Suson Park

Nearby our house, there is Suson Park. I took a personal day at work and we decided to see what it was all about. Dave has not been there since he was a kid, and I have never had the full experience. It is a pretty neat park because it has many farm animals to take in. Bulls, cows, pigs, chickens, and goats are all there for your enjoyment. It was Josie's first time at a park with a playground, and the first time that she has been reactive to animals, besides Roxie. We had a blast.

So Big.

Now, in month 9, Josie has changed dramatically. People always told us that they change the most within the first 3 months, but I think since months 6-9, she has made her most changes. She can crawl, she can stand, she can cruise along a table, she can eat finger foods, she is more now than ever before a little adult. You can see her facial features and what they could look like years down the road. You can chase her down the hallway, instead of holding her on your side. You can definitely tell her personality.

She overall is one HAPPY baby. She hardly ever cries and is pretty laid back. She loves to explore the refrigerator, dishwasher, and of course anything Roxie has. Josie has a fondness to her toys, but loves change. Mix it up each day and keep the toy revolution going. Switch them out and make it interesting. She is an outside baby. Josie loves to have the wind in her face and watch the birds fly up ahead.

At the most recent doctor visit, Josie weighs a bit over 20.5 pounds (75%) and is perfectly 50% in height. The doctor was really proud of her physical developments. She told us that she will probably be walking before the next time we come. She said that about her crawling and a whole month earlier it happened. One thing the doctor stressed was to brush her teeth, but this baby has the jaws of steel. It is so hard to open her mouth, so I let her win that battle. But no more, mommy is coming to clean those teeth!!! (hopefully I won't get bit!)

I can't wait until school's out to spend more time with her. Almost there now, but I have to wait a bit longer. Already for this summer, we are booking up. Dave and I are planning a mommy and daddy week in New Orleans. Josie and I are already in a playgroup and swimming lessons with my friends and their little ones. I plan to catch up with her scrapbooks and reorganize the basement. I am also moving to 2nd grade next year, so I have to also start planning.




4 teeth on top and 2 on bottom


She loves a good bath!!




Here is a great meal, chicken, broccoli, and macaroni with cheese. Yum!

First Easter

Josie had a great Easter Sunday. She was able to see both families, but more importantly, everyone was able to see how big she has become. Everyone welcomed a cute, crawling, cuddly baby. She is a great joy and brings light to all those around her.

This year, Josie was able to experience the Holy Triduum for the first time. What excitement! However, Easter became pretty interesting on Good Friday. We bought her a dress a few weeks ago, a 6-9 month dress. It was really cute and Dave and I picked out shoes to match. Then, I was going to wash it and decided to try it on her one last time, just by chance. Here is when I realized that my little one has basically doubled in size. The buttons were not even near each other, let alone being able to fasten them. So here I was now looking for a new dress. Out and about I found a couple that I was not in love with. Thank goodness I have an Aunt Diane. She came to the rescue and had the perfect dress for her. And they matched her little shoes.

The shoes, by the way, she figured out how to kick off during the first ten minutes of Easter morning mass. Our priest, Father Maassen has a great way of kicking off the Easter season. What a joyous occasion!! I love this time of the year.



Josie in her cute dress. She has a headband, but she is not a fan of those anymore.






Josie with one of her grandma's




Josie on an egg hunt with Daddy. Notice cousin Ethan in the background.


This is her Godfather, our parish Deacon Jerry along with his wife, Val. They treat her so well. A blessing everytime we're together.

A mischievous one...

Not only is our little baby crawling now...but mischief has begun. Dave has been wanting her to crawl. Can we all say oh-no, it is about to get crazy.

This was all just within the past few days.

She is on a roll and on a mission.


Poor Roxie, I have to put her bowls up now.


She is now grabbing onto furniture, but has not quite figured out how to stand up. Still watch out, she will grab anything that is on the table.


This was the remnants of a bone of Roxie's. Josie got caught in a chair. Eventually, she found her way through and almost got the bone in her mouth.


There is a shelf of her books. This is the first time she was able to get them all out at the same time.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Hope everyone enjoyed their St. Patrick's Day. I was on Spring Break that week, so Josie and myself with a few friends enjoyed the sites and sounds of the Dogtown parade. It was a gorgeous day and the little one loved it. As I held her up, she clapped and kicked her legs.

Just yesterday, Josie started crawling. Slow and steady, but she is doing a great job!! Barb, her babysitter, says that she maneuvers all over her house having fun. She is such a happy baby! 8 months now...bigger than ever, and now mobile. Oh-no! There is no stopping her now.

Here is the mini photo shoot of her St. Patrick gear. Grandma made her the bib.






Enjoying our time at the parade

a new toy

Grandma gave Josie a Leap Frog Learning Center for Christmas. To early to play with then, but now that she can sit up without support, time to pull out something new and exciting. Here is the proof that it is pretty cool. Fun for mommy and baby to both play with together. It is pretty strange how you turn into such a little kid yourself when playing with the little ones.

Oh just funny

Josie was doing her daily routine, rolling around like crazy on the floor when she headed to the floor activity center. Daddy calls it her "Fun Zone". I looked down and saw that she had pulled this center over her head and could not get out. What a hoot. She surely brings joy.

7 months now...WOW!

Josie is now 7 months old and doing great. At her 6 month checkup, she was 17 1/2 pounds (75%), 26 inches (65%) and her head is in the 60%. The doctor is still really proud of her ability to be so strong. She really thinks that no later than 9 months she will be crawling. Currently, she is lifting herself up, and scooting backwards. A mobile monster we have created!

She eats 3 meals through the day, one veggie and one fruit (stage 2), with rice. She is down to four bottles a day, making dishes a bit easier. I really don't like the bottle cleaning wand. What a pain! She is still sleeping through the night, about 10 hours, thankfully, 8 pm. to 6-ish. She does not get fed before 6 am.

Josie has gone through her first fever and sickness. She in the end had the highest temp of 102.5, and did mom freak out. I started driving again that day, just in case I had to meet Dave at the doctor's office. Of course, she is tougher than I, and pulled out the next day, better than ever.

The newest development is that she is cutting both her bottom teeth, and both on the same day!!! A 7-month present, we will call them. They don't seem to bother her though. No extra fussiness, crying, nothing...man I love this kiddo.

Soon she will be staying her first night away from mom and dad...we will let you know how that goes. Cross your fingers.



Her she is enjoying the tub. She loves a fun, splash-full bath!


Josie can now clap her hands. She does it all the time, making everyone yell "YEAH" around her to encourage her on. But take notice, she wore her Cardinal gear on the day pitchers and catchers checked into Spring Training!! From that day, a 54 day countdown began. We have already bought a 7 game ticket pack. Ready to go!!



Josie posing for mommy's opportunity to get a good Valentine's Day picture. The book is what her babysitter gave her.



This last picture is true...Daddy loves me! But of course!

It's 2010

So New Year's was a normal night around the Whitlock House for Josie. Off to bed by 8 p.m. So I faked it a couple days later...Happy New Year's. We hope everyone is happy and healthy this year. God Bless You All.

PS-We took these in her bedroom...and oh yeah...Josie can sit up, but only for a short time with no assistance. WoW!! Were has the time gone??

Oh PS again-Besides rice, we have started baby foods. Currently, we are on carrots, but have also tried green beans (not a fan), squash (loved!!), and then sweet potatoes. We are back to sleeping through the night...mom is happy.

Josie's first snow

Even though it was almost zero degrees, we took Josie out for a very, very short time. But we have the pictures to scrapbook with. That's all we need. She really looked like the kid from A Christmas Story in her link outfit. She had on two shirt and a jacket, 2 pants, 2 pairs of socks, and this outer suit. She couldn't put her arms down and by the time 5 minutes was up, she was finished! "Get me out of this!"

Our snow angel




"Hey mom, what do you have?"