Football Frenzy and Pirate Parades!

Tampa is the place to be these days! With the Super Bowl and Gasparilla, there is so much going on!

Last night was of course the Super Bowl here in Tampa. Since we somehow missed the invite to P. Diddy's party, we decided to host a party of our own. It was a lot of fun! Several people from Eric's work came, as well as a few of our close friends. Noah was happy because there were 6 other kids here as well. I remembered to take pictures at the last minute, but they're still on the camera.

A couple weekends ago, some friends of ours invited us to the NFL Experience at the stadium. I wasn't sure what to expect, but Noah had a great time "playing football" with his best friend Max.

The Eagles didn't make it to the big game, but we're still supportive. :)

Noah tackled...

Threw...

Kicked...Ran...And threw some more...good times!

Daddy even got to play:)

So did Gabe!

Max and Noah

They even had a bounce house! (of which we had to drag Noah out...)

Gabe and his best bud, Eli

Bonding over a mutual love of leaves

Representing Nashville

Gasparilla is Tampa's version of Mardi Gras except with a pirate twist (and a lot less...hmmm...shall we say, nudity??) Having never been to Mardi Gras, I cannot compare the two, but Tampa sure does love their Gasparilla. There's a pirate invasion, followed by a huge parade down Bayshore with beads and parties galore. The neat thing is that they do a tamer (and less crowded) version a week or two before for the children. The weekend before last was our first Gasparilla children's parade, and Noah had a blast! Gabe slept through a good portion of it, but I think he had fun while he was awake. Our friends, Matt, Susan, and Benjamin, came over and we went to our street's block party. Then we all walked down to Bayshore for the festivities. I wasn't sure how Noah would do with the parade, so I was fully prepared to leave, but he really enjoyed it. Here are some pictures from that day:

Our motley crew

Arrgh! The pirates are coming!

Making Benjamin laugh (which is one of the CUTEST sounds ever! :))

Never mess with a pirate and his juice box.

This has been a FULL month! Next week, Gabe's baptism and Noah's 3rd birthday!!!

Happy 9 Months, Spike!

Sweet, sweet Gabe...your spiky hair is by far the cutest thing ever! It's baby soft, yet sticks straight up. We love it and everything else about you!

You had your first Christmas this month, which we celebrated with lots of family. We spent Christmas day at Hammy and Sassy's house, then we headed to Texas to spend a few days at GiGi and Papa's house. You also made your first trip to Disney World, which I know you won't remember...but for the record, you seemed to enjoy it. :)

This month, you learned lots of new things! You can now pull up to your feet, and you even cruised along the ottoman and coffee table the other day (rather slowly, though)! You are a very determined little fella...especially when you see something you want. I love that you can get around now on your own, but that means my floors have to be spotless...because you have an amazing ability to spot even the tiniest leaf or dust bunny. The other day I found one of Noah's stickers in your mouth! You keep us on our toes.

You and brother can now play "together", which makes mommy smile. And I can count on Noah to let me know when you're into something you're not supposed to be (which to him means almost everything.) "No, Gabe" is his favorite phrase! I know he loves you, though, because he prays for you every night. And when we're out and about, he likes to show you off to people. "This is MY baby Gabe!" Sometimes, that's preceded by a "NO, STOP!" which we're working on...

You got your first (and second!) tooth this month, and you're working on your top two. You are completely on table food, and you get so excited when we feed you off our plates. The other day I made guacamole (with avocados, onions, tomatoes, garlic, and several spices), and you LOVED it! But if I try to give you plain avocado, you could take it or leave it. I think you like foods with a little flavor...maybe that's why you hated baby food so much?? That being said, you will pretty much eat whatever we put in front of you, as long as it's not baby food. :)

You are still an easy-going, happy baby, and we love you more and more every day.

Favorites:

• BATH TIME!!
• Pulling up on the coffee table (and getting into everything on top of it..)
• The book Peek a Who?
• Eating leaves (not that mommy lets you...)
• Crawling around after brother
• Swinging and being outside
• Your Busy Zoo, Peek-a-Blocks, and the Laugh 'n Learn house

9 Month Stats:

• Height: 29.5 inches (85%)
• Weight: 19.5 lbs. (33%) (lightweight :))

Love to you, sweet boy!!

Mommy, Daddy, and Noah

Pics from this month:

Aren't I cute when I wake up?

(Wish I could say the same for mommy...)

Why are you callin' me Spike??

Gotta love bathtime

Elementary, my dear Watson!
Puppy Love!

Escape Artist

Look at those (long!) tootsies!

Watching the Eagles game with Daddy and brother

Just a swingin'

9 Months of LOVE

I don't have time for pictures...

I've got more important things to do...

I'll take this one

My stash...

See my new teefers?

Oooooh, a coffee table. Just my size.

A little light reading...