Nine months old

At 9 months old, Mikey is crawling all over the place. He has 5 teeth and still eats everything. He sleeps 12 hours a night and naps 2 hours. He loves going anywhere he can watch people and has a smile for almost everyone.

Thanksgiving

For a boy who loves food, this was a dream come true! I don't know how much he ate, but he loved making a mess.

Eight months old

At 8 months old, Mikey has 4 teeth and still sleeps all night. He loves books of any kind (even the hymn books at church) and his favorite person is definitely his big brother Sam. Mikey scoots around all over the house but is not technically crawling. He eats everything and has not found a food he doesn't like yet. He loves to go jogging with Mom in his stroller and can manage to take a nap on even the bumpiest roads.

Halloween

This year we decided to have our annual Halloween party a couple days before Halloween so that we could go trick-or-treating as a family. Sam was Captain America and Mikey was a leopard. Jerry and I both painted our faces (isn't he such a good sport?!) and we had as much fun as the kids. Jerry was an army guy and I was a vampire.

A Day Off and Dinosaurs

Jerry was off work on Columbus Day and do you think his wife would let him relax and take it easy? Of course not! We went to Old Town in Albuquerque and shopped and ate at the Church Street Cafe. Afterward we went to the Museum of Natural History. For the first time ever I got to see all the exhibits and read all the signs. It was so fun!

Boys Boys Boys

Growing up with boys, I never thought I would be so happy to have 3 sons. I guess I just love boys!

Seven months old

To celebrate Mikey turning 7 months old we decided to take him on his first hike. We went to Jemez Falls and hiked 1/4 mile to the waterfall. Not only did Mikey enjoy the hike, he loved sitting in the dirt and playing with pine needles. I am so happy to have a boy who loves nature as much as his Momma does!

State Fair

After sitting in traffic for 2 hours we were all a little grumpy when we arrived at the fair. But it was nothing that some high calorie treats couldn't fix! The boys had corn dogs and Jerry and I had Indian Tacos. Mikey had a corn cob but was too busy watching the crowd to eat much. He didn't even want to be pushed around in the stroller so I carried him the entire time. We always make big plans for the fair but end up waiting in line for food most of the time. Either way, we left with full tummys, an empty wallet and some junky fair toys. A success!    

A good boy

So all I have to do to be Mom's favorite is take naps? Sweet!

Six months old

The best thing about being 6 months old is sucking on my own toes! So good...

Sunday Fun (but it's Sunday so not too much fun)

I know our living room looks like a litter box but it is actually the Sunday paper that the boys are shredding for the compost bin. Jason kept yelling, "Happy Birthday!" as he threw the paper in the air.

The Baby Food Project #1

After finding out that jarred baby food costs a dollar (it was just 39 cents when I was a baby!) I decided to start a baby food project. First up: baked sweet potato and applesauce. Now all I have to do is see if Mikey likes them.

Five months old

At 5 months old, this baby goes everywhere! The only time he spends at home is when he is asleep in his crib. He smiles easily at strangers and draws attention everywhere he goes. I've concluded that everyone loves to see a smiling chubby baby.

Makin' Cake!

Grandma gave us some big zucchini from her garden so we made a chocolate zucchini cake. The best part about baking is licking the spoon when we are finished.

Just a Happy Baby

A Boy and his Applehead

You're never too young to be an animal lover. It amazes me that Apples will curl up next to Mikey after having fistfuls of his hair removed.

First Taste of Cereal

Umm.... this isn't milk.

Going Green part 2

The EPA says that yard trimmings and food residuals make up 26 percent of the solid waste stream in the US. We started a composte system and it has been kinda fun. It doesn't even smell bad. Besides, even if it did, with all the boys living in this house, what's one more source of stink?

Independence Day

Happy 4th of July! The best way to start off the morning is with a fun parade.
Mikey loved everything but the loud Harleys. Sam collected a cup full of candy and a stack of political advertisements. My favorite part was the horses and Jerry's favorite part was enjoying the view from the shade.

Four months old

Don't make me use my powers on you!

Look Mom! I can fly! But I don't like it; too scary!

Field trip to the temple

Everything is more fun with grandma!

Two of my favorite boys in one of my favorite places.

A nice cool hose down!

I've found that both dogs and boys need a good hose down every now and then.

Going Green part 1

Unlike most parents, one of my favorite things about my baby is his diapers! There is something satisfying about seeing all his little diapers lined up on the clothesline to dry.

Sam learns how to skate

After 2 hours of self-teaching and falling, Sam finally skated from one end of the rink to the other without falling down.

Three months old

Grandma and Jason's birthday party

A Thor helmet and a basketball.... what more does a three year old need?

Two months old

Wow! Is this the same baby? This handsome boy started smiling on April 15th and sleeping through the night on April 21st. No wonder he is smiling. Mom is smiling now too!

Blessing Day

Today Mikey was blessed in church. His Grandpa gave him a beautiful blessing and he wore the same outfit his Uncle Aaron and Uncle Ben were blessed in. Apparently, even boys look good in bonnets!

One month old

Mikey is very intense. He loves to be talked to and he studies everyone's faces. I think his favorite voice is his Grandma's.

Such a cuddly baby

Looking less and less like an alien and more and more like Megamind!

Michael Stone Berry is here to stay

Baby's Birthday - For real this time.

Go Team Baby!

Baby's Birthday - Almost....

This baby boy was due February 25th. I was convinced he would come early. I didn't even think I would be able to finish up my work week before my maternity leave started. February 25th came and went. February 26th and 27th crawled by too. This was the first lesson of patience I learned as a new parent. Finally, after large quantities of green chile and long walks I started to feel like it was time. The morning of the 28th Jerry, Mom and my doula Megan took me to the hospital. Its time! Its time! Or so I thought. Little did I know what adventure was waiting for me at the hospital. 32 hours of adventure in fact! I walked around the halls of the hospital, stopping every few feet to crouch down to the floor and grimace for a minute or two while my sweet husband tried to make me eat a sub sandwich. I was finally given a room with an incredible view of the city. Even with Jerry, Mom, Dad and my doula, it took another day for the baby to come. I think I squeezed Mom's hands so hard she will always have bruises from that day.

It took a whole village to bring this baby into the world. I think I met everyone on the staff those few days. Thank you Albuquerque for all your help!

Baby Shower - I'm ready for you baby!

My visiting teachers held a baby shower for me on January 22. It was so nice to have most of my friends and family there to celebrate with me. We had a yummy brunch of quiche, fruit, cupcakes and punch. The best thing about being pregnant is all the delicious food and being taken care of by friends and strangers alike.

This baby has a better wardrobe than me!