A Memorable Year

Every year in a person's life is special, of course, but some years are even more special than others. The year 2010 certainly fits that bill for Jonas, as well as for Mom and Dad. It's hard to imagine a year when our lives have had more change than the one that's coming to an end. Except, possibly, for the one that's about to come as we prepare for a whole new chapter in our lives. But in 2010, we celebrated 10 years of marriage and the birth of the greatest little guy in the world — events that are hard to top. So here's to a memorable year past and a great new year ahead to all of our family and friends, one that will be filled with new adventures for all.

Poser

Jonas enjoyed his first nap on a bed so much the other day that he spent the next few days lounging around, exploring the space and posing for some happy photos.

Fries! Fries! Fries!

Oh, hi there. This is Jonas. Um, I don't know if you saw the posting yesterday about my first french fry but I'm still here at the restaurant and there's something I just have to say. Let me see, how can I put this ... MORE FRIES! MORE FRIES! MORE FRIES! If you see my folks, would you mind passing that on? Thanks.

Fry Guy

Jonas experienced yet another first on his trip to Colorado yesterday — the satisfying sensation of a delicious french fry. In what will no doubt be the first of the billion, gazillion, katrillion french fries he will eat in his life, Jonas scarfed down the first one he ever experienced, waiting for the chance to do it all over again and again and again.

The Big Bed

Jonas had yet another first this week when he took a nap for the first time on an adult bed. The other day, the Big Guy would just have none of the portable crib he's been using on his Colorado adventure, so Dad placed him on the big bed to hang out with him for a bit. Both of them wound up falling asleep and having a nice rest, even if Jonas wound up kicking Dad in the face a few times (perhaps a precursor of more such adventures to come down the road...). But when he woke up, Jonas got treated to the best wake up of all — Mom smothering his feet with kisses.

Winter Wonderland

Jonas had a fun and memorable Christmas with his Colorado family, filled with all sorts of firsts. It all started with a wide and gleeful wake-up smile that revealed those top two teeth that have been so elusive to catch on film...

...then Jonas noticed that there were some funny looking socks with people's names and images on them, including the biggest one of all, which happened to have his name on it...

...next, he got to open some presents from his grandmother, (known around these parts as Mima), cousins, aunt and uncle, an experience he also seemed to enjoy...

...later on, it was time for games, including a rollicking good time playing peek-a-boo with Mima...

...Jonas seemed intrigued by the tree, especially the fact that it could be touched, taking a moment to take in the sight with Mom...

...and to literally cap off the day, Jonas got bundled up to brave the chilly Colorado afternoon. For the first time, Mom and Dad made him put these funny things over his hands that produced a brief dramatic moment — and epic stare-down — in what was otherwise an enjoyable and fun-filled day.

Travel Pro

Jonas is becoming an expert these days at flying. This weekend, it's off to his relatives in Colorado for a wintry Christmas vacation. The morning started out yesterday with Jonas enjoying what has become familiar surroundings for him on an airplane with Mom...

...then, an appearance by his old friend "Little Mouse" made the flight itself tons of fun...

...when he got off the plane in Denver, Jonas got temporarily distracted by the greatest thing he has ever seen in his life so far...

...but when we finally arrived, Jonas was back to being his smily, giddy self, ready to open some presents and experience another new holiday.

Snowman Space Monkey

What happens when, shortly after you go to sleep, you spit up over the top of your space monkey pajamas and Dad reaches into the drawer to pull out the first available equivalent pajama top? When you wake up, you become Snowman Space Monkey!

Command Center

We put Jonas in a new contraption that our friends Jeff and Katie let us use, allowing the Big Guy to experience the sensation of standing while he turns around and whaps things. He really seemed to get into it, showing just how fleet of feet he can be...

...but the real action in his new command center was at the hand level, where Jonas had lots to explore...

...until eventually, the entire experience had him beat, looking like he had had a tough day at the office.

Strapping Young Lad

Jonas has always been excited about the prospect of eating, but lately, he seems to be especially giddy after the meal is done. There's nothing like chewing on and playing with the high chair strap to cap off a great meal.

Mobile Plan

Jonas has two mobiles over his crib that give him endless delight. One is his Colorado Buffaloes mobile that plays him the CU Fight Song every morning. The other has some transportation favorites — a car, a truck, a boat, a plane — that, inexplicably, plays the Humpty Dumpty song. But lately, when we pick Jonas up after his songfest, he seems most intent on getting a closer look at his overhead friends. First, he'll check out the Buffs...

...but then he'll instantly reach as far as Mom or Dad will let him to get a hold of those things that go...

 Once satisfied that he has touched and inspected them all, he's ready to start the day...

Shapes and Sizes

Jonas' friends come in all shapes and sizes these days.

Library Fun

Jonas and Mom have been having great fun at a local library here for several weeks, where Jonas gets to hear some stories and then play around and meet some friends. He's had quite a good run at the library. It's where he sat up for the first time, and where he debuted his Halloween outfit, among other things. Yesterday, he continued the fun streak, getting to know some of his playmates...

...in fact, he was most curious in his playmates' feet...

...when it was all over and he got back home, those feet were all he could think about. He had to touch his own as well, thinking about the great time he had with his new friends.

Bundling Up

The summer-like weather of this past weekend here is turning to what counts for winter around these parts, meaning Jonas has to bundle up outside...

...and even inside, giving him a chance to show off some of his cool new sweaters.

Touch Football

For a while now, we've had a sneaking suspicion that Jonas might do pretty well on a football field if he decides to get into sports. With Jonas' combination of height and weight, Dad has a feeling that the Big Guy would make a pretty mean tight end if he wasn't so darn cute and charming when he wears football clothes. But Jonas probably wouldn't do too well in tackle football anyway. The way he likes to explore with his hands and reach for everything he sees these days, he's definitely a candidate for touch football.

Little Mouse

Jonas has shown a strong interest in books for a while now, which Mom and Dad think is great. In recent months, he even likes to turn the pages for us. But no book gets him going more than "Little Mouse," which features a real-life mouse!* He loves to reach out and grab this little fella, so much so that Mouse has developed a condition where a string is coming out of his eye. But as much as he loves messing with Mouse, Jonas really enjoys turning the pages to see what adventures Mouse can get into next...

...and once the page turns and the story continues — as told by a real-life mouse!* — Jonas can't help but get excited again.

*One day, when Jonas learns that Mouse is operated by Mom's finger, he's going to be sorely disappointed.

Hollywood Swinger

Jonas took full advantage of the beautiful weekend here, taking some time for one of his favorite outdoor activities — swinging. I'm not sure Mom and Dad could have taken enough photos of our happy boy doing his thing. So here, for a bit of cheer, are some shots of the Big Guy having some big fun.

Mom's Perfect Day

Yesterday was Mom's birthday and Jonas quickly realized how important it was to make it special for the most important person in his life. He started out with a gift that he thought he'd enjoy too — a new peeler to replace the aging one Mom has been using to take all that yucky skin off of the yummy fruits and vegetables she whips up for him every day (what says love more than a new peeler!) ...

...then Jonas couldn't have behaved better as he went with Mom and Dad to meet their aunt, uncle, cousin and their friend at a Mexican restaurant in Santa Monica, where they ate outside on a gorgeous December day with highs in the upper 80s. After lunch, the Big Guy slept through one of the prettiest drives Mom and Dad have taken, as they wound their way back down the coast to Long Beach, where you could see Catalina Island in the distance...

...and later, we walked around the amazing homes of Naples in Long Beach, where Jonas was fascinated by all the holiday lights on display...

...a perfect end to a perfect day.

Tickle Spots

Jonas has been developing some fun tickle spots of late. Just above his knee is a favorite. Along his sides in another. And lately, just scratching his back will do the trick. They're fun to find and even more fun to watch him laugh.

Hey Dudes

Here, Jonas seems to be saying, "Hey dudes, what's up?"

Mamarazzi

Jonas typically takes one stroll in the morning and another in the afternoon around the neighborhood, meaning he's become a pretty popular figure on the local streets. And like the Southern California native he is, he's had to become used to the paparazzi — or on most days, the mamarazzi — constantly wanting to take his photo. In an effort not to be noticed, he thought he had a plan the other day to avoid this intrusion in his personal life — sunglasses...

...but his plan started to backfire when he decided maybe he didn't like wearing sunglasses after all...

...then, like every baby celebrity, he decided he needed to inspect the sunglasses before deciding his next move...

...but in the end, he relented to the burden of being locally world famous, coming through with his trademark charm for the cameras. For his fans. And just this once...