In and Out...in 9 months

Today marks Andrew's 9 month birthday, or as Grandma Danelle says, his "In and Out" birthday since he has spent the same amount of time out of the womb as he has had while I was carrying him. This last month has been such a remarkable month for my little guy! He started crawling shortly after he turned 8 months old and hasn't stopped since! He is on the go 24/7 and enjoys his new found mobility. He absolutely melted my heart when I had returned home from a not-so pleasant day at work and upon hearing my voice and catching a glimpse of me from around the corner, came crawling in full force to greet me! It was so amazing and moved me to tears. I can vividly recall the look on his face and the big toothy grin as he kicked it into 5th gear to make his way over to me! I will remember that moment forever!

Andrew also helped me celebrate my very first Mother's Day! Daddy was very sad that he was forced onto work and couldn't spend my special day with us but Andrew did a great job of filling in! He sure knows how to find the places in my heart with his sweet snuggles and grins! How I ever survived life prior to Andrew is beyond me! It is mind-boggling to me how much I love him! He just makes everything better and the hard times disappear!

Andrew is also well on his way to having both of his top front teeth. Last week, his upper right top tooth cut through! The other top toofer is budding through! Thank goodness summer time is around the corner because with chompers and crawling, I am surely going to be one busy momma!! I know all you mommy's remember these days!

Andrew spent his 9 month birthday at the Getty Villa in the Pacific Palisades. He had so much fun and we were both in awe of the beauty and the magnificence of this museum. If you haven't been there before, you really need to go! It was amazingly beautiful and took my breathe away! After, we stopped for lunch at Gladstone's restaurant overlooking the beautiful Pacific Coastline on PCH. The food was great and Andrew sat like a big boy in high chair and enjoyed all the attention he received from passer-byers! He especially enjoyed his interactions with our very animated waiter! With his over the top personality, red rimmed sun glasses and melodic songs, Andrew wasn't quite sure what to think of this guy! The only part we could have done without on this spectacular day was the lovely LA traffic. It took over 3 hours to get home but thanks to the efforts of Auntie Jocelyn, Elena, and Lindsay, Andrew had some deep belly laughs and some snacks!! I have never heard such laughter out of him!!

Andrew is definitely a little boy!! And with that comes lots of bumps and bruises. It is hard to snap a photo these days without seeing some type of goose egg or bruise on his forehead. He loves moving about and of course, manages to run into everything! But of course, this comes with the territory!!

These 9 months have come and gone in the blink of an eye! You are mommy's blessing Andrew!! I love you so much!!

Rockin' and ROLLIN' like an 8 month old

Andrew has been a very busy little boy this month. While he has been rolling for awhile, he is officially the little Houdini. I set him down on his tummy and next thing I know, he is clear across the room. He is quite the little acrobat. If he isn't rolling all over, he is army crawling from one place to the next. It is only a matter of time before mommy will have a crawler on her hands.

This month, Andrew has definitely discovered his voice. He is talking SO much! Lots of baby babble of course but certainly knows how to make his presence known. He loves making the "Oh" sound. We went to Lowe's to help Daddy do a little shopping and while we were 3 aisles away from Daddy, I could hear Kyle laughing because he could hear Andrew saying "Oh." Wonder where he learned how to be so chatty??? Certainly, not from his verbose mommy!

Mommy has had to work A LOT this month. I am supposed to be able to work from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays but have been called in to meetings. Fortunately, my boss loves Andrew (what's not to love?) and will let me bring him on occasion. We are busy preparing for the upcoming STAR exams so while Mommy is busy collaborating with Andrew's aunties, Andrew is busy socializing with the students! He already has the love for school in his system! He also has no problem taking over my bosses office or her computer. Taking charge...atta boy!!

Andrew also helped welcome his cousin Penny! She was born on Friday, April 20th at 2:10am. A beautiful, healthy baby girl at 7lbs, 4 oz and 18 inches long. Pictures coming soon in a new post..I promise! While he hasn't had the opportunity to meet her yet, we can't wait for the two of them to grow up together! Andrew will definitely show her the ropes and Mommy and Daddy are happy to become an Auntie and Uncle. It has been a very busy year for the Wallace Family!

I crack myself up!!

This kid has the biggest smile in the world! Where he learned to be so animated is beyond me?? (Hopefully you can hear the sarcasm oozing out of that statement!)

OH!

Happy 8th month birthday little man! You are growing way too fast! It is scary to think that mommy is already starting to plan your 1st birthday...YIKES!!

Love at First Site

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon! Andrew was snuggling in his mommy's arms when a beautiful, little brown eyed cutie reached out to be held in my other arm. She stared at Andrew, he stared back at her. She reached both her hands out and grabbed his little face and gave Andrew his very first smooch! My kind of girl, knew what he wanted and went for it and man oh man, did she ever plant one on him! Hubba hubba!!

It was the seriously the cutest thing I have ever seen. Miss Zoey Lynn is and will always be Andrew's first kiss. If only words could describe the look on Andrew's face when she invaded his snuggle time and then out of no where was all of sudden locking lips with this beautiful little Miss. His eyes were massive! Those little blue peepers were certainly taking it all in. It was truly a scene from a movie! Cupid and hearts with wings were definitely circling about the two of them!

Not sure how I feel about Andrew sharing smooches with other women already but I guess I can make an exception! Andrew and Zoey sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G! First comes love, then comes marriage.....and we will stop right there! We will enjoy this puppy love for what it is! Mommy better start preparing herself!

Thank you Zoey Lynn for sharing such a special moment with my little man!! XOXO

Hippity Hoppity

Andrew's first Easter was filled with many laughs, love, and snuggles from his whole family. Even Daddy was off this year to spend Easter with our little snuggle bunny. We spent the day at Gma Danelle's house where the festivities were "hoppening." It was your traditional scene, the Grandpas watching golf in one room, the Grandmas talking up a storm and preparing Easter supper, and the children and grandchildren (and grandbaby to be) were kicked outside to color Easter eggs. Now, if you know the Wallace boys and my little brother JJ, you know that these were not your traditional Easter eggs. So un-traditional that I am not at liberty to describe them to you here. But like I said, if you know the men in this family, this is basically, "enough said!"
Highlights for this Easter include:

• JD helping himself to the Easter eggs after the "Easter Bunny" hid them all in the yard. Oh yes, shell and all. So far, the pooch is doing alright...I will let you know in a couple of days
• JD helping himself to Andrew's sweet potatoes while Andrew was eating (are you noticing a general theme here?)
• Andrew sitting in his own chair at Easter dinner
• The famous Wallace/Martin deviled egg eat-off! I am not sure how many eggs those boys ate
• Seeing Uncle Ross and Aunt Tracey before they will very soon become parents to little Penny Elaine
• A hysterical game of Cards Against Humanity. Tears from laughter were certainly shared by all

Andrew's first Easter was certainly a memorable one and I can't wait (well really I can, I don't want to see him grow up too fast!) until next year for him to have his Easter basket in hand to find the eggs and treats the Easter Bunny left for him. 

Happy 1st Easter Andrew!

Mommy and Daddy love their little snuggle bunny!

7 months

This has been quite the busy month for mommy's little man! Andrew officially has chompers! As much as I am going to miss his gummy grin, he has the most adorable little toofies!

Toofies, toofies...yeah toofies!!

Andrew has also learned how to roll over onto his tummy from his back and is eating a wide range of foods! He definitely has his Daddy's appetite. I don't think he even tastes his food as he impatiently opens his mouth wide for another bite. If he could talk, I am sure he would say "come on lady, more food PLEASE!!" Geez!

Andrew has also been quite the busy camper. Between camping in his new camping crib and visiting mom at AstroCamp, he is accruing many miles!

Happy 7 month birthday Andrew!! You are growing up so fast!

I'm not Irish but kiss me anyways!

Well he might not be Irish but how can you resist NOT wanting to kiss this cute little man? Andrew spent his very first St. Patty's Day showering his soon to be cousin Penny with lots of love and gifts. We can't wait for Penny's arrival! Happy St. Patty's Day friends! Andrew has lots of smooches to go around!

To Astrocamp...and Beyond!

It is mind boggling to think that this time last year, I was 5 1/2 months pregnant with Andrew and pouting because I couldn't go on the zipline! Well alas friends, Courtnie went on the zipline this year! This year's camp experience was different in that this was the first time that I was away from Andrew, and when I say away, I mean: my first overnight away from him. And believe it or not, and this sounds awful to say, it wasn't as bad or as hard as I thought it was going to be! I think I was so busy with my students (busy is an understatement) and knowing that he was in the beyond capable hands of Kyle, I was able to enjoy my time with my students. However, it appears that Andrew made this time way too enjoyable for Kyle. Apparently, he took extra long naps and allowed Kyle to sleep for a whopping 11 hours! REALLY?? I am just going to stick with he misses his mama so much that he can't wait to see me and wants to get his snuggling on first thing in the morning.
Anyhow, camp was a blast! We went to camp that I haven't been to since my student teaching days. My students really seemed to enjoy it and loved the activities. The highlight for me was definitely that Kyle came up to see me and Astrocamp had it's first mini-camper! Andrew LOVED it! But above all, I got to see my little man!
Camp was a blast and I loved every minute of it. The bonding between my co-workers and I was priceless and the interactions and memories made with my students will last a lifetime.

Such a happy little camper...no pun intended!

Momma's shy little guy!

Can't help loving this little man of mine!!

 Our little family!

The work wifey!!

 What do you mean I can't go on the zipline?

I love these ladies!

How do you spell dork? C-O-U-R-T-N-I-E

Astrocamp was out of this world....literally...and I can't wait until next time!