papa sings and nana reads

papa was singing to simon in the family room - simon loved it. I did,

too, especially when I heard, " a jigger of gin..." thelonius monk, really?

nana reads to simon before bed - he's busy standing, but not too busy for dr. seuss's amazing abc's

simon plays patty cake

he claps, claps...he even claps when we ask if he wants more in sign language.

good morning - it's still dark

simon is awake, awake at 6:00 am. since the time change, he wakes anywhere between 4:30 am and 6:00 am. christie frequently carries simon to the front window to point out that no one else in the neighborhood is awake then...

simon smiles for nana

he loves his nana

national aia film at under tree house AND nana and papa come for a visit

national aia called christy and asked if they could interview her at under tree house and at her house. they were at the house from 9 am - 7:30 pm - a very long day. after a week of family sickness, exhaustion set in early, which may account for eric saying about the toilets (on film) that a person uses the small button for "number 1" and the large button for "number 2". hopefully they will edit most of christie's responses...

in between filming we chit chat and wait for the interview

christy gets made up - more makeup than any person should ever wear. it took this christie 3 face washings to get most of the make up off.

simon should have been interviewed instead of mom - he is such a great ham...

eric all made up and ready to sing christy's praises...

9 month appointment - so big

simon doesn't know that he is about to get a shot and

have blood drawn - he sings and laughs with dad.

the 9 month stats:
height - 29 in (75%)
weight - 23.5 lbs (90%)

9 months

standing on his own

crawling

two teeth

simon is 9 months and he has a bunch of tricks up his sleeve: crawling, babbling in questions, standing, clapping, climbing stairs, leap tall buildings in a single bound...

halloween 2009

handing out candy and chatting with kids / parents

simon pumpkin

simon cow

we started the halloween celebration at fletcher's house and then back to our neighborhood for a costume contest and parade. we all had a great time handing out candy and seeing families and friends of the hood. we LOVE french place.

lill street art center - chicago

breakfast at the center - simon couldn't stay awake for the 9:00 am breakfast because he was up at 6:00 am.

boarding the plane for chicago - infant car seat one last time

eric attended the acadia conference while christie and simon played with kati and jeremy. eric celebrated his birthday once again in chicago. we visited the shed aquarium, the art institute of chicago, china town, millenium park, k & j's neighborhood - the ravenswood area (beautiful). what fun to visit with our friends.

AIA homes tour weekend and the fabulous san jose hotel

simon got to jump on the bed in a hotel room.
it's because he's so growed up.

8 months

morning

evening

adorable at all hours of the day and night