Starting Early

I think this picture of Mom's cousin Jamie's fiance Janiece holding Ernie is hilarious. Not only is he grabbing a handful, but just look at the skeezy expression on his chubby little face! He's even trying to play like he's admiring her corsage.
He learned subtlety from his father.

Ernie's Endorsement of the Week: Drool!

If we could bottle and sell this stuff, we'd already have college paid for. It comes in handy for a variety of occasions. For instance, trying to munch finger foods when you don't have actual teeth? Apply drool liberally and you don't even have to gum-chew! Want to make grabbing your Dad's bottom lip and pulling as hard as you can even more exciting? Get your own hand nice and droolly first to increase the challenge and gross Dad out even more! Want to give Mom a kiss and make sure she stays kissed? Lead with the tongue, and have 2-12 ounces of drool ready!

*UPDATE* Ernie drool for sale in 1 dram containers for $25 each.

[Franken]Santa [Zombie]Claus

Beware this Christmas. If you hear someone sliding down your chimney, you might not hear a jolly "Ho, ho, ho!" downstairs... Instead, you might be awoken from your dancing sugarplums with a sinister, "Ho, ho,...Braaaains!" This terrifying creature tears at cheeks and uses his sole tooth to bite into the flesh of his victims. Don't be fooled by the adorable nature of his alter-ego. There's no telling when his cheerful giggle will be quelled by a gruesome, gnawing hunger.

The first photo was captured on Thanksgiving Day with the grandfolks as Ernie's enthusiasm with the galla photoshoot waned, and the second shot was taken while Amber, Ernie, and I decked the Hall halls for the merry Christmas season.

Let It Snow!

First day of snow here in Lincoln, Nebraska and Ernie got to enjoy it! We weren't sure if he would cry waking up to a world that looks totally different, but he once again proved to be adaptable.
When it snows in November, you get the added benefit of the fall colors. Our bridal wreath bushes that line the north side of our house are a gorgeous mixture of yellow and brown ochres and the red you see here.

ErnElves!

This is too much fun!
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9565772754

Bathtime peek-a-boo

He was, of course, far more giggly and animated before I went for the camera, but Ernie and Daddy enjoyed some fun peek-a-boo time last night in the bathtub. You can see how well Ern's mastered object permanence, as he tries to peek over the tub to find Daddy below it!
Please excuse the nudity : )

Daddy & Me

Ernie loves his Daddy. This weekend he shard some special affection with Dad in the form of classic Ernie open-mouth kisses.

They love to snuggle each other. He's quick, too quick for the camera sometimes, but kissing is becoming one of his favorite things.

Great Aunt Tricia!

Ernie got to see his Great Aunt Tricia this weekend. It's been four months since the last time they saw each other, and so much has changed since then! Now Ernie can sit up, eat solids and finger foods, and babble like a madman (literally, I'm sure an insane man sounds very similar).

He had a great time entertaining her and letting her entertain him!

Ernie's Endorsement of the Week: BANG!

It's no secret to anyone who knows Ernie: he likes to bang on things. This weekend Grandpas made that even more exciting. Grandpa Darrell added impliments to the fun:

And Grandpa Denie lended a head:

Cousin Kitterick Arrives!

Ernie has a new cousin! Lisa and Toby welcomed Kitterick Wells, and we got to see and hold him over the weekend. It's not possible that Ernie was ever this small. We already can't remember.
Lisa looks fantastic! And Kitt has the longest fingers and toes of any baby we've ever seen!

Grandma Chris is now a Great Great Aunt!
Kitt got a few pats (bang) on the head from Ernie in acknowlegement. They'll grow to be great friends. The age difference between Kitt and Ernie is the same as between Mom and Lisa, and Uncle Darren and cousin Eric (Lisa's big bro).

Halloween!

Halloween lasts year-round in our household, because it is by far Daddy's favorite holiday. Ernie enjoyed all the festivities.

Grandma Bonnie reads him his "Where's Baby's Pumpkin?" book that was a gift from the Walshes.

And Walshes and Hall/Mohrs all enjoyed Boo at the Zoo this year. Jonathan's been working out lately, and Johanna put her cheeks to good use and dressed as the cutest pumpkin ever.
Ernie's bear costume (see previous Erndorsement of bears) was made by Grandma Bonnie. The hat was given to us by Kelli about two days after we announced our pregnancy. It made the perfect Halloween outfit, and he was snuggly warm for the chilly evenings. Pictures can't accurately express what a great job Grandma Bonnie did. She even appliqued little bear foot pads on his footies.
And the Grandparents Hall also joined us on October 31 to visit a few houses that contain Ernie fans.
And our little ladies' man has a cheerleader from every team who love him (plus one vampire).

Pumpkin Carvin' Par-Tay

Another October tradition, slightly modified to include earlier hours and less alcohol, that Ernie participated in for the first time. He's not so good with knives yet, so Ernie painted his pumpkin with his foot and fingers to make a very scary (adorable) ghost!


But he was far more interested and impressed with Steve's facial hair. It's kinda orangey, like a pumpkin.

AUNT LAURA!!!!!!!

This smile only mildly expresses the joy Ernie (And Amber, and Jeremy, and Tim, and the Grandparents Mohrs) felt upon her return visit. We couldn't get enough of her. We hope we've mastered crawling by the time we see her in December, so she can chase Ernie everywhere!

Roca Berry Farm

This has been a tradition for most of the years we've lived in Lincoln, and Aunt Laura definately wanted to hit a pumpkin patch on her weekend back in Nebraska. Most years we run around like kids enjoying all the patch fun, but this year since we had a kid, most of the day was spent posing Ernie in various gourd-related arenas. Still, a day well spent.

Ernie's Endorsement of Recent Weeks: Food! More food!

We already told you how much he loves solids now, and he's up to three meals a day and starting on a few finger foods as well. At mealtime, he constantly kicks in his highchair grunting at us as we shovel the spoon in his mouth as fast as we can. He sounds like a voracious zombie requesting "braaaaaaaains" when he's hungry.
He's more polite with anyone other than Mom and Dad, so we let others feed him as often as they like. Grandpa Denie had a good time while Grandma Bonnie watched:

And he LOVES apples. We cut up a few and put them in his mesh feeder (basically a nylon bag so he can safely gum solids). When Dad finally took a mushy mesh feeder away from Ernie once, the poor dear cried.
And he loves sharing apples with others as well. He gets pretty impatient since we all have to chew them and he just sucks on the juice. Laura got to enjoy this experience when she visited in mid-October.

And this is what he did one recent morning BEFORE we added breakfast to his repast schedule:

Backblogging

You all have been so patient with us these past two months. It's time to get back on track with Ernventures! So I'll be posting some new (illustrated!) blogs from the times already past, and pledge to be a better blogger henceforth. Enjoy the Ernie!