Andrew is growing up too fast!

Andrew is running his alphabet train through the dishwasher. Glad we have a clean train!
Andrew's speech therapist gave him this horn. He plays lovely sounds for his mommy to hear.
Andrew, Brooke and Max at the Dallas Zoo. We had such a good time. Tracey was a great tour guide and knew her way around the whole zoo. Brooke on the other hand could tell us the names of all the animals. What a fun day.
Andrew loves to play with shoes. Here he is lifting his daddy's heavy shoes. I will find several pairs of my shoes piled in the laundry basket and in the bathroom drawers. If you come to our house you better keep your shoes on your feet.
What, you think I did that!
Andrew pushing his car around the house. He is very good at making turns and taking corners. Andrew looks around to make sure everyone is cheering him on. So cute!!

Mommy and Andrew enjoying the cooler weather outside.

Andrew is waiting so patiently to go outside. What a sweetheart!

Enough said....

Our little man is 17 months old. Hard to believe!! He is extremely active and does not sit still for long. He keeps me on my toes. He can now reach the top drawers in the cabinets! He has about 5 or 6 words, car, ball, mama, dada, airplane and all done. However, you probably would not know what he is saying. He cruises around the house pushing his car, soon to be walking!

He will do it when he is ready. Andrew is 20 or 21 lbs. now, as the doctor says, "he is not a fast weight gainer." He is a fairly good eater, he just does not eat large portions. He still likes his bottle; he better enjoy it while he has it. ha ha. He is just so much fun to have around!

What is Andrew up to now?

Darin, Andrew and Granddad Dan watching football.

Andrew playing with Gus the dog. He had a great time playing with Uncle Dallas and Aunt Carrie's dogs. He would chase and grab at them. Luckily the dogs were good sports about it.
Me. momma and baby.
Do you see what I see? Wow look at that airplane! Andrew LOVES airplanes. We are under the flight path for Addison airport. We have planes coming over our house ALL day long. This is a dream come true for Andrew. We sit outside and watch them a lot. He hears them in the house and says "a da" that is his word for airplane. He does not let one go by unheard. Darin and I took him to Founders Plaza at DFW to see the planes landing. He thoroughly enjoyed it.
Andrew's buddy Nathan taking him for a ride. They were taking turns riding around the house. Andrew always loves a playmate. It was impossible to get a picture of both boys looking at the camera.
That's my little sweetheart that loves anything with a motor and wheels. He thought he was going to help out with the yard. Darin is hopeful that he will want to in 10 years.
Andrew and his grandma Ada poolside. Andrew is sporting a new hat that stayed on long enough for the pic.
I thought it would be fun to eat our lunch on the back patio. Andrew was just too tired to finish that quesadilla.
Andrew in Longview wanting so bad for someone to take him outside.
What a good lookin boy! We were out at the farm in Longview, visiting the grandparents and great grand.

I thought this was hilarious of Andrew cleaning out a kitchen drawer without even looking back. Whatever keeps him happy while mommy is trying to get dinner ready. Right.

Andrew is a BIG crawler

Andrew riding a pony for the first time at a friends birthday party. Yee ha.


I promise the child wears clothes. He likes to run off before I can get him dressed. This window ledge is just his height for playing.
Andrew hiding behind the big book with Grandpa Dan, Uncle Dallas and Aunt

Carrie.
Andrew is so sweet! He loves his tonka trucks and cars and likes to put them up on tables, ledges or whatever.
Gotcha!
The big boy haircut!! Andrew was sick when I took him to get his haircut and I did not know it. He looks a little pale and tired. poor guy

Andrew wondering what his mama is doing.
Andrew discovering goodies in Grandma's drawers.

Andrew is having so much fun these days. His mommy keeps him busy with many activities and playdates. He definitely likes a new adventure. Andrew is officially crawling like a big boy and his parents could not be more excited. This boy is becoming more set in his ways and knows what he wants. I guess that comes with being more independent and mobile. Andrew is a good helper in the kitchen and loading the dishwasher with everything except dishes. We are ready for the fall so we can spend more time outside. That's for sure! Andrew is still doing his occupational therapy once a week and has now started speech therapy 2x month. The speech therapy is more to keep him on track. The speech therapist tells us that he really will not start talking much until he is walking. One thing at a time, right. Mommy and daddy are so proud of Andrew and his accomplishments. He has come a long way from that tiny, tiny guy.

Our big boy!

Andrew and his "dada" enjoying some boat time.
Andrew riding on his happy car with a little help.
Andrew being very curious about someone taking his picture.
Andrew shouting at his mommy!
I bought Andrew these colorful balls and he immediately took a liking to them. He brought them with him to take a bath, bed, eat, whatever. They were perfect for him to stick his little fingers in.
Andrew swimming at his Grandma and Grandpa's house.
Andrew sure loves his Uncle Dallas and Aunt Carrie. We call it "the hook" when Andrew sticks one finger in everyone's mouth and under the tongue.
I know this is hard to believe, but it is watermelon.
Our little messy eater who likes to eat with his toys.
Andrew during a long day at the lake.
Well, there is so much new with Andrew and our family. Andrew had make great strides in his development over the past few weeks. We are so proud to announce that he is now crawling on all fours and pulled up for the first time. Andrew has worked so hard with the therapist and it is really showing. Now that he is getting around more he seems so happy and animated. I just love watching him. Andrew continues to enjoy his gym class that he goes to once or twice a week with kids his age. Andrew had his first little cold, although I am sure there are plenty more to come.

Darin has started his own law practice; I am sure that many of you already know. So if you are looking for a good and trustworthy lawyer, give him a call. I sure love staying home with Andrew and he keeps me busier that I ever thought possible. Whoever said it takes a village to raise a child is right. Andrew is all boy and loves anything with wheels. I will post some pics of Andrew crawling on his knees. Can you tell how proud I am?

One year old!!

Here is the long awaited blog entry.  Well I guess Easter and Andrew's first birthday have pasted since I have blogged.  The top few pics are from Easter that we spent at Grandnana and Granddaddy's.  Elmo was a special gift from Grandnana and daddy.  The next pics are from Andrew's party at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve.  Andrew had a blast and the weather cooperated.  There was a great turnout and Andrew was exhausted by the time we got home.  Thank you everyone for making Andrew's birthday so special.  There is a sweet pic of Andrew watching out the doorway.  He thinks this is the next best thing to being outside.  We went on a little vacation to G.N. and G.D.'s cabin with them in Arkansas.  Andrew has so much fun and laughed and giggled the whole time.  We took him hiking in Devil's Den on Darin's back.  Andrew loved every minute of it!!  Uncle Justin was at the cabin as well and Andrew is a big fan of his(Justin and Andrew in pic).  Andrew really is a good boy and stays busy with his trucks and balls.  Andrew has a trip to the developmental pediatrician and he is behind on a few skills.  We were told his gross motor skills were at 7 mos. and language at 9mos.  Mommy and daddy are determined to get Andrew to crawl soon.  He has started creeping and we have exercises to work with him on.  ECI came to evaluate Andrew as well and he qualifies for some therapy once a week.  I hope to get that started ASAP.  He really is strong, but developmental delays are very common among preemies, especially given how early and small he was.  Andrew says mamma, dadda and "trucka trucka"(truck we think).  He is all boy, that is for sure!  Grandaddy is in the process of building Andrew a swing off of the porch.  He will love that!  We are going to take Andrew to the Fort Worth  zoo today with Grandma Ada.  I must go get ready.