New words!!

So, over just the last couple of days, I have learned to say... "run," (it comes out like "un")"Nana" (which I'm learning I can use to say that I want a banana, too!), Wren (sounds like "en"), I said "BALL" (it USUALLY comes out sounding like "ul"), and "ni ni" (for Night night).  Also, I was watching Word World today and learned to say "pu!"  Putting my lips together to form sounds is one of the hardest things for me at the moment, so me and Mommy were excited that I was able to do it!  I am saying many new sounds during the day, but those are the ones that Mommy was able to understand with meaning.

And, before bed tonight, Mommy was putting lotion on me while I was sitting on her lap.  I saw the lotion bottle, and was reading "Ma" "Ma."  Mommy heard, and said, I was sounding out Ma-gic!  Baby Magic!  She was sooooo excited, and I love it when she tells me she is proud of me!  I am, too!  I am finding my voice, and I LIKE IT!!!!!!

It began last week, when Mommy decided to give sign language a better try, now that I am older and understand everything.  I have caught on fast, and I really like being able to communicate with Mommy and Daddy more easily.  I like to sign so much, that I tried making up my own signs today, but Mommy was getting confused.  She said she needed to teach me some more signs, so that I can tell her even more!  I am looking forward to it!! :D

Mommy also got me to FINALLY drink from a straw!  I really love my straw sippy cup, now!! :)

I have a new favorite book called, Go, Dog. Go!  I really like to say "dog" and "hat" and those are two words that show up A LOT in that book!  It's great, because Mommy reads to me and stops right before those words, so that I can say them!  It's so much fun!!

Here is my week in a nutshell....
Monday- Play and learn with Noah (Mommy babysits) and gymnastics with Inez (I LOVE jump jump jumping on the trampolines!!)

Tuesday- Play and learn with Noah and Oliver (my friend and son of Mommy and Daddy's friends Madeline and Lucas)

Wednesday-Free day for Mommy, which sometimes means I get to go see Nana and my friends that are there

Thursday- Play and learn with Noah

Friday- Play and learn with Noah

Saturday and Sunday- Play and learn with Mommy and Daddy!! :D

Mommy thinks it is funny to have Wren hang on my back.... I do NOT!

Mommy and Daddy think it's funny to do this to my face when taking off my shirt.

I think it's funny, too!  I run around saying "run, run, run!"

Christmas is only days away.  I hear I'm going to get LOTS of TOYS!!  I can't wait to have lots of fun with ALL OF MY FAMILY!!!


PS.... I DO NOT like visiting Santa Claus!!!!  (But... he can still bring me toys!!)

Having Fun!

This will be a catch up post... sorry it has been awhile.  It has been a busy couple of weeks!  We had Thanksgiving at our house this year, so Mommy and Daddy were in charge of cooking the Turkey.  They were a little stressed about making it nice and juicy, and the stress paid off, because it was! (Or so I heard... I am not too fond of the idea of eating Turkey.  I even wore a shirt with a turkey holding an "Eat Pizza" sign!)  Mommy tried to get a picture of me and sissy in our Thanksgiving attire, but this is all she was able to get out of me...

Over the weekend we put up our Christmas decorations!  It looks so beautiful in our house!  Daddy even put lights outside on the bushes and front porch!  Stop out to look between 5-10pm! ;) 

On Saturday, after decorating the house, we drove to Peoria for the Festival of Lights display!  It was so cool!  Daddy drove and I got to sit on his lap!  Mommy held Wren in the passenger seat.  We had the heat on with the windows down so we could see the lights better!  My favorite was the BIG train and the guy skiing down the BIG hill!!  So, so, neat!!  Mommy was disappointed that she forgot to bring the camera to take pictures, but she said she won't forget next year!  Looks like this will be a tradition of ours!  Yay!!! :D

This week has been really fun!  Mommy has started watching a boy named Noah!  He is 7 months older than me, so he is potty trained and talks A LOT!  He is really fun to play with!  Looks like I won't have to be bored anymore, which makes Mommy's day a little easier!

I am trying to say many more words now!  They don't come out perfect, but Mommy knows what I'm saying.  Mommy's favorite new word of mine is...... MAMA!  I finally started saying it last week and she is beyond thrilled! :)

I made Mommy and Daddy smile this morning when Daddy was leaving for work.  He told me bye, and I blew a kiss and waved bye-bye to him.  (Waving is new for me too... I know, I know... but better late, than never, right?!)

I pooped on the potty!

Mommy refused to let me poop in my diaper this morning!  I didn't poop yesterday, so she knew I would have to go.  She put me on the potty after breakfast and we sat in the bathroom for 45 minutes.  I went pee, but I just couldn't let myself poop in the potty.... I guess I was scared of what it would be like.  I'm so used to my cozy diaper!  Soon after she got me off, she caught me "making my pooping face" as she likes to call it.  I ran, but didn't get far before she had me back on the potty.  I tried to keep it in, but a little came out.  She didn't believe that was all I had (of course, she was right), but, after 15 minutes, she let me get back down.  Daddy is working from home this morning, so he is sitting at the kitchen table.  I tried getting under the table to finish my "business," but Daddy ratted me out, and Mommy, yet AGAIN, had me back on the potty.  At this point there was no stopping it.  I pooped in the potty!  I got lots of praise and Lucky Charms!!!  Maybe I could get used to this potty thing after all! :D

The future is NOW!

I'm breaking more and more out of my shell!  I'm enjoying more pretend play (mostly with my Super Why figurines), I am being more social (I like to go around the house saying every sound I know, which are A LOT these days!), I say my Alphabet and numbers, 1-10, without being prompted (ok I know a 2 year old doesn't know what that means, but I'm sure you've figured out I get A LOT of help from Mommy on these posts!), I have gained a huge interest in the potty, and I sit on it with no complaints.  I have gone pee pee just once, but I have a feeling I will be going a lot more!  It's pretty fun and I get Lucky Charms when I go!!!! YES!!!!

I have started trying to say a couple of words when Mommy asks.  She has gotten me to say pink, balloon, blue, pink, green, red, and as I mentioned, my numbers! :)

And a big milestone that I've been holding out on doing, was accomplished this morning.  I waved Bye-bye to Daddy when he was upstairs and Mommy was taking me downstairs.  I did it a few times there, and then when Daddy was leaving for work, I waved Bye-bye as he walked out the door!  Mommy and Daddy were REALLY excited! :D

Mommy would also like to mention that she is pretty sure I said "Thank you" when she helped me put Super Why's cape back on today! ;)

I like to sit on the potty! :)

Mommy is going to be watching my friend, Oliver, on Tuesdays so that we can play! :D

He is an ipad kid too! :D

The future is NOW!!! :D

Happy Halloween!

Last night I got to dress up as Super Why and go "Trick or Treating" around the mall, because it was Halloween!  At first, I wasn't sure what it was all about, but I had a lot of fun getting to walk from store to store getting to meet a smiling face, get a piece of candy to put in my bag, and move on!  I was glad there was no shopping involved... I do not like shopping!!

I got lots of candy, that Mommy will be eating for me. (I don't really like eating candy, which I hear isn't a bad thing.)

Here are some pictures of Wren and I... dressed and ready for Trick or Treating!

With our favorites.

Mommy Note

To my ornery 2 year old-

In the last week or so, you've made some strides in your speech!  You've been showing more interest in listening and watching me talk to you.  You are attempting to make more sounds, and by surprise this week, you started "saying" the alphabet!!  You are saying more of the sounds that the letters make, than the actual letter itself, but Mommy and Daddy are SOOOOOO PROUD of you nonetheless!  You are showing so much interest in trying to talk, that you are waking up a lot during the night.  It's weighing heavy on Mommy's nerves, but I manage to climb out of bed and go tuck you back in.  Although, last night, I walked smack into the wall (missing the doorway by a foot!).  I had throbbing pain running down my cheek and corner of my mouth.  I was sure that I now knew what it felt like to be punched in the face, and that I would wake bruised and swollen, but luckily there is no proof of my clumsiness, just a slight pain when I touch my cheek bone! 

With all the trouble you have been causing me lately, it helps that no matter when I ask you for a kiss... without fail, you pause what you are doing and immediately give me a sweet, most times sloppy and open mouthed, smooch on the lips!!!  I love those moments!!!!  And I love you!!

Also, something really funny that I've learned, is that whenever you refuse to take a bite of food.... If I say "Thank you!" You always take the bite!!!!  ;)   I am not sure why "Thank you!" always works.... I guess it's because you are such a sweetheart and don't like to disappoint after getting praise! :)

No matter how ornery you become, I will ALWAYS find you as sweet as pie!  Mommy has gained QUITE the sweet tooth since Wren, and you always have the sugar I CRAVE!!!

                  

                                                                                                                                 Love, Mommy

I'M TWO NOW!

Well, what can I say... I'M TWO NOW!  Being TWO means I can do a lot more things!  I now enjoy staying up later, and naps are more fun when I give Mommy a hard time.  I love to play play play!!!  I got so many cool new toys for my birthday, so I have a hard time falling asleep, because all I can think about is playing!! Some of the toys that come to mind are:

• The sound puzzle from my friend, Inez!  I love that it's a puzzle of things that GO!  I'm all boy when it comes to cars, trains, planes, boats, etc!  It's perfect!  I can put the pieces back with ease, and the sounds are awesome! :D

• The little train and track that Mommy and Daddy's friends, Lance and Michelle, got me!  It's small and goes 'round and 'round.  My favorite is that there are two cars attached that hold a cow and horse.  I love to take them off as they circle around the track, and then try to stick them back on as it passes by me again!  My success rate is low, but I'm sure I'll have it down soon! ;)

• The cool Cars play hut that Grandma and Grandpa got me!  It has a tent, that connects to a tunnel, that connects to a ball pit!!!  I love the tent most of all!  I sneak away in there with my Super Why figurines!  It's so fun to play in there alone, but I do love it when Mommy, or whoever can fit, gets in there with me!! :D

• The really neat battery powered 4X4 from Nana and Papa!  It has a button that I can push to stop and go all by myself!  I do need help making turns, but I love to get outside with it and GO GO GO!!! :D

My Super Why party was SUPER FUN!  Here are some of the highlight pictures!

I was SOOO HAPPY!!

Sorry for the cough in the face, Auntie Erica! ;)

I loved running around in my cape! :D

My Super Story Answer... the problem was that I don't like to hear people sing the Happy Birthday song, so we figured out what else we could do to tell me Happy Birthday.  Everyone clapped... and I didn't cry!  Guess the answer was a success!  Thanks Mommy! :)

Mommy tried to help me figure out how to blow out the candle.... I let her do it for me.

Mommy thought it would be nice to have a picture of her, me and, Wren.  I didn't!

Here I am on my cool new 4X4! :)

This week, Mommy started us on an hourly schedule, so that I have more structured play, and she doesn't get side tracked with Wren or Facebook.  It is working out GREAT!  I think my favorite hour is Music Time!  Mommy found this super cool ABC's music video!  It has a great beat and I can listen to it on loop for the whole hour if Mommy lets me!  She is hoping it will help me learn to speak... I'm not sure, but I can say it's making me want to try! ;)

One night this week, while I was giving Mommy trouble staying in bed, she came in to lay next to me.  I like when she does that!! :)  She was talking to me a little... and out of no where I showed her that i could do The Itsy Bitsy Spider with my fingers!  It surprised her!  She started singing the song, and was shocked as I was doing all of the hand movements on my own!  I love it when she gets excited for me!  She clapped and cheered and I could have done that ALL NIGHT!  Sadly, I only got to perform a few more times before she left, so I could sleep.  But, since that night, I am happy to show anyone who wants to see me do The Itsy Bitsy Spider!

I went to the doctor on Wednesday, for my 2 year check-up!  I'm 34 1/4 inches tall, which is perfectly average!  I am 30 pounds, which is 75% on the growth chart! And, for the first time, they calculated my BMI (Body Mass Index).  It is 18 and at 83% on the chart! Mommy says I'm a big boy!!! :)  I had to get a shot, but it really didn't hurt too bad, and I didn't see it coming because Mommy tricked me by singing The Itsy Bitsy Spider, which had me excited and laughing as I got stuck with something in my leg!  It shocked me, but Mommy picked me up and held me close, and I felt much better!

I can't believe how turning a year older really makes a difference!  I feel stronger and wiser, and ready to learn more and more this new year of my life!!!!  :D

Bye-Bye Paci... I will miss you!!

So, I've been clean for close to 3 days now.

I went to bed without my paci on Wednesday night.  It was pretty easy, actually... for Mommy anyways.  I didn't put up a fight.  Since I can't tell her what I want, I didn't want to give her a hard time by crying about it.  It took me a little while to fall asleep, but I managed.  After a couple of hours I woke up looking for it in my bed, like I sometimes have to do.  When it wasn't there like I expected, I cried, and Mommy came rushing in with it.  That made me a happy camper!  BUT... that's the last I've seen of it!  I have slept through Thursday and Friday nights without it and Thursday Friday (and currently Saturday) naps without it!  Mommy has hidden them from me.  I'm even having a hard time finding sissy's to steal!  If I know Mommy, she has put them some place for safe keeping.  I think it was harder for her, than for me, to say Bye-Bye to the last item that made me "baby-like."  I'm a full blown toddler now!! ;)

Just ONE MORE WEEK and I will be TWO!!

Today is World Wide Day of Play, so Mommy and Daddy took me and Wren to the Children's Discovery Museum to play!  I hadn't been there since last October for Edyn's birthday, so I was able to do A LOT more, than before!  I had SOOOOOO MUCH FUN!  I can't wait until I can go back!  My favorite spot was at the water table!  I love to splash in water!  I also loved running up the ramp to the theater stage and down the ramp on the other side.  I did that about 30 times back and forth! I enjoy running! Mommy, Daddy, Wren and I also went into this dark room where our shadows were cast onto the wall with pretty colors.  We danced, and our shadows danced too!! :D  Mommy said next year, when Wren is old enough to play, we might be able to get a pass to go over and over!  She said that would be a good Christmas gift for someone to get me! ;) ;)

I hope you too enjoy this World Wide Day of PLAY!! :D


Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention that my last 4 teeth have officially popped through.  It's been pretty painful, but Mommy is always there with my medicine to help me deal with it!  I will be so glad when they are ALL the way through, and in place.... I know Mommy and Daddy feel the same! 

The replacement... HA HA Mommy can't take this away!!

Super Why makes me HAPPY!  I can't wait for my PARTY next Saturday!!

Afraid of heights!

On Saturday, we celebrated Aunt Robin's 49th birthday, and went to the Morton Pumpkin Festival.  Since we went to Golden Corral for Robin's birthday dinner, and Morton is on the way to Peoria, we went to the Festival before hand.  We found there are WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE for the size of Morton's venue.  When we arrived, Mommy wanted to get me on some rides, since I liked them so much at Danver's Days.  Well, the first ride (some crazy caterpillar coaster) was kinda fun... it just went 'round and 'round... no big deal.

Action shot..

Then, when we got off of that, Mommy had some crazy idea that I would like going slowly up HIGH INTO THE AIR in a rickety old seat.  Daddy took me on the Ferris Wheel.  Daddy knew as we were walking up to get on and I was pulling at him in the other direction, that I did not want to get on, but MOMMY thought I would like it once it got moving.  Well... I DID NOT LIKE IT!  Apparently, I am afraid of heights!  I will never ride that ride again!  Daddy tried to comfort me, but sorry Daddy, there was nothing that was going to make me happy, except getting off that ride!  Mommy tried to get the guy to stop the ride to get me off, but just as she asked he said he was getting ready to stop it... only, he stopped us at the VERY TOP!  It took forever for the people to get off and new people to get on.  Mommy was not happy that the guy wouldn't bring us down... he said he had to go in order, or the system gets off.  As angry as I was that I had to be on that ride longer than I ever wanted to, I was just happy to get off and into Mommy's arms!  She promises she won't get me on a ride again, unless I am excited about it.

I have been sick for the last couple of days, as my last 4 teeth are coming in.  I had a fever on Monday that got worse in the night.  I was up with Mommy till midnight as she tried to make me feel comfortable.  I felt awful, but spending that time with Mommy was nice.  She made me as relaxed as she could! My temperature peaked at 103 around 10pm, but was back to 100 yesterday morning, and I've been better since yesterday afternoon!  I am glad the fever is gone, but now both me and Mommy have colds.  I have a sore throat and runny nose... making it hard for me to want to eat.  Mommy says I will feel better again really soon!

Mommy let me play with the ipad in her and Daddy's bed while I had my fever.

At Golden Corral.  Mommy had Taysia sit in front of her... not realizing she would be blocking Wren.  We were staring into the sun, so I'm the only smart one that chose to look away! ;)

Almost 2!

I am almost 2 years old!  I must say, I already feel like I am.  I had a play date with my friend Inez on Saturday.  She is one smart girl!  She is fearless and taught me quite a bit about being independent in a few short hours!  I hope I get to hang out with her again soon, we had so much fun!  She taught me that I don't have to rely on Mommy and Daddy for everything.  As long as I'm confident, I can do more than I (and Mommy and Daddy) think I can!!

I am now climbing up the ladder to my slide in the backyard all on my own!! (Mommy or Daddy stands behind me just in case).  I am still not talking.  Don't ask why, because you won't get an answer from me. ;)  I really don't need to talk anyways, because now I've figured out if I grab someones hand and pull... they will drop what they are doing and follow me!  I often lead them to the fridge for a drink or to the door to let them know I want to go outside.  If the door doesn't get the point across, I go get my shoes!  That usually does the trick! :D

The ipad is still my go-to form of entertainment!  There is just sooooo much that I can explore on there.  It's a lot of fun!!

This weekend we are headed to the Morton Pumpkin Festival!  I am looking forward to riding some rides with Mommy like I did at Danver's Days!  I also hear they have some yummy food too!! :)

Here's some eye candy for you!  Until next time..... :)

Me and Mommy at the Labor Day Parade!

Me and Daddy at the Parade!

I was not happy about sharing my chair!

My new robe!! :)

A little bit of everything...

Gramps was in town last week!  He lives in Reno, Nevada, but he came to visit with us and to see Wren for the first time.  He had met me 3 times before, but this is the first time we were able to play together!  Everyone thought I might be shy around him at first, but they were wrong.  I took him by the hand and led him into my toy room soon after he arrived! :)
(Daddy took pictures of us together on his phone.  I will have him post them later!)


I'm still busy perfecting my ipad skills!  I'm now able to lay down and hold it using only my feet!  Mommy couldn't find her camera earlier to take a picture of it, but she will try to take one later.  It's pretty awesome!! :D  (And no... Mommy and Daddy aren't THRILLED with all my ipad usage... but hey!  It's so FUN!!)

Chelsea is still coming over once a week to play with me!  I've mustered up the ability to say "Whee."  I know... "GO ME!" ;)  She is planning to make picture cards for me to hold up when I want something... instead of me whining for it. 

So... I guess I love my baby sister.  She is always fussy and steals Mommy away from me, but she is pretty cute!  Yesterday, Mommy caught me smiling at her twice... she wasn't supposed to see, but Mommy notices everything!!

Last weekend we found out that Auntie Erica and Jamie are going to have a baby girl.  I don't know how I feel about the news... Auntie Erica and I were hoping for a boy for me to grow up with... but I guess Daddy had to grow up with a bunch of girls and he turned out fine, so I guess I will just be like Daddy!  Mommy and Nana are excited that they were right.  Mommy looks forward to Wren and Kinley growing up together.  I'm glad Wren will have someone to play with, so she doesn't play with me and my big boy toys! :D

Nana's birthday was yesterday, and we had a surprise party for her on Friday night.  She was surprised... if just a little... :)

Happy Birthday, Nana!  Love you!


Mommy just bought a couple of things for my birthday party, yesterday!  I can't wait to turn 2! :D

Two new women in my life!

It's been almost a month since my last post... sorry about that, but we were so busy last month, with Wren's arrival and all.  It took some adjusting, but I have grown to love my baby sister in the last couple of weeks.  She is pretty and tiny... and I especially love her pacifers!  Hers are different than mine... I think mama needs to buy me some like those!!! ;)
Lately, I have been perfecting my navigation skills on the ipad!  I now only need help from Mommy and Daddy when turning it on!!  Which allows me more freedom and Mommy and Daddy get a little time to do the things they want/need to do.  I could play on my ipad all day if they would let me, but sadly they only let me play for a little at a time... :/
I actually have TWO new women in my life!  Over the last couple of weeks I have begun speech therapy with my teacher, Chelsea!  She comes to my house to play with me... working on sounds, using "modeling" techniques, to hopefully get me repeating soon.  If only I could tell everyone what I'm up to... Hehe!  But... I just love Chelsea!!  She is really sweet to me, like Mommy, and is really fun to play with, like Daddy!  With those great qualities, it's impossible not to love her!! :)  When she leaves, I always give her a hug, but yesterday... I insisted on a kiss! (She offered her cheek, but I didn't stop till I got the side of her lips!) ;) Hehe!
I will be 22 months in a few days.  Mommy is getting sad thinking about the fact that I will be a 2 year old soon.  She has already begun a list of stuff she will need to get or make for my Super Why themed birthday party!  I can't wait to see what all Mommy comes up with for the party... she always does her best to make things unique and special just for me! :D
Well, now that Wren has her own blog, Mommy won't be spamming my blog with all of HER details anymore!  Thank goodness! :)

This was taken after I had fallen asleep in the hospital the night of July 17th (the day Wren was born).  Mommy sneaked Wren into the picture for a cute photo op! (I will admit it is a pretty cute picture...)

Side note:  Daddy is in California right now for work.  He left yesterday and won't be back until Monday night.  We miss him so much and can't wait to go pick him up from the airport!!!  (Oh yeah, and Daddy, if you are reading this... you better bring me home something good!) ;)

Happy 4th of July!

Yesterday was a lot of fun!  We went to Anderson pool in the morning... we stayed for quite awhile... I even took a lil snooze!  I just LOVE swimming with Mommy and Daddy!!  When we got home, I got a nice warm bath and took a late nap so that I could stay up to watch the fireworks!!  Mommy and Daddy napped too!

Last night we stayed home to see if we could see the fireworks from our backyard... and WE CAN!  They were pretty and sparkly!  :)

Swinging in the backyard before the fireworks!

Mommy and Daddy got me this cool light up toy!!

Watching the fireworks!!

I wish I could see these every night!

This thing is cool!!

Hi Mommy!

We could see Fairview's fireworks really well!

SPARKLY!!

Happy 4th of July!!