Amelia's 5 Month Photo Shoot

Here I am, 5 months old - so elegant, so petite, so lovely.  At 4 months I set some goals for myself:

By the time I turn 5 months, I hope to:
1) Be able to sit like a puppy for a full minute;
2) Sleep through the night again (I'm trying Mom);
3) Limit my drooling to meal times only (this is a stretch goal); and
4) Slam dunk on Michael Jordan (he's getting older and hopefully shorter).

Well, you'll be pleased to know that I successfully accomplished goal 1 (See the pictures)!

I've made definite progress on goal 2, especially since I started sleeping on my tummy.  Tummy sleeping has also helped me be less gassy (yeah for everyone), and helped me realize how to put my soothie back in my mouth when it falls out.

My drooling has vastly improved... I tend to only drool on Dad's head when he's lifting me up. 

Finally, MJ has had too busy of a schedule - he hasn't fit me in yet.  I'm not sure what he's really doing, especially since he's retired.  But I'm patient and my skills will only continue to improve.

Anyway, please enjoy my 5 Month Photo Shoot shots (fixed the link 1/15).

 


Lots of Love,
Amelia

Santa Babies

When you live close into the City like we do, there are all sorts of cool things.

• I can walk (or ride in the stoller, I call it taking a stroll) to nearby parks to meet my posse.  
• My friends live a few short blocks away.
• The farmers market is a short stroll away,
• There is a Chinese food place around the corner.
• Cars go beep all the time.
• There are metros and trains that come by the house.
• And Santa, instead of riding a sleigh, rides the free trolley down main street.

Last Saturday, Santa made his appearance in Alexandria via trolley... I love trolleys and I love guys in clown suits. So, I was naturally excited (despite my lack of a smile in the photos)! Here are our pictures with Santa - he gave me crayons and a coloring book with buses. I love buses too.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Peace Out,

Phin

Amelia's Four Month Photo Shoot

Four Months is a lot of fun (or phun, if you are my big brother). It was a special treat to turn four months old while we in St Louis for Thanksgiving; we were able to spend the week/day with my grandparents and other family members Thanksgiving pictures are coming soon). It was also special, because the weather was beautiful, so we could go outside. You may recognize the scenery in the photos as Mom's childhood bedroom and Nana & Papa's backyard - the same places Phin took his 3-month photos (only everything is green, instead of snow covered). Very excitingly, I made it through the entire photo shoot without peeing on the bed, crying, or spitting up on Dad - something Phin could not do (correct ion: he did not pee on the bed either).

 

After turning four months old, I have been working on a lot new skills. For instance, I can now sit like a puppy without falling over, right away - still working on staying in that position for a prolonged time. And, I have become better at holding coo-ing conversations with Mom, Dad, Phin, and anyone holding me. Despite these successes, like any driven and successful woman, I still have improvement goals for my four-month old self.

By the time I turn 5 months, I hope to:
1) Be able to sit like a puppy for a full minute;
2) Sleep through the night again (I'm trying Mom);
3) Limit my drooling to meal times only (this is a stretch goal); and
4) Slam dunk on Michael Jordan (he's getting older and hopefully shorter).

Happy four months. I hope you enjoy my 4 month old photo shoot pictures.

Lots of Love,
Amelia

Our First Family Portraits

About a month ago, Mom and Dad decided we needed some family pictures.  They thought this especially important because no one (including my grandparents) had taken any photos (or even offered to take any photos) of the four of us.  Everyone is always concerned about holding Phin or myself, or having their photo taken with one of us that they never considered if a photo could be taken with the four of us.  Well, now that situation has been resolved thanks to our family friends James, Chery, and Zoe.  At nearly 3 years old, Zoe is a fantastic photographer (and a good friend of Phin's).

 

To capture the wonderful fall colors, we headed out to one of Old Town Alexandria's few remaining cobblestone streets and the waterfront.  For those wondering, it is extremely difficult to push a stroller across a cobblestone street.   Enjoy the pictures from this chilly fall morning (we should have had on coats - maybe Phin wouldn't have cried as much than).

 

Lots of Love,

Amelia

 

 

 

I realize that it's now December, November sure was a busy month, but I wanted to share my Halloween fun with all. Back in October, Dad and Mom took me to a pumpkin patch (with our neighbor Thomas and his mom and Dad). I really enjoyed visiting the farm. There was a corn box to play in (like a sandbox). They had animals. I got to try and eat as many pumpkins as I could before Mom or Dad would stop me. And, I even got to drive a truck. Pumpkin picking is totally fun.

After picking the pumpkin, Dad let me partake in a new holiday tradition (at least new to me - as we moved right before Halloween last year) - pumpkin carving. As avid blog readers know, I love trains. I have a bunch of trains in my basement that I get to play with; I even live near the train tracks so I can watch them drive by. So when Dad asked me who I wanted to carve into the pumpkin, I was obviously perplexed. Carve what into who, I thought? I don't know what a carve is and I'm not allowed to use knives (except the completely fake, not sharp ones in my play kitchen). Once Dad explained the procedure to me, I voted to carve Thomas the Tank Engine into the pumpkin. Who doesn't love Thomas (not my neighbor, I mean the train. But I like my neighbor Thomas too, just not as much as the little blue train engine).

My favorite part of Halloween was definitely the dressing up. I dressed up as a chocolate bar for the holiday; although I've never had chocolate, so I don't really know what that is. Amelia wore a fire tutu and had marshmallows on a stick pinned to her onesie. Mom and Dad were grahram crackers. So together we were a bunch of s'mores - like when we went camping! Next year I suggested that we all dress up as Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends. We'll see how my idea pans out.

One of the cooler things about Halloween is that if you go door to door people give you stuff. This year I went 'trick-or-treating,' as mom and dad called it, with my buddy Max. Max and his dad were very motivated to knock on doors and get lots of good stuff - we got so much! After I got sleepy, we went back home and gave out Fruit Snacks to people that came 'trick-or-treating' at our house, fun! The next morning I woke up and wanted to sample some of the goodies that I collected (while out with Max) the prior night - Mom and Dad told me it was 'gone.' But secretly, I think they ate it or gave it to the people who trick-or-treated at our house.

Oh well. Check out all of my Pumpkin Picking and Halloween photos here.

Peace Out,

Phin

Fun with Cousins (Oct 6-10, Norah, Sarah, and Josh Visit)

Way back when I was only 2 months old (half a life ago now), my cousins - Sarah, Josh, and Noah - came down from the frigid north of Minnesota for a visit. Absent grandparents, they were my first visitors. It is a lot of fun to house house guest - I was able undertake adventures that would otherwise be skipped (e.g., museums and monuments), as mom and dad had done them many times. As an added perk, I got to sleep in mom and dad's room while the Cuzzys slept in mine - while a pack-n-play may not be as comfortable as my crib, the additional middle of the night snuggles with mom are well worth the discomfort.


Where Did I take My Cousins:

We went to the park. The bigger kids swung, spun, and climbed

We visited the FDR Memorial, where the bigger kids ran, climbed, and posed.

We went to the Air and Space Museum, where the bigger kids climbed, rocketed, and walked

We went to dinners where the bigger kids played, ate, and splashed (in a water wall)

Forget it. Based on the pictures, it looks like only the big kids got to have fun. I had fun too.

Check out the rest of the photos here.

Lots of Love,

Amelia

Amelia's 3-Month Photo Shoot

A few weeks ago, I turned 3 months old.  As Phin would say, ‘This is the oldest I’ve ever been.”  Oh Phin – love you Big Brother.  And while Phin is right, I’ve never been older (until now); I’ve also never been cuter.  3-months marked a special time in my life, as I’m starting to grow bigger and stronger.  I am learning how to sit up with assistance of my bumby chair or loved one; I can now do tummy time for a long time (in excess of a minute); I now fit into my clothes; and I have started smiling and coo-ing at the sight of my family or a funny joke.

As you may remember, for Phin’s 3-month photos, our StLouis friends at J. Pollack photo did a professional shoot – evidently, I’m noteven cool enough to meet J. Pollack or his wife S. Pollack, yet.  For my 3-Month Photo Shoot, Mom and Dad wanted to take me somewhere that would highlight the lovely fall colors.  So we went to the Dangerfield Island Marina along the banks of the Potomac River.  I loved the view and the boats so much that Dad has promised to take me sailing there, as soon as I am old enough (5 years old).  While I can hardly wait to board a vessel, I am even more eager to share my photos with you.  Rest assured that despite the delayed posting of these photos, they were taken on my 3 month birthday.  Check out the pictures here.

Lots of Love,

Amelia Rose

 PS - I got a nasty mosquito bite on my right cheek the day before taking these photos.  No worries though, it is healed now.

My 2 Month Photo Shoot... oh and Phin was there too for his 2-year photo shoot

Time flies, a few weeks back I turned two months old.  And yes, people still stop on the street to look at my hair and coo at my cuteness.  Back when I took Mom, Dad, and Phin camping (at only 1.5 months old), I learned a few things; but, of all of my new findings, I learned that I am usually happiest outdoors.  While I love snuggling with Mom in my room, playing on my playmat in the basement, and crying on Dad's shoulder, I enjoy the fresh air and sweet breezes that only Mother Nature can offer the most (especially when combined with any of my other favorites). 

So, to celebrate my 2-month birthday and to take photos, I kindly requested an outdoor nature setting.  Phin suggested that we return to Huntleigh Meadows Park near our house - a site we visited while I was still calmly resting in the womb (see the old photos in the 2nd half of this album before the fire trucks).

It turned out to be a beautiful day in the park, with limited sight of other visitors.  I loved the serene strolls down the boardwalks and over the marshes.  It was so peaceful.  Be sure to check out all of my photo shoot photos (oh, and Phin's two's too). Haha two too (tutu).

Happy, but sleepy baby on a boardwalk over the marshes



Whasssup.  Dad just taught me how to stick out my tongue - so much fun. 
|PS - grandma made me this blanket, it has a hood.  Thanks G-ma

I love my mommy

Phin, doing what he does best, acting silly

Lots of Love,
Amelia

Happy Second Birthday to Me!

That's right, I'm two.  I'm the biggest and oldest I've ever been.  Saweet.  

I was talking with mom the other day (that's what two year olds do, we talk).  Here's how the conversation went:

Mom:  How old are you?
Me: Two.
Mom: Are you officially a big guy now?
Me: No.
Mom: (puzzled) Are you a baby?
Me: No.
Mom: (even more puzzled/curious) What are you?
Me: I'm a Big Brother.

Now that I'm two, I'm not sure that I'm a Big Guy.  I think I might have grown past being a Big Guy.  I don't know what's next, but I'm probably there.  So, in the meantime, I may just refer to myself as a Big Brother.  Heck, I go to school and I have a blue bicycle and a red scooter (and a helmet), I gotta be bigger than a Big Guy. 

For all you little/younger guys and gals that read this blog, turning two was pretty fun.  Much better than when we celebrated being 1-week old.  Oy, that was losey.  At two, the only thing that we cut are my nails and hair (and a rug, when Moves Like Jagger is playing).  When I turned two, family came in town and we partied with my friends!  I took Nana & Papa and Grandma & Grandpa to my favorite parks.  I invited all my friends to the Alexandria Soft Playroom - a giant room with a ball pit and large cushions I can jump on.  We ate my first cupcake (I had two bites, too sweet).  We played with dig trucks.  We had a lot of fun.  Whew, I'm tired from all the excitement still. 

Anyway, below are a few of my favorite photos, but you can check the rest out here.

On the carosel at Clemyjontri park with Papa

Party time!  The spread

Family Portrait

Peace out,

Phin

My First Camping Trip (Phin's second) - I Love the Outdoors

What an exciting weekend we had a few weeks ago. On Saturday afternoon, we all filed into the family sedan and head out for the 1/2 hour drive through Beltway traffic and sprawl to my first camping trip. While I wasn't sure what camping entailed, Phin reassured me that sleeping in a tent and playing in the woods would be fun. Dad said he was nervious how I would do; but, I reassured him through my actions that I love being outside - just like Mom and Dad.


So having been camping, I'm still not completely positive what it entails. All I remember, since I slept through 90% of the outing (at least that is what Mom said), is that we drove, parked, set some stuff up, went on a train ride, listened to Phin talk in his sleep (about trains, horses from the carosel, and dig trucks - not really a surprise), heard a car alarm go off, woke up, ate breakfast outside, put stuff away, went on another train ride, and then went home. Generally, this sounds like a normal day at our house (although we play with trains instead of ride on them).

Well, whatever camping entails I do love being outside and hope we can go camping again. Although next time, I hope Dad stops making silly jokes about me having to dishes.

Here's the link to the entire camping album.

Love,
Amelia

All smiles for camping (when I'm awake)

Phin, setting up the entire tent by himself (or so he said)

Playing in the tent Sunday morning - I love morning stories

Family photo

Apple Picking & Hand Holding

A week or two ago (I lose track of time so easily), Mom and Dad took Amelia and I apple picking.  While it was Amelia's first time, I am an old pro at picking fruits out of trees.  To add some spice and relive last year's excitement, I invited my friend Max and his parents to join us.  Every time I hang with Max we have a great time.  But, nearly all strangers thinks we're twins.  I know, it gets difficult to tell us apart when you get two blond 'Big Guys' near each other, but sheesh.  When we're together, every woman (women are the worst at this) goes "Oh how cute you two are," and then they follow it with a variation of "are you brothers," "are you twins," "which one's older," "which one of you guys (e.g., dad or brian) are the father?"  Sometimes I tire of this silliness and run away.  So, for those that struggle with telling blond 'Big Guys' apart, here's your guide to telling us apart:

I have a black City-Mini Stroller.  Max has a red City-Mini Stroller.

I have lots of curly hair.  Max has curly hair only on the back of his head.

I was born in September. Max was born in August.

I love trucks.  Max loves turtles

I go to pre-school 2 days a week.  Max goes to a different pre-school 5 days a week.

I live with Mom and Dad.  Max lives with Brian and Melanie.

Oh, I'm 1 inch taller and have a baby sister.

Sheesh, hopefully this will clear things up.

Anyway, we went apple picking.  Here I am driving the tractor.

Holding hands.

Playing in the wagon.

Feeding a cow - he licked me like a puppy.



While not shown in these pictures, we actually did go apple picking!  Dad even hoisted Max's dad on his shoulders to get the really high up apples.  Crazy dad.  

Peace out,

Phin

Amelia's 1-Month Photo Shoot

Well, here they are; the highly anticipated, extremely darling, cute-enough-to-make-you-coo 1-month photos of me, the lovely Amelia.  Who can believe I'm over one month old (thanks to Dad's delay in posting, I'm now almost 6-weeks old - two weeks to post photos, sheesh).

I thought I would start this blog off with a delightful close up of my face.  This shot came about as I waited for my personal assistant/chef (aka Mom) to bring in my outfit change.  All of a sudden, the camera shutters just started snapping, and there I was without makeup or a shirt.  Luckily, this series turned out well.

Once dressed in a custom-made, one-of-a-kind outfit (thanks mom), it was off to my green rocking chair for the bulk of the shoot - which, it turns out, was the same place as Phin's one-month shoot. Shooting so many photos in one spot allows you to see the many faces I like to make.  It was going so smoothly and we were ahead of schedule, so I kindly asked Phin to join me on the chair for some duet shots

After a lot of shots in the chair, it was time to move to the second location - my crib.  While I normally split my nap times between the crib and my bouncy seat, I always enjoy the horizontal time in my fenced-in enclosure.  In the crib, there are blocks to knock over, a mobile to look at, and a plethora (there really are a lot) of stuffed animals to snuggle.  I think there are enough animals in my crib that I could spend a hole day hugging them and not even visit all of them.  I love hugging and cuddling, so that could be quite a delightful day.

It was a wonderful first month full of visitors, friends, and hugs.  I am excited to see what next month brings; but in the meantime, check out the rest of my photo shoot here.

Love,
Amelia

Billner Wedding - My First Celebration of Nuptuals

Being almost two, it is downright shocking that I have never been invited to another wedding.  Earlier this summer, Mom and Dad went to a wedding down the street.  But was I invited?  No.  I'm a big guy, I can attend weddings.  I like to dance.  I like to party.  I like to drink (milk).  I don't eat much.  I don't need another place setting. Plus, I provide entertainment for guest during down moments and you won't have to kick me out at midnight when the party ends (I will have left already, I get sleepy).  Overall, I'm a wedding host's dream - low cost, high entertainment.  I should be invited to more weddings. 

ATTENTION BLOG READERS:  If you have a wedding or other happening party, and you don't invite me - I may be offended.**

** Note: I probably won't be offended if: I don't find out about the party, it starts after 7pm (my bedtime), Amelia isn't invited either, Mom and Dad aren't invited (wait, it will be more fun if they're not there), or it happens out of town (I am dependent on Mom and Dad to travel).


Back to the Billner Wedding... This was my first time to fly with Dad alone (usually mom is there).  We got to the airport early only to face a long delay - fine by me, more time to watch the planes.  We eventually landed and got to G-ma's and G-pa's around 12:30am.  After all that flying, my arms were surely tired (phunny) and I did nothing but go to bed. 

The next day was even more awesome, I got to play cars (with Uncle David's and Dad's old cars - fun), drive a Chug Along Choo Choo, play outside, pick some pears, meet some friends and family, have a jolly old time, and then spend the night at Nana and Papa's.

Playing cars outside with Aunt Mimi   |   Picking pears in the backyard

While Friday was relaxed and fun, Saturday was waaaay more busy.  I woke up, had breakfast with Nana and Papa, jumped in Grandma's gray car, and went to the Botanical Gardens.  We had tons of fun at the BG (as I call it).  We went in the Climatron -  a huge geodesic dome (I'm a big guy, I know big words now).  There were tons of cool plants, flowers, trees, and things to grab.  They even had a bridge and a tunnel!  I love tunnels.  After the Climatron, we got to dress up a panda bears and feed fish; but not at the same time.  Dang, that would have been super cool.

In the Climatron with my posse  |  Dressed up as a silly panda

All that fun Saturday morning wore me out.  I went back to Grandma and Grandpa's and took like a 20 hour nap (or it felt like it).  Then, it was time to get dressed and get to the wedding.  After we got to Forest Park (not like my parks back home, this one was big and I didn't see any swings or a playground), my attention became solely focused on the big party bus!  Dragging Dad along, we jumped on the bus and went for a ride.  The bus was so cool.  There were all sorts of people dressed up, flashing lights, a stripper pole, and a dance floor.  Since we were going somewhere, I didn't get to dance..."later" Dad said.  When we stopped,  everyone jumped out and were taking pictures and signing stuff.  So I just hung with my other Big Guy cousins and had fruit snacks and it was fun to hang with them.  Wedding are certainly Saweet.
 

Awesome, a party bus.  I have pictures of the Super Purple Bendy Party Bus at home, but I've never been in one before.

Hanging with my boys and Fruit Snacks

When the wedding party was done with their photos (sheesh guys, hurry up, there's a party bus waiting), we jumped back on the bus (I love buses) and returned to the wedding site.  Luckily, the family saved us a spot up front, since I'm short and can't see over people's heads.  Here I am posing with Dad.

It seemed that the wedding went on forever (like 20 minutes).  Luckily, I brought cars to distract me.  It was a lovely ceremony and an equally beautiful day.  Yea to Brian and Stessie, but don't they know there is a super cool fountain down the hill and I want to go play?  After the ceremony, Dad took me down to the fountain.  I was able to meditate among the waves and changing lights - so peaceful.

 After a bunch of food, lots of dancing, hugging cousins, playing cars, and hours of nighttime, I was exhausted.  At like 10pm (11pm at home), I was so tired I finally let out this yawn.  Against my interest of more dancing and more partying, Dad drove me home.

We had brunch the next day, picked some more pears, and wrapped my trip to STL with plenty of hugs and kisses (and a trip in first class - I'm flossy).

Check out all of my Billner Wedding shots here.

Peace out,

Phin