Family Laugh Time

My parents are pretty darn funny. 

Yum Yum

I just had my first bowl of cereal and it was pretty much the most delicious thing I have ever tasted. I even tried eating the bowl and spoon. I can't wait to get my hands on some deep dish pizza... maybe next week. 

My photo shoot

 Mom's friend Penie took some pics of me a couple weeks ago. Mom said she had a hard time deciding which ones she loves the most! I just discovered that I know how to yell and move my voice up and down so I spend a lot of time doing that. I also love to give kisses. See?

My First St. Patty's Day!

Yesterday was a great day, and not just because it was my first St. Patrick's Day. I went back to Johns Hopkins again to try and finally get my kidneys checked out. Last time my veins weren't big enough to get the IV in so we had to reschedule. For this visit, Mr. Ron and Miss Christina had a special machine that helped them find my veins under a UV light. It was called the Vein Viewer - it was awesome and they got the IV in on the first shot.

After the IV and the catheter (ouch! that was my third catheter and I am only 5 months), they strapped me down to a table and took xray pictures of this dye moving through my kidneys and bladder. I didn't mind it so much... I laughed with mom and dad and Gege - yes, she came out to visit me and watch me while mom and dad go to work. I even took a nap for a bit. I was strapped down for an hour.

After the procedure, we met with Dr. Gearhart. He is a Scottish man from Georgia and he talks funny and tells weird stories. He told me my kidneys looked great and are draining properly. Great News! No more medicine and no more IVs.

We got the party started later that afternoon. The adults had corned beef, potatoes and Gege's Irish soda bread and this weird drink that was really dark and had a creamy layer on top. Dad really seemed to like it. It was definitely NOT my kind of drink. I will stick with the milk.

I think I am going to like St. Patrick's Day more and more every year. I cant wait to go to the Doyle Corned Beef Bash in Chicago. I hear it is pretty wild. Here are some pics...

 

I am enjoying my time with Gege, she is spoiling me and I am giving her lots of kisses in return. Talk to you soon!

Doctor's Visit

I had my four month doctor's appointment this week and they told my mom that I weigh 17 lbs, 11 oz and I am 27 and 3/4 inches long. Dr. P. doesn't believe that I am that long because apparently that is the height of an average 7 month old. What can I say? I am tall like Grandpa Doyle. 

I also starting noticing how fun it is to see other babies. I went over to my friend Anthony's house this week and we had a lot of fun together. Anthony's mom Penie took some pictures of us. Here are a couple:

I am counting down the days until Gege comes to visit from Chicago. 13 Days! I can't wait to see her. Talk to you soon!

Look, I'm Growing!

I'm Growing...I just passed the fourth month mark and all is good. I am starting to figure this gig out. I love to smile, take baths, play with my friends, eat as much as I can, and sleep. I am still working on the nap thing, but I am sleeping a lot during the night and that makes mom really happy.

Here are a few of my tricks.

Finn "Diesel" - I have developed an alter-ego. When I don't sleep or get really hungry, I introduce everyone to the "diesel". I don't cry

 much, but I have a great pout or snarl on my face and I just make deep, long grumbling noises. Its my way of letting people know that I need something... usually food. If you don't have milk, you better back off!

I love taking a bath!

  

Here is a picture of me giving you all a shout out!

And finally, here is just a picture of me hanging out with mom & dad on the weekend.

0 for 5 - OUCH!

We got up early this morning to have my kidneys checked out. The day started out great, I was in a good mood and it was fun to see snow in Maryland.

However, the procedure never happened. The good people at Hopkins could not find a good vein to stick my IV in. They tried on both my feet, my left wrist and both of my arms - thats five sticks and they found nothing. I cried with each stick but I somehow found a way to smile every time I saw my mom. I even smiled at the crazy people who kept sticking me. Its a bummer that I have to go back in a month and do it all over again.

The day got better because Dad didn't have to go in to work. Can you believe that they closed the university because of only a few inches of snow? Holy Cow - I definitely 

want to go to school in Maryland if they close down for this stuff. I can't wait to learn how to snowboard.

Here is a picture of all of my IV attempts.