The Little African

My First Birthday Party Pictures

2009-01-16T14:17:00.000-08:00

Here I am devouring my very first cupcake! What a sugar rush.

The messier the better!

I had so much fun opening presents.

The best moment of the party was when I opened a card with money in it and waved it around like someone who just won a million dollars.

A picture of me and all my friends that celebrated my very special day with me! Thank you everyone.

Trying out my new toys was so much fun!

Announcement!

2008-12-16T10:16:00.000-08:00

Hi there! Just letting you know that i'm now 11 months old. I'll be celebrating my first birthday in America and you're all invited! Yipee....

7 Days until i'm on that big airplane in the sky!

The latest Video's

2008-11-23T11:34:00.000-08:00

Hi, I'm Ten Months Old..

2008-11-19T06:45:00.000-08:00

For my first attempt upon turning ten months old was to persuade my dad to let me drive the car. I only got as close as the hood. Oh well..

My newest form of communication is "the point". I grunt and point at whatever I want or wherever I want to go.

This is what we call the hands behind the head Earwicker stance. It's a classic.

As a ten month old, the beach is sure a fun place for me. I get to feel the sand run through my fingers and watch the green algae float in the water where some people swim. Glad my parents only let me swim in the pool!

This is me spending some quality time with my mom. She's great.

I was either grinding my teeth in this picture (which my parents think is a terrible sound), or making my dog growl noise. I can't remember.

Oh, and I can't forget to give equal quality time to my dad, especially since he's gone three days a week. He jokes that mom is my best friend, but dad is my hero! :)

I don't crawl, walk, cruise or do anything a ten month old usually does, but I can stand and hold myself up with the help of the couch. I'm pretty laid back and don't see any reason to be mobile yet I guess.

A good shoe snack always holds a hungry tummy over once and a while too...

Well, that it's for my ten month roundup. These months sure fly by quickly and soon i'll be in America celebrating my one year birthday! I wonder what that's like? I can't wait!

My New Teeth

2008-11-06T05:56:00.000-08:00

I have something so exciting to share with you!

It's something pearly white that grows in cute little rows!

All together I have six of them. Aren't they great?

The ABC's of Finger Food

2008-10-05T08:40:00.000-07:00

Step number one: Grab your finger food (in this instance a piece of banana) in between your thumb and index finger and then lift...

Step number two: Carefully bring your finger food to your mouth, always keeping your eye on the object at hand to avoid missing the desired target (aka, the mouth).

Step number three: Close your mouth once the food is neatly placed inside, chew and swallow. Side note: The picture below shows what happens when one becomes distracted in step number three and the desired object slips unknowingly out of the hand. When this occurs repeat steps one, two and three until the finger food has made it to it's final destination.

Some other problems that can occur in this process, when steps aren't followed accordingly is food dropped in odd places. In this case, the shoulder. One might think this is a good place to save the food for a mid afternoon snack, but on the contrary, it is not a proper food storage technique.

One finger food no no would include wiping the object on one's face...

Cute and all, but makes for a lot of mess for mom to clean up afterwards

A great tip for finger fooding is to always check your lap for stray pieces.

Well, thanks a bunch for taking the time to learn all about how to effectively master finger foods. Any suggestions on future topics would be appreciated! This is Josiah signing off till next time.

Cute Stuff

2008-09-22T02:26:00.001-07:00

Talking with Dad.

We call this one, "The Presidential Wave".

My Hairbrush

2008-09-17T03:21:00.000-07:00

Since I don't have much hair yet, I was trying to decide what good a hairbrush was, so I thought and thought about the best way to utilize my hairbrush while my head is awaiting the beautiful locks that will someday adorn my little baby head.

And so I decided that since I have two teeth already, I should use my hairbrush to make the dentist happy by starting early on a cleaning routine.

As a bonus, I can use the handle for the tough jobs, you know really giving that plaque a one, two punch!

Me and my hairbrush have a big job to do, especially when all my other teeth start coming in. I'll make sure and update you on the hair growing progress as well, i'm not going to be peach fuzz boy all of my life you know.

The Duck Tub Incident

2008-09-15T06:37:00.000-07:00

Here I was, just playing in my duck tub on mommy and daddy's bed, pretending I was sailing in my boat on Lake Victoria...just like my daddy and his yellow boat. Too bad his is always broken. Maybe I can take him in mine next time!

It was an exciting ride...full speed ahead...!

Yeah, I keep my cool even in the most dangerous waters. This is my "i've got it under control" look.

..But sometimes accidents happen and you just have to laugh at yourself!

This is how I call for help when me and my duck tub get in sticky situations. I call it, flailing the arms and legs. My mom is always sure to come to my rescue. She's a great swimmer, even in these treacherous waters.

I'm the big Eight...months that is

2008-09-15T05:54:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Welcome to my blog. I just wanted to tell you all about my day at the Zoo and how fun it is to be 8 months old. And by the way, waving is the in thing these days. It can also be my way of asking for a high five, or to play patty cake. It's cool to be 8 mo.

First of all, we saw a big lion roaming around in his big cat cage. And let me tell you , when it's only a chain link fence between you and a wild beast like that, it's a little unnerving. My mom wouldn't even let me get within 5 feet of the big guy. Security in African Zoo's aren't very reassuring.

Here's the big guy pacing back and forth, looking a little bored. Didn't see any girl cats around the lair, so no one to impress I guess.

The 8 month pose. Sitting up and taking it all in!

The monkey's were my absolute favorite. My dad taught me that monkey's say, "ooh ooh ah ah" and it was so funny that I laughed and laughed. Some of them were even running free around the compound. If I had legs that were working, i'd probably "monkey around" right along with them.

Observing the chimpanzees. I saw two of them playing in the trees, and when they jumped on a branch that was too small for them they tumbled to the ground and climbed right back up the tree. Silly Monkey's.

Dashing smile, isn't it? Say cheese. (notice my two bottom pearly whites)

I didn't even notice it until I saw the picture that there was a really cool bird walking behind me. It's actually Uganda's country bird.

I had sooo much fun taking my parents to the zoo. It's good for them to remember how to be kids again.

Well, that's all for now. Peace out!

Talkin' and a Laughin' is what I like to do!

2008-09-05T02:56:00.000-07:00

Catching Up...6 and 7 Months

2008-08-15T03:58:00.000-07:00

Sorry that I haven't been around to catch you up on my ever changing life...but we're lacking internet access since we moved.

This is me and my mom with our new dog Shep. The previous renters moved away and let us keep him. He's an old guy, but he's a great guard dog!

My dad and I were hanging out and taking pictures when I turned 6 months old. I guess it was kind of like a mini birthday party.

This is my new house. It's really cool especially because I get my own bedroom (see below) and it the yard is like the garden of eden with fruit trees galore!

Here I am goofing around at 7 months old. I'm sitting up now and even starting to get some teeth. The Ugandans tell me I can now start eating meat. I'm so excited!

What a handsome 7 month old I am!

By the way, I love reading books. I must be a genius or something!

I love to smile and laugh and say "ma ma" and "ba ba". Trying out my new "words" is so exciting.

And here it is...my new room with giraffe tent and all. I'm working on crawling so that I can actually use my cool tent. So many things to look forward to.

My Dad's First Father's Day

2008-06-16T11:02:00.000-07:00

Me and my dad are like two peas in a pod!

I love my dad because he's so fun.

He flies me around in the air like an airplane.

And tells me that i'm his favorite son!

Gumming mommy's chin was a good way to involve her in the father's day festivities.

The Good Stuff

2008-06-14T05:11:00.000-07:00

My first bite of cereal. Mmmmm. I love it.

Give me more mom!

I'm using my car seat for a high chair at the moment.

I have to make the experience better by getting it all over my face.

Dad joined in the fun too!

5 Months

2008-06-11T07:36:00.000-07:00

Look at me, I'm getting so big! With mommy's help I can even sit up.

I'm even learning how to stand, although I won't be walking for quite some time.

I'm sure a handsome little five month old.

It sure is fun living in Africa! I just love to laugh every chance I get. (Especially when mom and dad tickle me.)

I love hanging out with my dad. He's the best.

I'm Four Months Old

2008-05-12T11:10:00.001-07:00

Here I am on my 4 month birthday getting all clean and groomed for my special day!

Today was also Mother's Day, so me and my mom took our picture together.

Then my Dad had a great idea to take us all swimming at the pool. I had never gone swimming before so I wasn't sure what to think when my mom started putting white cream all over my face. I didn't know getting ready for the pool could be so much fun!

My first dip in the water. I didn't get a very good nap that day, so I was kind of cranky after the first lap or so.

I'm sure glad my parents introduced me to such a wonderful recreation. Next time we go swimming i'll have to bring my rubber ducky and my floaty. I had a super 4 month birthday and I think my mom had a fun mother's day!

My Basin

2008-05-08T11:13:00.000-07:00

I like to sit in my basin and watch mommy wash clothes...

I was all ready for the outdoors with my sunhat on.

I even sit in my basin and watch mommy cook dinner. Boy, i'm sure glad I have this handy tool.

Sometimes I even like to sit in my bathtub with my clothes on. I laugh and laugh because it's so funny.

One day, my mom took this picture of me sleeping with my bum in the air. How embarrassing!

The Pilgrim Way

2008-04-11T19:48:00.001-07:00

The beginning of our trip to Plymouth started off kind of bad because my parents were feeling a little crabby...ha ha. Get it?

The exciting part was gettting to see the Mayflower up close and personal. We took the full tour and got to meet Myles Standish and the pilgrims themselves! They all told me I was about the same age as my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather would have been this time of year in 1620.

A great picture with my mom and dad and great Aunt Chris and Great Uncle Steve. What a great family I have!

The Mayflower II (A replica of course)

It's tradition at the end of a long day to throw in the towel and take a nap...whewww. I sure am having a great time here visiting the place of my heritage though!

"Bean Town"

2008-04-10T13:52:00.001-07:00

Here I was, ready to explore what they call "Freedom Trail" in Boston. Come with me and i'll take you on a little tour of the sites..but of course i'm the only one who gets to ride in the stroller.

Here I got my picture taken with a real minute man. I looked real close though and I could tell his long hair was fake. hmmmm....

Along the trail we saw the graves of lots of famous people. My parents told me that Paul Revere was famous for riding his horse around the city and shouting that the British were coming. What a great history lesson!

This guy William was one of my ancestors. His wife had the first baby born on the Mayflower who happens to be my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather. Tomorrow we get to go to Plymouth and see the Mayflower in person. I'm so excited!

Here's just a cool shot of the city.

On the way home, my dad and I took a little nap in the car. Like father like son I guess.

When we got home my dad and I played "look who's in the mirror". It was so much fun. I sure am a handsome little kid!

My First Easter

2008-03-24T14:46:00.001-07:00

This was my very first Easter. My Aunt Rennea gave me this bunny to forever remind me of this day.

My mom said it was a special day, so she dressed me up in a nice suit. Everyone said I looked so handsome!

My parents and I went to church to celebrate Resurrection sunday and then we went and watched my friends David and Eva hunt Easter eggs. It looked like so much fun and i'm hoping next year i'll get to join in the fun. Happy Easter everyone!

Celebrating Two Months At the Beach

2008-03-11T19:56:00.001-07:00

Here I am with my mom in my bear suit getting ready for a day on the Oregon Coast.

I sure love it when my daddy takes me to beautiful places like this.

My silly parents took pictures of me on this log while I was sleeping and I didn't even know it.

Sun bathing....well, kind of.

What a great two month birthday I had with my family!

Mozart and Coffee

2008-03-05T16:00:00.001-08:00

My dad thinks that when he puts me to sleep while playing the piano that i'll grow up and learn how to play the piano by osmosis!

...Or be like Mozart and write elaborate compositions! Just call me baby Mo.

Today I went with my mom and dad to coffee at Backporch with our friend Eric Parnell.

Backporch Coffee is the best; and I should know because i'm an experienced coffee connoisseur.

Dedication Pics

2008-03-03T12:59:00.001-08:00

Dedication

2008-03-02T07:40:00.001-08:00

I'm getting dedicated today at the 10:45 service at Westside Church in Bend, Oregon. If you can make it, i'd love you to be there. My dad says today is the day my parents give me back to God. I wonder if that means i'll have to live at the church for the rest of my life like Samuel did? I don't know much about these things anyway, i'm just a little African guy!

Check It Out

2008-02-28T14:15:00.000-08:00

Now I have my own page on the worldwide web! How exciting. Make sure and check back to watch me grow and see all the adventures that i'm embarking on!