On the Move

Hi Everyone,

A lot has happened in the last month! The biggest of which is that I figured out how to move around. At first I found that I could get from point A to point B by sliding around on my hind end. It was slow going, but it worked. Then I learned how to get on all fours and rock back and forth. That was fun, but did not get me anywhere. I noticed all the big people watching me with anticipation, but until Thursday evening I didn't quite know why.

Thursday night I pushed my hand forward and . . . I moved! It was really cool. The next day I got brave and took three crawls. By Saturday, I was really on the move--watch out Mommy and Daddy! The one down side is that now my knees are a bit rug burned--oh well. The video below is taken on Saturday (my first full day on the move). I wasn't quite listening to Mommy, but I think she was still very proud of me. I should also point out the way cool saucer in the background. I love spending time in the saucer. Now that I'm mobile, I think Mommy and Daddy really like the saucer too. Aunt Susanne found it for me at a garage sale. My mommy and Aunt Susanne love garage sales! Anyway, enjoy the video. Be sure too to check out the misc. photos below the video.

Crawling in my pajama's is a bit more challenging--my feet come out of the legs of the pjs and I get tripped up.

Cousins Sarah and Timmy were here with my Aunt Lucy a week and a half ago. They helped me learn to get in the position to crawl. However, it still took me a few more days to actually get it right. I appreciated Timmy and Sarah's help though!

Aunt Lucy and Uncle Mike, Timmy and Sarah brought me this awesome kitchenette. I LOOOVE IT! It helps me learn my numbers, my colors, my directions (up down, on off, open closed) and it sings to me too. There's even a library on the back of the kitchenette that Daddy likes. Thanks Guidos!! I wish you were here closer to play with me more often!

Mimi visited while Timmy and Sarah were here. She was visiting a dear friend who was very very sick. We were glad that Mimi came because we gave her a surprise 70th Birthday party. Timmy, Sarah and I posed for and decorated the photo. I think that Mimi really liked her special birthday gift. Happy Birthday Mimi!!!!!!!!

Mimi's dear friend, Mrs. Derby, went home to be with the Lord a week ago. She was 86 years old and lived a very full and happy life. I am so glad I got to know Mrs. Derby. Daddy and Mommy took me to visit her many times these past several weeks. She was a special lady.

Here is Mimi, me at 5 1/2 weeks old and our good friend Mrs. Derby at the dinner table.

I have a swing in my back yard, however, this swing is at Mimi and Papa's--on their front porch. It is sooooo much fun to swing! Weeeeeeeeeee! Thanks PaPa for putting up the swing!!!

I really enjoy bath time. Mommy's friend Mary Lou gave me these cool bathtub toys and now I love bath time even more!

Well,I'm still learning and growing. I'll keep you posted!

Love,

Jamee

Jamee Goes to the Beach

Hello everyone!

I just returned from the Atlantic Ocean. My first visit! Wow is it BIG and POWERFUL! It's also pretty FUN! Mommy, daddy and I left July 11, had a very nice visit with my Great Great Aunt Florence and then arrived July 12 at Kure Beach NC where we eventually met up with Oma, Opa, Aunt Nancy, Uncle Mike, Caleb, Aunt Susanne, Uncle Paul, Arin, Sydney, Obi and Eli and my "pretend" aunts and uncles and cousins--Aunt Pat, Andrea, Joanna, Don, Julia and Erica. There were 20 of us all together in an amazing beach house. We had beautiful weather--sun and mid to upper 80's and had such a wonderful time together. This was my first time to meet my pretend family--they are pretty terrific. They all helped mommy and daddy take care of me during the week. I'm posting a few of the pictures that mommy and daddy took so you can see some of the fun we had.

This is my Great Great Aunt Florence and me! She is a very sweet lady. I also met her daughter Ann Marie.

Mommy and daddy thought we all needed a break from the 13 1/2 hour drive, so we stopped for a picnic lunch on the second day of travel at Petersburg Battlefield just south of Richmond, VA. We checked out the cannons while we were there.

This is where I hung out at the beach. It provided protection from the sun but let me watch everyone swimming in the ocean.


We had a scavenger hunt and our treasure was these matching shirts with our names on the back. Apparently they did not have a size small enough for me in the lime green color so my shirt is a darker green. They are nice shirts!

My first time in the ocean. I wasn't sure what to think of the water and the sand. Daddy helped me be a little braver than I might have been otherwise.

I got a little braver as the week went on and actually got wet up to my arm pits.

I loved playing with my bucket and shovel.

On our last evening, daddy, mommy and I took a stroll to the pier for one last time.

6 Months Pixs

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

I'm 1/2 a year old! Hard to believe! Today I went to my doctor's for my six month check up and found out that I'm 17 lbs. 5 oz and 25 3/4" long. I survived two more shots and everyone commented about how cute I am. I'm trying not to let it go to my head as mommy and daddy remind me that cuteness is fleeting!

We Hoffman's have been very busy this past month. Oma and Opa were here for a visit two weeks ago, then cousin Jason from NC came for a week. During Jason's visit we took a trip up to see Mimi and Papa. We also got to see great Uncle Steve, great Uncle John and Aunt Pat. It was a quick visit but a nice one. It was also great having Jason with us so everyone got a chance to catch up with Jason.

This past month I also celebrated my father's first Father's Day. I made him a Plaster of Paris mold of my hand prints and a T-shirt with my foot prints on it. I think Daddy had a good first Father's Day. I've asked him to post another Blog entry--so stay tuned.

Right now, we are a week and a half away from our vacation. We are going to spend a week on the NC coast with all the Kurtzes and our long time friends the Deaton Family (Bradley's, Bryan's). There will be 20 of all altogether in a beach house. It should be fun!

Well, here are a few photos from this past week:

Just after an intense game of Bocee Ball in the backyard

I love playing with my rings . . .

and pots and pans!

I also love my new travel high chair.

A visit to Mimi and PaPa's with cousin Jason.

A ride along the canal with Daddy.

What I looked like after making Daddy's Father's Day T-shirt.

Sound asleep!

Fun at 5--months that is!

I love spending time in my new high chair!






I can play in my chair . . .




and eat yummy rice cereal! Check out my video below if you'd like to see me eating my first meal.





I love my new toy--I can even catch it when mommy throws it to me.

I visited Oma and Opa for the first time over Memorial Day weekend. I had a great time. I met my Ohio cousins and my Great Great Aunt Janet. I also got to meet lots of friends from Oma and Opa's church. It was a beautiful weekend.

Aunt Janet and me.

Mommy holding me up next to my name on Oma and Opa's name wall.

Rub-a-dub-dub, Jamee's in the tub!

My first meal!

Fun Potos!!

Mommy, Daddy and I had a picnic last night at Highland Park. The lilacs were out in full force. I like lilacs!!

I found my feet this month! They are fun to play with.

Go Bucks!! I'm not sure what that means, but Mommy told me to type that. I guess my Ohio family will have to clue me in on "Go Bucks!"

Happy Mother's Day Mommy!

Daddy and I worked hard on our mother's day gift for Mommy. Daddy did the art work and I held the pose for the camera. Mommy really liked it! Daddy and I also made a card and I helped out on the art work--I think I have a flare for design.

More pictures to come.

Love,

Jamee