Those of you who know me well know that I am not mushy. We Hallocks aren't great at expressing our feelings. Despite that fact, I feel compelled to write a little mush. Bear with me here, I'm new at this. {BTW, I couldn't figure out if the saying is "BARE with me" or "BEAR with me". Luckily I found the answer. This is disturbing that I didn't know this, considering I have an English degree.}

I was just thinking back to where I was in my pregnancy last year at this time. I was almost half way there and just starting to show. Sadly, Lee's grandfather passed away the second week in May of last year. I'll never forget sitting at the wake because it was the first time I felt my little stinker move. It didn't feel like kicking...more like air bubbles down there. It was so thrilling. I couldn't get enough of letting Lee and Tania feel the baby move. Fast forward a year and Joey is moving all over the place! Since he's finally mastered rolling over, there's no stopping him. He rolls from one side of the room to the other, a la Matthew.

I swear, he gets cuter every day. I know every parent thinks their kid is the cutest, but seriously. MY. BABY. REALLY. IS. He's SOOOO smiley and cuddly. How did we luck out so much? Not to mention...he sleeps through the night and has been for two months (knocking on wood as I type)! He just continues to amaze me. I can't get enough of him now. I miss him terribly while I'm at work but I really think absence makes the heart grow fonder because he's so excited to see me when I get home. It's such a great feeling to see him every afternoon when I walk through the door.

I love when he falls asleep on me and I get to stare at his cherubic little face. Luckily, he's still a boob man so he falls asleep on me often. And every morning when I hear him start to chirp upstairs, I love the feeling I get while walking up the stairs to get him. The second I open the door and he sees me, he grins from ear to ear and starts squirming for me to pick him up.

It's crazy to think that Lee had to do some convincing before I came around and thought we were ready to start trying to get pregnant. Why did I resist? I was worried about money, having to go back to work, living in a small house, etc. Now, none of that matters. Joey doesn't care that we aren't rich. And as long as I put him to bed every night and wake up with him in the mornings, working full-time actually isn't that bad.

In conclusion, I just love him to bits and pieces! I'm so lucky and blessed to have Joey. The end.

Joey is finally feeling better. He slept from 7:15 last night to 6:15 this morning without a peep! At 5:30am, I actually wondered if someone kidnapped him out of his crib because I couldn't believe he didn't wake up once. I ran up to check on him and luckily, he was there. Phew. Sleeping like an angel. We're headed to Buffalo tomorrow to see Crammy and Pa. I was worried about him getting my mom sick but I think he's well enough to see her. Plus he misses them I'm sure!

Here are a few pics as promised...

So much to say, where to start...it's been a busy week. Joey had his six month doctor appointment last Thursday. He was an angel (of course). He weighs about 22.5 pounds (off the chart) and is 29" long (also off the chart). His weight gain has actually slowed down a little bit but he's still well above the 95% for babies his age. What an overachiever. Because he's now 29", he has to move to a big boy car seat! I keep putting it off but I think we'll install them tomorrow. I can't wait to see him facing forward and looking at me every time I turn around.

He also got his shots (sniff). Poor guy didn't know what was comin'. He got three shots and took them like a trooper. He only cried after the third shot and his crying only lasted about 10 seconds and then he was himself again. The nurses couldn't believe how he just acted like the shots never happened.

I was off on Friday too and went into Buffalo to meet my sister and plan our mother's day gift for Kath. I would give more details but it's a surprise! I never know who will read this. Let's just say it'll go down as the greatest mother's day gift in the history of womankind.

When Sunday rolled around, I noticed Joey wasn't acting quite like himself when we were at church. Turns out he was coming down with a cold. So here we are on Thursday and he's still fighting the cold. His voice is very raspy; he could moonlight for a 1-900 operator. I think he's definitely feeling better thankfully. He's still all smiles.

On my way into work this morning, Lee called to tell me that Joey rolled over! I'm so bummed I missed it :( There are things I miss often because I'm at work. While that certainly sucks, it makes me cherish every minute that I am with him. I have such a good time with him going for walks, cuddling, etc. The past few weeks he has been VERY cuddly. It's absolutely precious. I know there will come a time when he won't be as cuddly so I am loving every minute of it right now.

Also? Another thing that he started this week? Reaching for me! Lee was holding him on Tuesday and I thought I would see if he would actually want to come to me and reach for me. I called his name, held my arms out and he burst into a huge smile. And then his chubby little arms thrust out and grabbed at mine. It was divine.

He and I are loving this great weather! We went for a 40 minute walk yesterday in a different neighborhood in Chili. He loves going on walks and I do too. Tonight we're going to walk by the Erie Canal in Spencerport again. Saturday we're going back to Buff to visit Crammy and Pa. Crammy goes for her second chemo treatment next Tuesday and it's anticipated that she will lose her hair within a week or so of the treatment. You know what that means? Lee is shaving his head next weekend! I'll be sure to post before and after pics.

Forgive me for not posting any pics lately. Between endless loads of laundry, runny noses, getting up in the middle of the night, etc., I haven't had time to upload many pics. I promise to post some soon.

Toodles!

It's Friday. It's crappy out. I'm tuckered, plum. Not much to write about. Erin hasn't been at work this week so it's really a snoozefest!

My mom started chemo yesterday and so far, she's not feeling horrible. She and my dad even went to Brennan's after the chemo and she ate a huge juicy cheeseburger. I'm salivating just thinking about it.

OH - Lee's shaving his head! I've pretty much told everyone about this but in case I missed anyone, here are the deets. He's shaving his head as part of Roswell's Goin' Bald for Bucks. He came up with the idea when we found out my mom will be losing her hair from the chemo. Anyhoo, he's collecting donations and all the money goes straight to research and patient care programs as Roswell. Check out Lee's site!

Toodles!

Apparently, the baby food I make is mmm-mmm-good.

He is so stinkin' cute. Period.