Bragging about John

An Update on our little John.....since I have been horrid about updating the blog where it concerns him.  

Experiencing "firsts" through the eyes of a baby is always a magical and surreal thing.  Our little John has grown so much, as one would expect, these past several months.  He experienced his first snow and loved seeing the boys put up the trains after Thanksgiving.

He continues to be such a happy little boy (except for when he is not!).  And his cheeks are legendary!  He captures everyones hearts very easily.

John had his first Christmas.  We went to the Botanical Gardens where he got to meet Santa for the first time.  

And he loved seeing the sparkly lights on the tree and opening presents with his brothers .

He got to meet his namesake, Father Marsolle, for the first time right after Christmas

He loves going on walks.....

......and being held by his brothers.

He experienced his first time on a plane as we flew to Arizona after the New Year.  

He discovered his brothers' trains and train tracks and now takes great delight in destroying their layouts and putting everything in his mouth.

He loves his time in the Baby Office.......

....but has discovered that being a Viking baby can be very exhausting.

When he smiles....his whole face smiles and any dark clouds that were hovering around you are instantly chased away.  Like our other boys, he has a "no hug policy" but John takes it one step further: he doesn't just use his arms to push you away but also uses his legs.  :)  

We finally resorted to sleep training and after 5 painful nights......he decided to cooperate and has been sleeping through the night ever since.  (And the angels.....and mama.....rejoiced!!!!!!)

John is the loudest child I've known.  I do not exaggerate.  Dave and I are convinced that he believes he has to be loud or he just won't be heard in our house.  :)  He is insanely ticklish and has a contagious laugh.  He will swat at your face, pull your hair, poke your eyes, and then nestle his head into your shoulder....but just for a split second.  :)

We took him to Farmville and the High Bridge.  He loved the wind and the jostle of being carried......

....so much so that he fell asleep.  :)

He was delighted when Oma and Papa came to visit this past April and he did a good job of showing them all of his 9 month tricks.......like eating food, and holding his own bottle, and showing off his two bottom teeth.

He desperately wants to be like his bigger brothers and is already trying to pull himself up in his crib. He army crawls all over the toy room to retrieve whatever toys strike his fancy.  And when I go to get him from his crib, he is sitting up, waiting for me.  

This little boy.....whose hair has a definite ginger color to it :).....has brought so much added joy to our lives and our family.  We can't imagine our family without him and are so happy he's here.  

And I promise, little John, I will do a better job of bragging about you!!!!!  :)