Den, Den LOVES bubbles!! We realized this after going to kindermusik and all he did was follow around the teacher when she was blowing bubbles. ...so cute!!

Here's a video of you and the bubbles!...

here's the link too... https://www.dropbox.com/s/bel5cup392dpc78/IMG_2839.MOV

Happy 10 month birthday to Den!!

Happy birthday to you!! So you had an exciting last few weeks. I'll start with the not so great parts of the last month. You had hand, foot, and mouth and an ear infection (both for the first time ...we think). You had been pulling at your left ear and were fussier than usual. When I took your temp Friday night you had a 102 fever. I took you to the pediatrician first thing in the morning and that's when we got the news of both. I was expecting the ear infection but HF&M was a surprise. After the MD told me that you had ulcers in the back of your throat it all made sense!! You had basically stopped eating soft solids and would only take 2-4 ounces from your bottle when you would normally take 8 ounces. You became highly addicted to cold greek yogurt during this time! After about a week you were back to your norm..yipppee!!!

On your 10 month birthday you were actually staying with MiMi and Big D while we were on our cruise with friends. You are standing on your own for longer periods of time and will take one tiny, wobbly step. You are still trying to talk and reaching/grabbing/gesturing more for things you want. I love taking you to the grocery store and target because you smile at EVERYONE that walks by...it's so much fun to see you that excited about shopping and seeing random people!!

You are starting to be more independent with your eating! Tonight you ate turkey (deli), cheese, and a banana all on your own!!! It was a nice break for mom and dad because we got to sit back and enjoy most of our meal as well. Thanks Den-Den!!

Happy Birthday, America!

 We met at Aunt Finy and Uncle Matt's to join in on the Pigeon Estates 4th of July parade with our stroller decked out in patriotic gear.

 U-S-A! Den is lucky I couldn't find his star shaped sunglasses!!

 Family photo in the billion degree heat.  I had no idea I could accumulate so much sweating from just standing in the heat.... Oh my!

I wonder what he's thinking?!?! At least I have this flag to chew on!

 Walker and his friend, Will, drove the "jeep" over to the start of the parade. They also loved to "drive" in the middle of the road which made Mom and Dad very happy..ha! 

 The Shirley family + Will. They had so much fun seeing friends but I'm sure they were glad to be back at home in the air conditioning after the parade.

 Denny has had enough of the pictures (yay..ah-mur-i-ca). Den could care less..ha!

 YAY...we made it back and we were all so happy to be in the air conditioned car!!

 Den and I swimming on the fourth...He continues to love the water!

 The Dens.

Best Day and Dad ever!!!

 Happy Father's Day to Denny!! 

 Look at all of the sweet gifts Den got Denny. Denny started off the morning by going on a bike ride with his Dad in collierville (about a 2 hour ride). When Denny got back from his ride, Den and I made a special breakfast for Denny including chocolate chip pancakes and eggs with cheese. Denny ate his breakfast on the father's day plate he got last year. 

The gifts Denny got from Den/Me were a personalized mug (picture of Den and it says "who thinks their Dad is best Dad in the whole wide world? this guy --> arrow points to Den), Gu for his next triathlon, bike chain cleaning gear, and triathlon socks. The PDO's made sweet cards with Den's hand prints/foot prints. They're nice and smudged...which I'm sure it was near impossible to get Den to stay still for them. ha!

 One of the sweet poems.

 Dad, hurry up with your shower and come play with me! I'm waiting patiently outside of the door!

 Hanging out at the pool over at MiMi's and Big D's.

 Den LOVED the pool this go around!!! Check out his new suit with the fishies on it. :)

 Group photo on Father's Day

Den LOVED splashing and stayed in for about 30 minutes this time. He had a BLAST!!! He even got used to his hat even though he tried taking it off for the first few minutes.

Dragon Fly Sprint Triathlon (.5 mile swim, 20 mile bike, and 4 mile run) in Sardis, MS

 Denny was getting ready to jump in the lake for his swim. You can see him warming up and practicing his stroke here.

Wooo hooo! The practice swim at Pickwick paid off- Denny did very well on the swim. I was sporting signs that read, "Go, Denny, Go! Just tri it (with a nike swoosh)," "Stay in the Zone....Autozone (extra miler)," and "Beer is at the finish line. Tri Harder!"

We learned after the race that Big D saved someone on the swim and brought them to the lifeguards on the canoe. We also learned that conveniently took 5 minutes so if that was deducted from his final race time, Denny and he tied. Either way, I'm impressed that he saved a swimmer!!

Finishing the bike portion and getting ready to transition to the last leg-- the run.

Only .25 to go!

 Father-son race. The first tri for both! Great job boys and I hope Denny gets to run a tri with Den one day!

Denny and his co-workers. The first race for all of them and they did an outstanding job!! Now I want to run one!! If I only had the time and a bike!! ;)

Happy 9 month Birthday, Den! 

Oh my!! You have to be the happiest baby on the block. I took your picture 10 times and each time you smiled this big. I wish I could show the sequence but I think it would just be too much...ha!

A little bit of what's going on in your life....You are a ball of joy!! I know I'm partial but I'm your mom-- I should be!  You get so excited about everything and always have a huge smile on your face. You love to see your PDO teachers and friends. There are two things I can think of that you do not like and they are you do  being hungry and napping especially at PDO. You always want to see what's going on and would prefer to be up and part of everything. You fight sleep until the very last minute!!

Doctor's appointment- You are in the 50th percentile for weight and height.The doc said this is a good thing because you want the numbers to match up. You had fun at the doctor's office and didn't have to get shots...wooo hooo!

Developmentally....
Speech.....You are still babbling mostly mama/dada, baba, and variegated babbling. You have little conversations with your mom/dad and toys. You will reach for you mom/dad or things you want (especially food). You even reached for mom and said mamamamama three times in one day...you haven't done it since then!:) I'm just excited that "mama" is coming!! We are just now starting to try signs with you: food, more, all done, bye-bye. When I tell you "no" or "be careful" you either smile real big at me or look scared. I never know what I'm going to get!:)

Gross Motor/Fine motor- You play with your toys by banging, pushing, and throwing. You'll switch from one hand to the other. You are really loving your new snack...cheerios...and even try to eat the dirt off the ground sometimes. I have to watch you real carefully! ha! You are standing on your own after you've pulled yourself up for maybe 5 seconds then will slowly sit down. Sometimes I don't think you realize you're standing!

Typical Day- Wake up between 6 and 6:30 for an 8 ounce bottle then back to sleep for a morning nap. 8:00- wake up from morning nap; 8:30 go to PDO; 9:30- bottle, 11:00 lunch (2-3 cubes of protein and 2 fruits-- sometimes a greek yogurt too) and 11:30 nap (usually 45 min- 1 hour at school); 2:30-mom picks you up; 3-4- play with mom; 4:00- snack; 4:30-5:30 either we'll go to the gym/walk then cook; 6:30- dinner (2-3 protein/veggie, 2 fruit), 6:45- bathtime, 7:00- bedtime with an 8 ounce bottle that Dad gives you.  ** When it's a Mom/Den day the schedule is a little different with lunch being at 12 and naptime at 12:30-2:30. On Fridays we've been going to kindermusik and you absolutely LOVE it!!! You just jump up and down and grin from ear to ear throughout the entire class (if you're not chasing a toy...ha).

Den- Den, you are the sweetest and most amazing little boy! We love you so much and truly enjoy being your parents especially now that you can't talk back to us!! hhaha! We are truly lucky to have you in our lives and we love seeing the world unfold before your eyes.  Happy 9 month birthday to you!

Memorial Day weekend 2012 in Memphis! Getting ready for Den's first time in the pool!

Ummm...I don't know about this?!?

Kind of having fun?!?

 This is more like it. Den loves his mum-mums!!

Den likes playing inside with his cousins much better!

BBQ fest 2012 was a blast! Den and I came to hang out with the crew on Thursday afternoon then we headed back to the house around 4 or 5. Mom got a babysitter so she could go out and celebrate with friends for the night.

Then we got up early Friday morning to drive to Cartersville so we could see Pat-Pat's last graduation! Pat-Pat finally retired...Wooo HOO!

Mom did one of her favorite things while in Cartersville....Hike Pine Mountain but this time I ran up the entire mountain and down (with cuts and scrapes to prove it!...ha). Then we heard the great news that Swina placed 2nd overall in the shoulder!! Way to go team!

We were a little sad that we couldn't be there to celebrate the hard work but like your dad said, "we'll do it again next year."

Mother's Day 2012--- Look at all the sweet happies Den made for mom!! Den--you are so talented!! ;)

Look at the big boy at the Spring Creek brunch! You were sick and definitely gave it to your dad because he laid on the couch most of the day and had a high fever..yuck!

Yall got my car detailed (inside and outside) for Mother's day and we started painting the living room. It looks excellent I LOVED my mother's day gifts. Thank you!!

I painted the fireplace completely on my own and I must say that I'm pretty proud of myself. It turned out great....wooo hooo! I also spray painted the old brass fireplace screen a rusted bronze. I love home improvement. Now, all we need are new sofas, chairs, and a rug...:)

Happy 8 month old birthday to Den!

Well, good morning to you too!! So on your 8 month old birthday you decided that you could stand in your crib!! Do you see your cute single curl right on top of your head? love it!

So what's going on in  your life? You go to "school" 5 days a week 830-230. MiMi has just started picking you up at 230 on M/W since I have patients scheduled during that time. Only two more weeks then we'll have the entire summer together! wooo hooo! 

Eating? You still wake up between 6 and 7 and then typically have an 8 oz bottle. After that you have another bottle around 10, lumpy solids  (mommy and daddy have made)around 12, 3 bottle, between 530 and 630 either a snack or bottle, then 7:00 8 oz bottle. You LOVE sweet potatoes, green peas, bananas, and apples! When you don't like something you'll either push it away or turn away. Occasionally, you ball up your fist and grunt. ha!

Developmentally? You are doing a lot of variegated babbling (badibo yeah, etc) and pushing up on things especially the places that are the most dangerous in the house (the hearth and stairs). You've even started to do this one handed thing and "no hands" type balancing that lasts for prob 2 seconds. ha! You have the crawling thing down pat and will often follow your dad and I around in the house. OH, and you never stop!! You are constantly moving and I cherish the rare but special moments I get to cuddle with you even if they last for 10 seconds. ha!

You have to be the sweetest and happiest child I know!!! You never meet a stranger and always have a big smile for your teachers and strangers.

Does it look like a tornado went through Den's room? Oh, no...It was just a diaper change. Another fun day at the Koerner household when it takes 10 minutes to change our little wild man! ha!