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It's still been hard to get a good photo of the little one. He's much too concerned with moving and exploring to stop and look at the camera much less smile. But I did manage to get a few pictures when I took him outside last week.

We were so psyched last week when Declan started taking a few solo steps between cruising spots. Before that, he'd really not been interested in the whole walking thing. But baby things, they ebb and flow...no steps have occurred in a few days. Same with signs, while we were in Mexico, Declan started doing water, juice, and more. Now, he's just staring at what he wants and grunting with passion. I really should video it. If I didn't have to endure it day and night, I'd actually think it was pretty funny.

What has happened though, is that Declan is attempting to talk. Outside of the massive gibberish conversations he has with himself, he's now making sense with three words. Now, it's most likely one of those things that no one but his parents can understand, but I'm proud all the same.

Around the same time that he took some steps, Declan magically figured out waving, which is now his very favorite thing to do. Over and over. Once he figured out waving, he started opening his mouth massively and saying "Haaa", which made me laugh because I've been really emphasizing the wave myself. The books all say babies should be able to wave by 10 months, and as that milestone approached I was getting nothing. So naturally I spent hours each day waving and asking Declan to wave and each time I'd do it, I would get really excited, open my mouth wide and exclaim, "hi!!!!". Well, turns out he now thinks that in order to wave, you have to do the mouth opening and sounds too. And he thinks it's hilarious!

He's also been saying Dada for a few weeks now, which is just so cute and a really great thing for Rich to hear when he comes home from New Jersey. And I thought Mama would be next. I've been working on Mama for months! He's very interested in the words, but with all of his concentration, only Ba ba comes out, and since he babbles baba day and night, I just can't count it yet.

But no, he did not move on to Mama. He chose, instead, J.J., which is the name of our mean, antisocial cat who, of course, Declan is obsessed with. Every time he hears her collar jingle he looks around and says "Juh Juh". Seriously. I should just spend a day running away and hissing at him and maybe he'll come up with a Mama.

Overall, I'm really looking forward to him walking, especially because Spring is coming and I'd love to be able to take him to the park and have him do something other than pick up sticks and trash. But for now I'll be happy with targeted grunting and "Juh Juh".

Operation Chubby Succeeds!

It's been awhile since I wrote, but since I have no idea if anyone besides my sister reads these, I tend to think no one's holding her breath impatiently...

Let's see here. When did I last write? Oh yes, it was the death of Bigfatbaby. I miss that kid. Well, after all $65 worth of dairy and snacks, Declan has put on a delightful 1 pound and 4 ounces. I knew he still had it in him! The doctor was a little shocked, to tell the truth. I tell you, people, when Rich and I are given a task, we do not relent until it has been achieved to the highest level. Especially when it comes to the bambino.

And, (some of you may think this is not an achievement at all, but we do, so be supportive) Declan officially slept from 6:30pm to 6:30 am last night. I think I accidentally turned the monitor off, but still! It proves that he's ready for night weaning. Hell, it doesn't matter if he's ready, I am. So starting tomorrow night, our first objective is to officially wean Dec during the night. It hasn't been that bad waking up once a night, but he'll be 10 months on Sunday.

I have no pictures from Cozumel because in Rich and I's frantic packing that included every toy Declan owns, we forgot one essential: the camera. And although Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Scott took some pictures, they didn't seem to want to follow him around night and day just to capture the cutest moments like we do. But, there are a couple of pictures, and when I do get one, I'll post.

Mexico was great. We stayed at a nice hotel, the weather, the sand, and the water were all beautiful, but traveling with a 9 month old is a little like being at a work function. You can't drink as much as you want; you're always on duty, and just when you're about to relax, you're needed for something urgent. Overall, I was so proud of my little Declonian, but it was obvious the day before we left that Declan had had enough! He refused to eat, wouldn't sleep, and, short of crossing his arms and sticking out his lower lip, he let us know it was time to go home.

Traveling home was a doozie. We showed up three hours early for our first flight only to find a one-room airport with no security line and, really, no one else there. Declan was good, crawling around and entertaining his grandparents, but I was already dreading the long day. We got there at 9:30am and didn't get home until 8:30pm. Loooong day.

The first flight was okay. Declan slept on my and Rich's lap most of the way. During our three hour lay over in Houston was when it got really interesting. We stopped to eat at a Chili's and Declan did well, and seemed to be enjoying himself. It wasn't until Rich looked at me, with laughing eyes, and asked me if I heard Declan that the real fun began. One look, and we could see that Declan hadn't just pooped, he pooped all over his back and it was seeping out of his onesie. In a panic, we took off for the nearest store, found a Houston onesie and went about our task. I hate to say it, but Declan's Baby Gap, adorable, "Apple of Daddy's Eye" onesie was a casualty. I actually spent a long moment at the trash can considering how hard it would really be to wash it out before coming to my senses. That thing was trashed! We had to put Declan's pants and long sleeved shirt in a bag and Declan was left in just a onesie. Luckily we had his blanket so we were able to wrap him up, but, seeing as it was about 30 degrees in Kansas, it wasn't ideal.

Next, (it may have been the lack of warm clothes or the fact that it was already past his bed time, and that Declan is nothing if not punctual) Dec cried almost the whole flight into KC. I just cringed as he started up each time. Especially because we were on one of those little planes with just two seats on one side and one on the other. Then this guy behind us started farting. I think it was the same guy who was glaring at us, probably farting for revenge. Like he thought he could blame it on the baby.

We've been home and it's been a tough week. I can't imagine that anyone reading this doesn't know why. It was heart breaking for me that I was in Mexico for Megan's funeral. No amount of sun or fun could make that go away. And that's all I will say about that.

Since I'm not sure if I've bragged about how advanced Declan is lately, I'll give you a list of his most recent accomplishments:

1. Flushing the toilet.
2. Drinking from a straw.
3. The death pinch.
4. Fish face.
5. Lifting up the toilet lid and reaching inside.
6. Waving.
7. Eating toilet paper. Big chunks. Chew. Swallow.
8. Giving things to Mommy, Daddy, and Scooter.
9. Singing/humming/making high pitched noises while music is on.
10. Pooping in the bathtub during naked time in Mexico.

Genius.