Happy New Year!

9 months old!

So, in the holiday hubbub, I forgot to do his 9-month pictures. 

We did a late photo shoot to make up for it:

Showing his hillbilly teeth!

And then, a picture from the actual day, doctored to reflect the momentous occasion:

Merry Christmas!

Some shots from his Christmas card photo shoot:

And then holiday greetings from the Electric City:

Bonding with Daddy over their shared love of Scranton

A rare sight--a picture with Mama!

Santa visits on a fire truck:

Ho, ho, ho!

Oops, we weren't prepared and had to rush him out in his jammies.

This one didn't turn out very well, but I like that it sort of looks like William's not there, and Donald and Santa are having a special moment.

William's still got his eye locked onto that shifty character in the red suit.

And then, of course, Express Christmas:

Grandma got the order mixed up and put Santa Claus on HER lap.

This little encounter is going to make understanding mirrors that much more difficult.

Opening presents! (/Trying to eat ribbon!)

Santa gets casual with Aunt Mary.

Fascinated by the tree

Getting a little tour of the ornaments from Grandma and Pa

One more photo shoot (with hat hair instead of his hat, oops) for good measure:

Forlorn Santa

Rambunctious Santa

A smattering of pictures before we head out for Christmas!

Helping Mama shop

Enjoying a satsuma

The mechanics of eating are still a little shaky, but I think he managed to ingest some of it.  95% of it is on his tray and his person, obviously.

Simply delighted with things!

Helping Mama pack.

Uh oh.  William's new trick.

So proud of himself!

And then obviously straight to the main event.

A few more from around the house

I don't know what he's doing here, but it looked very regal.

Snuggling with Peter Rabbit

Confused that I put Peter Rabbit on his head and took his picture (as one would be).

Helping me cook

How did all this yogurt get all over me??

Delighting in his high chair

A Boy and His [Mother's] Water Bottles: A Love Story

So his clear favorite toys these days are my water bottles.  He steals them and won't give them back.

Sometimes he just spies me with one and pitches a fit until I hand it over (as he's doing here).

Success!

He loves chewing on them

And patting them

And just generally snuggling with them.

He obviously prefers them when they are filled with glorious ice-cold water that I would like to be drinking.

An embarrassment of riches:

ZooLights!

William took a little trip with his parents and his Uncle Joe to see the National Zoo all lit up 

Staring down some kind of lizard in his bear suit

William was generally confused by the Reptile House

The mama gorilla snoozing with her baby gorilla!

Donald pulls off the upset and poses more competently for the picture than William does

Panda!

Tigers!

Family photo with Panda Claws! (Plus bonus photobomb from another family!)