about her, to say the least!
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Gardner meets Par, a 7-point buck at the back of Callaham's orchards.
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A couple more firsts.... Gardner decided to show off while I was at my mom's house yesterday, helping in the garden. First of all, he was standing up holding to the coffee table in the den. Mom rolled a ball to him, and he picked it up with both hands and put his mouth on it. We both looked down and realized that he was standing without holding on to anything! He remained this way for a few more seconds at least. I can't believe he will be standing and walking in no time at all. Then, as we were getting ready to leave, Mom had him in her arms and was kissing him goodbye, making him laugh by pressing buttons on the cordless phone (why do babies love phones so much?). He suddenly looked right at her, opened his mouth wide, and gave her a smack on the lips! Mom looked shocked! He leaned over and gave her another one on her cheek, this time with a "mmm-aaaah!" kiss sound that we do to him so much. He picked it up and mimicked it before I could even blink! My little baby s
Gardner's first fourth of July! We enjoyed a great weekend with friends and family. Check out these photos, and be sure to check out my Flickr page for more photos of our home group party.
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Gardner started the holiday weekend off getting to meet our good friend Jason Richbourg for the first time. Ken worked with Jason in Columbia, and now he's is back in the Marines, visiting us on weekend leave.
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Richbourg giving Gardner paratrooping practice. Richbourg came bearing a "Future Marine" onesie for Gardner (see it in the next photo). He really took to the little guy! (and vice versa!)
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Grandad takes Gardner on an F-16 mission through the den.
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Gardner watching a thunderstorm roll through.
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Grandpa and Gardner.
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Arianna and Gardner.
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Look at this! Gardner found Ken's glass of water sitting on the floor and just sat down, picked it up, and started drinking! He has learned how to drink out of a "big boy" cup before this, but he's never taken the initiative and held the cup himself. Way to go, buddy!
Another place to check up on random snapshots of Gardner.... Gardner Preston - a photoset on Flickr
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Photo of the year! Gardner got in bed with us early this morning, and tired himself out eating and playing. Miraculously, he didn't wake up when we tiptoed out to fetch the camera. Priceless moment.
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Gardner slowly approaches a cautious Odyssey. He has a mischievious look in his eye!