Well, he's a growing boy, that's for sure!  Doc said he'd be walking within next 2-3 weeks.  Tonight at G&G Kirkland's house, he took about 5 steps unassisted and we all cheered him on.  Doc said:  get off the bottles ASAP and convert to sippy cups; okay to feed table food (Joshie ate a whole bowl of tomato soup tonight and loved it) just watch closely and go easy; yes, Joshie is allergic to insect bites, be sure to put 28% "Deet" on him when he is outside; don't forget the sunblock too whenever out; check his head closely for ticks since he has such a full head of hair now; okay to turn him forwards in carseat; and he got 3 shots:  MMR, Hep. A, and varicella (chicken pox).  We went and ate at (yes you guessed it) Corner Cafe after  his appt.  and you never would've guessed he'd even have had shots.  I swear he was the happiest baby there.  We ordered him his own bowl of mashed potatoes and beef gravy; he ate most all of it plus some baby food fruit. 

He is so close to walking; I'm so excited!

Blessings all, Michelle

Joshie is officially 1 now.  He still isn't walking yet so I've kept the poll going.  He will take maybe 1-2 steps, then fall down and crawl wherever he wants to go.  I think pretty much everyone we invited to his party came.  We had planned on an indoor/outdoor party but Mother Nature gave us rain...we found out just how big our house is.  Everyone had a place to sit and eat the scrumptious food.  People are still coming up to me and remarking on the food.  Ask Joshie how he liked his cake....or just look at the pics of him eating it.  I think poor Elmo on the top of the cake had only one eye left after Joshie got through with him.  Dale had to take the high chair outside and hose it down.

Anyway, he got a lot of nice presents and even some money for his piggy bank that Mommy Claire made for him.  Miss Marie or Grandma Marie as we call her for Josh flew in from Florida and stayed with us that weekend as well as Claire.  We were really glad for her visit and hope she can come back again sometime. 

So, Joshie's party was a hit and I need to send out some "thank you" cards ASAP!

Blessings, Michelle

I (Michelle) decided to give Brad some special 1 on 1 time...we chose Worlds of Fun, an amusement park in Kansas City, for our little trip.  Now, I don't do rides that go in circles with the exception of an occasional carousel ride.  Bradley convinced me to go on "Cyclone Sam".  Let me tell you, this is a ride that I will never go on again...I was so sure I was going to hurl that I stood by a trash can for about 15 min. after getting off of it.  Then, somehow, Brad persuaded me to go on the "Spinning Dragons".  Just the name of it should have tipped me off.  It is a roller coaster, but the cart you sit in spins around while it is roller coastering at the same time.  I headed straight for the bathroom after the ride.  I didn't get sick, thankfully, but had to wash my face.

Brad loves spinning rides you see, my favorites are roller coasters.  The biggest coaster they had there is the Mamba...with a 65 mph drop just as soon as you get on.  I ended up riding it by my lonesome; Brad isn't exactly fond of the drops.  I did manage to get him on The Timberwolf (a wooden roller coaster that jerks you all around). 

Anyway, we had a blast and since we actually had some money left over, we went and ate at Chilli's before coming home.

Joshie stayed with G&G Kirkland and had a wonderful time.  But as soon as we came through the door, Joshie went crazy...smiling, reaching for us, etc.  Gives me a warm tingly loving feeling.  I feel like I have the 2 greatest kids in all the land!  I love them so much it almost hurts. 

Blessings, Michelle

Tonight, with no one home but me and Joshie, he stood by himself by the T.V. then tentatively took a step, looked up at me, then promptly fell down.  I called all the grandparents, and brother Brad and tried to call Dale but he was asleep and his phone was off.

I am so excited for Joshie to start walking!

Blessings, Michelle

Joshie has been sick the past couple of weeks, first strep throat, then a lung infection, then a febrile seizure, now "hand, foot, and mouth disease".  He is currently not on any meds except for Motrin for occasional fever.  Grandpa Baskett has been sick too with walking pneumonia....I'm so anxious for everyone to be well!

I haven't uploaded any pics yet from my digital camera...will do that when I have a little more time....

Sorry we've been away....

Blessings, Michelle

Joshie is growing by leaps and bounds.  He is now "cruising" on the furniture and actually stood up today with no one's help for about 5 seconds before he sat down.  I really do think he might actually walk by 12 months.

We took him to the park today and put him in a baby swing...he laughed and chuckled...he seemed to enjoy the breeze in his face.  Then Brother Brad took him down the baby slide...he wanted to play in the sand, but Mommy was too afraid he'd try to eat it.

We also took Joshie visiting at the nursing home Mommy works for....everyone just oohed and aahed over him and passed him all around...Tess fed him some mashy taters...his "num-nums" (that is how we refer to his food) and he can say "num-num" too when hungry.

It is really late here so I am heading to bed....

I love reading the guestbook entries!

Blessings, Michelle

News flash:  Bradley changed a poopy diaper and didn't get sick!  Way to go Brad!

Another news flash:  Joshie's bottom teeth are sharp! 

Blessings, Michelle

We have a growing boy in every way.  Joshie is now 20 lb. and 28 1/4 inches long.  His height is in the 50th percentile and weight is in 25-50 percentile.  He didn't need any shots, thankfully.  AND...he has 3 toothers coming in...2 bottom and one top.  The doc was most impressed when Joshie could show him how the car-car goes (he does this gurgle/spitting thing with his mouth).  While at the doc's, I had to fill out these physical assessment papers...yes/no questions; when you get to 3 "no"s you stop.  Joshie is at a 13 mo. old level for vocabulary and understanding words.  He is at the 11 mo. level for all he is physically doing...like crawling forwards, sitting well by himself, pulling up on everyone's legs to stand or on the coffee table.

I'm anxiously awaiting this huge gate I bought from Australia...I could only afford at the time to have it shipped by sea which I found out later takes 3 months...should be here sometime in May (hoping) because by then we will really need it!

Well, don't forget to sign our guestbook if you haven't already; I like to see who comes to visit!

Blessings, Michelle