One Year Old!

It's pretty amazing what can happen in just a year...

February 28th, 2006

7 lbs. 1 oz.

20 inches long

One year later...

February 28th, 2007

23.5 lbs.

31 inches long

Happy First Birthday, Alex!

Tryin' on Daddy's Shoes

Wow, size 13? Daddy, what big feet you have!

Okay, first I'll put the shoes next to each other on the floor.

This takes a little coordination!

Ummm, I think I've got a ways to go before I catch my dad!

Playing with Daddy

Eleven Months Old

I was eleven months old on January 28th. Can you believe I will be 1 soon? My parents have officially declared me a walker and bought me my first pair of real shoes! I am very proud of my new talent (but I'm not sure I like the shoes yet). I love to walk around the house, carrying things and moving things. I also like being chased by my mom and wrestling with my dad.

I am a busy little dude these days. I love balls, balloons, and books. It's fun to read my books, but I also like just pulling them off the shelf onto the floor. When I can sneak past my mommy into the bathroom, I like to drop things in the toilet. And unrolling the toilet paper is lots of fun too. I can't understand why she has started keeping the bathroom door closed -- it's such a fun place to be! I like to empty drawers and make music with pot lids in the kitchen. It goes without saying, I guess, that my mom is busy too, chasing and cleaning up after me and making sure I don't get into too much mischief.

I am talking up a storm -- too bad no one can really understand me yet. I can clap my hands, play patty-cake, and wave bye-bye. I like waving to my dad from the living room window while he drives off to work. I am eating all sorts of new foods and drinking out of a sippy cup during the day. I now have three teeth! I love to put everything in my mouth. My mom says I am better than a vacuum cleaner about picking up all those little things that end up on the floor. She just wishes, I think, that I would learn to put them in the trash rather than in my mouth!

It's been fun being a baby, but I'm really looking forward to toddlerhood!

Alex Walks!

Welcome to the World, Little Ones!

It seems like lots of our friends are having babies these days! Rusty and I took dinner a couple of weeks ago to our dear friends Tim and Chalon, and also to Jared and Jenny, both of whom just welcomed new babies into their hearts and homes. Congratulations, guys! Lemuel Onsomu and Jasmine Ranum are both just as cute as can be -- and so tiny! Hard to believe that Alex was ever that small and helpless.

And although we weren't able to bring you dinner or cuddle your babies, congratulations to Steve and Gina on the birth of Bennett, and a VERY belated congratulations to Josh and Julie (my sister) on the birth of Eliana last October.

Oh, and, just for the record, Rusty and I are not expecting another addition to our family anytime soon.

Lemuel Bitange Onsomu

Eliana Joy Marcum

First Snow

Alex experienced his first big snow in January. Yes, that's right -- we were in Michigan for almost two weeks in December and saw not one single flake! Anyway, we finally got a big snowfall here in Portland... school was out for three days... a blanket of white covered the ground for almost a week... there was even enough for a big snowman in the front yard! Alex wasn't quite sure what to think of the snow. But I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

Enjoying the snow while safe in Auntie Ronda's arms...

Down on the ground -- getting curious about the snow...

Definitely NOT liking the snow after doing a face plant in it!

Ten Months Old

Alex was 10 months old on December 28th (yes, I know I am a bit behind in posting this update). His major milestones this month included graduating to a bigger "convertible-type" carseat and FINALLY getting his first tooth! I was beginning to worry that the child would be toothless his whole life when the sharp little sucker decided to appear. He also enjoyed learning to crawl up the stairs while we were at my parents' house (going down is still a problem). And, he has taken a few steps on his own, although quite by accident (he thought someone was holding on to him, when they really weren't). I am waiting to declare him a walker, though, because crawling is still his preferred method of getting around for now!

For the 10-month photo, we tried for the perfect pic of Alex in front of the Christmas tree, but that proved to be Mission Impossible! Just you try getting a crawling, everything-goes-in-the-mouth baby to sit still in front of a tree filled with all sorts of shiny ornaments just begging to be touched and tasted. Anyway, as you can see from the pictures below, we finally gave in and let him hold a couple of the sturdier ornaments in an attempt to get him to pose for the camera. But then, we ran into the problem of the ornaments he was holding obscuring the picture on the front of his adorable Christmas sweater (a red pick-up truck with a Christmas tree in the back). Ah, life with a little one -- it's never dull, and it sure keeps me on my toes, I'll tell you that much!

Alex Goes to Michigan

Our trip to Michigan was a wonderful and much-needed time of rest, relaxation, and special moments with family. We arrived late Christmas Eve, tired from our trip and from all of the excitement of the past few days.

The next morning, we opened stockings and presents around the tree. Alex got some new books, a set of blocks, clothes, a ball, and a really cool riding truck!

But one of the most special gifts, and one that he will cherish for years to come, was a stocking lovingly made by his Nyanya.

My Aunt Cindy and her family joined us for Christmas dinner later that day.

Alex was worn out from all the excitement!

Alex enjoyed meeting more of his relatives during our trip -- including Great Grandmother and Great Grandaddy Clutter...

...Uncle Matt...

...and Great Grandma and Great Grandpa "B" (honorary great-grandparents).

He also enjoyed playing the piano...

...going to see the elaborate electric train at the Henry Ford Museum...

...pulling pens out of Babu's pocket...

...and going with Babu up to the front for Kids Time at church on Sunday morning.

Rusty and I enjoyed taking advantage of the free babysitting and actually went on a date -- out to dinner and to see a movie ("We Are Marshall" -- highly recommend it!). We were, of course, thoroughly spoiled by Mom's delicious home cooking, and the cookie trays that seemed to magically appear at the end of every meal!

It was hard to say goodbye, but we look forward to the next time we can all be together, whenever that may be!

Christmas in Portland

We had a nice Christmas in Portland with Ronda, Robbie, and Johnny. We celebrated on Dec. 23rd because Rusty, Alex, and I had to leave for Michigan on the 24th. Good thing Santa makes special early deliveries! The weeks leading up to Christmas were full of all kinds of special experiences for Alex...

...like helping pick out the Christmas tree...

...and meeting Santa Claus! He wasn't too sure about the stranger in the red suit with the long, white beard, which is why Rusty is in the picture too!

Christmas morning was a special time. Alex was a little too young to be Santa's helper and pass out presents this year, but he did let us take his picture wearing a Santa hat. He got lots of cool new toys, and a HUGE stocking (as in, he could have crawled inside it!) stuffed with all kinds of goodies. But he seemed more interested in the paper and bows! It is truly magical experiencing Christmas through the eyes of a child.

Nine Months Old

Alex was nine months old on November 28th. Where does the time go? He is crawling like a champ, pulling up on anything vertical (furniture, lamps, pant legs), and cruising. He has developed a fascination with shoes. Seriously -- put the kid in a room with a bunch of really cool toys and a pair of old dirty shoes, and he will go for the shoes every single time! I've decided I'm not going to spend any money on toys for this child since he's just as happy to play with my sneakers. What are grandparents for anyway?

Since this month was really busy with Thanksgiving and my parents' visit, I didn't get around to doing a photo shoot with Alex. So, just enjoy the photo montage below (courtesy of my Dad, who took all of these pics)!

Nyanya and Babu Visit Portland

My Nyanya and Babu came to visit me in Portland for two weeks in November. It was great to see them again after so many months. This time, I could actually play and interact with them. We had a lot of fun together. Here are some pictures from their time in Portland.

Nyanya and I read books. . .

. . . and played the piano together.

Babu let me try on his really cool Indiana Jones hat!

We played on the floor together.

On day, we went to OMSI to see the special "Star Wars" exhibition. Daddy and I had our picture taken with Chewy. He's really tall and hairy. Chewy, I mean.

And Babu posed next to Darth Vader.

And Nyanya, Mommy, and me posed with Princess Leia, R2-D2, and C-3PO.

I was fascinated with the huge marble run.

Also, while Nyanya and Babu were in Portland, we celebrated my first Thanksgiving. We had a big family dinner in the fellowship hall at the Eastside church with relatives from both Mommy's and Daddy's sides of the family. I tried turkey and pumpkin pie for the first time, and I also ate lots of mashed potatoes and gravy and Mommy's rockin' sweet potato casserole!

My great-grandma Nadine celebrated her 80th birthday while Nyanya and Babu were here. We had a big birthday bash at the Metro church. Here's a picture of four generations that was taken at her party.

Stay tuned for pictures from my trip to Michigan in December!