Growing, Growing, Growing

So it seems like everyone in our house is growing-Growing-GROWING! Well not so much Tj but the rest of us are.
Joel had a doctor's appointment this week. I knew he was getting big. He weighed in at 22 pounds- it's no wonder my back aches after hauling him around! He was 29 1/4 inches tall. I can't believe how big he is getting. He looks like such a little boy. He went into work with me for a little bit last night and everyone in my department there was amazed at how big he was getting. People still say that he looks just like me- I'm hoping that's a compliment. lol I think he's pretty cute so I take it as a compliment.
Joel is getting quite the personality. He's pretty adventurous. He has started letting go and balancing himself once he's standing. He gets so proud of himself. It makes me smile. Tj even had him taking a few steps the other night. He'd help him balance about an arms length away and then have Joel walk towards him. Sometimes it was a control fall and sometimes they were actual steps. It was exciting! Before long we'll be chasing him as he runs around our apartment.
He's not speaking words yet but that doesn't mean he's not talking or expressing himself! Sometimes he is very vocal- especially when he's being told no. Yes, Joel has learned the art of the fit. Grrrrr- it's a lovely time. Always interesting. We're working on it- so fun! Luckily it's usually when he's tired or hungry that the fits rear their head. So we try and head them off before they show up. I suppose it's just a glimpse of what's to come. But when he throws his fits it makes me wonder where my sweet Joel went. It's a bit ironic though. Joel has begun throwing fits but he's also getting more cuddly. He's never really been one to "rock-a-bye" or cuddle, however now he will. He still has to be in the mood but it's pretty sweet to have him snuggle up to me with his blanket and resting his head on my shoulder. He's such a good boy and we're so blessed to have him.

Climbing up and over!

Joel loves his juice! And he's learned to drink

from his sippy cup straw. Mmm, yummy juice!

Standing with crazy hair!

I also had a doctor's appointment this week. I'm four and a half months pregnant now. I'm fairly certain that it's pretty obvious now. I already have a little belly. I'm not putting weight on as fast as I did with Joel- probably because I'm chasing and hauling Joel this time around!-but still healthy. In the next week or so I'll have my second ultrasound. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the baby will not be shy and let us know if it's a boy baby or a girl baby. But of course the most important part is that the doctor can check out the baby's heart and make sure he or she is growing properly. It's still pretty surreal that it was only a year ago we were going through this with Joel.

So I'm pretty excited. Joel and I are going to be out in Arizona at the end of May. I'm excited for him to see and spend time with his Grandma & Papa, Aunts, Uncles and cousins. Plus I am super excited to see Angela's new baby. We can't wait! Tj unfortunately will be working and can't make the trip this time- this is his most busy time of year. Maybe next time.

Joel's First Wedding!

So Joel went to his first wedding yesterday. Tj's boss got married. Of course they insisted that we bring Joel- they love him and think he's the world's best baby! So we brought him. Aside from a few minor outbursts he was pretty good. Both the bride and groom mentioned later that they were so glad that Joel was there because his little outbursts made them smile and kept them from getting over emotional. Glad to be of service! lol And of course he was a hit at the reception! All the girls loved him and he got passed around- which was a little interesting at times because he's starting to get separation anxiety. But overall it was a good night.

Joel dressed to the nines with Norma- the bride.
Pretty dang cute if you ask me!

The Rosen Family
Besides my squinty eyes (the FL sun is bright!!!) it's a pretty good picture of us.
Tj was a groomsman and looks pretty handsome in that tux!

Joel's Ninth Month

So everyone always says that the second nine months go by so much quicker than the first. Well I'd agree. This last month Joel has just gotten so big. He is definitely on his way to being a toddler and is probably more so a toddler than a baby. Sigh-

He officially is cruising to go along with his crawling. He's still pretty cautious though. But anything in his line of sight is fair game. He's so interested in everything especially once he is pulled up to standing. We have seen many a cup pulled over in attempt to see what it is. Luckily they're usually empty! The funniest thing was when I had a travel box of cheerios on the coffee table and Joel dumped them all over. He LOVES cheerios!

Joel has also learned to make a plethora of new noises with his mouth. Of course he still refuses to talk or attempt words like "mama" or "dado" but he loves making "motorcar" noises and his favorite "fart-sounding" noises. Of course those always come during the prayer at church or other inconvenient times but luckily he's cute and everyone just laughs. He also likes to make choking/coughing noises. He swallowed something wrong one night at dinner over at Grandma and Grandpa R's house. When everyone was sure he was okay they started to laugh- and of course since he had an audience he proceeded to perform. What are you going to do?!

He continues to make us laugh every day. He loves pulling himself up on stuff and jumping. His favorite is his crib- when he should be sleeping. He fights naps and bedtime like the plague: he gets that from his dad. So now sleeping time is always an adventure. We're hoping he grows out of it! So here are the latest pics.


Joel all decked out for the ONE winter
day in FL. I think it reached like 47
degrees that morning.

Sleepy Joel!

Joel all decked out and ready to go!

Joel 8 Months

Okay so Manda is a super slacker but keeping up with an active mobile 8 month old proved to be quite a task. Add to that we got some very unexpected news and it made for quite the month.

It's official. Joel is going to be a big brother. Now granted it won't be by much but yes, the our family is growing by one come August. So be on the look out for more news as we get it.

Joel became VERY active in his eighth month. He got to be quite the expert in crawling and was only limited by the speed his little hands and knees could take him and the doors mom and dad shut. He was pulling himself up on anything and everything he could but was often frustrated because while he learned to pull himself up he hadn't quite figured out how to get down.

He also became very interested in what mom and dad were doing and was quite the "helper". He reminded mommy of when she needed to vacuum- as he would find objects on the floor and attempt to put them in his mouth. He would "help" mommy with the laundry by tipping the basket over in an attempt to pull himself up. And he would "help" us childproof the house by finding any and every danger and bringing it to our attention. I feel like I say no alot! But he's slowly learning and so am I.

Joel also began to get a more consistent diet of baby vegatables and other fun food that isn't in liquid form. All this eating was aided in the fact that he got his two top teeth in- and mommy lost about a week and a half of sleep to prove it. They were the most difficult of the teething process thus far but he is very proud of them and likes to show them off.

He also started getting a nightly bath as he now enjoys playing in the water. He's still not a fan of getting his face wet or laying down but he likes to splash and crawl around in the tub. His favorite toys are his ducky and mommy's spatulas and turkey baster!

And then we were on to month nine!



We determined the best way for Joel to help me
with the laundry was if he caught it while I took
it out of the dryer.

Joel playing in the bathtub with Dado!

Joel exploring.

Joel helping mom with the vacuum.
He's not super fond of the noise but
he loves to pull himself up on it.
And check out those chompers!!!