First Sign

So for months now I always do signs with Nehemiah while he's eating. Just the basics like eat, more and all done. Since the fishbowl is right by the highchair we always talk about the fish, and I would open and close my mouth as I would tell him about it. About a week and a half ago, Nehemiah started clicking his tongue when I would do the fish sign. He seemed to be trying to copy me. He knew I was doing something with my mouth and it made a noise. I was excited and thought he was doing this for fish, but was still not completely sure. Well, his sign has evolved...it's now an open and close the mouth motion and I'm sure he is doing it because whenever we go talk about the fish he does it and even if we are not by the fish, but I talk about the fish he does it. I swear. Sometimes we try to show him off and he won't do it. But isn't that always the way it goes. So, I'm going to count it as his first sign. Don't know if it is a very useful word to communicate, but he sure is cute, and so smart...don't you think.

Cousins

Ezra and Nehemiah have become quite the pair. Apparently when Brooke and Tim ask Ezra who was at daycare, he always says Nehemiah was there. He was asking to play with him last week, so they had some playtime at Grandma and Pop's house.

Ezra can always get Nehemiah laughing.

------------------------------------------------------------Time to get out!

All Boy!

How do boys just know what to do when put behind a steering wheel?

Batman Car at Pietro's Pizza

Angel Fish

Last week we started swimming lessons. Nehemiah seems to really enjoy the water and also watching all the other babies. We get to do the back float, front float, jump from the side of the pool while singing Humpty Dumpty, sing other favorites like The Wheels on the Bus and The Grand Old Duke of York, monkey crawl along the wall, use kick boards, rings and other swim toys. It's so much fun! I wonder what Nehemiah thinks of it all. The instructor always reminds us how to hold them and says to make sure they can always see you so they know you are near. I swear Nehemiah tries to get away from me. He kicks his feet and splashes his arms. This past Thursday we were having "free time." I had Nehemiah sitting on the side and I was pulling him in. I had my hands lightly on his legs as I turned for just a second to see what the teacher was saying. Before I knew it, Nehemiah had plunged himself into the pool head first. Oops! He went all the way under. As I pulled him out I expected him to cry and be sputtering water everywhere. To my surprise, he acted as if nothing had happened. He was perfectly fine. Maybe we'll try it again, this time on purpose.

Feats in Becoming Mobile

As I reflect back on the previous few months I am amazed at how much Nehemiah has changed and the feats he has accomplished. At the end of September he was just learning to roll over from back to front and be able to return to his back when ready. In October he could finally sit on his own without support. I was looking forward to this stage. My sister had said, "That is the best stage where they can sit and play on their own for a while and you don't have to worry about them going anywhere." I unfortunately didn't get to enjoy this very long. By the beginning of November he was scooting in an army crawl on his belly. In December he was moving a bit faster and also loved to walk around the room with me holding his hands. Now in January he has learned to push himself into a sitting position from his back or belly and is sometimes pulling himself up on things. Luckily he is still not very good at it. We'll see how long that lasts.

A Walk Down Memory Lane - 2007

Here's a glimpse into the last 9 months since Nehemiah was born.

April

Nehemiah James Vice made his grand entrance on April 1, 2007 at 2:08 p.m., weighing in at 8 pounds 3 ounces, 21 1/2 inches long. A fitting birth date for the son of Travis. Even my mom had to ask if we were really at the hospital or if Travis was playing an April Fools Day joke.

May

Needing to get out of the house after a month with a newborn, we decided to go on a day trip to Multnomah Falls. We started up and made it to the bridge. That wasn't hard, so we figured we'd keep on going. After we were about halfway to the top we realized we'd made a bad choice. Flip flops, a little baby in a bjorn and hiking aren't the best combo. But we couldn't turn back- not after already climbing so far. We did make it!

First Smiles

June

To the beach , and cousin Phoebe was born

First trip to the zoo, and Rose Festival.

July

We went on family vacations to the beach with both sides of the family. It was a lot of fun and a great time with all the kids. Nehemiah has six cousins, two of which are younger than him.

August

Annual camping trip to Silver Creek Falls to celebrate MeMe's birthday.

September

Yummmm

First Flight ----------------------------------------- In Boston Commons

Nehemiah and I went to Boston to visit the Roths. We had a blast, but were tired after so much sightseeing. We walked the Freedom Trail in downtown Boston, visited Cambridge (Harvard and my school, Lesley University), stayed in Cape Cod, rode a ferry to Martha's Vineyard, walked the campus at Gordon-Conwell, talked, laughed, and just enjoyed being family.

The Roths (my sis and her fam) -----------------------------Cousins Phoebe and Asher

October

This month was filled with new adventures. Nehemiah took a music class at Gymboree, we went to storytimes, and puppet shows. This was all homework for one of my graduate classes. We had a blast!

Little Dragon for Halloween

--------------------------------------------------------Ofcourse the bell went straight to the mouth.

November

I think this was when my camera wasn't working right.

December

Our Little Elf

It was a fun first Christmas. Nehemiah thought his wrapped gifts made great drums. He would have been happy without even opening them.

Version Numero Uno

So, we've finally joined the ranks of bloggers! Soon after Nehemiah was born I decided it was time to start a blog. Here we are 9 months later.....he's been out of the womb as long as he was in, and it is time to put all excuses aside and actually start this thing. So here goes...