A picture

Finally. We got a picture of my new baby cousin Lilly. Here she is with Grandma Carolyn on her fourth day since being born. I'll bet Lilly is having a good time, cause Grandma Carolyn is a really good rocker. You sure are a sweet baby, Lilly!

(Photo courtesy of Aunt Andrea, Uncle Rob, and cousin Noah)

Typing

This morning Mommy told me I could type an email to send to Dad. It was great fun! I also got to add a few words to some of the emails Mommy was sending.

All this came about because I wanted to go to sleep. I'm having trouble with naps since the time change. Mommy said whoever came up with the Daylight Savings must not have had children.

Anyway, since I wasn't allowed to sleep, I just wanted Mommy to hold me. And, boy oh boy, am I glad--cause otherwise I wouldn't have been able to email.

Whistles

This is my whistle. Mommy says it's actually one of the shapes (circle) that goes with my dump truck. Between you and me, Mommy doesn't really know what she's talking about. The green circle may have come in the same package as my shape-sorter dump truck, but it's really a whistle!

I know the circle is a whistle, because when I put it in my mouth and blow through the hole, a whistle sound happens. See? It makes sense that it's a whistle, right?

The end of Daylight Savings time has thrown me for a loop even though Mommy and I have been practicing for the past few weeks. At six this morning, Mommy said she wondered why we'd bothered to practice. "Just keeping you on your toes, Mommy," I said.

Besides an early start to the day, we're having a nice Sunday. So far we've had pancakes and naps. Now we're going to read the newspaper. Then, we're going to a picnic-chili-cook-off with all of our church friends. And, last, but best of all, Dad and I are going to watch the Broncos on television! Go Broncos!!!

A game of chase

"Oh, Mommy, playing chase is so much fun! You are such a talented Mommy! You can pull my caterpillar while running backwards taking pictures of me chasing you!"

Things I am not allowed to do

I am not allowed to play in Norah's water dish. Mommy is open to any suggestions as to how to keep me out of Norah's dish.

I am not allowed to climb on the step stool in the laundry room. I was all the way up to the top, but Mommy didn't snap the picture fast enough. By the time Mommy was ready, I had climbed down. Mommy says from here on out she'll only do laundry at naptime. "Who will help Mommy?," I wonder. Mommy says that's the point--sometimes my help can be a bit too helpful.
And, I am not allowed to play with the fire place. According to Dad this can be dangerous. That doesn't make any sense to me, cause Dad plays with it. Why would Dad play with something that is dangerous?

Mommy says I should be sure to tell you all of these pictures were taken in a fifteen minute time span. Mommy also said that if I would slow down and stop getting into trouble, she would play chase with me. I think I might try to behave just enough for Mommy to get the chase stuff ready...

Spaghetti

Last night I tasted spaghetti for the very first time. It was fun and yummy!

I was hoping there would be more sauce involved, but Mommy and Dad thought, for the first try, less sauce was better.

YUM!!!

Trucks and snow

"Truck," says Mommy, "Baby, this is a truck." Mommy has been doing a lot of repeating lately, cause she's convinced I'm learning to say words. I'm not sure what her rush to have me talk is all about. I'm guessing I'm going to be putting up with the repeating for a while longer.

This morning Grandpa Jere called with some very exciting news. Grandpa Jere called to say that he and Grandma Lou didn't have to go to work this morning because they were having a snow day in Colorado! Yep, by 10:30 our time, Grandpa Jere had 15 inches of snow at his house with lots more coming down! Isn't that just great? I'm hoping Grandpa Jere will save some snow for me, so I can play with it when I come visit him. Mommy says snow is great fun.

I wouldn't really know about fun snow, cause it isn't snowing here yet. We're still having "fall". My cousins in Alaska have snow, and my relatives in Colorado have snow, but not me. I really, really want it to snow! Grandpa Jere, please tell the snow clouds to come our way.

Happy Birthday Aunt Elizabeth!

Today is my Aunt Elizabeth's birthday. This is a picture from when Aunt Elizabeth visited me for my birthday. We're in our jammies reading some of my books. We read lots of stories together. Aunt Elizabeth likes to read aloud, and I like to listen--we're a great combination!

Happy Birthday Aunt Elizabeth! I hope you have a really fun day celebrating!

Flying food

At lunch today, I learned a new trick. If I swished my hands back and forth across my high chair tray, all of my food when flying through the air and onto the floor. It was a great trick! I was so excited about learning something new.

However, I don't think Mommy was very happy about my trick. Much to my dismay, Mommy said lunch time was officially over. Norah liked my trick, though. Norah LOVES flying food! Good thing Norah is part of our family. That puppy is such a fun friend to have.

Baby Lilly Joy

My cousin Lilly Joy arrived early this morning. She weighs 8 pounds and 14 ounces (that's two ounces bigger than me when I was born), and Lilly measures 21 1/4 inches long (that's 1/4 inch longer than me). So, you see, Lilly and I looked pretty much the same size-wise when we were born. Anyway, I can't wait to meet Lilly! Hopefully we'll get some pictures soon!

The Farm

My birthday just keeps on going and going! Today my farm from my Aunt Kendy, Uncle Jim, Cousin Kristine, and Cousin K.C. in California arrived. Isn't it great? I love it!

And, in other news, I haven't slept a wink this afternoon. Instead of sleeping during naptime, I stood up in my crib and pointed at all the balls in my room. "Ball, ball, ball," heard Mommy from the monitor. When naptime was "over" (Mommy says naptime never really started), I got to actually play with my balls.

Then, in other, other news, I'm having a really hard time staying away from Norah's dog food. I guess dog food is for dogs, and people food is for people. I don't get it--all this talk about sharing--and then I'm not allowed to share with Norah? Mommy says she's at a loss in regards to helping me stay away from Norah's bowl. Well, Mommy, I'm confused, too! Just when and when isn't sharing okay?

Maybe tonight?

My new baby cousin Lilly just might make her apperance today! Lilly is my Uncle Jamey and Aunt Amy's baby. Aunt Amy's water broke this morning. Grandma Carolyn and Great-Mom-mom are camped out at the hospital. And everyone is ready to meet Lilly Joy! Hurry up, little cousin, be born quick!

And, then, why don't you get on an airplane and come visit me! Mommy says I might have to be patient about the visit. Mommy said new mommies really don't feel like flying on airplanes. I guess new mommies like to stay home and figure out how to do life with a new baby. I don't get it. Doesn't flying on an airplane sound like more fun?

Chewing

Chewing is pretty wonderful. I love to chew and chew and chew! Sometimes I go to the kitchen and find my sippy cup lid to chew on. Then, I like to run back to my mirror and watch myself chew. It's quite entertaining. You should maybe watch yourself chew sometime; it's super fun!

Plane pancakes

Being one is great! I'm getting to try all kinds of new foods. Yesterday, I got to try my first French fry. YUMMY, YUMMY!!! I can see why my parents like them! Mommy said French fries are a special treat for special occasions. I wonder if tomorrow is a special occasion?

Last weekend, I got to try pancakes. Since I liked them, this morning Mommy and Dad made my pancakes in the shapes of airplanes using my special pancake molds. This particular pancake doesn't look much like an airplane, cause Mommy wrecked it. "Hey," said Dad, "I'm the pancake maker around here. Get away from my griddle!" Pancakes are always better when Mommy stays away. Mommy is a much better pancake eater than she is a pancake cooker.

I've got to go now. It's Sunday, and that means football. Dad says the games are about to start...

Hat and mittens

Friday evening, when Dad got home from work, Mommy and I were playing outside. It was a nice evening, so I didn't need a coat--heck, I didn't even need pants! I did, however, need to try on my new hat and mittens. Mommy and I found the set when we were out shopping earlier Friday afternoon.

Remember when I was a baby? I didn't like hats. But since I have been practicing wearing my puppy costume, I have decided I like hoods and hats. That's why I'm wearing my hat and mittens in this picture. I liked wearing them so very much; I didn't want Mommy to take them off!

So there I was, all dressed for the occasion, when Dad finally came home. Dad and I played for a while before dinner. This is a picture of Dad tossing me up in the air! Wheeeee!!! I'm flying like an airplane! I was laughing and giggling--it was great fun!

Oh--and Dad thought my hat and mittens were pretty neat! "Bronco colors," said Dad.

"Bel"

Oliver's puppy is staying with us, cause Oliver is playing with his other grandparents. At first, I was a bit startled to see two puppies, but now I think it's kind of fun.

Norah is teaching Bella how to clean up the floor. Cleaning the floor is one of Norah's most important jobs. Mommy really appreciates it. Norah thinks Aunt Joy will appreciate it, too.

Anyway, this morning at breakfast, Mommy figured out that I can say Bella! "Bel," I say while looking at Bella. Mommy was so impressed, she called Aunt Joy right away! I'm such a smart baby. Here are the words I can say: Na-na (Norah), ball, Mama, Dada, hi, bye, quack. I'm quite the talker, however, I only say my words when I want to say them.

Silky Blankies

I love silky blankies. I only know how to suck my tired thumb when I'm holding on to something silky. Lately, I've been crawling over to my crib when I'm tired, and pulling out my blankie. Then I lie on the floor and suck my thumb until someone takes pity on me and puts me in my crib.

Here I am last night with my Dad. Mommy was out with friends, so Dad and I had a fun night together. I really like playing with my Dad, cause he does things pretty different from Mommy. It's nice to have variety.

Part way into playing with Dad, I got tired and grabbed my blankie. Since I was so tired, Dad said I didn't have to take a bath OR wear jammies to bed! Dad just put my sleeper on over my t-shirt and called it good. Mommy likes to do things the "right" way, so she was kind of nervous when she got home and heard about our evening. However, after thinking about it for a few minutes, Mommy decided it wasn't something to get all that upset about, so she said "dads do things different from mommies" and went to bed.

This morning, Mommy and I decided to do a little shopping. While Mommy was busy packing up my diaper bag, I crawled over to the laundry pile (Mommy was too tired to fold laundry when she got home last night--never fear, it's now folded), and I found my other silky blankie. "Mommy, I'm ready for a quick nap," I said. And then, after a quick nap, we went shopping!

A chilly walk

In spite of the cold weather this morning--it was 43 degrees--Jonathan's mommy and my Mommy wanted to take a walk. We have the silliest mommies! Walking in 43 degree weather? We should have stayed home and drank hot cocoa.

Anyway, the mommies bundled us up, and we were off. Jonathan's mommy remembered to bring her camera, so, of course, we had to stop for a quick picture. Jonathan's mommy says we look like two fluffy, puffy marshmallows! Brrrrrrr!!!

It's a sweater day!

The weather is finally cold enough, and I am finally big enough. It's time to wear the sweater that Ami made for me. Mommy put the sweater on and started taking pictures. I was too fast for Mommy!






I started walking (running) away from Mommy. She had to chase me to even get a picture. They weren't very good pictures, so when Dad got home, he had to help.


Dad held me while Mommy finally got a picture of my face.

This is kind of a silly picture of me and Dad. Dad is in his Hawaiian shirt, and I'm in a sweater. That's cause the weather man said it was going to be 78 degrees, but instead, it was 51 degrees. Mommy said she should have been a weather man. Mommy thinks she could do a better job predicting the weather. Whatever, Mommy... All I know is I like my sweater--especially the hood!

"Where's your nose?"

Mommy says this isn't the best picture, but she says she has to take what she can get picture-wise.

Anyway, this morning Grandma Lou asked me where my nose was, and I shocked everyone when I pointed to my nose. Just to be sure that I knew what I was talking about, Dad asked me to find my nose and then Mommy asked, too. Of course, I know where my nose is. Grandma Carolyn practiced with me when she was here.

Today, Mommy and I are pretending we aren't sad and getting our house back together. All of the grandparents, aunts, and uncles have gone home. Dad is at work. It's just Mommy and me. We're going to change the sheets and clean the bathrooms. "What fun, Mommy," I said. Mommy said, since I'm still little, I can play with my new toys instead of helping. Yipee!!!

One more thing

I forgot to tell you something. I got another tooth today. Tooth number eight popped through just in time for my birthday.

Ice cream

After playing with my trike, we got down to business. It was time for me to try ice cream. Grandpa Jere wanted to be the first one to give me a cone full of vanilla ice cream.

At first I wasn't sure what to think. However, after a few minutes, I suddenly knew exactly what to think: Ice cream is yummy! I really enjoyed my ice cream cone. I'm wondering when I will get to have another one. Mommy says probably not until Grandpa Jere comes to visit again.

Even the cone was yummy!





Oh no, the ice cream cone is almost gone. Only a few more bites left.

And before too long, the ice cream cone was gone, and Grandma Lou was giving me a bath.

I sure do like having grandparents around. When they're here I get to do all kinds of fun things.

Celebrating with Grandma Lou and Grandpa Jere

After we dropped Grandma Carolyn off at the airport, we picked up Grandma Lou and Grandpa Jere. They're spending the night tonight. My birthday celebration is going on and on.

First, I played soccer with Grandma Lou and Dad. And then it was off to the store to...

...pick out a present! Grandpa Jere thought I needed a bike. There were three to choose from, and this is the bike I chose. Mommy thought it was a great bike, cause it had a bucket to put things in.


And, it is a pretty neat bike. I like riding it. My new bike also has a horn and a place for my sippy cup to ride. Thanks for my new bike Grandpa Jere and Grandma Lou. I love it!!!

Good-bye Grandma Carolyn

Here I am this morning. Since I'm one today, Dad and I were making "one fingers". Mommy's camera wasn't fast enough to capture me and Dad making a one at the same time. Oh well, I'm sure the camera will be out again sometime soon.



Since Grandma Carolyn had to fly away this morning, I thought I'd better spend some time this morning playing with her. We played with my new caterpillar. The caterpillar has three balls that spin around when I pull the string. And guess what? I can say "ball". Now that I'm one, I'm almost a talker and a walker.

Sunday Pictures

Since we seem to be able to upload pictures this evening, we thought we had better get on it! Here are my pictures from yesterday (Sunday).

I had to help Dad make pancakes in the morning. Our company was h-u-n-g-r-y! Good thing Dad and I know how to make yummy pancakes.



Uncle John and Aunt Elizabeth liked my pancakes. They enjoyed eating them with syrup!

I'm a little bit mad in this picture because I wanted to eat pancakes! I wanted to eat them right then!!!

Here I am eating my very first pancake ever. It was so yummy! Mommy says now that she knows I like pancakes, she'll make me pancakes shaped like trains and things. My cousin sent us some really neat pancake molds. Hopefully we'll use them next Sunday.

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Yep, today is my real birthday! We've taken pictures, but we can't post them, and we're quite sad about it. Anyway, today is my birthday. I am one-year-old!

Today Grandma Carolyn flies home. Thank you for coming Grandma Carolyn; it was lots of fun to play with you! I will miss you, and I can't wait until you can come for another visit!

Grandma Lou and Grandpa Jere are coming today to spend the night at my house. They've been spending the night with Oliver, and now it's my turn. Thanks for sharing, Oliver! I'm excited Grandma Lou and Grandpa Jere are at my house next.

So...Grandpa Jere, what time are we having ice cream? How about after my afternoon nap? What do you think?

My blog is messed up!

So...Sunday pictures will have to wait yet another day! Sorry about that...

Good-bye Turtles

My party is over, so it's time to clean up. I helped Mommy clean up the balloons. Clean-up time sure can be fun when it involves balloons. Norah helped clean up the floor. Norah told me she likes cake just like I like cake. Mommy and Grandma Carolyn cleaned up the dishes. Uncle John and Aunt Elizabeth picked up my new books. And Dad helped with whatever we asked him to help with. Grandma Lou and Grandpa Jere went home with Uncle Seth and Aunt Joy; they're spending the night with Oliver, before they come back and spend the night with me.

Whew! What a fun day and what a fun party. I think I'd better go to bed. I need to rest so I can play with Grandma Carolyn again tomorrow. I think maybe I'll show Grandma Carolyn my bubbles tomorrow. I think Grandma Carolyn might like bubbles.

My first taste of cake!

Since Mommy doesn't want me to have artificial colors or flavors just yet, I got my very own special cake instead of a turtle cupcake.

Here comes the cake! We had to re-light the candle a couple of times. I got kind of sad when Dad blew it out.

Then I realized that I was being encouraged to stick my fingers in the cake! Suddenly candles didn't seem all that important. First, I just stuck one finger in the cake. That was fun, but I was pretty sure there was more fun to be had.

And then, the more fun happened when I stuck my whole hand in the yummy cake! It was so good and sugary. I haven't really had much sugar yet, so the cake was pretty exciting.

Mommy and the grandmas were impressed with how neatly I "ate" my cake. I really didn't make much of a mess at all. Mommy said my lack-of-a-mess was one of her proudest moments. I'm not sure what cake has to do with being proud, but I'm glad Mommy was happy!

I wonder if I get more cake tomorrow? And I heard Grandpa Jere talking about taking me out for ice cream on Monday. I sure hope ice cream is as yummy as cake!

My Turtle Party

My turtle party was great fun! There were cupcakes, friends, and presents! Regardless, Spike and I enjoyed playing with Norah's brush.

Here I am with my puzzle present from Jake and Isabelle. Other friends gave me books, puzzles, caterpillars, and clothes.
Here I am showing my caterpillar to Oliver. (I got super hot, so I had to take off my party clothes.)
Thank you to everyone who helped to make my turtle party a special one! And a special thank you to all of the far-away relatives who drove/flew in for my special day--Grandma Carolyn, Aunt Elizabeth, Uncle John, Grandma Lou, and Grandpa Jere.

Turtle Party Day!

Finally, it's turtle party day! The table is set, the lemonade is waiting for ice, and I still need to get dressed! I simply can't wait for my friends to arrive! (Actually, Mommy is the super excited one--I'm not really too sure as to what a turtle party even is.)

Pictures of the party will be posted this evening after we finish our cupcakes!

Our day

Our day started off with a trip to show Grandma Carolyn our ducks. We took some bread with us, cause our ducks are hungry ducks. Usually only Mommy holds the bread, but Grandma Carolyn let me hold some all by myself...until I ate it. I guess it's not a good idea to eat old bread. Why can the ducks eat old bread? I wonder...

Then I played in the grass with Grandma Carolyn while Dad mowed the lawn. When I was little, I didn't like grass. Today I decided that I DO like grass! Mommy made me take my clothes off before I came in the house. Something about her floors and my party? Dad says at times like this, we should just do what Mommy says and not ask any questions.

Best of all, I got to open some presents. Thanks to Grandma Carolyn for convincing my parents early-presenting-opening was an okay thing! Grandma Carolyn said since I have kind of a short attention span, I should open a few presents tonight so I could enjoy them more. My favorite part was chewing on the ribbons. Ribbons really don't taste all that great.

A Turtle Party Update:

The turtles now have faces and are swimming in ocean frosting on the tops of my cupcakes. They turned out pretty cute! Oh--and for those of you who asked, the turtles are made out of fondant. Mommy kneaded in some color and then shaped the fondant into turtles. Mommy said the only reason she had time to do this was because Grandma Carolyn was here to play with me.

This is a picture of a clothesline that Mommy hung on the wall. Each page has a picture of me for each month that I've been alive. The pictures start with my ultrasound and end with pictures from last week of me in my puppy costume. Mommy thought my friends might like to look at the pictures during my party.