Shopping and dinner with Grandma, Chachi, and Aunt Erin

Nov 14 - Today I woke up around 7am which was pretty early for going to bed almost at 10pm last night. I was just ready to get the day started I guess. After breakfast and playtime Mommy was ready to get out of the house. Daddy decided to join us. So all three of us headed out. I napped in the car. I woke up when we got to the bank where Mommy deposited a couple of checks. Then we drove to the Verizon store where Mommy got a new phone. She told me that I wasn't allowed to play with her new phone (let's see how long that rule lasts, hehe) and that I could play with her old phone all I wanted now (Yay!).

Next it was off to Babies R Us. Mommy and Daddy got me a bath tub faucet cover so I don't bump my head and a bath tub toy bag so that my toys can hang up and dry after bath time. They also let me try a really cool walker. It had all kinds of buttons to push and handle bars to hold on to. But it was really expensive and Mommy thought that it would set me back since I am so close to walking now anyway. So we put it back. But when we got over to the bath toys and I saw Grumpy Bear the Carebear Daddy gave it to me. When Mommy warned that I was going to put it in my mouth he said that it was ok cause we were going to buy it. I was glad cause I really liked Grumpy Bear and chewed on him the rest of the store. We got a few more things and then checked out. Daddy gave me Grumpy Bear in the car to play while he ran into Petsmart to get kitty litter and Mommy played with her new phone. Then it was a quick trip through the Wendy's drive-thru and then headed home. I slept in the car.

We weren't home for way too long before we got back in the car and went over to Grandma and Chachi's house. Aunt Erin was there too. I actually reached out for Chachi to pick me up twice and I didn't cry at him. He showed me the singing Billy Bass fish and we played on the table. He also tried to let me pet Tom the kitty. Grandma, Mommy and I played with the rattle ball in the kitchen. They watched me bat it all around the kitchen and watched as I would go under the table and through the chairs to get to it. I chased that ball everywhere for a long time. Aunt Erin also played with me. She told Mommy that I was a really good eater for her the last time I was over there and Mommy and Daddy went to the hockey game. She also told us that she would come over and see us tomorrow since she is taking the whole week off of work.

We all really enjoyed spending time together but it was 8pm and I was getting really tired. I cried on the way home since I was so sleepy. We got inside and Mommy fed me really quickly and Daddy got the bath tub ready. I got to play with Grumpy Bear as Mommy washed me and Daddy read me a story. Then dressed for bed and asleep in no time.

More organizing and more leaves

Nov 13 - Today was Saturday. Since Daddy had to go to school Mommy and I stayed home again. We have been taking it easy recently. But since Mommy and Daddy got so much organizing done yesterday I guess she wanted to continue. So we hung out in my room a lot, going through all my clothes in my dresser. Mommy put stuff that was getting small on me into boxes so it could go up into the attic too. I played with the boxes and the piles of clothes.

Then we went out to the living room and we started to go through the clothes that Aunt Lynn gave us that Aidan and Gavin used to wear. That is where we were when Daddy got home. He sat with us for a little while but I started to get cranky so we all went out to the family room and I took a nap.

When I woke up Daddy had gone outside to burn more leaves. We had to go outside and keep him company so we got dressed and joined him. I watched the doggies run around the house and I watched the fire again. It was pretty dark but if you look closely you can see the giant pile of leaves and the burn barrel in the background.

Then we all went inside and watched the hockey game. I went to sleep before it was over.

Getting into everything

Nov 12 - Today was a home day. Mommy and I kinda just took it easy most of the day, just doing our regular thing. I let Mommy clean up the family room and watched as she vacuumed. When Daddy got home they talked about getting to some of the stuff that is in the living room and maybe putting some of it upstairs in the attic. So Mommy gathered some stuff and Daddy got the ladder to get upstairs. Mommy put me in the swing in the living room so I could see what was going on but so I would also be out of the way and wouldn't get hurt. It was also time for my nap so Mommy gave me my blanket and took a quick catnap.

Once I woke up and they were done with organizing stuff, I got free reign of the house again. I explored the kitchen. I really like to open the cabinets. They have safety latches on them but I can still open them just enough to make them bang.

I also got into the games under the tv stand. I found one of the Wii games instruction books and started to read it. Apparently it was really funny because I laughed a lot while reading it.

The only other thing of note today was that Mommy found that I cut my seventh tooth. It is on the bottom and to the left of the middle teeth. Can you believe I have seven teeth and my friend James doesn't even have one yet? I will be eating steak in no time.

Oh and one other thing. I had some kind of crazy reaction to something. I got the worst diaper rash ever. I wasn't crying or complaining when I was playing on the floor but when Mommy went to change me before bed I was in pain! It didn't feel good when she was wiping me and I cried and tried to block her with my hands. Daddy came in to see what was wrong and saw the rash. He tried to calm me down and told me it was ok as he held my hands so Mommy could finish up. She put some cream on me and that did help a little. I don't know what started it. Maybe the Vanilla custard and banana mix I had for breakfast. We will have to watch out for that.

Yard work

Nov 11 - Today was a special day - Veteran's Day. Mommy told me today is a day when we honor all the soldiers that fought for our country. Because it is a holiday, Daddy got to stay home from work. I always love to spend more time with him.

Daddy had a lot of energy today and was determined to get the yard looking better. So he went outside and started cleaning up the carport and then started on raking the lawn. Mommy thought it would be a good thing to get outside and enjoy the sunny day so Mommy dressed me in my thick snow suit jumper and we went out to help Daddy.

Daddy raked a square of grass so it was clear of leaves, sticks, and dog poop. I sat there and just entertained myself with picking up pieces of grass and inspecting them. Then Daddy started the burn barrel in the back yard and Mommy started to rake a big pile of leaves near me. I watched the pile get bigger and bigger til I couldn't take it anymore and had to get closer. I got to the edge of the pile and would pick up one leaf and inspect that as Mommy made the pile get even bigger. Then Daddy came and took the rake from Mommy for a little while. She didn't want to wait around for Daddy to give it back so she picked me up and we went next door to borrow Ms. Donna's rake. Ms. Donna was happy to see us. She showed us her new kitchen floor which looked really nice. Mommy asked to borrow the rake but Ms. Donna had something much better. She had a lawn sweeper! It was this big attachment that goes on the back of the riding lawn mower that sweeps the leaves into a big container. So Daddy drove the riding lawn mower over, hooked it up, and off he went. He got all the leaves in the yard, front and back, into a huge pile then went around again and cut the grass and the sweeper put all the grass into the container and that went in the pile. Now it was time to start burning all off this stuff.

At this time I was starting to get hungry and tired so Mommy and I came inside. We ate and napped for a few hours. When I woke up, Daddy was still outside. I watched him from the sliding glass doors. He had the hose and was spraying the ground so that it wouldn't catch on fire. When he saw me watching him he sprayed the door. It made me laugh and I started banging on the door with glee. So we went back out for a little bit and watched the fire. It was pretty but Mommy kept me far from it.

It was time to get back inside. We played and ate some more. Mommy gave me one of my apple flavored wagon wheels. They are so good.

Then it was hockey time. The Caps played the Lightning and it was an awesome game. Aunt Erin was at the game with Grandma and Aidan and I bet they had a great time. Then it was time for bed.

Mommy, I had an accident

At about 5:30am this morning I called out for Mommy. My diaper was really, really wet and it leaked and I was cold. She came in and changed my diaper and my outfit and then tried to rock me back to sleep in the glider. Even though I was really tired I didn't want to fall asleep that way so once Daddy got up for work Mommy took me back to bed with her. I nursed for a little while and then fell asleep in her arms all nice a warm under the covers.

When I woke up it was so nice to see Mommy's smiling face at me. It was also nice to see Osiris. He had curled up close to me and I was able to pet him. It was about 8:30am when we woke up.

We came out to the family room and ate some more and played. I took my morning nap around 10:30am and slept until about noon. Mommy and I got ready and left the house. We saw Ms. Donna as we were about to get in the car. We hadn't seen her for a while and talked to her a few minutes. She seems like she is doing well. She was on her way to get a massage and was happy to get some renovations done on the house. Mommy said we would have to come over and see everything when it is all done. After Ms. Donna kissed me goodbye Mommy and I jumped in the car and headed to group.

A new little girl named Violet was at group today. She is 8 months old. She had a rattle that I wanted to play with but Mommy gave me my rattle (which was exactly the same rattle as Violet had, just a different color) and told me not to take hers. We sat looking at each other for a little while. Then everyone else started to come. Lily, Eleanor, James, Briscoe, Caleb, Hunter, and Anna all got there and we all socialized. It was so much fun. I weighed in at 16lbs 4oz. Ms. Betty asked if I was walking yet. Mommy said no but that I am standing more without support. I decided to show her. I used one of the little step stools that Ms. Betty sells and stood up and let go. Ms. Betty got close to me and put out her hands and told me to come to her. I looked at her and thought about it but then sat back down on my bottom. Ms. Betty said "soon." We said our goodbyes and got in the car to go home.

I slept in the car and woke up when Mommy got me out of the car. We came inside, said hi to Daddy, and then ate vegetable beef and sweet potato and corn. It was time to play. I played with a bunch of toys from my toy box and found Sophie. I also played with the large toy car that I can sit on and will one day be able to move by my feet. And I also tried to play with the tv stand but Mommy and Daddy kept telling me "NO!" They would move me away but I would go right back. I would cry a little but they wouldn't budge. I guess it didn't help when I knocked over the Wii.

Then it was time to eat again and get dressed for bed. I went to sleep around 8:45pm. Hopefully no accidents tonight.

Braving the slide

This morning I woke up around 6:30am. After breakfast and play time Mommy tried to get me to take a nap. I wouldn't settle down enough to go to sleep. Mommy didn't want me to be cranky during story time so we left the house early so I would sleep in the car. Mommy woke me up at the library.

Today's theme was pirates. They had a pirate ship and an octopus in the story room and we saw treasure. Caylee, Noah, Sam, and I crawled around during story time and had a good time. I really enjoyed holding my two blackbirds today. When story time was over we went out to the kids section and played a bit longer. I took about 10 books off the shelf but Mommy said that we still had books checked out so we didn't get any of them. I played on the boat a little and then watched Noah and Caylee move the table and chairs around.

After the library Mommy and I met Gavin and Aunt Lynn at the park. Mommy fed me fruit and oatmeal in the carseat and then dressed me in my thick snow suit so I wouldn't be cold. I wasn't cold but it was a little hard to move. First, I sat on the ground and played with woodchips. Then I climbed the stairs of the equipment up to the tunnels. Then I wanted to go down the slide so Mommy sat me at the top of the slide and with out holding me but hovering in case I toppled she let me inch to the edge and slide down. I liked it so I did it again and again. We also got on the merry go round and the swings. I love the swings - big smiles and giggles when I am in the swing. I had a good time hanging with my cuz. I said goodbye to Aunt Lynn as she buckled me into my carseat and Mommy said goodbye to Gavin as she buckled him in.

We went home and had more food. I tried vegetable beef today. I liked it. When Daddy got home I went to him and hugged him. The three of us hung out on the dining room floor and talked. I even stood up for my own for a long time so Daddy could see. Daddy even decided to help Mommy out and give her a break while he fed me my dinner. I was really good for him and ate it all. He told me that I was really good. After eating it was time for a bath. Daddy read a story about a circus dog to me while Mommy cleaned me.

We got dressed for bed and then I played a little longer. As you know, I really like playing with Mommy's cell phone. I was playing with it and managed to call the house number because the phone rang and the caller ID said "Mommy's Cell" was calling. Mommy cracked up laughing and Daddy picked up the phone and tried to talk to me but I didn't want to put the phone up to my ear and talk back. I went to bed around 8:30pm.

Ok Mommy, its official, I do NOT like bananas!

Nov 8 - Today was a hang out at home day. We woke up this morning and did the usual thing. Mommy wanted to do some stuff around the house but I wanted to nap and play with her a lot today. We were back in my room and Mommy was playing with my lamb when we heard Daddy come home early. He came and said hi to me and then told me that he was really tired and needed to take a nap. So he went into his room and sleep for a while.

Meanwhile, Mommy fed me in my highchair and then gave me one of my apple flavored wagon wheels while she did the dishes. I got bored pretty quick and had her free me. I didn't want her doing anything but pay attention to me today and so I cried and grabbed at her pants leg. She finally stopped and let me take another nap in her lap. Apparently while I was sleeping Daddy left for school.

When I woke up Mommy told me that she was determined to get some chores done. I followed her as she put all the clean clothes away and finished the dishes and cleaned the rest of the kitchen. It wasn't as much as she wanted to get done but it was a vast improvement.

It was time to eat again and Mommy gave me turkey and rice and carrots. I ate all that. Then Mommy said that we should try something. She said that she knew I didn't like the Gerber bananas and that might be because they are too ripe. So when we were at the grocery store yesterday she picked up two bananas to try. So she peeled a banana and let me hold it. Then she let me take a small nibble. I wasn't really sure yet if I liked it or not. Mommy took a bite to show me how it was done. So I followed her cue and took a bite (probably too big of a bite). I tried to chew it but between the texture, the taste, and the large piece I started to make gagging sounds and tried to spit it out. Mommy helped getting it out of my mouth. Then she tried one last attempt by taking very very small pieces and giving them to me. I didn't want to eat them or even touch them! Yuck! Mommy, please take the hint, I don't like bananas.

Daddy had text Mommy that she should order from Heavenly Chicken tonight for dinner because he wanted ribs. So she did and when the delivery guy came and the dogs barked and I cried. I played a bit longer so that I would be awake when Daddy came home. I was really happy to see him and crawled over to him. Shortly after that it was time for bed.

Let's Go Caps, well sorta

Nov 7 - Shortly after breakfast this morning Mommy packed me up and the two of us went grocery shopping. We needed to since the refrigerator was pretty bare. It wasn't a quick trip but we got lots of food for me. After we got home and Mommy and Daddy unpacked all the groceries while I sat on the kitchen floor watching them and every time they opened the fridge crawling over to it to stand up and start banging on the bins inside.

For hours the three of us hung out, playing, napping, and eating. I wasn't my usual happy self today, I have to say. I was pretty cranky and Mommy didn't really know if I was going to be up for the Caps game. But we would give it a try and if we had to leave early then so be it. Once it got around 4:15 or so we all headed out. We got down to DC and parked in the garage. Then we walked the couple of blocks to the Verizon Center to see the Caps play the Flyers. We were late for the game and missed the first ten minutes of the first period but I was ready to rock the red. I sat with Mommy and took everything in. I didn't even flinch when the Caps scored the first goal and the big horn went off and everyone started screaming. At the first intermission, Daddy, Mommy and I went out to the concourse to give me a change in scenery. We hung out by the Volkswagen memory game where all the colors blink when you touch them. Mommy let me crawl around on the game for a little while to release some energy. Another little boy came and crawled around on the game too.

Then it was time to go back for the second period. I sat with Mommy for a little while watching the game until it was time to eat. Mommy cradled me in her arms and gave me a bottle. I started to get really relaxed and then the Caps scored again. I was so startled that I started to cry. Mommy calmed me down but I wasn't as happy as before. I sat with Daddy for the rest of the second period and he clapped his hands and bounced me around. I started to tell Mommy and Daddy that I was getting tired (no one told me about day light savings time so I thought it was getting to be bedtime). I managed to make it through the rest of the game but, boy, was I the most unhappy Caps fan in the building when we scored in OT. It wasn't that I didn't want the Caps to win, I just didn't want the horn to go off again and for everyone to jump up screaming. It scared me again and made me cry again. Before leaving the Verizon Center Mommy took me into the bathroom and changed me into my sleeper so that I didn't have to wake up to change at home. I fell asleep in no time in the car.

Eleanor playdate and McDonalds fun

Nov 6 - We started today with the usual breakfast, playtime, and nap. When I woke up Mommy said we were running late and we hurried and got dressed. We jumped in the car and drove over to Eleanor's house. Mr. Bryan gave Mommy a hard time about wearing a Caps shirt (he claims to be a Penguins fan even though he doesn't know anything about hockey) but it was all in fun. We went inside and down stairs where Mr. Bryan had set up the play yard set up or as Mommy so lovingly referred to it - the cage. Eleanor and I sat in the play yard and played with a few toys as Mommy and Ms. Denise sat with us. Mommy kept telling me to be careful with Eleanor because she didn't want me to crawl on her and hurt her. I just wanted to play.

Mommy and Ms. Denise tried to get some sewing done but I did not want to be in the cage. I stood at the edge of the cage that was nearest Mommy and just screamed. So they took a break and Eleanor and I had lunch. Then Mr. Bryan brought back pizza. Mommy gave me a little of the soft doughy part of the crust. Then I roamed around getting into everything from playing with the springy doorstop to crawling under the changing table that they have downstairs to braving the large wooden staircase (which Mommy was right behind me the whole time just in case). I got half way up and then decided I was done and jumped into Mommy's arms. She said that it was good practice and I did very well.

We all went back downstairs and they tried sewing again with the same result of me screaming that I wanted out of the cage. Finally, Mommy got the hint and we said our goodbyes to Mr. Bryan, Ms. Denise, and Eleanor. I slept on the way home and then most of the way to McDonald's where Mommy, Daddy, and I met up with Grandmommy and Granddaddy. They were very happy to see me. Mommy fed me and changed me quickly before Mommy and Daddy said goodbye to me so they could go see a movie with some friends. Grandmommy gave me my bottle and Granddaddy played with me. They tried taking some pictures of me crawling along the counter and banging on the window but the camera was set to take movies not pictures. Its okay because we had a great time. I ate all my fruit for Grandmommy and was overall a really good boy.

Granddaddy was holding me up to the window so I could bang on it. As I was banging I saw Mommy and Daddy on the other side of the window. I got really excited that they were back but when they walked away I started to cry; I didn't want them to leave again. But they were just coming inside the store. Mommy picked me up and hugged me and kissed me. She missed me and was very pleased that I was so good for Grandmommy and Granddaddy. We said our goodbyes and drove home. After a little play time it was time to crash.

Water Baby

Nov 5 - This morning after my nap Mommy had us rushing to get all of our stuff together because we were running late for plans with Aunt Lynn, Aidan, and Gavin. The trio and Mommy and I were supposed to be meeting around 11:30am at the indoor pool in Prince Frederick but my nap ran late so we were hurrying to make it on time. Its ok cause Aunt Lynn was running late too. We got to the pool first and Mommy let me explore the pool lobby. I crawled around and stood up by the window and banged on the glass. I also talked to the lady behind the counter; she said I reminded her of her grandson.

When the trio got there we all headed down to the locker room, got changed into our bathing suits and headed out to the deck. We picked up two life jackets for Aidan and Gavin and walked over to the kiddie pool. Aidan thought the pool was awesome and got really excited about all the slides. Gavin wasn't as excited at first. We started by playing with the water geysers on the ramp into the kiddie pool. Then we all went over to the big floating snake. Gavin really wasn't happy and looked like he wanted to get out. Aidan started going down the slides. He really liked it and it looked really fun so Mommy decided to try it with me. We got up to the top of the slide and I sat on her lap and then down we went and as we reached the bottom Mommy lifted me in the air so that water didn't get in my face. I survived! I didn't get scared or cry but I wasn't laughing either. Gavin must have thought, "well if he can do it..." because he got out of the water, walked up the steps to the slide all by himself, sat down and inched to the edge and down he went. He then immediately went over to the ladder and did it again, and again, and again. He started to turn himself around on go down on his belly so that he wouldn't get splashed in the face. He is smart.

So Aidan, Gavin, and I (with the help of Mommy of course) went down the slides a bunch of times; over and over again. We even raced because two of the slides are side by side. We tried the froggy slide once but it was a little small for Mommy. And we tried the purple slide which actually made me smile because we went bump at the bottom. Anyway, after getting in and out of the water to go down the slides I was getting pretty cold and Mommy said my lips turned purple. So Mommy and I took a break from the kiddie pool and walked down to the therapy pool which is much warmer. They have a bench seat in the water and Mommy sat down and I put my head on her chest and let my feet float. I was so calm and serene and just relaxed in the nice warm water. We watched some of the older people do their water therapy and some of them told me that I was such a good baby and couldn't believe how much I liked the water. After a little relaxing Mommy and I walked around the therapy pool. I would kick my feet and splash a little. The people would say things like "he is all ready to start swimming" and "oh, look at him kicking his legs. he is going to be a good swimmer." Mommy just beamed with pride.

Here are some pictures of Aidan and Gavin going down the slides. Mommy and I were taking the pictures.

Mommy and I headed back over to the kiddie pool to dry off. I had a bottle and told Mommy that I was getting tired. Gavin was just about ready for a nap too but poor Aidan wanted to stay and continue going down slides. He got to go a few more times but then we had to go. The trio and I went into the locker room where Mommy gave me a quick shower and got me dressed. Then I sat in Gavin's stroller and played with Aidan as everyone else got dressed. We said goodbye to the trio for a few hours so Mommy and I could go home eat and nap.

Once I woke up from my nap it was time to head over to Aunt Lynn's place to hang out with all the cousins, Uncle Sean, Aunt Erin, Grandma, and Chachi. I said goodbye to Mommy and Daddy because they were going to the Caps game. While I stayed with the cousins I played with Gavin in his room, I ate all my food that Mommy left me, I watched some of the Caps game on tv, I took a bottle from Grandma, and fell asleep with Aunt Lynn. I hope I wasn't too fussy for them but man, was it a long day!

Sea Adventure

Nov 4 - This morning after the regular morning routine it was time to get moving on what we will refer to as our "Sea Adventure." It all started a few day before when cousin Aidan kept telling Aunt Lynn he wanted to go to the sea. So Aunt Lynn and Mommy came up with a plan to go to the DC aquarium and see fish from the sea.

After my morning nap we were ready to go. Aunt Lynn met us at our house with Aidan and Gavin in the backseat. We jumped in our car and Aunt Lynn followed us to the metro. We had some trouble finding parking spots but we made it. We got on the metro. Mommy let me out of the stroller so I could look out the window again. I really enjoyed that. Mommy and Aunt Lynn counted with Aidan the number of stops til we got to our destination at Federal Triangle. Once we got off we got a little turned around trying to find the aquarium and got a little wet in the rain.

We found the aquarium and once we got a little dried off in the bathroom it was time to visit the sea. We started at the piranha tank where the fish lady was going to feed them. We all sat on the floor to watch but I started to fuss so Mommy and I got up and stood in the back. When the piranha were done eating we visited the alligator tank. Aidan, Gavin, and I all stood up against the glass to looked in. Then we moved around looking at eel, frogs, sharks, and one gigantic turtle. After we were done with the fish we hung out in this hands on exhibit with this big wheel. Aidan would spin it and I would just laugh and laugh.

Here are some pictures of some of the things we saw:

colorful tank

spotted sting ray

porcupine fish

catfish

electric eel

seahorses

cute little gecko

smiling shark

leopard shark

After we were done there it was across the street to the food court for lunch. Then back on the metro to head home. I slept on the metro and so did Gavin. Then it was home for more food, a little playtime with Daddy and then bedtime. It was an awesome Sea Adventure.