The Latest Baby Inventions

I get this magazine in the mail called "One Step Ahead" with all the latest baby gadgets and inventions. I stumbled across these two products that made me laugh. Come on...really?? Are we this desperate? (sorry for any of you that own these!)

The Bumper Bonnet



The Stay Tuct

Hopping Down The Bunny Trail

Mae, Brad and Brianna thought it would be a great idea to venture out to the mall to visit the Easter Bunny. I did not know what to expect since Keegan has not had an encounter with a larger than life animal.

I hate to admit this, but I was once Winn Dixie's Easter Bunny. I thought it would be loads of fun but what they did not tell me is that the only place to breathe was through the mesh eye holes. Within an hour I would be drenched and for breaks I would sit in the meat locker. Towards the end of the day, I was one unhappy bunny, and scared children were the source of my agitation. The parents would make them sit with me and they thought it rather amusing for them to have pictures of them clawing out of my lap.

Of course you can see my pity for Easter Bunnies. So, after the picture was taken with the bunny and Brianna, we put Keegan in his lap. Keegan did not flinch and kept looking up at the humongo ears. He did great and at the end of the trip we got a very cute 5x7 picture and the Easter Bunny made a nice profit of $15. (The bunny better be hiding some gold eggs this season!)

So whoever you are Mall Bunny, you did a fabulous job holding a newborn and a squirmy baby. I hope you enjoyed us dancing in front of Keegan to make him smile! (even if you were dying in that sweaty costume!)

Keegan and Brianna


Keegan was laughing at Mae shaking her head back and forth and dancing!


He never knew these ears were on..I guess it felt like the helmet!

Cast Your Vote!

We need help in choosing a picture for Keegan's entry into the baby calender. Voting lines are open until Friday, March 30th.
There are no fees to vote...so for all of you blog readers that are shy about commenting...this is can be your debut. (note: you do not have to be a blog member!)

Here are the finalists:
A

B

C

D

E

F

G


If you would like to look at this years 2006-2007 calender, check out this link. I thought only 12 babies make it but they actually choose smaller pics to sprinkle under the 12 that made the big pic. So cross you fingers...I guess we will find out later this year. A special thanks to Aunt Fitine Photography (Christine Mangrum) for all these lovely photos.

Helmet No More!

Yes..it came off today! I have found that helmet very endearing. I almost don't recognize my own child with it off! The "helmet people" asked today if friends and family were ready for it to come off and I told them that they could not imagine Keegan without it. They were a little shocked and then they added, "Well, he is one of the cutest!" Of course he is! They want us to enter Keegan into a calendar contest. The makers of this particular helmet put out a calendar every year of the twelve cutest babies. They think he could win a spot. Keegan will have a photo shoot with Aunt Fitine one last time with his helmet to get a calendar quality photo! We will post them soon for you to choose your favorite.

We are ready for the helmet to come off. I think I have almost had a bloody nose twice from him bonking me with it. It has the worst smell about it that never leaves and no amount of rubbing alcohol will do the trick. (yes, that is the only way you can clean it!) Also, the helmet has seen better days. Take a look at what happened when Keegan starting rolling on our tile. He was rocking his head back and forth and before I could stop him I saw all the little paint chips on the tile. After that day, It just got worse. I guess it has earned its character. (For those of you wondering..that is not Keegan's head. It is the mold they took and they put it on a stick. The named it the "head-sicle")


I will miss some things that people say, like "Where did you get that helmet?" and sometimes they added "How much?" I had fun with that one. I would usually reply, "The Woodlands for $4000." The most popular one was "Look at that little Aggie!" all the while trying to figure out what the heck it was. My all time favorite is when little kids asked their parents, "What's wrong with his head?" I felt bad for the parents but I liked to see those confused dear faces.


Looking back at my old posts, I was so worried and scared for nothing. We are so glad that we moved forward with it.

before:

after:


Keegan will never forget you little helmet and soon he will realize that you are off...as soon as he hits the floor.

How the tables have turned!

I was looking through pictures today and trying to imagine that Keegan was smaller than both of my nieces at birth. I came across one of Janelle's baby, Ella, up next to Keegan when he was two weeks old. It reminded me that I forgot to post the sweet pictures of Keegan with his brand new cousins. (Check out the onesies that mom made..she is so creative!) It is amazing that Keegan used to be that small and now he is soooo big! I miss those days, but I am starting to like the developed muscles in my arms.

The Human Jungle Gym

Toys, Nah! Exersaucer, Nah! V-tech toys with annoying singing voices, Nah! Give it up for the latest invention! The Human Jungle Gym! I have so many attractions. My skin makes a fun noise when it is slapped. When you put your hand in my mouth I chomp on it. Blowing raspberries on my legs makes a great slip and slide. Honking my nose is one of my best noises and surprises him every time. My shoulder makes a great teething ring and mommy gets to sport a wet shoulder all day. Oh yes, and lets not forget Keegan gets to practice his pincher-grasp on me because I scream and say "NO!"... he thinks that is funny. I make a great object to hold onto and practice standing. I also teach mimicking skills. I wave my arms up and down, shake my head side to side, stick my tongue out and he does the same. Eskimo kisses are also an added feature that the exersacuer can't live up to. Let's not forget that I am one of the very few gyms that comes with music that sings on key. Of course, he has found other Jungle Gyms that are fun. Auntie Johnnie has proven to be one of the favorites. Wherever I go he has some entertainment...that is until he starts crawling. Let the fun begin!

Welcome Brianna Arenal!

If one could not get enough of one baby love in a week...try two!! Exactly one week from the birth of one niece, another one arrives! Brianna moved slow at first giving her mama hard contractions for 8 solid hours, but then surprised the world when she decided that she wanted to come out and play. Try dilating from a 3 to a having a baby in 30 minutes. I have never seen such a bright-eyed baby with so many facial expressions! She is such a cutie and while we hoped for a full head of red hair like her mama, her brown hair is fabulous. Keegan is getting a tad jealous that his cousins have more hair than him..but I reassure him that to be bald is beautiful. I look forward to the many play dates and of course becoming her favorite aunt. Well...okay...one of them! Brad and Mae have been such good babysitters and they are going to be incredible parents. (I owe them many date nights!) They are naturals!

Welcome Baby Brianna!