I just put up a ton of pictures from December & January. Since they’re all over the place in the gallery, I’m listing all of the links here to help you find them!
December 2009
Christmas 2009
January 2010
1st Birthday
1st Haircut
Michael on the Move
Michael is finally figuring out this walking thing…with the help of this handy push toy! He has a blast pushing it along until he hits an obstacle. Since this video was taken about a month ago, Michael has figured out how to turn his toy or at least push it around to where he wants to go.
Jumping on the bed! Michael’s new love of bouncing was indulged to the fullest during this play session after a nap. He was full of energy and having a blast!
Family Portrait
So we finally got around to getting some family portraits done! I was very pleasantly surprised by how smoothly the whole process went. We scheduled an appointment at Target for a weeknight and Michael met us there after he got off work. In just over an hour we were in, had our pictures taken, picked out the ones we wanted, exchanged a coupon and some cash and were on our way back out the door! Michael A. was smiley enough through most of the session and we got enough good photos that I was able to identify a couple for family and a couple more for us. Best of all, I got to check the task off my to do list and I’ll have something for all those relatives who were sure to start guilting me soon! 
There’s someone in there!
In the last few days we have begun to enjoy a whole new level of interaction with Michael Aaron. Like somebody flipped a switch, it is suddenly apparent that he does indeed understand what we’re saying to him and what’s more, now has the ability to respond appropriately! This morning, while he and I were in the living room, we could hear Michael getting ready for work. I told Michael Aaron to “go find daddy” and he immediately crawled back towards our bedroom and found his daddy! Yesterday, I told him it was time for a diaper change and he started pulling off his diaper!!!
We have been teaching him some hand signs and he can now use “more” and “all done” in context - although he does sometimes get them confused. “More” is definitely his favorite and he tends to use it frequently. He is getting more verbal as well and I am getting the feeling lately that he is actually trying to say something as he jabbers away. He kept repeating the same sounds this morning while looking at me expectantly. I still have no idea what it is that he was saying!
It is so much fun being this kid’s mom! I love getting to watch him grow and change and I am constantly amazed at how quickly new skills appear and develop. I am so lucky!
Michael Aaron at 11 Months…
Wow. How did this happen? My son is 11 months old - which means he will be a whole year old in just another month!!! My tiny baby, who weighed in at just 6 pounds 13 ounces when he was born has turned into a 20 pound almost-toddler! It’s incredible. He’s incredible…and awfully cute. 
At 11 months, Michael is climbing on EVERYTHING, standing unsupported while keeping his balance and taking unabashed delight in the world around him. He is a happy, laughing baby who loves silly noises, playing peek-a-boo and wrestling with mommy or daddy. He has started initiating the peek-a-boo games himself by crouching down behind something and popping back up or holding something in front of his face and then dropping it until we notice and start playing along. He can give a high five and has started making the sign for “All Done” when he is finished eating (but only if his daddy isn’t looking!). We are working on learning to wave and clap and of course all of his other baby signs. I think I might have seen him sign “more” yesterday but he hasn’t repeated it so that sighting shall have to remain unconfirmed! [more...]
Boy, oh BOY!
Yup, it’s official - I am the proud mama of TWO boys! Our second son, Ian Scott Pendrak, was nowhere near as shy as his big brother at revealing his gender. While I lay on the ultrasound table, the tech asked if we wanted to know the sex. Before she even finished the sentence, Michael was celebrating in the background…which told me conclusively before I even got to see the screen that my little embryo was indeed another little boy!
We are super excited to know our new little guy’s name and to start making plans…although there actually aren’t many to be made! With another boy on the way, we find that we already have most of what we need. Clothes certainly aren’t a problem and we won’t need to make any changes to the nursery - except rearrange to make room for two and that won’t need to happen for awhile as Ian will stay in the pack ‘n play in our room for awhile. [more...]
Three Decades of Life
I’m 30!!! It turns out though, that that is not such a big deal after all. I feel pretty much the same as I did when I was 29. Huh.
Regardless, my 30th birthday was celebrated in style. My mom was here for a visit the weekend before so she took me out for a girl’s day. We wandered the mall in search of a mother’s birthstone ring for me (garnet for Michael and Diamond for Ian), enjoyed a fabulous meal at Red Lobster and then went for massages. While we were out, Michael (the Daddy) took charge of Lil’ Michael and prepared a beautiful birthday cake!
On my actual birthday, my Michaels presented me with a card and some flowers and we ordered Chinese take out. Perfection!
Catching Up!
Yes, I know it has been three months since I’ve posted. I am so very ashamed. 
What happened was this. Life got busy, I watched another little boy for a period of time, I found out I was pregnant, my son started moving under his own power and getting into everything under the sun. Sitting down at the computer for any length of time became a challenge.
Time passed. [more...]
Catching up on…Michael Aaron!
When I last checked in, Michael Aaron was just seven months old. He is now ten months and what a difference those three months have made! Three months ago, he was just starting to get around. From that he progressed to “low crawling”, which he stuck with for quite some time. He just recently switched to hands and knees crawling and now does that almost exclusively. In September, he began pulling himself up on the furniture and that quickly evolved into “cruising” (walking around while holding onto the furniture, a person, the dog, etc.) He has just recently started to let go of the furniture for a few seconds at a time while still maintaining his balance. His favorite new skill is climbing! Eek! It makes his mommy so nervous, but he loves climbing up onto low tables, fireplaces, slides, anything! He is so pleased with himself at each new achievement and his grin of pride is quite a sight to behold! [more...]
Michael in Pictures
I may not have been blogging, but I have been taking plenty of pictures. Most of these were posted in a fairly timely manner, but just in case you missed them, here are the August, September and October albums.
