Look Ma! No hands!

(Your very first day at the Tot Lot-you didnt want to share the red ball with anyone...it wasn't yours.)

(Playing with Silvia and Maria at the Tot Lot)

(Standing up for the first time-Very Proud)

Look Ma! No Hands! Standing up like a Big Boy <3 you!

Your new hang out is the Tot Lot in Park Slope off Garrfield. Man, do we love that place. Its such a joy taking you there. For one, everything is YOUR size. (tiny, tiny) All the children that play there are no more then 2 years old. Lots of 7 month olds like you. Some are crawling around. You have yet to offically crawl but we do have so much fun! You can stand on your own holding one of the bars. You are so proud of yourself and absolutely love it. You're such a social guy too and when you see kids you like you start growling at that them or simply start "chatting" with them. It's so cool to see you in social situations. You really seem comfortable arouond others and totally loving life!

Three Cheers for Good Times (Hip hip hooray! Hip hip horray! Hip hip hooray!)

What's In a Name

Victor Rocco Keating Sima IV~"What a great name!" your father and I both proclaimed when writing birth certificate and seeing it in pen for the first time. We were so impressed how strong it looked, how cool it looked!

Victor: Your dad's legal name is Victoriana and so are all the other Victors in the family. For years your dad would say to me "If we ever have a boy we don't have to name him Victor. There are too many Victors. My brother or cousins can have that name..." And apparently when your dad was getting his license when we lived in Chicago there was another unrelated Victor Sima up to no good with DUI's and other things causing some headache for Dad. So, we figured we'd name you Rocco Liam (in honor of my Pop). But when your dad found out I was pregnant he immediately changed his mind and wanted his first son to be named after him. (aww) You are the IV "Victor Sima"! Isn't that cool?!?!

Rocco: As you may know you were named after a great man Rocco Gioffi, Gramsy's grandfather. He was charismatic, kind, hard working and loved his family most. Rocco came from Italy and moved to the USA as a teen where he quickly joined the army and would sing army songs in his thick Italian accent for his entire life. He is your great great grandfather. My grandfather, Pop Groman, is one of my favorite people. He too is kind, good hearted, loving, caring, fun, energetic, intelligent, loves his family most, silly, handsome and any other adjective that can positively describe a person Pop Groman is. Rocco was also Mom Groman's father. She was one of the people I have been closest to in my life and miss her. I would tell her "If I ever have a son I will name him Rocco." "What an honor that would be!" she would respond. Since they both admired Rocco so much and was influenced by Rocco we decided we wanted to name you after such great men and *in honor of my Pop and your great great grandfather. There are many stories I can share with you about Rocco & Lulu (his wife). They put family first. They lived with Gramsy for a short time and everyone would summer together. There is video footage that Pop Groman recently showed us with Rocco entering a room and the charisma is uncanny. Your dad and I love it and now all of Rocco Gioffis grandkids (Gramsy, Uncle X, Uncle John) and living son in law-Unce T all say you look similar to the original Rocco! We love it and love to keep such a wonderful name alive in you.

Keating: I wanted you to have my last name too. Your Uncle's last name! You are a combination of your dad and I joining two families together and two names. As you grow and age we aren't sure if you will just use Sima to keep things easier in school...not too complicated. But it was important to me and Dad that you have Keating in your name. I say "he can pic his name, he can have both. Maybe he will be a writer and choose Keating."

Sima: Such a great last name too. And as mentioned you are the IV Victor Sima. It's from Spain after your great great grandfather.

If You're Happy & You Know it Clap Your Hands!

Clapping for first time Aug, 22, 2011 a video by nicole_keating on Flickr.

This is the first video taken of you clapping hands. This is really special because this is the first time you responded to a request "Clap, Clap, Clap..." You did it and one day later you love doing it! So much fun for you! You're so fun and dad and I love you.

Give it Up for Victor Rocco

Clapping for Mama Aug, 22, 2011 a video by nicole_keating on Flickr.

Hooray!!!! Yesterday you show off your clapping skills. I showed you how to clap two days ago and would sing "Clap, Clap, Clap Clap-Clap, Clap, Clap...Victor Rocco likes to Clap..." and put my hands over yours to show you how to do it. Then, the following day you started clapping...just when I sang you the song.

Adorable!

Wakie, Wakie!

Returning from our travels you have taken to sleeping in our bed as your preferred way of catching some Zzzzzz's. Prior to our trips Dad and I would tuck you in bed with us at 6am and do one big family nap before you really wake up to start your day. While traveling we were putting you in bed with us at your first wake up 4am because we wanted you to feel secure and safe when waking up in a new place. However, since being home in order for you to fall asleep at night or for napping either Dad or I need to lay next to you in our bed before you allow your eyes to get heavy and fall into a deep slumber. Maybe these shots will help you fall in love with your crib again!

Boys Time!

How I found you and dad when you two were hanging out on a Saturday morning.

Eat It!

Your first meal!

Date: Saturday in mid July and you were 6 months old.

What Ya Ate: You had banana's that I made in a food chopper. Fun facet, Dad bought the chopper a few Christmases ago so we could make salsa. When it was time to introduce you to food we thought this was a perfect and convenient tool to prepare your meals.

What You Thought: While you ate you would proclaim "hmmmm, hmmm, hmmm!"

Dancing Machine

While in California we had a BBQ with your Aunts and Uncles. It was great fun and you really let loose and showed off your dance moves with your cousin Alyssa! You have the skillz to strut your stuff and have some fun! Also, I just love the way you laugh!

Flying High!

(Ready for take off-first flight-JFK.......>LAX)

(Fun with Dad while in the clouds to Cali)

(Flying fun for Mr. Good Times)

Victor Rocco, takes flight on July 28th! Your dad and I brought you to California to visit with your Nana and aunts and uncles who are out west! We left the house around 7pm (great timing for you as you wake up and have eaten by then) we then hit the airport and had a nice breakfast before hopping on board Jet Blue. Luckily for us we sat next to a pediatrician! However, the flight went well. You didn't cry, we played all your regular games that we would play at home. You napped twice (on both flights) and ate some good food! On the way home the two stewardess were fighting over whose girlfriend was yours. And of course dad and I sat in the

(In Flight Entertainment homeward bound)

(Mr. Jetblue himself LAX ..........> JFK)

front of the plane to give you room to play and kick around. And true to form you would smile at all the pretty girls walking up to the front. It was very entertaining and you really enjoyed flying. As we were boarding your first flight I became a little choked up realizing that this would be one of many flights, flights we take with you as a child, then your own flights as an adult. At that moment I was excited and proud to be your parent and be a part of such a lovely first! Off to fun adventures

Yum Yum Eat 'Em Up

Big boy! We just started feeding you regular food (apples, peaches, mango, pears, spinach). You're only 6 months old in this pic but you insist on feeding yourself. It's really brilliant and adorable all at once!

*late on posts here because we were traveling for two weeks. more on that later!