'till we just can't boogie no more

D,

If I ask you where your hair, belly, feet or teeth at you can point to all of them now. Sacre Bleu! Also, you know where one other thing(s) is located.



Muwhahahahahahaha.

walk this way

I am simultaneously proud and scared all at once. It is an odd feeling.

But yay for you!

we laugh until we think we'll die

Really all I was doing was hiding from you and jumping out, but to you, it was the greatest comedy act ever.

your kiss is on my list, of the best things in life

Monks,

This morning we were watching the Today Show (what? You just Loooove Natalie Morales) and you saw people on tv clapping. So you started clapping, which made me laugh. So I started clapping, which made you laugh. And suddenly we were both laughing and clapping like two crazies.

And then you grabbed the sides of my face and covered me with your signature open mouth kisses. All while we were still laughing.

It was one of the cutest things I have ever seen. Second only to this maybe.

I had to write it down because I wanted to remember forever.

one love

Happy First Birthday Baby!

On the eve of you turning one, I find myself sort of at a loss for words. Seems like such a big moment for all of us, and I'm not sure I can do it justice just now while I am all choked up thinking about what a big boy you have become.

So instead, for now, I'll just post this video and tell you that we love you. So, so much.

never say never

D,

There has long been a sort of running list (in my head) of things I would never own. For example, a digital picture frame, any sort of mat that goes on or around a toilet, a long denim skirt or a sports jersey. Those who know me best, in fact, probably know that vertical blinds are at the very tippity top of that list. Shudder.

Probably somewhere on this list - toward the middle to bottom- was a teepee (unless is was that really cool Fendi teepee I saw in Harrods years ago that had matching snowshoes and a canoe). I mean why would I have a teepee? I hate camping, and I like air conditioning.

Yet that is exactly what we got you for your first birthday. And your Pops and I are beyond excited to give it to you. I just know it is going to provide you (and by you, I mean us) with years of entertainment. We already set it up - for a dry run only - just to make sure it is all set to go for your actual birthday. Practical, really.

We did NOT watch Real Housewives of New Jersey while sitting in it and eating cupcakes from Makenna's party.

Mumford and Jackson enjoying some teepee time

every breath you take, I'll be watching you

Dilly,

I have confession. Every night when you are sleeping, just before I turn out all the lights and go to bed, I creep into your room on tiny mouse feet and gaze at you. I have hardly missed a night since the day you were born. I just stand over your crib and watch you peacefully breathing in and out and take in all of your yummy-ness. No matter how rough our day was, in that moment, all is perfect in the world. More than once, I have just stood over you and gotten all misty eyed from it all.

Last night, for the first time ever, you caught me.

It must have been so very creepy for you. You rolled over, looked up, and there I was just peering back at you. As an adult, that is actually one of my worst fears realized. You handled it better than I would have though. You scrunched up your eyebrows at me, smiled, reached up a finger to do your touch thing, and then scrunched up your eyebrows again.

I took that as my invitation to get out. So I did. And you fell right back asleep.

Still though, you can bet your sweet self I'll be right back in there again tonight. No lesson learned here.

this has gotta be the good life

Dylan,

There are some moments where I will look at you and it takes all my self control not to scoop you up and smother you with kisses, and it feels like my heart will burst open from loving you so, so much.

Today was definitely one of those moments, just all day long.

sunday, bloody sunday

Ruh-roh Milky. Look what we came home from vacation to find. I could replant them I guess, but it is the end of August, and well, who are we kidding? Please don't look at it as any sort of statement as to my ability to care for you. So lets just shut the curtains and pretend like this never happened.

I have failed you in every sense of the word.

p.s.- I am, however, happy to report that Maude is alive and well. I know at this point you are likely going to require some sort of photographic proof of that, but the camera is full and I am feeling lazy. But she is alive. I swear. Honestly.

hot child in the city

oh boogs,

We are having a hot summer. I thought last summer was bad being pregnant in the extreme heat carrying 20 plus pounds, but here I am one year later, in the extreme heat....carrying around 20+ pounds in the form of you! Despite the heat we have been on the go this summer. Trips to the swings, long walks, the zoo, the splash park and from all this running around we are both rocking one sweet farmer's tan. Your sandal tan on your feet is particularly cute.

And while we are on the subject of hot, you have a really cute new trick. Just this week you have started blowing on your food. I think I must spend a lot of time doing this (mostly because you are constantly screaming at me during mealtimes to move faster) and the other day at lunch I noticed you were blowing on your pineapple. So cute.

And when I put you down for a nap a little bit later, I could hear you in your crib still blowing on Le Tigre's head.

Love.

sweet child of mine

Happy 9 months D! I love, love this age. You are changing so much. And you are funny, and you find things funny! I feel like some days we spend a lot of the day just laughing at God knows what....and then there are the days that go quite differently. But really, you make a great summer buddy, we go on marathon walks, go to the park, have lunches out, go to the zoo and the farmer's market, meet up with friends, and take naps. Not too shabby, eh?

You army crawl (and you are fast now), you love to stand (with help), and you LOVE to eat. So far the only food you really do not like is peas. Just. like. your. daddy.

You are still sleeping through the night (thank you Jeebus), taking two naps a day, but still waking up way too early.

You have eight teeth...soon to be 10 since I can tell your incisors are close behind.

all in all, you are really rocking 9 months. I love it. Did I already say that?

Ummmm, there's something different about my hair, yes? No, no don't tell me....

plant new seeds and watch them grow

D,

In my new found effort to be one of those perfect mom's who keep perfect mom blogs (like here and here, but no so much here) I decided we should do something very Martha-y and plant a garden. Ok, calling it a "garden" is a bit of a stretch b/c right now it consists of one potted plant and a hanging basket of flowers. But, hey, we planted them all ourselves, and hot damn if that small amount of flowers didn't cost us $85!

So a garden it is. in fact, we have started lovingly referring to it as The Garden of Solace. Which is sort of funny considering said Garden overlooks a back alley where the bums like to loudly sift through our garbage and their seems to be a perpetual game of pick up basketball going on between some rowdy hooligans. Not very solace-ish at all.

Anyways, I have this romantic notion that you and I will watch our garden grow together this summer, and some day we will talk about how we use to live in the big city of Chicago when you were very small and all we had was one teeny tiny outdoor space to call our own but we made the most of it nonetheless (oh my run on sentence).

I will try and remember to take pictures of our garden ever so often this summer so we can see its progress. And if it dies I will find a look alike garden and take pictures of that in an effort to preserve the innocence of your youth.

Our potted plant we lovingly named Maude

gimmie a head with hair, long beautiful hair

my little Puckerman

Monks,

You have a faux-hawk. It is fairly bad ass. It just grows that way, hair concentrated down the center. Your uncle Moochie says it is a "wispy Mohican", which really doesn't sound that tough at all. But trust me, it is tough looking. Like a baby Mr. T.

A couple people have asked us if we put anything in it to make it look that way. I gasp and quickly put a shocked look on my face while repeatedly assuring them that we do no such thing. Lets be honest though, I would totally put product in your hair if I thought it necessary, which I do not....yet.

double your fun

Bug-a-lug,

At least once a week someone, be it a friend or a complete stranger, will comment on how much you and your dada look alike. There is no denying it, you are your papa's mini me. I've said it many time, those Derhake genes are strong. It's like they just came in, trampled any of my genes, set up camp and completely took over.

So far all it seems you inherited from me was your worried face, and my fair skin. What a winning combination.

So fine you look like your dad. Whatever. You are a boy so you should probably look like your dad. But mark my words, if you have a sibling and that sibling is a girl and those damn genes come in and lay siege again, there will be hell to pay.

Here are you and your twinkie looking very yummy in your grey hooded sweatshirts.

dumps like a truck, truck, truck

Ok Stinka McGoo,

Here it is one big dump of information to get us all caught up on the last month:

1. Florida. We went, we saw, we sunbathed. It was soooooo nice. You were so great to travel with. You were over the top charming on the plane ride down there. Thank you Jeebus. No joke, half the plane was smiling at you and you were just hamming it up. I had to roll my eyes a bit at you toward the end you were laying it on so thick. And you lurved the pool! You kicked and splashed and hung out in your floatie. You even let us take you in the lazy river which was going swimmingly until you got a water canon in the face. I still feel awful about that btw. You napped in your stroller and we even let you stay up late. It was so fun to have our first little vaca as a family of three. May it be one of many, many more to come.

aw, yeaaaahhh.

2. You turned 7 months. Yea! It's a real fun age, and you have changed. a lot. You barrel roll and army crawl all over now. You are loving food. People ask all the time if you have a favorite food, nope, you like them ALL. And you are sleeping through the night (best. news. ever). You smile and laugh, you are very ticklish, and you love when we "smoosh the tush." You are very into Daddy right now. He gives you airplane rides, and you guys make forts, and you just smile so hard whenever you see him that I fear your face may crack. You are still pretty into your mom as well though ;0)

Your seven month pictures proved to be our most challenging yet, see for yourself.

are you a boy lion, or a girl lion?

uh, yeah.

poo break.

finally

3. Easter. We got you all dressed up and went out to a big 'ole brunch with your Auntie Em and Uncle Chris and their family. It was really nice, and you were pretty well behaved, and when we got home we saw a real live bunny in the front yard. A-mazing!! Oh and you also got an Easter basket bigger than you from your Grammie.

Ok, enough. I have to go to sleep, because you think it is super fun to wake up at 5:30 am. Which is pretty much the worst thing that has ever happened to me. Day after day, after day....

all by myself, don't wanna be....

Oof, this is one neglected blog lately. If this blog were a person right now it would be sitting alone in a room drinking cheap chardonnay, eating kit kats and watching reality tv.

Just remember a neglected blog means all my love and focus and devotion is being directed at you my love. I will try and do one big catch up post...or maybe I'll go to bed. no, no I'll do the post.

Most likely.

supermodel, work...

Some pictures from your 6 month photo shoot. I am only a little embarrassed to admit how much I love them and that I look at them, um, daily.

things started out a bit rocky....

but you caught on quickly

THE (rear)END.

holiday road

D,

In less than 48 hours you, ma, and your dad will be kickin' it in sunny Florida. Right now the forecast for the whole time we are there is high 80's and straight sun. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. I can't wait to see your little legs (or as we have affectionately nicknamed them, chub and lub) in a swimsuit and shorts. I got you this hilarious little floaty for the pool, and I am hoping that the whole pool thing will just blow your tiny mind....a giant bathtub....I had no idea they came in jumbo size!!! I also bought a super sized tub of sunscreen since you seem to have inherited your Uncle Moochie's coloring. Mostly I am just looking forward to spending some down time with just the 3 of us, something we can never seem to get enough of.

So but here's the thing. You and I are flying down to Florida by ourselves, and your dad is flying in from Texas and meeting us there. Milky, I. am. skeered. We flew alone once before, but you are bigger, and louder now. Please be kind to me. Some day you are going to want a car and I will likely be a very important ally in that quest. Meanwhile, in case you are less than kind I am armed with baby crackers, toys, and bottles. And if worse comes to worse, I guess I will buy a round for all those within earshot of you.

Bon Voyage D, vitamin D here we come!




p.s. Lyndsay Buckingham sings this song? Who knew? Random.

oh you nasty boy

Milks,

You have a new talent. One that makes your dad and I very proud. One that could ONLY make your dad and I proud. You make fart noises. All the time. And you have an uncanny knack for doing it during moments of complete silence. I think now that I am a mom, I am supposed to be more mature and call them "raspberries", but lets call a spade a spade here. You sound like a frat boy who had Coronas and mexican food for dinner.

So you may not sit up alone yet, but you can make a very convincing fart noise. What's so impressive about sitting anyways, a monkey can sit.

in new york, new york

Buddy,

We traveled to a far away land known as New England so that you could meet your ancestors. More specifically your Great Grampa and your Great Gram. What a lucky boy you are to have not one, but two Great Grandparents, both or whom still have all their faculties about them!

You were a very excellent travel companion....minus those 20 minutes you screamed on the plane (drinks for those seated near us!). Everyone was excited to meet you and we were happy to oblige.

We will be back again in July for Morgan's wedding, so get your LL Bean bag and and boat shoes ready for summer in the East! We can't wait.

checking out Grampa

all right. he's cool.

you and Gram. Note to self, find a better picture of the two of you!

every day in every way, it's getting better and better

Noodle Head,

Last night, as we were waiting to board our plane, after what had already been such a long day of travel, your dad was holding you, and you were just being so funny and cute (despite being well within your rights to act like a cranky mess), your sweet dad looked up at me and said "lets have lots, and lots of babies."

I couldn't agree more.

oh the cow in the meadow goes moo

Milks,

Lately you love animal sounds. It is so cute, and a great way to distract you when you are fussing.

Here are some of your favorites:

What does the cow say? Moooooo

What does the doggie say? Bark, bark! (We know that one all too well around here)

What does the kitty say? Meow, meow

What does the crab say? I pinch, I pinch (we shamelessly stole that one from Hudson)

What does Teradactyl say? Insert high pitched scream sound here. You are really good at that one.

What does the dodo say? *crickets chirping*

Mama has a sick sense of humor.

got a secret can you keep it

D,

I took your 5 month photos which turned out a-dorable, naturally. But even better was this picture....

In my head you are saying "pssst, Lion, you gotta car? Lets get outta here, this chick is straight up crazy."

clicky

public service announcement

dear blog readers (all 6 of you) I wanted to point out a new feature on the bog...that's right, we have "features."

By now you may, or may not have noticed that mostly all of the titles of my posts are song titles, or lyrics from a song. Those of you who know me know that my taste in music can only be described as "eclectic"...which is probably a nice way of really saying "random." So I thought that maybe I could let you all in on the song that served as the inspiration for the post and what D and I are listening to these days. So just click on the play button on the little black box to hear the song. Just to make it painfully obvious I also added the word "clicky" to help guide you. The title of the song and the artist should also appear in the black box.

Maybe, just maybe we will help to expand your musical repertoire (you are welcome itunes). More likely you will just get a good chuckle out of the never ending sea of craptasticness that is my ipod.

Thank you to our IT Department (Tom) for making this possible. There is no way in holy hell I could have figured this out on my own.

hot tub, hot and bubbly

Ok, so it's not a "hot tub", but it is a tub with hot water, and there are certainly bubbles thanks to all the spit bubbles you are blowing these days. Anyways, you are a big fan. A huge fan of the bath. I am really hoping this means you are going to follow in my foot steps and be a water baby (your dad is really more of a land lubber). You have never cried in your tub, although you have completely freaked out a couple of times when we take you away from your tub.

Bath time is rapidly becoming both of our favorite times of the day. You kick and splash and just go bananas. You don't even flinch when you get water in your eyes (thank God, I am really annoyed by wimpy scared of water kids)I know I am being mildly delusional but I really think you might be a natural.

There really isn't much money to be made in swimming so you are going to need to get real good Milky. Hummm, maybe I can cultivate my own little Michael Phelps. You do have really big feet, flipper like even.

Uh oh, look who finally fired up the video camera.

clicky

four-ever young

OK, so I took a little creative license with the title of this post, but in the immortal words of Mr. Bobby Brown, it's my prerogative!

Happy four months Milky! Now I really, really want you to stop growing because I love four months. So just go ahead and stay forever young.

You smile all the time, you giggle, and talk up a storm. You smile with all of your face, resulting in something we loving refer to as smushy face. You are also blowing tons and tons of spit bubbles. Between that and the new tooth you are cutting your shirts are permanently soaked with drool. That's right, I said tooth! The tippy top of your bottom right tooth has just broken through to the surface. You have really handled it like a man though, no crying or fussing, you just stuff your hand in your mouth and go on about your day. It looks awful though. You also reach for things and hold them on your own now, which makes eating Sophie the Giraffe's face off even easier these days. Everything, everything goes straight into your mouth. I should probably buy stock in hand sanitizer.

All in all, you are still one very happy and content little guy, and I hope you stay that way always and forever.

Your official stats from your 4 month visit are:

15 lbs 11 oz - 25-50th percentile

26 inches long - 75-90th percentile

16.5 inch head circumference - 25-50th percentile

Our beloved Dr. Donohue said you look great and are developing and gaining weight perfectly. He gave us the go ahead to start cereal (yikes!) and ordered us to ditch the swaddle asap (oops and double yikes).

Four months, can't believe you are four months already, yet at the same time I feel like you have always been here...maybe because I just can't imagine life without you in it.

xxoo

clicky

i'm gonna knock you out. mama said knock you out.

I just like this picture of you Milky. You look tough.

"....don't call it a comeback, I been here for years..."

clicky

rollin', rollin', rollin'...

D,

After weeks of teasing us, today you finally rolled over. Tummy to back, twice in a row. I think you were more surprised than I was.

So naturally being the spastic mother that I am I made a mad dash for the video camera to catch it on film. Only the video camera was buried under all this junk, and then I found it only to see that the battery was dead. That totally sums this family up.

Thank God for the iphone 4 and the video feature. Only when I tried to get you to roll over again you just looked at me like I was crazy and seemed to have no recollection of the amazing feat you just performed.

So instead of catching rolling on video, I got this....

I think you will all agree with me when I say that the scream-talk is way more entertaining than rolling.

tried to make me go to rehab

Oh Dylan,

As I type this you are having a mini fit in your crib. See you are an addict. There I said it. Your name is Dylan Derhake, you are 16 weeks old and you are addicted to the swaddle.

The problem is you are really close to rolling over and you are constantly breaking out of your swaddle, and it just doesn't seem that safe anymore. I'm afraid the SIDS Police are going to come knock down my door.

Which brings us back to why you are currently having a mini fit. I am attempting to wean you off the swaddle. It is not going well. I fear that now that you have had a taste of the swaddle nothing else is gonna do. I am pretty sure in about twenty seconds I am going to be the biggest enabler and give you what you want. I am weak. Forgive me.

This makes me super scared for the day when we have to ditch the paci. Because really the swaddle is just the gateway drug. If the swaddle is cigarettes than the paci is straight up crack. Covered in chocolate. Chocolate covered crack. We don't stand a chance.

Off to swaddle you back up. Junkie.