First Visit to the Park

These are some of Mommy's favorite pictures! On this snowy December day, Mommy is sharing a summer memory. We had a lot of fun this day. We decided to check out the park by our house. Mommy put me in the swing for the very first time. I liked it! We also sat by the lake and watched the ducks. We went back a few times after that. Next summer we will try the swings again. For a special New Year's edition - Mommy is going to show my monthly pictures (her favorite pictures). For the rest of the week, we will continue to highlight memories. Have a great last day of the year!! Love, Niko

First Trip to the Zoo

August 10, 2008

My Mommy is so weird! She wants to highlight the special moments we had this year. I go along with all her ideas. We hope you enjoy our special memories of this year - my first year of life :)

Mommy, Daddy and I made our first trip to the Zoo at the beginning of August. I was not very impressed with my first trip. I was very grumpy this day. This was a couple weeks before my two bottom teeth popped through. Mommy and Daddy tried to make the best of the day - but I just would not have any fun. Mommy wanted to take me back in October for Boo at the Zoo, but they were sold out. Maybe next year...... Grammy also wants to take me to the Zoo next summer, maybe I will enjoy it more since I will be a year and a half :) Mommy did notice something at the Zoo though.... I love fish!

Just the Facts

The Famous Smash Cake

When I was a newborn - I loved that sleeper!!

Hi Everyone,

Mommy took me to the doctor on Friday afternoon. I weigh 17 pounds (4 pounds at birth) and 7 ounces (12 ounces at birth). I am 28 inches (18 inches at birth) - I grew two inches since my 9 month appointment. Mommy was a little sad that I did not weigh more, but the doctor was pleased with my weight and height. I am not in a percentile for weight yet, but I am for height. The doctor also told my mommy to stop giving me tomatoes. I am allergic to them. I turn bright red, just like my mommy did when she was my age. The shots were no fun as usual. I actually had more of a reaction to these set of shots than my 9 month shots. I had the big "D" on Saturday and took a five hour nap. I kept mommy up for a long time on Sat. night. I was also feverish.

On Sunday. it was just mommy and I . We went to visit daddy at work. I had my first chicken nuggets from Wendy's. They were yummy! Daddy liked that we visited him at work, and we will try to go every Sunday. Then mommy took me to the craft store. I made one worker's day by giving her my smiles. When we got home, I WOULD NOT take an afternoon nap. Mommy had fun with me anyway. I was using my new workbench to build Daddy something. I also used my new activity table that I got for Christmas. I know I don't have to, because I already have my mommy's heart - but I was flirting with her. She was talking to Grammy Christine and I sat there smiling and laughing at her. I was a very good boy for Mommy. When Daddy came home, I stood straight up - mommy and daddy thought I was going to walk, but I crawled to my daddy instead. I am getting very close to walking. Watch out Kitties:)

Here are some milestones: I can wave Hi (and say Hi in Baby Lang) and Bye. I like to blow kisses. I clap / dance. I stand straight up. I help Mommy by putting toys in the tub.

Mommy promised this week to do a year in review. Some of our favorite moments of 2008. Stay tuned!!!! Love, Niko

Merry Christmas

We just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Santa and his helpers gave Niko a great Christmas. Niko in return gave Mommy a hard time about EVERYTHING :) and popped his fifth tooth. We will display more pictures from our photo shoot. Have a wonderful Christmas! Love, The Balyeats

Model

I'll wear it - BUT I am not happy about it!

I will try to smile! See all fours?!

So, Mommy had to go to the bank and store today. She kept me home from the sitters, which was a good move on Mommy's part. I was a little clingy, crabby today. I have taken two really long naps. Grammy got me a snowsuit that covers my feet and hands. The feet part okay - but covering my hands, that's just cruel. I can't suck my thumb. I really needed to suck my thumb today too. I gave mommy a really hard time at the store. I was one of the crying babies in the checkout line :) Everyone commented on how cute I looked. I am a one year old - I am not cute anymore! (Mommy and both grammies would disagree : ) Then we came home and Mommy wrapped Daddy's gifts. I tried to help, but Mommy knew I was tired and she put me in the crib. I did protest for about 5 minutes then I was out. I really wanted to help Mommy wrap. Oh, well - I need my zzz's too. Mommy has some time this week, so there maybe a few more blogs than usual. Love, Niko

I am One!

Boy, Oh Boy - What a busy weekend! It started Friday with the Birthday Celebrations. On Saturday, Mommy, Daddy and I went to have our very first family photo shoot. I did okay. Mommy said I behaved better for the 10 month shots, but I managed to smile for a couple good shots. They may use one the photos for advertising purposes. Mommy and Daddy had to give the ok for them to use my pictures. I was very tired after the pictures. Mommy wanted me to see Santa again, but he left for the North Pole and boy did I luck out. Mommy changed my clothes and then put me in the crib for a nap. I did not even protest. I went to sleep for three hours. Grammy Christine and Grampy Earl came over while I was asleep. Mommy and Daddy went to a Christmas Party. I had a lot of fun with Grammy and Grampy. On Sunday, I had my party. I got a lot of neat things. A LOT of toys! Uncle Dave got me a bulldozer and I love it. Mommy will try to take pictures of the toys and clothes that I got for my birthday.

I had a fun, busy weekend and I am going to take a nice long nap today. Mommy did not send me to Miss Kathie's. She knew what kind of day I was going to have. Have a good day! Love, Niko

My First Birthday

My Last "baby" picture

"Ooh - What's this?!"

"Yummy!"

Hello Everyone,

Today was my birthday. I woke up in a pretty good mood, and Mommy kept saying "Happy Birthday" to me. Daddy sang "Happy Birthday." It was the normal morning routine. I get my bottle, poop and Mommy changes my clothes and puts on my jacket, and then puts me in that carseat. Not too fond of the carseat - I usually cry and put up a fight.

Miss Kathie made my birthday really special. She got me a leap frog - stuffed frog that sings, talks and lights up. I love it. Allie and I were dancing and clapping. Miss Kathie texted Mommy a picture. Mommy was a little (not a little - A LOT) sad because she could not spend the day with me. She was really happy when she heard that Miss Kathie made my day very special.

Then Mommy and I went shopping for my second Birthday gift. I can't open it until Sunday though. I also got new socks. When Mommy and I got home, I played a little and then Daddy brought home a surprise. I got to eat my very first piece of pizza. I really ate that piece. Mommy told me to slow down, but it was so good and fun.

My birthday was so much fun, and it will continue on Sunday! Mommy will also share my one year photos with everyone very soon! Good Night! Love, Niko

Here We Go Steelers!!

Hi Everyone,

My daddy is very happy right now! The Steelers won!!! They did something to make daddy very happy. He used big words when he was talking to mommy about it. I just smiled and I was happy too. Daddy was very lucky he did not wake me up. We got back from Grammy's house and I fell asleep in the carseat. I was tired. I worked very hard at Grammy's house today. I can climb up stairs in two seconds. I am not allowed to that at home, but mommy and grammy were with me today when I was climbing - it was fun! Anyway, back to how daddy almost got into trouble. Mommy was having some mommy time and she heard daddy yell - she was hoping I wasn't going to wake up and I didn't :) I woke up after the game and played for a little bit. I was climbing on Mommy and then got tired and went to bed!

I am in sleeping funk right now. I wake up before mommy's alarm and I go to bed at a normal time. I have been a real fuss bucket from 6 -8 pm. Mommy doesn't think I am teething at this moment, but she thinks I wake up so early because I am hungry. I am a growing boy. We have started whole milk. I am still on formula, but mommy mixes some whole milk with the formula. More things will be changing this week. Make sure you check the blog this week! Mommy and I are going to to year in review and we will be using "old" pictures.

Well I wanted to get one more ounce of milk and now it is back to bed for me. Have a good night :) Niko