Future Landscaper

When Peter was 3 1/2 months old, I had to go back to work. A sweet friend of mine, also named Kara, watched Peter during the day from January through May. Kara's husband, Mark, owns a lawn care/landscaping business. I think Mark might have influenced my son - Peter LOVES to be outside, and he loves plants and rocks. Every time he goes outside, he finds a new rock. He holds onto it the entire time he's outside. He only puts it down to trade for another rock. When it's time to come inside, I have him leave his rocks (I call them treasures) on the small table on our porch. When he goes outside the next time, his first stop is the table to pick up his treasures. We were outside the other day, and I was able to get a little video of Peter. Enjoy. Oh, and if any of you need some yard work done, please let us know in about 17 years or so. We might have just the guy for you!! :)

A Look Back . . . One Year Portraits

These pictures are just a sampling of the pictures we got at Portrait Innovations back in September to celebrate Peter's first year of life. Enjoy!

I'm a Big Kid Now!

Peter loves sitting in his booster seat at the table now. It's nice to sit around the table as a family. He even uses a plate! We will have to get some more "kid-friendly" plates soon. Although he hasn't thrown his plate on the floor for the past couple of days, I'm not ready to take a chance with our breakable plates! :)

Sitting in a booster seat has made it easier to eat out as well. We went to Denny's on New Year's Day with my brother, sister-in-law, and niece. Camille needed to be in a highchair, so Peter sat in the booster seat. He did great, and he loved trying bacon for the first time!!

Just Like Dad...

Peter got a new truck from Aunt Mary for Christmas. It's a Little People construction vehicle, to be exact. The man that drives the truck is just a few inches tall. Apparently Peter doesn't think that it's only for Little People. He spent quite a bit of time this evening sitting on the truck and pushing it backwards with his feet. Notice the toy in the background. This is a Noah's Ark ride-on toy that he got for his birthday. I'm sure that's where he got the idea to "ride-on" the Little People truck. Also notice Peter's necktie. Sometimes after Andrew gets home, Peter wears his tie. Peter walks all around the living room and kitchen wearing the tie. He loves being just like Dad. :)

Walking!!!

Although scooting is still his preferred method of transportation, Peter is walking more and more. Here are a few videos for your enjoyment. :)

Also, in case you are wondering, he is not trying to make a fashion statement. This is what happens when you need a change of clothes and all of your warm clothes are in the washing machine. After lunch on Sunday, I was getting Peter ready for a nap. He had gotten something on his pants, so I changed him into pajama pants. As I was changing his diaper, he decided that it was a great time to pee all over his shirt. Good thing he doesn't care if his clothes match or not!

Visiting the Horses

Visit to the Cardiologist

When Peter was born, the doctors in the NICU heard a heart murmur. Our pediatrician heard it as well, so we were referred to a pediatric cardiologist. When Peter was almost 3 months old, we saw Dr. Holt. The visit showed that Peter did indeed have a small hole in his heart. We were told that it should close on its own. We went back for a follow-up appointment today, and it has completely healed on its own!

Andrew was able to leave work early to go with us. The appointment lasted a little over an hour, so it was nice to have his help. They started with an EKG. Peter was very interested in what was going on, so he was very still while the tech worked.

After the EKG, we had to do a sonogram of Peter's heart. We had lots of distractions - toys, goldfish crackers, Baby Einstein dvd, mobiles, music, lights, and more. Peter had to stay very still while the tech looked at his heart. She was great with little ones, and Peter did a great job for her. She was able to get all of the pictures she needed.

While we waited for Dr. Holt, Peter enjoyed scooting all over the exam room and looking out the window.

Finally, Dr. Holt came in to listen to Peter's heart. The sonogram showed that the hole had healed on its own, so everything looks great. He did tell us that we might still hear a faint sound in the future that sounds like a murmur, but it's nothing to worry about it. Peter is a completely healthy little guy. :)

After the visit, we took Peter to EZ's for a snack. We shared some of my chocolate shake, and he got to have ketchup on his french fries for the first time.