the fun continues

Symeon is such fun and his curious spirit affords us many opportunities to laugh in a day.




What can I say he loves to climb!



He is standing so well and pulling himself up on everything. Today he almost pulled down the trash can because he grabbed the edge of the bag and was pulling himself up on it luckily I caught it before he was covered in garbage.



He loves this table it plays lots of music but anyone who knows us also knows we don't play with this early in the morning! Symeon has been standing up since right after he started crawling but today he shocked us by letting go and staying on his feet. I don't think he knew what he did because he wasn't trying. He was messing with something, let go, stood there then grabbed back on without realizing what he did but both Shawn and I saw it and were shocked.


Yes this is under Shawn's desk luckily he fits right under without bumping his head. He loves it under there.



Maybe he will be a computer genius?

Standing up for what he wants

After seeing this we decided to lower his mattress!

A day in the life of ...

a crawling baby!!!

These are all the places and things I found Symeon doing in a day.



Getting his diapers for me. What a helpful little guy


Cleaning up under the table. He knows this is a hard to reach place


Stacking up the tuperware lids we all know how frustrating that can be.



Here he is adjusting the antenna on the tv so the Olympics would come in clear.



Ok in this picture you are probably wondering where he is but when he pulled the basket down on top of himself the clothes were covering him and he was crying. Although I wanted to take his picture it felt a bit mean so I picked him up and comforted him then he didn't want anything to do with the clothes but I took a picture of his mishap. I mean really all he was trying to do was fold his own laundry, who can blame him for that.



Finally he was going to clean the bathroom but he decided to read Rolling Stone before he started. He was so upset by one article he had to rip out a few pages.

Symeon's half birthday

Symeon is six months old today and it is weird to think about. Shawn and I were reflecting in some ways it feels much longer than six months and in other ways it feels much shorter. All we know for sure is that we are blessed to have Symeon and each day brings joy and lots of new adventures. I read a friend's blog and she said on the eve of her children's birthdays she goes into their rooms when they are asleep and cries so she is able to fully enjoy the next day and the next stage of life. And although it is not Symeon's birthday I thought it is a good practice for someone like me who struggles with any kind of change. So last night when I was putting him to sleep I realized I love the stage he is in and at the same time I grieve what we are leaving behind by celebrating his half birthday. I shed a few tears, held him for a long time after he fell asleep, and thanked God for his life. I appreciate the insight from a seasoned Mom and it really helped me approach today with a sense of wonder and excitement for all that his life will hold.



Crawling is helpful but it seems he is ready for his next challenge. Standing!!



A true Philly Phanatic











Symeon and PaPaw



Symeon just started drinking out of a sippy cup and it is a hit. You will also notice he is wearing a tie because we went out to a nice seafood restaurant and it was a formal occasion. Thanks Auntie Traci that I had something to wear. He gets so many comments on this shirt when he wears it and really it is quite funny to see him in it.

Mobility

New Freedom for Symeon

5 months

Well it is hard to believe but Symeon is 5 months old. Well actually he is 51/2 but we are just getting to post now so the pictures are from a couple of weeks ago. In my mind 5 month olds still sit on blankets and play with toys but Symeon has decided that is not for him. He is very busy and Shawn and I are just waiting for the day when he needs stitches which we don't think will be long. Just today he pulled something out of an outlet, was in the closet, tried to eat the rug in the kitchen, was under Shawn's desk, crawled into a box of papers in my office, tried to climb into his chair on the floor, and explored under the end table. He had a busy day and his knees show it. They are pretty dirty and beat red from the carpeting but overall he seems to be enjoying his freedom. We do think if we put down shards of glass, a knife, a cute softy bunny, and cuddly blanket down on the floor Symeon would crawl over to the knife and carry it to the glass so he could sit in it while playing with the knife. We are wondering how he possibly knows what is the worst possible thing he can find and then hone in on it like there is nothing else in the room. It is fun to see him explore his world and this new phase in life brings some challenges and lots of joys.



Symeon eating sweet potatoes


Symeon in the tub


Looking at Eagles gear with Dad


Just hanging out with Dad

Happy Birthday Mathis

Well it is hard to believe but our dear friends Dave and Christie celebrated their son Mathis' birthday on Saturday. It is hard to believe that he is 3, time really does fly. He is so cute and sweet and we all had a good time celebrating Mathis at his soccer themed party.



Here he is with his new golf clubs wearing his soccer jersey dress. It was a bit big but he looked so cute and was really happy.



Happy Birthday little guy we love you!!




Here's a picture of the happy family a few years ago. Mathis is a bit smaller but he looks exactly the same.

New Things

Well Symeon turned 5 months old on the 18th and it seems this month has brought so much change. He is asserting his will, trying new things, and is starting to be on the move. Shawn and I are really enjoying these new stages. He continues to be a happy baby who loves people, smiles and laughs easily, and people always say he seems so content which is true. He sleeps very well at night usually from 7 to 7 without a peep from him. We feel really blessed to have such a delightful baby.


Symeon trying rice cereal. He really really likes it the other day we left and we had wiped his face and when we got to the car it had dried and you could see it all over him in his ears, nose, under his chin, and in his eyelashes. The whole process is pretty funny. He also started doing raspberries and when he is eating it goes all over you as well. We tried to video tape him doing raspberries but once again when the camera came out he became really serious and wouldn't do anything.




Much to our surprise about a week ago Symeon began getting into the crawl position and rocking back and forth. He still has trouble getting his hands to move the way he needs but he gets where he wants to go slowly still but he gets there. In a few more weeks he should have it down and I hope we are prepared for a baby on the move.




Just today Symeon went from lying down to sitting up. He can kind of sit up for a few seconds and then falls over so I was surprised as I watched him this morning to see him go from lying down to sitting up. He sat looking surprised for a minute and then fell over but we counted it as a successful unassisted sit up. It was fun to watch him figure out what he needed to do to make it work. He gets pretty determined and focused when there is something he wants to do. I wonder where he gets that from??


Symeon loves his feet, now that he has found them they are the go everywhere toy that just keeps giving. He often plays with them when he should be going down for a nap but what do you do since you can't take them away? It is super sweet to see him having so much fun.





We think Symeon is starting to feel the ache of teeth. He chews on everything we such vigor and he loves to suck on his fingers. I love when he does this it is just so cute.

Working with My Mom

On Wednesdays I am able to work from home and it is wonderful. Here is Symeon helping me on my last day at home. He loves the computer.

Thumb sucking

Symeon continues to suck his thumb and no obstacle is to big to keep him from getting it!!

Some people we love

I realized in looking through our June pictures Symeon saw so many people who love him and whom he loves too. I felt so blessed as I looked them over. Love to you all.



Oma giving Symeon a bath



Titi Lourdes and Symeon


Lamar and Symeon



Uncle Michael (from California) and Symeon


Aunt Niecer and Symeon


Auntie Traci, Clover and Uncle Mike


Auntie Linda and Uncle Jay


Papaw and Symeon


Papaw, Mommy, and Symeon


Uncle Mike and Symeon hanging out

Symeon is 4 months old

Since June was so busy I didn't get to share some new pics of him at 4 months. He continues to be such a fun and joyful baby. He is still in the 95% for his hight at 261/2 inches long and the 75% for his weight at 17.3 lbs. Here are just some fun pictures of him around the 4 month mark.



Symeon and Daddy



Symeon and Mommy. Thanks Elizabeth for the cool hat!!



One of the many faces of Symeon



Look at those gorgeous big eyes!



Symeon has recently found his feet and he loves them. It is so sweet when you find him in his crib after a nap just talking to himself and playing with his feet.

June a Whirlwind

Well June was a busy month and although lots of fun I am glad it is over. First we were in CA for Shawn's graduation and we had such a good time with friends and celebrating Shawn's accomplishment. When we returned we were both only home a few days then I went to CT to visit family and friends with Symeon and Shawn went to Kentucky on a mission trip with his youth group. Then my Mom came back to PA with me and watched Symeon while I went to a conference overnight. It was kind of weird to leave Symeon overnight without Shawn or I but he was in good hands to say the least. I think he enjoyed lots of special attention from his Oma. All I can say is every night he received a relaxing sponge bath which he loved and the first night my Mom went home he seemed to look at Shawn and I like we were neglecting him! I think it was great fun for them both. Thanks Mom for blessing us and him. Love ya!!! Here are a few highlight pictures of our fun and tiring month.


Shawn's Kentucky Trip

Now that's a working man!!


Sharing With Appalachian People (SWAP)



Symeon and I in CT

Clover and Symeon. She was a big help and very gentle and loving with her cousin. She was happy to feed him or play and we spent lots of time together. It was such fun for both Symeon and I. Thanks Clover for being such a good cousin.


Austin is as kind and gentle as ever. One time when Symeon was sleeping he told me how beautiful he was. Symeon and Austin do look a lot alike especially since they both have brown eyes. I hope Symeon grows up to be as loving and sweet as Austin. Thanks Austin for being such loving cousin to Symeon. We love you lots!!


Austin and Clover do karate and we were lucky to be able to see them perform. It was great fun. Good job you guys!!


Clover and I had some special time together one day while Austin was at a birthday party and we made some cookies in Oma's new kitchen. Of course she was allowed to sit on the counter I mean she had to in order to roll them out.


Lourdes and Caleb it was great to see you guys. It was such fun to have them both meet Symeon for the first time. If you notice in this picture I have a very wet shoulder this seems to be a trend for me these days. Symeon drools just a bit!!