Favorite toy

Niko is rollie pollie. If you place a toy out of reach, he will roll over to get it. This is Niko's favorite toy right now for sure!

I choose you Pikachu!

You knew this was just a matter of time. I know that Niko and Pikachu will be great friends. Niko is already giving Pikachu kisses. Actually... he's trying to eat him, but I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding.

Unhappy.

We have been an unhappy camper lately. It looks like we hit the next growth spurt a bit early. According to the Wonder Weeks (a fantastic development book) we are showing all the signs of the 19 week development stage. According to the book, this can last 2-5 weeks. Groan.

Let's compare

Niko . . . . . Neil

Christmas 2008

Ohhhh...  presents!  He sort of got the idea of unwrapping.

This was our Christmas present.  All we wanted for Christmas last year was to be pregnant.  We found out that I was pregnant last year three days before Christmas.

Wow, Dad.  Can I play with that Transformer?

Friends of the family got Niko this Star from Super Mario Brothers... now he is invincible.

         
Neil's cousin from Japan, Jose, sent Niko this Totoro pillow and a calendar.  So kawaii!!!  (Cute in Japanese)

Hanging out with Aunt Maria.

Sitting with Abuelo.

Playing with Abuela.

ExerSaucer

Niko has discovered the ExerSaucer. We put him in it about a month or so ago, but he was just too small for it.

We tried it again this morning and he LOVES it. He can semi-stand up and he can reach the toys. Happiness all around!

Tachikoma

Today we had our Christmas with our friends. Niko racked up some great new toys. Here he is with a tachikoma toy from Ghost in the Shell. He likes trying to eat the tachikoma's nose.

Santa

A general look of uneasiness.

Monthly photos

So I have finally scanned in Niko's monthly photos.

One month photo

Two month photo

Three month photo

Now you are just showing off....

All Niko wants to do is roll over. As soon as you put him down he's ready to roll. He can't figure out what to do once he finishes rolling over to his stomach. He grunts and groans then eventually cries when he is left on his belly to long. We will see how long it takes for him to roll the other way.

Warm and fuzzy

I am so glad that Niko is still in his infant carrier for winter. Look how happy he is all bundled up. He has a fuzzy pad that he lays on to keep his back side warm too.

Rollie Pollie

This is Niko at the end of his first roll-over! So exciting!! I yelled for Neil when Niko first started rolling. Neil flew down the stairs to see what was wrong - only to see Niko on his belly and me clapping. Nothing was wrong - I just didn't want him to miss it! :)

Lil' drummer boy

Niko is preparing for his solo on the drums.

Landing gear is up for take-off

Niko loves waving his legs up in the air all day long. He's got the quarter-turn roll figured out - I'm waiting for the full roll any day now. No more laying him on the couch - too scary.

He also said "Goodbye" to all of his 3 month clothes today. The outfit he has on in the photo is a 6 month outfit and it fits him just fine. 14 weeks = 6 month clothes.

Hi, my name is Chubby

Uncle Mark is showing Niko the old "My name is Chubby" story. Niko definitely has enough cheek to do the story right.

Fancy footwork

Niko's feet don't stop for anyone. Lately he has really been giving them a workout. It's so cute to see him curling his toes and "clapping" his feet together.

First Cold

Niko and I brought home a lovely present from Chicago - Uncle Donnie's cold. His worst day was Monday - he seems to be feeling much better today. I seem to be getting worse - but I'm making some good antibodies for Niko so it's worth it.

This is an adorable version of the old "snot bulb". Niko does NOT enjoy having this done, but it makes a big difference.

Thanksgiving 2008

My mom made this costume for me years and years ago. Here is my niece Jenny wearing it at Thanksgiving. This costume has to be 25 years old now.

Ryan and Jenny met their cousin Niko for the first time. Jenny wasn't too keen on meeting the competition for Aunt Kim's attention. Ryan however liked helping out with "my baby".

Sensei Uncle Donnie and Niko. Neil really wants Niko to grow up to be just like Uncle Donnie.

Niko hanging out with his Great Aunt Kay.

Niko with his Great, Great Aunt Lila.

Niko hamming it up with Grandma - he loves talking to her.

Who do I look like?

Packing for the trip

I'm packing up Niko tonight for our trip to Chicago. This will be Niko's first trip - we are flying home for Thanksgiving. Hopefully he will travel well..... otherwise I will be "that girl with the screaming baby." Yikes.

Black Monday

Today was a dark day.... Niko had to start daycare. But all is not lost - he had a great time.

I did not. Rough morning.

Anglea has two boys of her own that were amazed by Niko (or as they say "baby") and he was equally as entertained by them. He did really good today and hopefully it will stay that way.

I hear it that leaving him in the morning gets easier.... here's hoping.

Swingin' on the last day of paradise

Niko rediscovered his love of the swing. He has a love-hate relationship with it. He loved it his first 3 weeks then hated it. We haven't put him in it for almost 2 months. I decided to give it one more try and he loves it again. I think it's because he can play with the rings now.

Today is my last day of maternity leave. It's going to be an ugly Monday. My plans of winning the lotto so I can stay home forever didn't work out so back to work I go.

Last walk

Today was a beautiful day here in KC. Niko and I probably took our last walk today for the season. Soon I will be going back to work and Niko will be going to daycare.... boooooo.

Daddy's chair

Niko likes sitting in Neils computer chair. Neil puts the boppy in front of him so he can't slide down and spins him around. He loves it.

Mmmmm... hands

Niko has been going to town on his hands for the last few days. He has also turned into quite the drool machine. We have towels all over the house trying to mop up the constant "rain" of hurricane Niko.

Starting out right

Niko made his first trip to a comic book store on Saturday. It's important to introduce him to quality reading materials early. He's totally checking out that X-Men comic.

Important education

Uncle Mark is showing Niko some important life skills.... like how to play Korg on the DS. Niko actually watched Mark for quite a while. Looks like he has inherited our nerdism - excellent.

Play time

Niko has a favorite toy. He like this spinning, jingly toy - he like batting it and watching it spin. He's really getting control over his hands now. He can look at something and grab it now. Pretty exciting stuff!

Nap time

Catching a cat nap in my bouncy chair.

Fun with the camera

I took these last week. I love those "studio" style photos, but Niko is really unpredictable when we go to get his photo taken. He was in a good mood last week so I snapped off a few nice photos. I love it when I get a great photo!

First bottle

Niko had his first bottle today. I was worried that he would be fussy about it and not want to take it. Niko's doctor and all of the books said that he would not take it if I was in the room. Yea right. He went to town on that bottle with me sitting 3 feet away.