Phoebe

Please welcome Phoebe, Brian's new kitten, to the family. Isn't she adorable? She's two months old.

I think Malachi must be getting taller. He seems so big in his Pack and Play now.

This happens quite often. I usually pull him out right away and put him in the Pack and Play for a nap, but I couldn't resist capturing this on video.

First Steelers Game

Malachi is watching his very first Steelers game tonight, a special occassion in the Taylor family.

This video is too funny. I was laughing so hard after this was taken my stomach hurt and I had tears rolling from my eyes. Malachi's giggle is THE BEST!

We're also tuning in to the Olympic Marathon. An Ethiopian runner is in the lead pack and looking good.

Peek-A-Boo!

Peek-a-boo!
Malachi loves playing peek-a-boo with us these days. It's so cute.

Big news! He started babbling "mom-mom-mom-mom!" When you repeat it back to him, he smiles as if to say, "Yes, I thought you'd like that." The little turkey.

We went to a friend's wedding this weekend (Congrats, Adam and Heather!). We found a nice park near the chapel, so Malachi got a chance to play before the ceremony. Yes, he was as tired as he looks in the pics, which explains the meltdown he had just before the ceremony, resulting in me missing the nuptials. Poor guy; he had a touch of a cold and his new molars are giving him a heck of a time. :(

Malachi asked me to give a shout out to Grandma and Grammie for him. He really enjoyed all of his "lessons" with the Grandmas during the past few weeks and is looking forward to learning more from them!

Self-feeding!

Finally!





We wanted to keep encouraging him, so we grabbed whatever finger food we could from the kitchen and kept it coming. He did great! And now...the aftermath!

North Myrtle Beach Vacation

We just got back from a week at the beach. It was a much needed time of rest, relaxation, fun, and time with family. Kevin's parents, his brother Steve's family (Steve, Kim, Ryan with girlfriend Hayleigh, Katie, Rachel, and Nathan), and his younger brother Brian were with us.

Malachi at the beach.

Malachi learning to play cards, a Taylor family tradition.

Malachi at a Children's Museum. Big bubble!

Playing with K'nex.

A big light-brite board.

Will he be a doctor?

Or a dentist like Daddy?

What a smile!

Catching up

We had a visit from Ethan, Tiffy, and Eddie recently. Malachi and Ethan had fun playing side-by-side. Ethan was really good with Malachi.

This is what finals does to you. It may not be obvious, but he's still holding the remote control for the TV. Poor guy.
I went on a business trip to D.C. for a week. Kevin drove Malachi and I to D.C., and Malachi stayed with me the whole week. My Mom watched him, while Kevin went back home for a week of finals.

Nana and Pa also happened to be in D.C. for a D.A.R. conference, so they were FINALLY able to meet Malachi!

Daddy squeezed in a quick trip to the National Zoo with Malachi before he headed back home. And what do you know? He found a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow! We already knew Malachi was a treasure, but now we have proof!
While in D.C., Malachi did his best to help me analyze my notes. So serious with his books.

Grammie and Papa drove us home yesterday, and Malachi had to say good-bye to them this morning. He had a great week with Grammie at the hotel and...big news. He's starting to walk! He took seven steps for her! It won't be long now.

Long overdue update

So sorry for the lack of updates. It's been a busy month! We went to Pennsylvania over a three-day weekend for our friends' wedding (congrats Stat and Jodi!) and to squeeze in a visit with Grammie and Papa, and Uncle Mike and Nate (thanks for making the trip!). We also had a string of doctor's appointments for Malachi.

So the first appointment was mostly good. Our 12 month check up (at 13 1/2 months because we're a little "off schedule" from having our 9 month check up at 10 months) revealed that he is a whopping 32 inches long and 24 pounds! He certainly has grown! He's 95th percentile for head circumference, 90th percentile for height, and 60th percentile for weight. The nurse was so surprised by the big jump she had me verify that the date of his last check up was correct. He's really stretching out. It's hard to tell in the pics because he has the cutest round face, but his torso and legs seem to be visibly lengthening every week! See...

So the not so good part...he had another ear infection. Number four, each time in both ears. The result? Antibiotics and a good ENT. He had tubes put in this Tuesday. He is such a trooper. Except for sleeping a little longer during his naps and at night this week, you wouldn't even know he had anything done. He did hold his ears a little while he slept (poor thing), but he didn't show signs of discomfort otherwise.

He's a moving, giggle machine lately. EVERYTHING makes him laugh (including when we say NO!-ugh!), and he is cruising along furniture, walls, people, anything he can get his hands on), which is fun to watch. He's showing some interest in sippy-cups and self-feeding. It's exciting, but a little sad, too...why do babies have to grow up so quickly?!?

On to the good stuff [Does anyone read what I write, or do you all just skip to the pics? I'm on to you! :)]...

Playing at Papa and Grammie's with Cousin Nate.

Grammie, Papa, Uncle Mike, and Nate wore him OUT! He slept for almost three hours.

Malachi's hair is getting quite long. Do you dig his 'fro? I just love it!!! His curls are so soft.

So sad, but the Snuggli is nearing retirement. It has a weight limit of 26 pounds, but my back thinks it's 24! Kevin and I will certainly miss the closeness with Malachi the Snuggli provided us, but the stroller will bring new adventures. For example, Malachi can get really close to the ducks and geese at the lake.

Malachi was born on April 19, 2007...Patriot's Day! Appropriately so, Great Nana and Great Pa made sure he had a three-cornered hat. Now I don't think it was meant to be worn with a Red Sox bib (hard to see in the pic, but also from Great Nana and Great Pa), but cute nonetheless. ;)