Look Who's Talking!

As of a few days ago, Joe's been in speech therapy for about three months.  Remember back when I said that one day soon hopefully I'd be posting videos of him babbling away?  Well, here you go.  Check out his truly fantastic progress. 

This will work best if it's in context, and you're a little prepared on what to listen for (we're still working on intelligibility, but he's not even two yet, so I'm still dang impressed!).  My mom and sister took Joe to the zoo a few days ago, and he can't stop talking about the animals - especially the tiger:

Animals are a thing lately.  Lindsay taught him all the animal sounds - here are a few:

And he loves to talk about his friends at school - Alexis and Gage are his favorites.  His teacher's name is Ms. Zakea.

Since Charlie's very into all of Joe's new Christmas toys, Joe has also gotten pretty good at "No Charlie!":

No talking in this last one, but the dancing was just too cute.

Okay, enough with the annoying braggy parent videos.  I'm just so proud of him for coming such a long way in such a short time!  Nice work, Joe!

A Pink Shower for Once!

My brother is having a baby in a few weeks.  Well, to be technical, my brother's wife is having a baby in a few weeks (if she's gonna do all the work, she definitely deserves all of the credit).   

A few things to know about Val that will probably make you understand her a bit better, if you don't know her already.  One: She loves all things sparkly.  Like, a lot. She would probably murder anyone for a bedazzler (right, Val?).  Two: She is so refreshingly sweet, fun, and happy.  On her wedding day, as the preacher was saying "I now pronounce you man and wife," Val was standing up at the altar bouncing.  Literally, bouncing. With joy.  How awesome is that?  And she was marrying my brother, of all people.  Think how happy she would be if she was marrying someone who wouldn't drive her completely nuts for the rest of her life, especially during commercial breaks of Inspector Gadget??  Three:  She is a fantastic friend.  Just read this to see (to put that in perspective, my dad wrote it the day he found out Val was pregnant).

So, in 38 days, Val's gonna be popping out an adorable baby girl.  Her name's Cameron, and based on her completely squished up face in the sonogram photos, she looks just like her dad.

I am SO. OUTRAGEOUSLY. EXCITED.  I have another niece named Emily (John's sister's daughter) who was born just under 3 months ago.  She's pretty awesome.  Ian's already punched her a few times, and she took it like a champ.  Her dad should be proud; she has a seriously strong chin.  Anyway, I have to admit -- I thought having Emily around might make me slightly less excited about Cameron, since I would get out some of that bug for girl shopping that all moms of boys have.  But, for reasons I can't explain, having Emily around has actually made me more excited about Cameron.  I just love that there are finally some girls to dote on for a change!

Anyway, a couple of weekends ago, some of Val's closest friends hosted a baby shower for her and Cameron.  Fantastic job hosting, both Nikki Parises! (Parises?  Does that work?)  Check it out.

Pretty great spread.  And you can't even see all the gifts piled up on the side!

Great desserts, ladies. 

 Some fun girly clothes.  Love me some polka dots on a baby grrl.

And she'll be gameday ready, too! 

Oh em gee.  This DRESS!  She will be the cutest girl to ever exist ever ever ever.  Nothing could be cuter.

Okay, except these Stuart Weitzman baby shoes.  Whaaa??  Who even knew these existed?!  Startin' a girl off right! And the have leopard print inside.  Ridiculous.

Just had to get in this side view of the bump.  Sorry, Val, everyone expects to see the baby at the baby shower.

 

Awesome owl hat, Val!  Who got that for Baby Cam?  Probably someone who loves Etsy lots and lots, yes?  I better see some cute pictures of my niece wearing that contraption!

The Kanes can't wait for baby Cameron to make her appearance, Aunt Val!  And you know what the best part is?  Once she comes out, you won't be pregnant anymore!