First hiking trip

Happy Birthday to me!

Mommy knows it's been awhile. She's sorry. Today was my birthday, but my party is Saturday. Instead of cake pictures, here's a movie all about me!

Time with friends

What a good time I've been having lately! I'm 9 months old now, and I've been crawling for about two weeks. It sure has changed how things are around here. I have my very own playroom now, but I keep crawling out of it to explore the rest of the house.

Some people have come to visit me lately, including my Uncle Dan, who shares my name, and Cousin Wendy. They brought a cute puppy named Joss who kept trying to play with me. I guess he thought I was a puppy, too.

My best bud Tony and I had our first sleepover. We played, took a bath, and were so tired afterward that we slept really well. I think our parents had a good time, too.

My first Christmas

I had a great first Christmas! I got lots of presents and got to see so many family members and friends. Up top, you can see me with some of my favorite presents: a D&D onesie from Uncle Dan, Aunt Annie and Jack and Wendy; a big stuffed dragon from Scott; and a music play table from Mommy and Poppa.

On Christmas Eve, we went to see Nana and Poppy in Morristown. They were happy to see me, of course, and we had a great time.

Then, on Christmas morning Mommy and Papa and I opened presents from Santa. I was very excited to come in that morning and see the tree and all the presents. There's a picture here of Papa carrying me in on Christmas morning, and me grabbing for my new dog toy, Patrick.

We went to Gran and Bear's house next, and I had a great time with them and my aunts. Later, we went to my great-grandmother's house for lunch.

I can't wait for next year!

Tha cute

Here are some photos of yours truly. Mommy thinks they're cute.

Also, I got my first tooth last week, the bottom left one.

Of Thanksgiving and ear infections

Well, it all started with a birthday party. My cousin Trey (who lives all the way in Arizona) had a first birthday here in Tennessee. Of course we went, and we had a great time. There were lots of toys, and I put them all in my mouth.

Soon, it was Thanksgiving, and I had a cold. Mommy and Poppa didn't think it was anything serious, so we went to see Nana and Poppy and my cousins, and Gran and Bear and my aunts anyway. I played with everyone, and I especially enjoyed playing ball with my cousin Corey. Nana also had a dinosaur and a motorcycle toy that were lots of fun.

My cold got worse and worse. Mommy and Poppa got really worried when my clogged nose got so bad I couldn't eat or nurse. We took a fun trip to the emergency room way past my bedtime. I got to meet lots of nice nurses, and I slept right through the doctor examining me. It turned out I had an ear infection, so I got some pink antibiotic stuff I have to take twice a day.

I'm a lot better now, but last week on Monday I got my first tooth! It hurt a lot, but it's kinda cool to have. Mommy's just wondering when we can expect the next one.

I'm ready for my close-up

Mommy and Poppa took me to Mrs. Ruth's house to have some six-month-old pictures made. Mrs. Ruth is the photographer at the Shopper, and she has a nice backdrop and studio set up at her house.

Of course, once we got there, I couldn't be bothered to smile. I mean, why should I if I don't feel like it? Besides, when I didn't smile, Mommy and Poppa and Mrs. Ruth and her daughter Miss Caroline jumped around and made funny faces and sang and danced, so that was really interesting.

Here are Mommy's favorite pictures.

Halloween and sippy cups

Mommy and Poppa (mostly Mommy) received notice that certain aunts and uncles and cousins would like to see another blog post, so I'm posting about recent events in my very buys life.

First off, I'm officially six months old! This happened on Oct. 29, and while no one threw a party (sigh), there was a lot of, "Can you believe he's already six months?" and, "Where has the time gone?" and, "Did you ever think we'd make it this far?" around the house that day.

Personally, I don't know what all the fuss is about. It's not like I'm any trouble or anything.

I've started drinking from a sippy cup, and as you can see I love it! Mommy puts watered-down white grape juice in it, and I wish she'd give me more. She says I guzzle it like a wino, whatever that means.

Poppa dressed me up as the Green Lantern for Halloween. I didn't go Trick-or-Treat this year because I'm so little, but lots of kids stopped by the house, and I helped give them candy. I can't wait for next year!

Also, Uncle Dan, Aunt Annie and cousins Jack and Wendy might recognize my baseball footie pajamas in these pictures. I'm finally big enough to wear them, and Mommy says I'm adorable.

Sitting big

Well, I'm five months old now, and I'm sitting up mostly by myself. I still fall backwards or to the side every now and then, but Mommy and Poppa are there to catch me. I can sit up to read a book, and I've discovered how fun it is to play in the bathtub. I love splashing the water and playing with my rubber ducks.

I've also started napping with a lovey, and I think Cousin Wendy will recognize him from the last picture here. He's so soft and cuddly, and he's just the right size.

First haircut!

Yesterday, Mommy and Poppa took me for my first haircut. Mommy said I was looking shaggy. Even though five months is early for a first haircut, it was time for me to go. It wasn't scary at all. I was a very good boy, just sitting on Poppa's lap and looking around. Then, I got a certificate from the barber saying I was very brave.

My barber (and Poppa's) is Mr. Steve Payne at Fountain Gate Barber Shop. It's a great, friendly place with the old-fashioned barber pole, a coin-operated horse, toys, and lots of nice people. Mommy said when I'm old enough, Poppa and I will go together and play at Fountain City Park afterwards. I can't wait!

Pretty pictures

The other day, Mommy, Poppa and I were playing on a blanket in the front yard, and Mommy took some pictures. She say's they're very cute, but I don't know what all the fuss is about. They're just me. I was more interested in the cat that came to say hi while she was taking them.

More of Dragon*Con

Whew! Am I ever tired! We had a big day with me meeting the guys and gals from Firefly. We also saw a parade of lots of people dressed up in costumes. Mommy said it's something called cosplay when grown-ups play dress up. I've put some of Mommy's pictures here.

There's just so much to see here, sometimes it's hard to take it all in. Mommy and Poppa also like to go hear people talk about the shows they like. Today we stood in a *huge* line for a panel about...you guessed it...Firefly, and sat in for a funny show called MST3K.

Got to get some sleep now to rest up for tomorrow. It's not going to be as big a day as today, but it'll still be busy!

Dragon*Con!

Mommy and Poppa have been telling me, we are going somewhere special. I just didn't know it would be this special. Poppa Has been constantly saying, "Oooo!" followed by things like Tusken Raider, Mario, Leaf Ninja, and Zombie! I got to meet four people from Poppa's favorite show Firefly. Captain Mal was so impressed by me he took his own photo (with an iPhone!) and pilot Wash asked if we wanted to take my picture with me.Thank you Aunt Annie for the hat, they loved it! Kaylee and Inara were unphased by my cuteness despite Poppa bribing them with paid for autographs. Aunt Erin was in a parade today. We didn't get a picture of Homeland Security grabbing her after this picture.

Finally food!

After months of begging, I finally convinced Mommy and Poppa to let me try some real food. I got to try some very thin rice cereal. I didn't know what to make of it at first, but then I really started to like it! Most of it wound up down the front of my bib, though. Maybe next time they'll let me try a nice, juicy steak and a martini! Mommy says fat chance, but I'm still hoping.

Introducing Ripper!

And in this corner, standing at 18 inches, weighing in at 6 pounds 11 ounces.......Antonio K Hulslander! Finally, Mommy and Poppa have been promising him to me for so long and here he is. Mommy thinks he's tiny. Poppa says he's normal, I'm the giant. Aunt Indhira had a tough time of it. She was happy to see me and the folks, but she was very tired. Uncle Mike was sort of crazy. Poppa said he hadn't slept in three days so we'll forgive him.