Jake, Ella and Trent

Mom and nanny took me to meet my cousins (they're my mom's cousin's babies). We had so much fun together. Trent and Ella were teaching me how to crawl and Jake (the biggest one) was keeping all of us in line. I loved watching him shoot baskets and run circles around me. I can't wait until I can do that stuff.

Mom's Graduation

The day after we got back home from Florida, I got really confused. I thought it was halloween because mom wasn't dressed up in her ordinary clothes. She dressed up in this silly looking long dark robe with some bright colored sashes, a square black hat and a little toy dangling from it that I wanted to put in my mouth. I was ready to go put on my chili pepper costume and start trick or treating. As it turns out, she was graduating from nursing school, and that's the costume all the graduates wear. The best part of the night was that I got to go across the stage with her when she got her diploma. Dad passed me off to her just before she walked across the stage. They even announced my name after hers. Afterall, I pretty much went to nursing school too. I heard lots of lectures when I was in her belly and this spring when she took me to class. Nanny got a little emotional. She is a nurse too. I can't wait for mom's next graduation when she becomes a midwife. It was a long day. I fell asleep at the restaurant. I took it upon myself to learn how to use the bottle by myself. Mom and dad are pretty excited about that.

Poolside in Orlando

When I wasn't hanging out with Mickey and Minnie, mom and nanny and I stayed at the hotel and waited for dad to finish work. Mom and I stuck to a rigorous swimming schedule so I could practice the skills I've learned from my teacher at the Y. The afternoons were filled with kicking, blowing bubbles and getting dunked under the water. I think I'm ready for the swim team. Also, check out my army crawl. I've finally figured out how to move around.

Disneyworld

Some people might say that a childhood is incomplete without visiting the Magic Kingdom. We saw It's a Small World, and I rode the teacups (I almost spilled my milk). I see what all the fuss is about. Nanny was silly--she really wanted to play dress-up, so I played along with her in the store. I was wiped out by the end of the day, phew!

Swim Class

I have loved baths for a long time now, but had no idea they made them so big. The local YMCA has infant swim lessons on Saturday mornings. I signed up, got my YMCA photo ID, and hit the pool with gusto. To be honest, I don't actually swim. My stomach provides ample flotation, but mom and dad stay near to put me through my paces. When I say "paces", I mean eating floating toys and "singing ring around the rosy". I do get dunked though when "they all fall down".

I Love Baseball

I took the subway to Citizen's Bank for the third time in mid-May. I hung with some of dad's co-workers and their kids (Charlotte has me above). Beautiful night for the American pastime.

Reflections on New Orleans

I wanted to dedicate a post to Uncle Jonathan who gave up his room for four nights to me and the rest of the family. The guy is a class act. He procured a stroller, a highchair and a crib to make sure I felt at home. He showed me around his schools (KIPP New Orleans) that are doing incredible work educating children from all over New Orleans. Check out their website. Educating young people is important to any community, but none more so than in the rebuilding of New Orleans and Jonathan and KIPP New Orleans are making it happen.

On a final note, New Orleans is quickly becoming a second home to me. Few places have so many energized and authentic people. I'd encourage you to visit as soon as you can. I'll be at JazzFest next year if you want to join me.

JazzFest Day 2

JazzFest was wet on the second day. They tried to wash us away. I did get to spend time in the gospel tent with Nanny and see a man dance on a piano. Amazingly, I slept through much of the afternoon after that.

Crawfish Boilin'

Uncle Jonathan treated me to my first Crawfish Boil as we were pre-gaming for the second day of JazzFest. Abita, Crawfish, good weather and better friends equals a good day in New Orleans.

JazzFest Day1

JazzFest is one of the best times I've ever had in my whole entire life. Here's me, ticket in hand, entering the fairgrounds, watching Allison Krauss and Robert Plant and hitting the gospel tent with Uncle Jonathan, dancing with great grandmother and grandad, and shaking to Buckwheat Zydeco from the foot of the stage. Buckwheat knows how to boogie.

Magazine Street in New Orleans

Dad surprised mom with my custom made birth sign by Simon in New Orleans. Mom surprised dad by trading him in for Simon and then hitting Magazine Street for some window shopping.

I Get My Wings

I took my first airplane ride in late April down to New Orleans for Jazzfest. Dad kept joking that I was a mule and then tried to put me through the x-ray machine with his shoes and belt. Airplanes are good times. Here in early June I can say I've been on three and I don't mind them too much.

I Rock the Vote

Here I am voting in my first Presidential primary. They wouldn't really let me take pictures, but dad risked incarceration to get this one of me and mom.

Baby Speedo

I like to show off my legs when I'm hitting the beach or rocking it poolside. My new suit fits that need perfectly. Here are some shots from a recent modeling shoot.