Pumpkin Patching

Dear Baby I,
Another beautiful  fall week under our belts! The leaves are falling and the air is crisp - especially in the morning. Mommy has even been bit by the baking bug...of course EVERYTHING has pumpkin spice in it - I think its just because I like the way the house  smells when you bake with it - my baked creations are not really that good! But at least we dont have to burn candles!
This past week your "non" ear infection bloomed into a full blown cold....thanks Uncle Ronnie - stick with adult patients please!! You were officially the kid at the park with the green slime pouring out of your nose and I was officially "that mom" who should have kept her kid at home....oops! Of course infection doesnt make you tired...just slimy and oozeyand a little cranky. Luckily you learned to share this week and gave mommy some of your bug too. What a good boy you are!
We had a house guest this week - your favorite PradaBear was here all week! Wow! What fun our little Bungalow is with 3 big dogs and a sicky baby - and cranky mama! Regardless we loved having our favorite Pbear in town! 3 mopey-nobody-plays-with-me dogs is always better than 2 - especially in our lavish 900 sq ft urban fortress!
It seems this week your obsession with the garbage can has heightened! Now you drag it all around the house with you - and EVERYTHING is in there! Especially Mommy's cell phone and keys! I do not need the help losing those kiddo! We also put in some quality hours at the park this week - apparently everyone was there this week trying to soak up this beautiful fall weather - and who could blame them.
As for sleeping - this weekend was rough. I attribute it to your "non" infection and the ENTIRE top rack of teeth that is painfully bulging through! Who can blame you for being a crank pot?? (ok, I can...and did!..Sorry Monster!)
THis was also one of those weeks when I swear you got bigger right before my eyes! You are walking and talking (in official Isaa-rish, your own language) so much better. You seemed more determined than ever to get your way - whether it is pointing or screaming for a cookie or stuffing the rawhide into the dogs mouth. If you want it done you dont give up until mission accomplished - you must get that from Daddy! :) I cannot help but smile when I see all those little baby teeth in your mouth too..I just think My little Monster is growing his fangs! And SHARP fangs they are indeed! No more chewing on Mommy's fingers for you!
Uncle Ronnie was back in town this weekend - just the way we like it! Hopefully he didnt catch any of your "non" infection! He left for Vegas Sunday morning with Prada and Doc in tow. Mommy couldnt part with Zorro for so long. I hate to admit it but a one house dog is nice - but only temporarily! After Christmas all the mutts will be back at the fort eating your toys and waking you up at all hours of the day and night! Daddy and Uncle ronnie helped to get in the Fall Spirit by carving our pumpkin patch pumpkins. All was going well - until your daddy whipped out the power tools! So much for the little pumpkin knife you get at the grocery store! I have to admit the pumpkins looked great - So good, in fact, that the neighborhood squirrel coalition gobbled them all up while no one was looking. Daddy is still trying to get over that one. I have a feeling the next round of Jack-o-lanterns will be placed on the porch in a vault!

On a more serious note kiddo, Mommy watched a 20/20 special on Bullying this weekend and literally cried my eyes out and got sick to my stomach just thinking of this occurring to you. As a mom I would want to strangle any kid who hurts you - physically or emotionally. I know I am a little premature on worrying about this - but that show was devastating to watch. Im not sure how kids can be so mean and how parents can be so oblivious - or stupid. Although after living across from this middle school my money is on stupid. I hope and pray I am neither to you. I hope you know as you get older you can tell me and your daddy anything. It is our job to protect you and we will do all we can to make sure you grow up safe and sound. But be warned, if you should ever find yourself on the Bully's team - just know Mommy and Daddy will kick your ass - no matter how cute your little bummy is now! I promise you we will NOT be those parent in denial of "our little angel" Remember Mean people suck - no matter how old or young they are. Our job will be to teach you manners and the know-how to choose right from wrong. Everyone has feelings kiddo - and hopefully Daddy and I can teach you how to respect them all.
Well, Monday is here and we are embarking on another great weather week. It'll be a busy one filled with playdates, dr appointments, story hours and a go-again on the pumpkin carving. Today we are starting the week with a lazy pajama morning. You dont seem to mind. YOu have crawled in and out of you toy box and threw all your toys in the garbage can all morning. Now you are cuddled on the floor watching Elmo. Its a beautiful sight to see - only if it lasts a minute!


Here is to another great week for us my pasta only eating Mr. Monkey Diddle. I love so much and love watching you grow up and explore! Just do not do it too fast!
I love you very much baby!
Love, Mommy

My Little Bumpkin...

Dear Baby I,
You're not going to believe this, but as I write to you tonite I am sitting in a quiet house, the sounds of the rain outside are competing with the crackling fireplace and three dogs are asleep at my feet. It sounds like an urban myth to me! I know it is only momentary, but the tranquility of the house is amazing right now! I know I need to catalog this moment in my mind for a future freak out I am sure to have. But for right now I am just going to enjoy a quiet moment with Dalilah and all the love crazies calling her talk show. It is a great way to cap off an amazing week and weekend.
I think we had a pretty busy week if I do say so myself. We had a lot of babysitting, house guests, and play dates, Zorro had a ringworm scare, we went to the zoo with our friend Sadie, we finger painted with our friends Evan and Royoto, had an odd doctor's visit, went to story hour at the local library,  found you an awesome Halloween costume, went to the park, and of course topped it all off with a weekend visit from our favorite uncle Ronnie and Prada!
The week did start off with a rough patch. Other than Zorro's Ringo scare, You were a little sleepless nightmare to put it kindly. Nothing would soothe you and I was desperate for solutions! I turned to my favorite advice column, Facebook and got a slew of great ideas and suggestions from my fellow mom friends. There is nothing like power in numbers. I got A LOT of great advice - some I didn't even think of ( ear infections) and some I already knew ( and defied - ie..,letting you get in bed with me!)  We went to the Doctor's on Thursday and sure enough he said your ears were a little infected and set you up with some antibiotics. I thought we were smooth sailing from there. I had visions of sleep-filled nights bouncing in my head- until your Uncle Ronnie told me to hold off on the medicine until he personally checked your ears. In his opinion the Dr was just trying to shut me up and offered the Rx as a quick but unnecessary fix. He said NO Fever = NO Antibiotics. So we waited until Saturday nite. YOu seemed  to be doing much better anyway so I wasnt too concerned with the medicine. Of COurse Uncle Ronnie forgot his ear light...but at least I won $20 because I bet your Daddy he would!
Having Uncle Ronnie and PradaBear here was great! So great that PBear is STILL here! Uncle Ronnie will be back next weekend minus the 12 hour drive in. He really hasnt seen you walk before and he surely got a glimpse of the whole new handful you are! Although he said you walked like a little Frankenstein.....GRrrr
And then the silence was broken.....Oh Isaac! I can't wait until you are old enough to enjoy sleep - I am going to make your life hell then! :)
And we are Back! Thankfully that was easier than anticipated!







Well fall is definitely here! We had a weekend full on bundled in hats and hoodies! Sunday we took a trip to the Denver Botanical Gardens for the pumpkin festival. It has not rained one day since we got here - until Sunday! The weather did not slow us down though. We bundled up and packed you in the little red wagon and we were off to find the perfect pumpkin! Mud and Pumpkins - it was a double bonus for you! You were so excited I couldnt help but smile every time I looked at your cold rosy red cheeks and mud stained pants schlepping thru the pumpkin patch. Like every other mother on the planet I am sure, I kept thinking how lucky I was to have the cutest baby in the world!
This week you will officially be 14 months old! I cannot believe how time flies! These past few weeks have been so fun and exciting with you! You are catching on and picking up so many new tricks and traits! Peek-a-boo and "Roundy roundy roundy ball" are your favorite games to play! You even learned how to feed the dogs their morning bobees (bones). Of course you still stop dead in your tracks at the sound of Super Why and Barney - but I fear you have a fast falling crush for Thomas the Train too...Oh No!!!
Eating with you has been such a treat lately. To put it nicely - we havent mastered utensils yet. Honestly we havent even mastered using our hands yet! Just last night I found rigatoni in my purse. You pretty much live on avocado & fruit smoothies - and pasta with sauce. Feeding time is quite possibly the dirtiest thing I have ever experienced. My favorite part is when you feel you are done eating - and proceed to hurl the pasta (or whatever) across the room...while laughing hysterically! And of course, EVERYTHING tastes better off the floor! So after I get you out of your seat you proceed to eat it all off the floor - or in the case of your morning Cheerios - dump them all on the floor, THEN eat them!
I have a feeling talking is right around the corner. You babble like its nobody's business! Wherever we go it is a crowd stopper. YOu point and talk as if you have your own language! It is so funny! We call you wizard because you always point something as if you have a wand and are casting a spell! I wish I knew what you were saying. Whatever it is you sure are adamant about it!
It is now a rainy Monday morning and we have to get ready for the day ahead. We have a friend coming for the afternoon and we have much to do before she gets here! I can see avocado smoothie on the walls from where I am sitting and I know there is hummus on the couch downstairs! But, I can tell you are tired too - after all last nite was no walk in the park - but we should both be used to that already...Ugh. Maybe an early nap time is in our future - and maybe, just maybe, Mommy can take a peaceful shower all by myself! Dare to dream!
Well kiddo, here is to an equally happy and exciting week ahead for all of us - you, me, daddy and 3 crazy mutts! I am sure this house will shrink  - and stink  - fast!
Just remember my little bumpkin pumpkin Mommy loves you very much and looks forward to watching you grow at this exciting time of the year! You make everyday special - and at the very least, interesting!
I love you my muddy buddy!
Love, Mommy

Skidding Off on A Tangent

Dear Baby I,
The leaves are falling, the air is crisp, pumpkins on front porches and it is time for hoodies and sweater -  it is quite possibly the most wonderful time of the year! It is October!! Mommy's favorite month! It is hard to believe October is here - which means another year is winding down....How quickly the time flies when we are having fun - or when we NEVER go to sleep and the year is one LOOOOONG day! :)
This week we have a had blast enjoying the (semi) cooler fall weather. Although we have been in Denver for a little more than 1 month now, and NOT 1 drop of rain has fallen yet! We should probably enjoy the warmer dry weather now! I have a feeling when the snow rolls in it will be here to stay for a while!
We had a few playdates with our new friends Sadie and Ryomi. You are so cute to see playing with older kids. You try so hard to do everything they do! Don't try and grow up to quickly kiddo! Mama loves the little man you are!
This week (against your Daddy's advice) I was watching a program on TV about a family hard struck with struggles beyond most people's capacity to manage. I couldnt help but be reminded of how lucky we are to have such a healthy and beautiful baby in our life. Sometimes I take that for granted and need to remind myself that  a few sleepless nights is not the end of the world, A random temper tantrum in church is not going to break me, nor will wiping pasta sauce from the floor and walls. I love our time together. I love how I get to be your Stay at home Mommy in these precious early years. I do not want to forget one second of all this time I get to spend with you - nor do I want to rush it in any way, shape, or form. Sometimes I need to remind myself that parenthood is by far not an easy job - but more rewarding than anything I have ever done - or ever attempted to do. I may have completely underestimated parenting before I had you - but I will never take it if for granted again. Being a parent is not a job you can take lightly - nor is it a job where you can take time off. It is a lifetime commitment not meant for everyone. Fortunately for you, you lucked out with a mommy and daddy both up for the challenge. You may never know the sweat and tears that go into being a parent for years to come - but when you do you will understand what I am telling you.  You will realize one tiny smile or giggle is worth every sacrafice and struggle   - and it will forever change the way you see yourself and the world around you.
I read an amazing blog this week (Single Dad Laughing) about how the author  was in a store and the man in front of him kept scolding his child to "shut up" and "pretend he wasnt there". I have experienced this situation in real life all too often.  The author then went on to say how the little boy cowered at his fathers harsh words and lack of emotion towards him. The author, like I would have, wanted to go up to the man and punch him in the face for being so callous to an innocent child. The moral of the story was parenthood isnt for everyone and - in my opinion - should be banned from some people. Being a parent is more than being capable to spawn an offspring. It is being able to grow and foster a child's ability to go out in the world and do great things, to help those around them, and to help make the world a better place overall. I truly believe some people are not capable of that - for themselves or their offspring. It is a very heart breaking realization. I am all for needing a license to procreate!  I am also a huge fan of adoption, and would love to explore that option for our family someday. Until then I can only hope we are giving you everything we have to make you the best you can be - emotionally, spiritually and mentally. A lesson we learned from our amazing parents.
Wow kiddo - I real flew off the tangent ramp today!
Lest I not mention this past week's greatest achievement of all! Thursday you SLEPT THRU THE NITE!! We put you to bed at 8pm and woke up to the alarm buzzing at 5am!!! You never made a peep! We were shocked! Your daddy never jumped out of bed so fast! He ran into your room assuming someone snuck in in the middle of the night and snatched you up! ALthough it was not the "miraculous turn of events" we were hoping for. Friday night was nothing short of a nitemare  - full of screaming, kicking, tossing, turning - and not sleeping! Oh well....We will always have that one golden Thursday Nite! :)
The week ahead looks full of promise as well with a  trip to the zoo, playdates, and a pumpkin fest on the agenda! Possible dare I say a visit from our favorite uncle Ronnie and PBear too??? One can only hope!
Well kiddo off to check on you I go...This nap of yours has been going a little too well...that makes me worry :)

Just know my baby monkey man, your mommy and daddy love more than you can imagine and we, like you, are a work in progress. We are learning the ropes together and can only pray it is a long, loving, healthy learning process we are going thru.
I love mr monkey diddle.
Love, Mommy

Falling for Fall!

Dear Baby I,

Fall is coming! Fall is coming! Even Kohl's has all the Christmas gear up and running! So my question is....Is it supposed to be this hot in Colorado??? Really?? I didnt think so! Our mornings start off with hoodies and hats and our afternoons are barely diapers!!! I think we brought the Vegas heat with us!
Heat aside, Another great week was had by all! We got to wander around our new city a little more - met some new neighbors -made some new friends -  and had a great trip up to Aunt Sue's ranch!
Dare I say you even had a good night's sleep Saturday nite??? After 4 days of up by 3am you were due!!! I do not understand how such a little active human can operate on such little sleep! You are a medical marvel! (NOTE: at the time of publishing this post, we had just suffered a horrendous night with a full blown scream fest at 2am!!! UGH)





Well kiddo, last week was all about you not eating - and I won't say that anything has changed on that front, but I will say that I think Dairy is not being kind to you. We tried the whole milk and milk yogurts weeks ago - and of course they were followed by HORRIBLE nights and some of the most dangerous diaper changes EVER! Since then I have started you with regular soymilk and yogurt and you seemed to be doing fine. We tried the goat's milk dairy because it is supposed to be easier to digest  - and of course you wouldnt eat it. Finally Mommy broke down this week and gave you Mac and cheese (gasps, I know! - fear not readers -it was Annie's Organics - not Kraft (the horror!!)!!) Surprise Surprise you LOVED it! You even ate an entire bowl of it - mostly off the floor - but whatever - YOU ATE IT!! Alas, last night you were a WRECK!!! Screaming your head off for most of the night and drinking nearly 4 full bottles of (extremely) watered down formula! So I do not get it!!??? Are you allergic/sensitive to dairy or what?? I guess it is time for a trip to a Denver Doctor and get the ol' allergy test done! I hate to be giving you dairy and it hurting you - on the other hand Mommy thinks dairy is GAAAAROSSS, and doesnt mind if you dont have it anyway!!  :)
In other news our first week of babysitting went over well. You and Saydie had a great time playing together - you even ALMOST shared your toys with her - until you decided against it! I really think having other kids around will be great for you - and me - as long as they are someone else's!! :) You seem to pick up on things much quicker when you see another tiny human do it. You are already learning to stack your blocks, push your cars around, and dare I say,  put some toys away! I really think the babysitting gigs will be a win-win!
This weekend was full of family fun as always! We brought you to your first bar. HA! It was a full restaurant but lucky us we got seated in the "bar" section - along with 8 other babies. I guess they figured  you little ones would be less noticeable among the drunks!  :) Seriously though, we had a great time and followed up dinner with a nice little stroll through Cherry HIll. Saturday we had a full playdate at the park. Swings, sliding boards, lots of sand and plenty of sunshine! A perfect Saturday afternoon capped off by a trip to the REI MEga store where Daddy joyfully stuffed you in every snowsuit and snowboarding gear he could find!

Yesterday started out with a bang! It took us 45 minutes to get ready and get to church - and then you lasted 6 whole minutes before I had to get your screaming little monster self out of there! Next we headed up to Windrock Ranch to see Aunt Sue- and this time we dared to take the dogs with us. Doc was going crazy with all the open space - and Zorro was pretty content too - until he saw those horses! I do not know what he thought he was going to do to them, but he surely barked them out! You had a great time playing in the barn - and getting VERY dirty. You AND Daddy got very dirty! Good thing I learned to pack you 3 outfits for our trips to Aunt Sue's!!! One extra is definitely not enough!
YOu were so wiped out by the end of the day you fell asleep before we got out of her driveway!
Monday MOnday is back again and so far today is looking up to be a calendar marking eventful day! You woke early -  and cranky. WE played some and then you actually followed me into your room and pointed and cried to get into your bed. Then you Fell Asleep!! WHAT????? Never has such madness occurred! I was a little scared by your willingness to hit the hay! You better not be getting sick!  I must admit  I am enjoying this little unexpected free time and I hope you wake up a little more cheerful than you went down!
Well enjoy your sleep little walking wandering Mr BoJangles. Thank you for another amazing weekend of fun and adventure! YOu make everyday - everything a little more exciting. You are a very special little boy and Everyday I am more thankful to be your Mommy! I love you my dirty little pretzel-eating-food-flinging monkey!
Love, Mommy
PS ...Also a Hip Hooray Happy Birthday going out to your favorite Nona!! 95 years young!! Sorry we missed your party Nona (not like we were invited or anything....I bet that was your Aunt Leslee's doing - when we she learn Mommy is Nona's favorite??!!) We wont miss 96!!! Hope to see you soon! We love you VERY Much!!!

Let's Eat!

Dear Baby I,
Well another week living in Colorado squalor little man. Heck with all these trips to the zoo, parks, story hours, tree lined street strolls, street fairs, farmers markets, and playdates I am really starting to feel bad for you! No wonder you never sleep! You - We - don't sit still long enough!

But this week bumpkin we are not going to talk about your (lack of) sleep. This week mommy wants to address your current state of Hunger strike we have going on. The past month or so you seem to have a huge dismay for foods on a spoon. Your combatative skills are dead on! You can swat that spoon away from your face to get yogurt on the walls of the next room! I just cannot seem to get it to sneak into your mouth. We used to be so fond of the yogurt too! Ahhhh, the good ol' days.

And what happened to our love of avocados and bananas? Now you act like they taste liver and onions! At this rate you are going to be in grade school sipping your lunch out of a bottle!
This all started, of course, with the dreaded Graham cracker initiation. I knew it would end up being my fault! Grahams are the only thing you want to eat - well, grahams, cell phones, turkey basters, remotes, pens, and key chains....obviously. :) Food? Not so much! I am beginning to think I am going to have to take the Zorro approach with you and wait you out - when you are hungry enough you will eat!
All in all we had another great week - eating and sleeping issues aside. We are finally welcoming in a tooth on the upper deck! I can only imagine how cute that crooked little grin of yours will be once there is a top toofer. Watch out ladies! YOu are also a full blown (wabbley) walker. Even typing that statement scares me! God help me now!!!
This week we had a great playtime with your new friend Brady at the bookstore for story hour. Of course neither one of you had any interest in the readings....just tearing the books off the shelves and dashing toward the staircase every second you two (thought) you could! You screamed your way through the farmer's market on Wednesday - only after swiping a peach from the "Peach Lady's" stand. This weekend we attempted another road trip to Boulder - in your new fancy schmancy big boy car seat! Another not-so great idea on MOmmy and Daddy's part. You are still not a fan of the car  - or your seat!
Sunday was our lazy home day with a little trip down the block to the street fair. You were a hit with your big floppy hat and cool red wagon!
The warmer weather seems to be hanging on lately. I know sooner than later I will be wishing it back...but for now I think it is HOT HOT HOT! Maybe you are too hot to sleep? Although as I am writing this, it is 6am...you have been up since 4am and the over-tired-crankiness is starting to set in. But rather than give in, you are throwing all of your tools off your work bench and smooshing your grahams into the carpet. Oh well....
Well baby, time to get ready for another day. As I see you cramming your million dollar-no-sugar-whole-wheat-organic- grahams into your tool belt I think it is time to get you moving!  Rumor has it it won't be so hot today - maybe we will attempt story hour again....if it doesn't interfere with your 16 minute nap time! :) Tomorrow we get to hang out with your new friend Saydie as Mommy re-enters the world of babysitting and takes on 2 under 2!! Oh no! You guys will have strength in numbers!!
I love you Baby BabblesOn!
Love, mommy

Stranger than Fiction!

Dear Baby I,
Well buddy you must rate pretty high on your Uncle Ronnie's list of VIPs! In a completely UN- Uncle Ronnie move, he and Prada drove out for a surprise visit to see us in Colorado!!! It was such an unexpected- although desperately appreciated treat! We loved having them here and didnt want them to leave! Team 1901 Back together again!! Hooray! It was the perfect end to a hectic week.
   The week started on a shaky note - The Fourmile Canyon fire in Boulder had us worried about Aunt Sue. We took an impromptu trip to see her and see if we can help. Her house was fine but the fire was dangerously close - and she had to be evacuated. Apparently her horses can be more stubborn than you monster mash. They wouldnt get in their trailer to leave the ranch. So poor Aunt Sue had to spend 3 long days trying to get them safety. Fortunately everyone ended up safe and sound - unfortunately for you Daddy says you are NEVER getting a horse! :(

  Next up on our week was our first playdate at the Denver Zoo. We had such a good time - you especially loved the train ride! You made 2 new friends, Evan and Georgia. Oddly enough you suddenly became more interested in walking since being around kids that walk. Hmm... succumbing to peer pressure already! The Mommies were very nice too! Although, all their talk of getting ready for Baby #2 had me ready to jump in the lion's den! We are still going strong on our ONE AND DONE motto kiddo! Seriously though,  our neighborhood really is a parents dream come true! There is so much to do so close to home. I feel so blessed and fortunate that I get to stay home with you everyday and watch you experience all these new people and places!  I love hearing you sing you "bah-bah" song, waving to Super WHy and Barney everytime they come on the TV screen, and I especially love digging all of clothes and shoes out of the garbage can after you put them in! Or the way you will only eat a banana if the peel is still on it or when you clash the pots and pans all over the house! I secretly love it all! Everything is a new adventure and I love being there every step of the way!
  Uncle Ronnie and PradaBear arrived Thursday nite and we were so happy to see them! The dogs seemed pretty happy to have their "pack"again too. We had a great late Birthday dinner for Uncle Ronnie followed by everyone crashing and going right to bed! I guess that is what happens when you hang out with 37 year olds! Friday we had a great day roaming around the city and checking out all the neighborhoods. In only-uncle-Ronnie-fashion he decided he was going to buy a house here  - effective immediately - so we also checked out the local real estate market. Let's just say the recession hasnt done much to the good folks of Denver. The houses - behemoth as they were - were ridiculously priced - but nonetheless fun to look at. That night we went for Uncle Ronnie's ceremonious Cheesecake Factory Birthday Dinner - complete with singing waitresses! Then off to the Tattered Cover for some late night book browsing. Kiddo, I hope you grow up to love to read as much as you love to tear those books off the shelf! You are like a little tornado in there!

   Saturday started off with a bang! Uncle Ronnie had a great yoga class and then found a nearby church for sale -JACKPOT! And equally impressive Daddy and I had a great Yard sale score and found the perfect dining room table for the house! It was a win win!! Then we all headed off to Evergreen to go to a BIG mountainous dog park - Shall I say win-win-win-win-win!!! We were happy - the mutts were tired and happy (double bonus!) All was well - until someone decided sleeping was not going to happen for them that night! Grrr...

   Sunday Morning Uncle Ronnie and Prada headed back to Vegas :( But I have a good feeling they will be back soon - I hope at least! It was so great having them here, we wished they never had to leave! After church, you, Daddy and I headed over to the Farmer's Market -  Denver-Style. You riding in the back of Daddy's new bike trailer. I tried it out - I cant believe how horrible of a bike rider I am!! Mommy needs some practice before we venture out like that for sure! Then we set up your ultra cool birthday present form Aunt Gina and Uncle Mark - a backyard playset!!! You are one lucky kid Monster Monkey Boy! Finally we are  home and you are in Hour 3 of what is being officially dubbed "YOUR BEST NAP EVER!!!"

  All in all, week 2 in Denver has been nothing short of fabulous! Great family time, great weather, happy dogs - and of course some crappy restaurant food (I guess we cannot have it all!) Thanks again to Uncle Ronnie for making the grueling trek out - we couldnt have asked for better company than you and PBear. Hopefully you make a habit of the spontaneous 12 hour drives! We Love you and Can't wait to see you again -SOON!
I love you my Little sleepless boot scooter!
Love,
Mommy

Crack(er)ed Up.

x

Dear I,

Week 1 Denver and we have been having a great time! As one Daddy in the park described our new neighborhood of Park HIll - its like a fairy tale place to live for little kids! Really there is not much to complain about here other than the HORRIBLE lack of cell service...and what I mean by horrible is non-existent service. Otherwise it has been pretty picturesque!  Our days have been filled with walks to the park and farmer's markets, setting up the new house, making some new friends, and patiently trying NOT to kill Doc.

  YOu seem to be adjusting well, although I fear you are getting a cold - or allergies - Im not sure what the difference is just yet. I would like to say you are sleeping better - but I would be profusely lying about that. Nap time is getting better. Hooray for that!! YOu somehow learned to take your pants off recently. That is a lot of fun...especially when you try it at the park! Shaking your head "no" is also a big thing for you right now. Everything is NO NO NO!! Even yes means NO for you. And then there is the dreaded Pandors's Box I have opened with the Graham cracker I gave you. That is now ALL I can get you to eat. YOu throw - or shall I saw HURL - everything else across the room! My only saving grace for getting some nutrition in you is that you will eat anything I put pasta sauce on. Noodles, cauliflower, broccoli, veggie burgers - as long as it is RED you will eat it....otherwise hurled at the wall it goes! You cause quite the scene at restaurants I might add!

  We had a great long family weekend for your 2nd Labor Day Weekend! Friday night we went to the Taste of Denver Food festival downtown. You sure love to be in a crowd! Funny thing we didnt eat too much there - I think Daddy and I ate more of your cheerios than anything! Coloradans dont know too much about Great food - but suprisingly they know a lot about fried food!!  French fries, fried pickles, fried twinkies, fried hot dogs - UGH!!  Even your junk-food-loving Daddy thought the French fries were too greasy!! A beautiful place to be it is without a doubt - an epicurean nirvana it is definitely NOT!! I guess the ultra fit lifestyle of Colorado does not include their grub!
  Saturday we spent the day unpacking some more and setting up shop here on Holly Street. Either it is a tiny house - or we have way too much STUFF!  - Or perhaps it is a little bit of both!! But we are slowly getting settled in and the Halloween/Fall decoration up. Sunday Daddy had the grand plan of heading out to the Rocky Mountain National Park - as did thousands of other people. The traffic to the park was pretty intense. Luckily for us you slept most of the way - and ate your beloved graham crackers! Once inside the park you and I got our first glimpse of life 12000 feet above sea level! Suprisingly no headaches or nausea thank God! But it was pretty windy up there - and definitely NOT the 95 degrees it was back in the city. We had a great time poking around the grand Rockies - although Zorro HATED it - I think he prayed for someone to dognap him and get him out of there! On our way home we stopped at Estes Park and walked around the town - along with the thousands of others who thought that would be a great idea as well. It was a great little town, albeit completely rampant with tourists, with of course some pretty mediocre restaurants. On our long drive home we saw Big-horned Elk clashing roadside. It was pretty amazing to see - what was even more amazing were the people getting out of their cars to watch and take pics - mere feet from the ELK  -that could easily taken them out of the heavy traffic congestion - FOREVER!!

Monday was a much needed lazy day at home - and even better it was a Daddy/Isaac afternoon!  Daddy made dinner while Mommy slept. Then you guys headed out to the Nature and Science museum while Mommy sat home on the porch and quietly read her book (the Happiness Project, which I highly recommend thus far!)
  All in all it was a great week with an even greater weekend! I even successfully got the toothbrush with toothpaste INTO your mouth for a full 30 seconds! This place must be a fairy tale! Next up is a play date tomorrow afternoon at the zoo with a little boy we met and his mommy! I am sure it will be fun - if for nothing other than to have someone to share our graham crackers with!
I love you Mr monkey mash! And I love the fun we are having as our family grows  - stronger not bigger for heavens sake! Now we just have to conquer this cold/allergy bug and all will be well in fairy land!
I love you! Love, Mommy