Denver Wedding

My cousin Nicole got married last weekend in Keystone, CO and we were fortunate enough to make the trip out and spend an amazing five days with our family while enjoying the Rocky Mountains!

AJ and Megan having some bonding time early Saturday morning.

On Saturday, Sept. 1st, we took the ski lift 2 miles up the mountain.

Even in Colorado we supported our Buckeyes first game of the season! GO BUCKS!

The wind was a little chilly coming down the mountain, but AJ soon fell asleep anyways.

The next generation... AJ, Megan and Carter. I love how AJ and Carter both have their hands resting on the pillows.

Septemeber 2, 2007. Nicole's wedding day. It just wouldn't be complete without a picture of the three of us. Congratulations Nik - We love you!

AJ chillin' out at the wedding ceremony.

Megan and AJ tearing up the dance floor with Grandpa Joe.

The Sauer Fam!

The Glandon Fam!

The McLaughlin Fam! I love you all - wish we had more time to spend together like this!

Uncle Mark and his nephews. What a handsome bunch!

Uncle Mark and his nieces and daughter.

On Monday, we took AJ on his first train ride!

All Aboard!!!!

Eric, Brian and Dave.

Mommy Back to Work

AJ with his babysitter Emily.

Well, I was back to work this week, which means that AJ is now spending 3 days a week at his babysitter's house (he spends the other two days with his grandmas). Her name is Emily and AJ is having a blast! He gets to play with a few other kids (age 2-5) who absolutely adore him, sing songs, read stories, go to the park, take walks and play with new toys. He's been his usual happy, laid-back, easy-going self with her which makes it easier on me! I only cried for about 30 seconds as I was pulling away from her house after I dropped AJ off the first day. Our lives have become a little crazier with me back to work, but so far all is well!

Couldn't Resist

I just thought this was too cute! I won't have to go through the "binky" battle with AJ, but he might still be carrying around his blankie when he's headed into Kindergarten.

5 Months Old

AJ's three favorite things: fingers, toes and blankie!

AJ's first attempt at a video game... I heard he beat his Daddy! :)

Five months have gone by so fast. I can't believe I start back to work tomorrow and AJ will be spending his first day with his babysitter - Emily! I'll be sure to let you know how it goes! Well, no Dr. visit this month, but when I got on the scale with AJ it said he weighed 18 1/2 pounds. What a little monster! At this rate we will have to buy a new carseat in two months! AJ has become so much more active this past month and his fun, laid-back personality is really starting to show. He recognizes his bottle and knows how to grab for it and put it in his mouth (with just a little help). He laughs and yells when you toss him in the air, and he has learned how to smack his lips together. He no longer takes a pacifier (he much prefers his two middle fingers), and loves to snuggle with his little blankies. Last week, he also rolled over from his back to his stomach (of course Brian and I both missed it). He's only done it the one time, but he often rolls onto his side, even sleeps on his side sometimes, so it won't be long before he's doing it consistently and then cruising around the house. AJ eats his rice cereal with applesauce or bananas now, and just last night we tried to give him green beans, but he totally hated them. I tried again tonight and got the same response. I guess we will move on to the next vegetable. My little boy is growing up too quick, but we are loving every minute of it!

A Day at the Park

Okay, since I have to go back to work on Monday I decided to spend some quality time with my son at the park today. The temperature has actually cooled down some, so it was quite enjoyable. We went to Blacklick woods and spent some time walking along the trails and of course swinging. Here's AJ having a blast on the swings!

Look, I can fly!

And now AJ would like to share a few words of his own... qxxqm bh jbh nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn bbbb blmmmmmmk,k ,ojjoko (thanks mom for my fun day at the park)!

Blogger just made it a whole lot easier to insert videos! ENJOY!

Cousin Heidi's 1st Birthday

Heidi's 1st birthday was this past Sunday! I can't believe she and Megan are a year old! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLS! We love you!

The Progression of 1st Birthday Cake Disaster

Heidi was quite the little lady at first - only taking one small lick of icing at a time.

Heidi soon learned that two hands would definitely work better.

Heidi trying to eat the entire birthday bear at once.

And finally, the poor bear was decapitated, but it sure was fun to watch!

AJ trying to get his own piece of the bear!

The Limbacher's - Dave, Heidi and Aimee.

Heidi riding her favorite gift - there's always one!

Can they really look this much alike?

Fun Pics

Here are some new, fun pics of AJ!

AJ and cousin Heidi jawing it up. They just love talking to each other, and AJ is very good about taking Heidi's abuse (she kept patting/hitting him on the head, it was really quite cute, but Heidi, I think your turn is coming). Look out, they are trouble just waiting to happen!

Okay, so when I lay AJ down to play on his mat, I always lay him in the center underneath the beach ball so he can reach it with his hands. The pictures speak for themselves when I say he no longer stays where I put him. He's very good as scooting himself backwards, and more recently turning in a circle. And so it begins...

And now AJ has discovered he can reach his toes and that they are always around to play with. It makes diaper changing time quite fun!

Visit to Cleveland

Well, AJ made his first trip to Cleveland to hang out with all of the pretty girls who came for cousin Nicole's bridal shower. We both had a GREAT time, and AJ was absolutely perfect! Nicole and Laura - it was wonderful seeing you both, and I know AJ loved meeting you! Can't wait to see you at the wedding!

AJ with cousin Nicole - the bride-to-be!

AJ sat with one of Nicole's friends so he could get a good look at all of the presents.

So many pretty cousins to hang out with - AJ with Christine and Emma.

AJ vs. The Rice Cereal

AJ had his first taste of FOOD today - rice cereal, YUM! He actually was very good at opening his mouth for the spoon, but then he would push most of it back out before swallowing. He thought it was pretty tasty stuff at first, but then after he ate about 1/2 of a tablespoon he decided he'd had enough. More rice adventures to follow tomorrow!

4 Months Old

My little baby boy is getting SO big! We went to the Dr.'s yesterday and he weighed 16 lb. 5 oz., and is 26 inches tall. That's the 85th percentile for his height, and 79th percentile for his weight. His head measures in the 72nd percentile. He had some more shots, but mommy was smart this time and gave him Tylenol BEFORE we left the Dr.'s, so he was just a little whiny last night and today. AJ has mastered the skills the Dr. asked us about, and the nurse giving him the shots commented on how strong he is when he wouldn't let her hold both legs down at once with one hand. Needless to say, she ended up having to do one leg at a time (AJ and I were planning our escape before she came in). AJ is improving upon the skills he learned last month, and we continue to practice rolling over. Everything goes in his mouth and he drools all over the place. It is a true delight to hear one of his still rare belly laughs. Brian and I have to be careful when we watch T.V. as AJ becomes glued to it when it's in his view (see picture below).

I wish Grandpa Bill could see this - he would be so proud (Yes, AJ is watching The Price is Right. I swear he only watched a couple of minutes before I turned it off). The exersaucer is just the perfect place to hang out and watch his favorite shows (I think I need to move it).

This has become AJ's finger-sucking style of choice. We need to teach him and his cousin Megan a little lesson about sporting the Texas Longhorn sign!

4th of July and a Few Extras

AJ's first 4th of July was spent helping Daddy campaign for his City Council race followed by his first fireworks show!

Here's the Sauer campaign gang just before the parade.

Dave, Grandma Rose, Aimee, Heidi and AJ marching in the parade. AJ slept through the whole thing.

Here we are at the fireworks with Natalie. AJ loved the fireworks and actually watched the first ten minutes of them. He then fell asleep, as it was already way past his bedtime, only to be briefly startled during the finale.

AJ got to meet his Great-uncle Ken and Great-Aunt Sue for the first time this past weekend. Apparently, Ken entertained him with some new rhymes. Here's the fam hanging out at Uncle Mark's after the Kriebel reunion.

AJ is really starting to get into his toys. He can grab them and occasionally chew on them as shown in the picture.

This one's for you Aunt Beth (even though I think he is bound to be a Red's fan). He does look really cute in it!

Cousin Heidi no longer enjoys being in her exersaucer, so she let AJ borrow it. He can't quite reach the bottom to really bear weight on his legs, but he did play in it for awhile.

Camp Bountiful Reunion

AJ and I got to spend a whole week at Camp Bountiful with Grandma Bonnie last week! It's been a long time since I've been there for an entire week, and it felt good to be back and share the experience with my own child. I hope he has just as many wonderful memories of camp as I do! We connected with old friends and made some new ones. There were lots of other little babies for AJ to play with, and he was perfect all week! He even stayed up late and partied in the cabin with us a couple of nights, and never got cranky. We can't wait to go back next year!

AJ practicing rolling over from his back to his tummy on the downhill slope by our cabin (makes it a little easier :) ).

Here we are hanging out with Ruth, Tommy, Haun, Sokjang, Grandma Bonnie, and Daddy during rest period. AJ even hung out with us as we played cards.

AJ was so happy that Daddy was able to spend the weekend with us, even though he had to go back to work on Monday.

AJ's first time in a swing. It put him right to sleep.

AJ didn't want to be left out of Children's ministry, so Grandma took him up so he could get his pin each night for his hat.