Booga Update 09/24/06

Dear Family & Friends,

I am 8 months old today. I have no idea how much I weigh or how long I am because I don't see the doc every month anymore. If I had to take a guess, I'm probably around 21-22 lbs and 27-28 inches long. I have accomplished several things this month that I'm quite proud of...I can crawl, pull myself up, and eat finger foods! I also learned how to clap my hands so, I think I'll give myself a hand for all that I've done. Y-e-a-h, [clap, clap]! I still have 2 teeth and would like to know when the others are going to get here? I wish they would hurry up so I can eat more foods.

I really enjoy going to day care because it's a happy place. I love watching my friends playing all day and can't wait until I can play with them. Miss Nyeisha and Ms. Bea* are really nice and they take really good care of me. When my friends start going home, Ms. Bea let's me have the floor all to myself so I can crawl around and explore as much as I want and, it's fun. She also put me in a bouncer and you know, I love to bounce!

My Great Grandmother "Pumpkin Pie" and others have been giving me beginner walking lessons. They are having a little trouble getting me to focus on what I need to do with my feet. I have wanted to walk ever since I was born so, I know it won't be long before I get the hang of it.

Other special happenings this month were my Grandmother's birthday and of course, Cousin Rikki's wedding! My Grandmother doesn't want me to talk about how OLD she is but, she was just invited to her 30-year high school reunion so, that should give you a clue. Anyhoo, the wedding was really nice and I hope Cousin Rikki and my new Cousin Troy will be very happy. It was great to be there and the reception was the bomb! I was out on the dance floor with anyone who would take me. I also had a chance to visit with many of my cousins: Jaden, Janiah, Leila, Nailah, and Jackson. I met my new Cousin Jaden (II) for the first time...he was so little and cute. I can remember "back in the day" when I was that little and cute but, I'm a big boy now! I can't wait until we all get together again.

My Mommy started a new job at the law firm where she works and she really likes it. My Grandparents are also doing well. As always, they all said to tell you "hello". Well, I guess that's all for now. Look for my next update on 10/24/06. See you then!

Love, "The Booga..."

Pics of the Month!

Me and Ms. Bea at Day Care

P.S. I had a play date with Cousin Miles and we had a really good time. Cousin Melanie took some great pics of us together. Check out the Saturday 09-23-06 post on his blog using the above link!

Booga Update 07/24/06

Dear Family & Friends,

I am 6 months old today, 19 lbs+2 ozs, and 27 inches long. My next appointment with the Doc is tomorrow and I’m scheduled to get more of those horrible shots! Being at day care with all my friends is great. I can sit up now but I have to work on "staying" up. Right now, it seems like it’s easier and more fun to just lay down and “roll” wherever I want to go. Crawling is too much work. Maybe I’ll give it another try next month. I’m still on water, juice, milk, cereal, veggies, and fruit but, I think that may change. It looks like my first tooth is going to appear soon. When it does, “finger foods” look out…here I come! It’s been a very busy month and I have been on the move. I’m still making my rounds and meeting some family and friends for the first time. My Mom and Grandparents are having trouble keeping up with me. They all complain about being tired and I feel like I’m just getting started. I may have to strike out on my own and leave all the “tired folk” at home! Here are just some of the things I did this past month.

1. Attended Cousin Miles' Christening

2. Attended a family meeting about the Meuse Reunion

3. Attended the King Family Picnic

4. Went bowling at Center Lanes

5. Went to South Street & Penn’s Landing

6. Spent the day with my Godmother Latoya

7. Attended Cousin Rikki’s surprise bridal shower

You name it...I was there! It was great to finally meet my Cousins Jackson, Jaden, Janiah, Laila, and Nailah. I hear I have another new cousin by the name of Jaden and I can't wait to meet him too. My Mom and Grandparents are doing fine and said to tell you "hello"! NO, my Grandmother has not decided on a name yet. Well, that's all for now. Look for my next update on 08/24/06. Don't forget to come back from time to time to check for new pics. Thanks for stopping by!

Love, "The Booga..."

Pic of the Month!

Cousin Melanie, Photographer

Me and my Cousin Evan at the Family Meeting.

Cousin Rikki's Shower

I'm ready to go to the shower.

Me and my Mommy.

My Cousin Nailah and her Great Grandmother Vivian

Me and my Great Grandmother "Nana Faye"

(l-r) My Cousins Ethel, Yazzie, and Laila

Me and my Great Great Aunt Vivian

I wish I had more shower pics to share but

the camera batteries died on me...Sorry!

Family Christmas Dinner 2007

Annual Day at Nana Faye's

On Saturday, December 29th, everybody went to my Great Nana Faye's house to celebrate Christmas together. The highlight for me was seeing Nana Faye and all of my aunts, uncles, and little cousins..old and new, from near and far. We had fun just running and playing for hours.

Here are pics of me and my Cousin Jackson playing with my Thomas & Percy trains. We made them go C-R-A-S-H, B-O-O-M, over and over again!

My Cousin Miles and his Mommy, Cousin Melanie.

My Cousin Jaden and his Mommy, Cousin Amber.

My new little Cousin Troy, Jr. ("TJ") and his Grandmother, my Cousin Jessie.

And, here's the rest of the family...cooking, eating, hugging, kissing, laughing, sitting, smiling, standing, talking, walking, watching TV, etc. You get the picture...we had a great time!

Family Christmas Dinner 2010

Today, everybody went over to our cousin's house for the annual family Christmas dinner. This was the first family dinner for my little sister Sophia and my fourth! Mommy, Daddy, Grammy, and Pop-Pop were there too. We got a chance to see many of our aunts, uncles, and cousins, but what we liked the most was playing with all of our "little" cousins... Chloe, Janiah, Jaden, Jaden, (we have 2 cousins with the same name) Laila, Nailah, Miles, Nia, and Troy Jr. We also saw our newest "baby" cousin, Malaina, for the first time and she is only 3 months old! Here are some pics that Grammy took while we were there and you can click on the collages for a larger view. The camera battery gave out before she could get down to the basement where we were all playing, but the food was good and everybody had a really great time together!

Family Christmas Dinner 2008

Today, everybody went over to my cousin's house for our annual family Christmas dinner. I got a chance to see many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins but, what I liked the most was playing with all of my "little" cousins... Janiah, Jaden, Jaden (we have 2 cousins with the same name), Laila, Nailah, Miles, Samaya, and Troy Jr. I also saw my newest "baby" cousin for the first time, Nia Rose Ellis, and she is 2 months old. Here are some pics that my Grammy took of me and the rest of the family while we were there. Everybody had a really great time!

Janiah & Jaden Are 5 Years Old!

This is a pic of my cousins, Janiah & Jaden. They are twins and their 5th birthday was on July 3rd. Today, they had a big birthday party at their grandparents' house and my Pop-Pop and Grammy took me there so I could celebrate with them.

A lot people came out to wish them a "Happy Birthday". I also got a chance to see some of my other cousins... Laila, Nailah, Samaya, and Troy, Jr. were there. The yard was filled with all kinds of "water fun" things to do and other cool stuff. We even had surprise visits from Elmo, SpongeBob SquarePants, Pooh, and Bozo The Clown!

There was also something called a "pinyata" hanging from a tree. It looked like the fish in Finding Nemo and it was filled with candy. I watched while the older kids took turns using something called a "cane" to hit the pinyata as hard as they could until all the candy fell out. When it did, all the kids dropped to the ground and tried to pick up as much candy as their hands would hold.

Then, it was time to sing the "Happy Birthday" song to Janiah & Jaden. They also had another cousin sitting with them who was celebrating a 4th birthday. After that, we watched all three of them make a wish and blow out the candles on their cakes. When they finished, the cakes were cut and everybody got a piece to eat. We even got "party bags" to take home. I know that the "birthday kids" had a great time and the rest of us did too!

Family Christmas Dinner 2011

Today, everybody went over to our cousin's house for the annual family Christmas dinner. Mommy, Grammy, and Pop-Pop were there too. We got a chance to see many of our aunts, uncles, and cousins, but what we liked the most was playing with all of our cousins... Chloe, Jaden (2), Janiah, Laila, Nailah, Miles, Nia, Samaya, and Troy, Jr. We also saw our two baby cousins, Lila and Melainia. They are too little to play with us just yet, but we can look forward to playing with them next year! As always, the food was good and everybody had a great time together. Here are some of the pics that Grammy took while we were there and you can click on the collages for a larger view...