Lunch with Mr. Rashaad

This morning I slept in til about 8:30am. When I woke up I was happy and played in my crib for a little while. When Mommy came in I got so excited I started to wave my arms in the air and squeal. She was happy to see me too and thanked me for sleeping in.

After a regular morning of play we got ready to go to lunch to meet Mr. Rashaad. We were in such a rush Mommy forgot her camera at home. I napped in the car. I woke up and saw Mr. Rashaad peeking in a me through the window. I always give him funny looks. We were at TGI Fridays. I sat in a highchair like a big boy the whole meal and was very well behaved. Mommy fed me carrots and puffs and I even had some water too. I was memorized by the Halloween decorations hanging from the ceiling, especially the skull hanging above our table. One of the waitresses walked by and told me that was was a cutie and I smiled at her. She started to walk away and I turned and called her back. She came back and I flirted with her some more.

After the meal, we all went over to BJ's, that big warehouse superstore. It was pretty big and stuff was everywhere. I sat in the cart and talked with Mommy as she pushed me around. Then she fed me a bottle before we checked out. Mr. Rashaad carried me out of the store and the looks that I was giving him made Mommy really wish she had her camera. I really enjoy spending time with him. After getting everything in the car I said goodbye to Mr. Rashaad and told Mommy to get me home so I could get another nap.

I made it the whole way home without falling asleep. We got inside and after a quick meal I started to fall asleep as Daddy got home. When I woke up I was ready for play time. I explored the house and played with Mommy and Daddy on the floor. Mommy played with my blue ball and tossed it to me and it made me giggle. Then I watched Mommy and Daddy play on the Wii. I love watching the play together. They are so happy and it makes me happy.

Then it was time for hockey. The Caps were playing the Wild. We were on the carpet with the doggies as we watch the game. Mommy laid down on Apollo and I laid down on Mommy. I didn't get to watch the whole game but I was close. I went to bed around 9pm.

Halloween group

Oct 27 - When Mommy came and got me from my room this morning she told me that she had a surprise for me out in the family room. It was Daddy. He stayed home from work today. I was so excited to see him.

It was a pretty quite morning at home. Just playing and napping. Daddy played his computer game until it was time for Mommy and me to get ready for group. Daddy held me for a few minutes as Mommy got our stuff ready then we said goodbye.

Group was fun today. Everyone brought their costumes to show off.

James was NASCAR driver Jimmy Johnson


Finn was a kangaroo


Robby was a vampire bat


Nathan was a giraffe


David was a monkey


Hunter was a skeleton


and of course, me in my elephant costume

We all had a great time playing too. I shared my nesting balls again and everyone went wild for them. And I got to sit with Ms. Betty too. I love her, she is so nice!

Mommy also made pumpkin cookie for all the mommies. I really wanted to try one but Mommy said no. :( Oh and I weighed in at 15lbs 15oz again this week. Maybe I would have gained some weight if I had a cookie.

Since Ms. Nicole and David got to come to group today and we rarely get to see them anymore Mommy and I invited them back to our play for a quick playdate. When we got home I was so tired and cranky and needing a nap but wouldn't settle down for one. Mommy put me down in my crib and I lost it! I wanted to be out in the family room with David playing, not napping. But Mommy knew I needed a nap. So I made it a short one - maybe 20-30mins. When I woke up Mommy brought me out to the family room and I played for a few minutes with David before he had to go.

Mommy and I hung out, made dinner and went to sleep before Daddy got home from school.

Halloween themed story time

Oct 26 - I woke up this morning and after breakfast and a little play it was time to get ready for story time. As we were getting me dressed on my changing table we got a pleasant surprise, Grandmommy came for a visit. I was very happy to see her. Apparently she and Mommy planned for her to come over today. So we all got in the car together and went to the library.

Today's theme was Halloween, of course, so Mommy put me in my "My Mummy is the Best" shirt that has a mummy on it. The librarian saw it and shared it with the group. A few other kids had Halloween themed shirts on too and a couple even wore their costumes. I had fun crawling around on the carpet during story time but I came back to Mommy when it was time for the songs that we do together. I even sat in Grandmommy's lap for Open, Shut Them. Grandmommy hadn't done that one before but she is a quick learner and with Mommy's help she did great.

After story time was over I played with Caylee and Sam and picked a couple of books. We didn't stay for very long because I was getting tired and we still had to run a few errands before coming home. So we all left the library after checking out our four books and went to Panera to grab lunch for Mommy and Grandmommy. Then I stayed in the car as Mommy ran into Petco to get dog and cat food. I wasn't sure if I was alone or not so I called out to see if anyone was there and Grandmommy answered me. We talked the rest of the time till Mommy came back.

We headed home and I fell asleep in the car. I woke up as soon as we got home. That was a very short nap. I hung out with Grandmommy while Mommy started to clean a little. Daddy got home shortly after. I sat with him while Mommy and Grandmommy folded laundry then I got more Grandmommy time while Mommy vacuumed. After Mommy stopped making so much noise Daddy decided to take a nap and I thought that was a great idea so I told Mommy I wanted to take one too. So we said goodbye to Grandmommy and Mommy put me to sleep.

When I woke up it was hanging out, eating, and playing. That was pretty much it for the evening.

King of the park

This morning I woke up around 8am. Mommy and I had did the normal routine of breakfast and playtime. Then we both got dressed and got in the car to go to the park. We were supposed to meet up with Caylee and Sam but they didn't show. That is okay because Mommy and I had a great time anyway. When we got there, we were the only ones. So Mommy and I went over to the little play area and I played in tunnels. I did even more than I did the last time. I started at one tunnel, then climbed up a few stairs, then into another tunnel and then down the slide. Of course, Mommy was there behind me the whole time, even in the tunnel! She wanted to make sure that I didn't hurt myself. After playing there for a while Mommy let me get in the swing. I loved it! I held on to the chains like a big boy and just enjoyed going back and forth.

Coming out of the tunnel

Climbing the stair to the other tunnel

Trying to climb up the tunnel slide

We only stayed at the park for 40 mins because I needed to take a nap. We got home and I fell asleep quickly. When I woke up, I played a little while Mommy talked on the phone to Grandmommy. Then Mommy and I got back in the car and went to the post office to buy stamps and mail a few bills. Mommy wanted me to help her hold the bills while she got the change back in her pocket but I dropped one envelope on the floor and started to crinkle the other one. Mommy was not pleased.

Back in the car and home again. I ate my veggie mix (peas, carrots, and spinach) and had apples for desert. Mommy wanted to get some stuff done so she left me in the highchair and wheeled me down the hall, gave me some toys and I played while I could still see her. Everyone was happy. That Mommy, always thinking!

As it got later in the evening I started to get cranky. I missed my second nap, not without Mommy trying to get me to go to sleep, but just because I didn't want to. I played with Mommy on the carpet and chased her around. I watched her make dinner and finish the laundry. Then it was finally time for me to go to sleep a little after 8:15pm.

Picture Day

Oct 24 - This morning we hurried up, got dressed and ready and packed into the van because today was picture day. We drove in the van and picked up David and Ms. Nicole. I let David use one of my carseats and he really liked the froggy toy I have attached to it. We drove for a long time but I was good because Mommy was sitting next to me. I just watched her talk and laugh. We have been driving for a while and I started to doze off but we pulled up to Nathan and Ms. Theresa's house.

They had a nice display out on the front lawn of hay, flowers, and pumpkins. Nathan was in his first Halloween costume taking pictures already. He was dressed as a pirate. David and I went inside and got changed into our costumes; he was a monkey and I was an elephant. When we came outside Nathan had been changed into his second costume; he was a giraffe. We each got individual pictures taken and then we took pictures of all three of us together. Everyone was yelling and cheering so that we would look up at the camera and stop playing with the grass. I hope they got some good pictures because it was difficult to look up with the sun in our eyes. During pictures of the three of us I decided I wanted to play with David so I started to tackle him. Big elephant climbing on little monkey. He was ok and everyone thought it was funny.

After the costume pictures, Mommy and Daddy and I took a family photo. I was much happier for those pics. After all the pictures were taken we said goodbye to Nathan and Ms. Theresa and hopped back in the van. I was tired but I stayed awake til we got to McDonalds. We all went inside and ordered because Daddy wasn't sure the van would make the drive-thru. Then it was back in the van and I finally gave up and went to sleep. I didn't even get to say good bye to Ms. Nicole and David.

When I woke up Mommy and Daddy had already eaten, gotten everything out of the van and were just waiting on me to wake up. It was actually nice waking up in the van because I got to look out of the window and watch the trees sway in the wind. I sat there for a while before I even noticed Mommy and Daddy watching me.

We came inside and ate, watched football, and just hung out the rest of the evening. It was getting later and I was getting sleepy but I was fighting it. After some squirming and crying Mommy and Daddy said good night to me and left me in my crib. I wasn't happy but eventually conceded.

Congrats to my second cousin Nicole

Oct 23 - I woke up early this morning and Mommy and Daddy were running around the house trying to get everything ready to go because today we were going to my second cousin Nicole DiLorenzo's wedding. Once we were all dressed we got in the car. Mommy was hoping that I wouldn't sleep in the car on the way to the church so that I would sleep during the ceremony but no luck. I got a quick catnap in the car. We got to the church and I saw Grandma and Chachi. Chachi thought I would cry when he took me from Mommy but I didn't. I sat with him in the back pew before the ceremony started and just looked up at the lights and talked really loud. Chachi said that I was praising God and that I should come to church more often.

Mommy came over and grabbed me before the ceremony started so that I could eat. She gave me a bottle but I finished it before Nicole even walked down the aisle. Once Nicole did walk down the aisle I started to get a little vocal. Mommy tried to quite me by nursing me or giving me a pacifier but I was just getting louder an louder. Mommy decided that we should leave before we really cause a scene.

We left the ceremony and went back by the restrooms where the floor is carpeted. Mommy let me down and I explored. Then a few other kids joined us. Looks like I wasn't the only one making noise. I played with those kids until the ceremony was over and then we found Grandma, Chachi, and Daddy. Then Daddy, Mommy and I got in the car and headed to the reception. I took another cat nap in the car.

We got to the reception and sat down with some of Daddy's old friends from grade school and my other second cousin Chris. After everyone ate, including me (I ate my solids in my car seat carrier like a big boy), it was time to mingle. We found Aunt Lynn, Aunt Erin and Uncle Sean. Shortly after that Grandma came over and took me away from Mommy. She had me for almost the rest of the reception. She would let me go for a few minutes here and there to visit with other family members (like Aunt Beck or Aunt Annie) but I always came back to her. And even though I was away from Mommy and Daddy for hours I was really good for everyone that I saw. No fussing, no crying.

Daddy finally found me and I was happy to see him. I reached for him and he held me for a little while. Then Mommy came over and she and I danced a little. Then we were finally ready to go. I stayed awake on the way home and after a quick bath I pretty much passed out for the night.

Dinner playdate

Oct 22 - This morning I was all geared up to go to the pool with Ms. Donna. We were also hoping the Aunt Lynn and Aidan and Gavin were feeling better and would meet us there. But Ms. Donna had to cancel and Aidan and Gavin were still not feeling great. So Mommy and I hung out at the house and I watched her play on the Wii Fit. She did a really great workout and I loved watching. She finished up with the plank challenge which means she was laying down on the floor using her forearms and her toes to hold her up. I thought this would be a fantastic time to use her head to stand up. I made her fall and she told me that I was sabotaging her and just laughed. I'm a stinker.

When Daddy got home he went to take a nap since he was a work extra early today. So I slept too. When I woke up Mommy really wanted to put me down so she could make lasnagna for the pot luck dinner that we were going to but I was really needy and just wanted to be held. I know I was making it very difficult on Mommy to cook but I just was in one of those I-just-want-to-be-held moods. Daddy woke up and distracted me so Mommy could finish in the kitchen. Mommy had called Ms. Donna to borrow her casserole carrier so she came over for a few minutes with that. She held me and put me up on the kitchen counter so that I could reorganized all of my fruits and veggies.

Then she left and I went back to Daddy so Mommy could shower and get ready for dinner. We got in the car and went over to Ms. Erin and Sam's house. Sam's daddy, Mr. Phil, and Ms. Dana and Caylee (from storytime), and Mr. Dave were there too. We said hi to everyone and then Ms. Erin's highschool friend Nora watched me, Sam, and Caylee while all the grown ups sat down at the table and ate dinner. I was a little high maintenance and would start to fuss if Nora would try to put me down. Once dinner was over and Mommy was back in the room I had no problem playing with Sam and Caylee. I shared my nesting ball. They both loved the tiny yellow rattle ball. We had a great time playing around the coffee table. Sam and I liked to bang on it. But it was getting really late and I was getting really tired again so we said goodbye. I fell asleep on the way home and then didn't want to go back to sleep for Mommy. After some playing, Mommy told me that it was time for bed and she put me in my crib and kissed me goodnight.

Sleepy Nicky

Oct 21 - Today was pretty mellow too. Mommy knew that I was still pretty tired so we stayed close to home again. We played with my nesting balls and Mommy found a new way to play with them. She would try to stack all the balls on top of each other knock them over. It was great when they would hit the tile and make that clattering sound. I got so good at it Mommy couldn't even get three balls stacked up before I knocked them over.

I also took two really long, great naps today! I mean, I woke up at 8:45am and then took about a 2 hr morning nap and another 2hr afternoon nap. I was a little bummed that Aidan and Gavin were sick and we couldn't get together with them today but at least I got some sleep. We did run out to the grocery store for food. Mommy sat grapes next to me in the basket and I had a good time plucking them off the bunch and throwing them on the floor. Mommy wasn't as amused.

And Daddy and I got to hang out. We played a lot while Mommy made her chicken and
dumplings. We also watched the Caps game but they weren't winning so I went to sleep.

Mommy, let's just relax today

Oct 20 - We have been running around like crazy for days! I need a break. Today Ms. Bridget came and I hung out with her for a little bit. I always love how she makes me feel like I am just the most special little guy ever and she always makes a big deal about how big I am getting. I did my usual showing off for her. Then I took a nice morning nap. When I woke up it was time for a little more playing and then time to go to group.

I must have been full last week when I was weighed because I was only 16lbs 2oz this week. Mommy takes it personally when I don't gain weight. I try to eat a lot but I guess I just move too much and burn it off. Maybe Mommy should start giving me cheeseburgers. Those will fatten me up, hehe.

At group Ms. Betty said the hospital was super busy so she didn't stay with us much. But she had Mommy introduce everyone to the new moms and help with the weigh in process. I just did my usually blanket hop from one baby to another to say hello. Hunter, Caleb, Eleanor, Nathan, and Anna were all there. I told Mommy that I was getting tired so we packed up and headed home. Mommy made sure I didn't fall asleep in the car so that I would get a real nap at home. I got home and fell asleep in Mommy's lap and slept for 2.5 hrs! Told you I was tired. Mommy didn't have the time or energy to cook dinner by the time I woke up so she ordered pizza for her and Daddy. When Daddy got home we did something that we hadn't done in a while; I showered with Daddy. I enjoyed my Daddy time. Then it was time to settle down and go to sleep for the night.

Storytime and playdate with Sam

Oct 19 - I woke up early this morning. I had already taken my nap before we left for story time. This weeks theme was jungle animals so Mommy and I brought my little elephant, my little lion, and Sophie the Giraffe to share with everyone and Mommy dressed me in an outfit that was covered in jungle animals. That is one theme that we can handle!

We got to story time and played a few minutes before they opened the story room up. We went inside and the librarian saw that I brought things to share. She held up my elephant for everyone to see, then she held up my lion for everyone to see. Then she tried to hold up my giraffe but I pulled it away from her. She told everyone that they can just see it from my lap. As we learned about a bunch of different animals found in the jungle I shared my animals with some of the other kids.

When it came time to sing Two Little Blackbirds we all got our own blackbirds. One of the moms made them. They are on Popsicle sticks so they are easy to hold. I liked them. We are supposed to bring them every week so I gave them to Mommy to put in a safe place.

After story time I played a little more on the busy box with Sam and a few others. Then Mommy and I jumped in the car and met Sam and Ms. Erin at their house for a play date. Sam has some really cool toys. I tried out his walker and played with his blocks. It was a lot of fun. But it was getting late and I was ready for my nap so Mommy and I went home.

The rest of the evening was spent with Mommy and Daddy. Daddy fed me my dinner. We played on the carpet. Everything was great.

My first metro ride and my first amusement park

Oct 18 - Another exciting fun filled day! This morning Mommy and I got all dressed and headed to New Carolton metro station because today was my first metro ride. Mommy let me get out of the stroller and held me so I could look out the window. I saw all kinds of things like trucks, and cars, and a river, and then we went underground. I liked banging on the window too.

When we got to our stop we were in Northwest DC and my old friend Staci was there waiting for us. Oh, it was so good to see her. We walked a couple blocks to Johnny Rockets and we had lunch. I played with a straw and a french fry while they ate. I started to get antsy so Mommy took me out of the stroller and I went to Staci. I really like her and wish I could see her more. She has blonde hair now and I liked that too. I tried to pull on it.

After lunch we walked back to the metro and said our goodbyes to Staci. Then Mommy and I got back on the metro. I slept the whole way home on the metro and in the car. When I woke up we were headed to Six Flags for the season ticket holder party. We met Uncle Sean, Aidan, and Gavin in the parking lot and walked in together. I had never been to an amusement park before. They have lots of rides and people laughing and screaming. Everyone was dressed in red for the Caps. We stood in line to get a couple players autographs.

Then we watched Aidan and Uncle Sean play whack-a-mole. Then we all got on the carousel. Mommy held me as I rode the elephant. I liked it and when I wasn't looking around at everything that was spinning, I was banging on the elephant as if to say, "giddy-up." After all that it was time to get home and eat and go to sleep. It has been a really busy last couple of days!

Happy birthday Daddy

Oct 17 - Today was a special day. Today was Daddy's birthday. First Mommy and I made him a huge breakfast, well, I watched as she made a huge breakfast. Then after my morning nap it was time to get ready really quickly to get the day started.

We got in the car and went to the Montpelier Farm where they have a big corn maze. We met up with Uncle Sean, Aunt Erin, Aunt Lynn, Aidan and Gavin. We all went through the hay bale maze and into the barn and saw the animals.

Then I watched Daddy take Aidan around the racetrack on a pedal tractor. Then Daddy gave me a turn. It was fun. Mr. Rashaad, Ms. Shalese, Ms. Shayla, Aidan and Niya met us there too. Mr. Rashaad and Mommy played with the tether ball a little as Mommy held me in the other hand and I just thought that was just the funniest thing ever!

After all that, it was time to do what we came to do. It was time to get lost! So we entered the corn maze, I was in the stroller, and we were in there for about 2 1/2 hrs. I slept most of the maze since it was time for my nap and the path was all bumpy the way I like it.

After the maze we all went over the the hay pit where they have hay all over the ground and mega huge hay bales for the bigger guys to crawl on. I loved the hay and could have probably played in it for hours. Mommy, Daddy, and I got up on one of the hay bales and took some pictures. Then we went over to the pumpkin patch and I climbed on some of the pumpkins.

After all that, it was about time to go. Aunt Lynn had made a cake for Daddy and we all sang Happy Birthday to him. Then we said out goodbyes. Mommy, Daddy and I got in our car and went to KFC for dinner and Rashaad, Shalese, Shayla, Aidan, and Niya met us there. I didn't last too long there because it had been a long day and I was tired and hungry and ready to go home. So we said goodbye to everyone and went home. I was so tired and crashed shortly after getting home.