Umma

Simon started saying his third word this weekend: "Mama".  He hasn't quite gotten the hang of pronouncing the first "M" most of the time yet, so it usually comes out as "Umma".  But he keeps trying and is getting better at it.  He definitely knows what the word means... if he and I are downstairs playing and he hears Emily walking around upstairs or starting to walk downstairs, he'll stop what he's doing and hurry over to the gate saying "Umma! Umma!" while watching for her.  And it's really sweet to see him run up to her and say "Umma up!" so he can snuggle.

As you can imagine, Emily is *loving* hearing him say this. 

Picture of the Day: 7/29/12

One of Simon's favorite things to do in the backyard is sit under the steps and play with the sprinklers while they're not spitting water

Picture of the Day: 7/28/12

Simon helped clean up the backyard after I mowed the lawn

One Thumb Drumming

Mama and Simon doing storytime in the baby jail, reading Hand Hand Fingers Thumb and drumming along to the story

Bear/Tickle monster

Indoor play to escape the heat!

It has still been pretty hot and sticky out so Simon and I (Jenn) decided to go to our monthly nanny playgroup at Little Beans this week. He had a blast and it was our first time back since he has been walking so it was extra fun to chase around the big kids.

Simon was very into the train table.

Happy baby!

Multitasking

"This moves AND plays music!"

His first Audi

So much to see and so many big kids to watch!

The cutest fireman EVER!

A practical fireman, doing his grocery shopping.

His 2nd word!!! "OUT"

He found a baby to snuggle.

Serious baby meeting.

"We need soup Jenn"

I hear an Echo

Simon has really gotten into the talking thing now. In the past couple days he has started echoing the sounds you make back to him. Yesterday morning I was feeding him scrambled eggs and as I was putting them onto his tray he was stuffing them into his mouth (you know, normal morning). Since they were fresh from the pan I was blowing on them and saying 'hot' as I set them down, suddenly I realized that he was repeating the word to me! I don't think he knew what it meant and he didn't say it without prompting, but I still switched to 'egg' so I didn't confuse the poor guy and teach him the wrong word. When I switched, he did too and repeated egg for me. (Very advanced for his age.)

By the end of the day, he officially had a new word: Out. Like with up it's two syllables and the T part requires some focus so it's slow and deliberate. He says 'out' to get out of the car seat, the high chair and when he's standing in front of the new gate downstairs... I think he's wanting to go outside.

I'm sure there will be more words quickly. I hope the next words are nouns though, Jenn pointed out last night that all his words so far are commands. I don't know what that means exactly, but feel like it must mean something.

Snuggly Baby

Simon was very snuggly this morning. When we got downstairs, Simon went to his play pen to get his bear and then brought the bear over for a hug and kiss from mom, then Simon got a hug and kiss from mom, then Simon gave the bear a hug and kiss too. It was love and snuggles all around. 

These aren't great pictures, inevitably for adorable moments I don't have my camera at hand, but these were taken shortly after while Bear was still getting some snuggles.

Sometimes a kiss looks a little like a mouthful, but it's still adorable.
Also note the new gate in the hallway!

Best Mother's Day Gift Ever

For Mother's Day Alan got me and Simon a photo session with Jenn. I'd mentioned a few times how I wished there were some better pictures of me and Simon and Alan not only remembered but arranged!  I took a morning off of work and Jenn, Simon and I went to the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Jenn took some absolutely amazing pictures. I love them. It was the best Mother's Day Gift Ever.

 

More after the jump...

Picture of the Day: 7/24/12

New Shoes

Simon loves both pairs of new shoes.

Video of Simon Saying Up

Jenn sent me these earlier this week, but I didn't get a chance to post them while I was at work. Enjoy!

A few photos from the last 2 weeks

Simon at Juniper park.

Playing in the kiddie water fountain.

....and drinking from it!

haha!

Simon eating out of a bowl for the first time (with me).

He tried raspberries for the first time and LOVED them.

CUTEST baby!

Warming up after swimming at the YMCA yesterday.

Cuddle bear.

We had a picnic last week.

So cool...

Went for an hour long walk/play and kept his hat and glasses on the whole time!

More pictures of him looking very long after the jump.