Just one of the Boys.

Dear Baby I

To sum up last week in one word - BUSY!! Mommy's babysitting services were in high demand, which meant lots of playmates for you all week. Plus the winter weather has finally decided to creep in here...which means each day brings on a new bag of mixed winter weather tricks and treats! What will we do indoors to keep busy?? Of Course you can always escape to the great outdoors now that you have figured out the doggy door!
One thing I am learning with you kiddo, is you are a becoming a very smart and very sneaky little boy. You have a whole arsenol of words you know - but seem to comprehend only at your convenience. You are very adament about throwing things in the TRASH - especially your dirty diapers. And that is just fine with me - the less I have to touch of those stinky diapees the better! I feel like you are are retaining much more these days. You know which toys are which - especially your Beloved Thomas the Train. You even know your toes, shoes, socks, eyes, head, and hands! But I'll be damned if you cannot figure out Mommy and No!...Like I said....you are very sneaky and oh so selective!! And of course you know exactly who  DADDY is... you always have smiles and a dance for Daddy when he walks through the door. If it werent so darn cute to see you react when he comes from work I would be jealous!
YOu do not look like me, you didn't get your dare devil antics from me, but I will bet money that you got your sleeping and eating habits from me! Lord Help us both! Even if I could sleep in these days I cant seem to make it past 4 am - which works well with your wake up time of 4:45 AM every morning - and I can't seem to stay up past 8PM! Again right in line with your bed time! As for your eating habits, I am afraid I may also plead guilty. I refuse to take credit for your amazing food flinging and messiness - but your picky palate has "Mommy" written all over it. Tofu, Veggies, Fruits, beans and Hummus - that pretty much sums up your diet. You are the only kid I know who opts for a stalk of celery over a PB&J...and I love every bit of it!!! :) I know before long your Daddy's terrible Salt-Laden-Processed-Everything Food cravings will lurk onto your palate - so for now I will take advantage of your willingness to eat healthy!
Another issue that has come to play this week with our daily playmates is very concerning to me - your lack of sharing skills  - of both your toys and your Mommy! I am constantly taken aback at the huge difference between you and the little girls we watch (of similar age). The girls seem to have an innate sense of sharing and the ability to play together - whereas you seem to constantly go straight for the jugular! You "need" whatever toy they are playing with, whatever cup they are sipping, and God Forbid I hold any other child in eye shot of you! You act like we spend our days cuddling all day long and cannot go one second with out me holding you!! And then when I do pick you up all you do is rip my glasses off my face and squirm to get down, as if you just realized how much you hate to be cuddled! YOu must get your anti-cuddling skills from Zorro! THe Girls, on the other hand, would be perfectly content sitting on my lap all day. What happened to you kiddo?? How come your Mommy cant hold you for more than two seconds with out you squirming or flailing yourself into some discontorted form of a back bend?? Hoy Vey kid you are a handful! Hopefully this is the time when girls are easier than boys - because if you are a more difficult teenage boy than a teenage girl, they better have my room at the looney bin waiting for me!
We are creeping up on Thanksgiving - and of course the Christmas decorations and Paraphenelia is in full effect on TV, in stores, and just about everywhere you turn. Poor Turkey Day - alway gets squeezed out between the Halloween Madness and Christmas Craziness! But I promise you kiddo - no Christmas Decorations ever before Thanksgiving here! Well except for the bells on the door - But I think they are festive for all seasons! We have a lot going on in the coming days and weeks! Your Gramma comes to visit next week  - just wait til she gets her hands on you! You are quite the big (independent) boy now since the last time she has seen you! We also have to get ready to have our first big Thanksgiving Dinner in Colorado! Mommy just loves a houseful of people at the holidays! Lots to Cook, Lots to Bake, and of course my Holiday favorite - the Hallmark Channel Holiday Movie Marathons!!! Who the heck needs football anyway!?!?!
Well my dearie as I type away you and Rhemi are both sleeping peacefully in separate rooms - A Christmas Miracle in and of itself - I know my alone time is limited. I just wanted to take a few moments to remind you how much I love you and how much I love being your Mommy. We do need to work on your sharing and sleeping - but that is nothing that cant wait until tomorrow!
Sleep tight Mr Squirmy Wormy! I love you bunches and look forward to experiencing this exciting time of year with you and your Daddy!
I love you!
Love, Mommy

PS - Thanks again to Laurie for all the amazing knitted creations you are wearing! We love them all!!

Helmet Head.

Dear Monster I
Well we knew it was going to be a rough week - I guess we just underestimated your bark and bite being equally fierce! ROAR!! It was quite a challenging week to say the least! You are getting so big and so stubborn (must be form Daddy)! I think all my "monkey" names for you have gone to your head. I am pretty sure you are going to require a helmet to get through the day soon! Everything (this week) has been a struggle most notably sleep time, eating time, and your new fondness for climbing one EVERY piece of furniture and structure you lay eyes on!
This week was a first for both us. We took on two 2 year olds this week - you and the ladies. Things went surprisingly smooth - and MOmmy only had to raise her voice once - and you will never guess at whom....Hint hint HIS name rhymes with FIssac!! Who says girls hare harder!!???
THursday was "That Day"  for me! It started early and hard and went quickly down hill from there! I should have known things were going to be amiss when I put on my slippers at 4AM and got a moldy lemon in my toes. Maybe I should wear my slippers more often, but how the heck did you get a lemon in there - in the closet!! When??  From that point on the day was in rapid decline. No nap - which was surprising since we had been so good about that. At first I let you cry, thinking you would just fall asleep, but after 1 hour and 35 minutes of POW Interrogation screams coming from your room, I gave in. I opened your bedroom door only to find your naptime avocado banana smoothie completely covering your bed, walls, body and curtains. Somehow you managed to unscrew the bottom of the bottle - and then proceed to shake the contents all over your room. Impressive to say the least.


After cleaning up that mess, I regrettably put you in the car to hit the store. I knew you would fall asleep once we got moving - RIght??? WRONG. You screamed for 18 miles and finally fell asleep as I pulled in the parking lot. Fantastic. I spent the next hour and 15 minutes staring at a dumpster while you slept peacefully looking like an angel in the back seat. Once in the store you proceeded to tear things off the shelf and run away from me every shot you could. Ugh...and the day marched on.
Next we hit up the grocery store where your new favorite thing is to throw all the contents of the cart onto the floor. It is quite the show stopper, not too mention that we come home with a bagful of bruised produce and crushed snacks. I wonder if it would be frowned upon if I started taking you out in a straight jacket??? Hmmm...

And so the rest of the day carried on in similar fashion. You put the final nail in yet another cell phone, You screamed, you kicked, you threw your head back and flung yourself onto the floor, I cried, Zorro Slept - and then Daddy finally came home from work and rescued us from each other. That nite I oculdnt help peeping in your room and watching you sleep. I just didnt trust you quiet that long after the day we had! Miraculously watching you asleep I couldnt help but think how lucky I was that you must be hitting the "terrible 2s" early and if your tantrums are the worst I have to deal with then we will survive. Somehow.
This weekend was a little easier on the nerves. We went to the Denver CHristmas show on Saturday. Too many people. Too many Christmas sweaters. It was a good idea, it just needed a bigger venue. Those Coloradans love them some CHristmas!! Sunday brought on DayLIght Savings time. Apparently you didnt get the memo. Rather than getting up at 5AM, you decided not only were you going to get up earlier - you were going to get up earlier and need to pull every electronic talking toy out and start playing with it at 3:30 AM. Fabulous. Thanks heavens for Sprout!
Maybe it was the lack of sleep, but somehow Mommy and Baby Terror Monster got coerced into going
to the Ski Lodge with Daddy while he went snow boarding. I am sure he meant well, but I cant say I am in hurry to get back up there. You, Me, Zorro, wet snow squalls and a million drunk frat kids in neon wearing helmets and goggles calling each other "yo" and " Bro" was not the most relaxing Sunday afternoon I have spent. Sorry Kiddo (and Daddy), Im sure you are going share Daddy's love of the snow and snow boarding someday. You have that dare devil gene hard wired into you, but Mommy just doesnt get it. It just seems too involved for me - and not to mention Mommy's lack of adrenaline for anything. Maybe Mommy is more lame than we originally thought. I will apologize for that now because I do not think you are going to get that oo change. I know I will have to pretend to like these things for your sake someday, but really I can think of a gagillion other things I would rather do than strap my feet to piece of plastic and slide down a mountain in the cold wearing an obnoxious Hot Pink moon suit. Just sayin...
So here we are on another Monday. The weather has been nothing less than AMAZING and they say today is the last day for that - Snow and Cold is in the forecast for the unforeseeable future. I guess we will see what that means for us in the house all day! I can only imagine the erected tent in the living room will look normal by the end of the week. I know many people will tell me to relax and not lose site of the "big picture" here. And I am sure they are right. So what if I have lemons in my shoes (did I mention it was moldy???)  and avocados splattered on the walls, or I have gone thru 4 cell phones in the past 6 months, in the long run what is important is that you are a healthy happy baby monster... boy with a mommy and daddy who love you more than snow brats like neon! I guess we need to be patient with each other kiddo - as we are both on a SLOW learning curve with each other. This mommy thing is still new to me as Im sure this whole "life" thing is new to you. I wouldn't change it for the world - but don't be mad at me if I make you constantly wear a helmet!
I love Monster Monkey mash
Love, Mommy

Draggin' Daze!!

Dear Baby I,
Boy! Does Mommy need a vacation! Today must be Monday - again! We had such a great week, but boy did we jam pack a lot of stuff in such a little bit of time!
We celebrated your Second Halloween this past weekend with a trip to NEPA! It was a great break and much needed family time for Mommy - but honestly it feels like going away for a short trip is much harder than going away for a longer break. THere is so much to do, so many people to see, and not to mention getting used to that time change all within 3 days! It definitely was not enough! Needless to say Mommy is DRAGGING today - and I am sure I will be for days to come!
Last week brought some more amazing fall weather here in Denver. We spent most of the week getting ready to for our trip. Thursday we did our first solo drive up to Aunt Sue's to drop off Zorro for the weekend! Dare I say I didnt even shed a tear - this time! Even when he stood up and pawed the window as we drove away, Mommy managed to keep it in in check - this time.
I have to say you had a great flight experience this trip! I was pleasantly shocked. You even fell asleep for large portions of the trip. Little did I know that was probably due to the impending fever and ear ache that would be in full bloom Friday.
I should have known we were in for an interesting weekend when you literally shut down the airport terminal by setting off the security alarm as we exited. Apparently you touched something you shouldn't have. I am sure all those passengers who got locked in the terminal were just as amused as you were by all the flashing lights and buzzing alarms. But at least Noni got to see you walk for the first time!
We got to Noni's around midnite and the fun started some time around 5AM on Friday. The screaming was intense! Finally we jumped in the car and your Nono drove us all around NEPA trying to get you to fall asleep. It was a failed attempt, but at least now I know that "Seriously Sinatra" on satelite radio can put me to sleep in minutes! Later that day we attempted to go to Robas Family farms, but the cold, wind, and your inevitable crankiness make it a short - yet expensive trip!
Saturday brought us some great family time with ALL of your Uncles and Aunts were there. So much fun!! We carved pumpkins, ate waaaay too much, played lots, saw lots of friends and of course - ate too much!! We even got to see Mommy's long lost BFF Jylle and your friends Nico and Jude at their spooky Halloween party!
Halloween day was a mixed bag - it started with a rough nite of "sleeping" and things didnt get much better from there. I could tell you werent feeling very well. All the cuddling and sitting still is defintely a red flag with you! We had a huge family lunch with lots of people who came to see you, but unfortunately you wanted no part of it. You only wanted Mommy (which I secretly LOVED). We tried our hand at the Church Halloween party - where you picked up top prize for "scariest Preschooler!" but really you just were not feeling too well. We decided to bag (ha) trick or treating for this year and just let you watch all the kids to the house. And there were LOTS of kids to see! Noni's house is always a big hit with the trick or treaters and Daddy is always amazed at how many kids do a trick for a treat! We just don't give candy away for nothing!!




Well it is now Wednesday afternoon as I wrap this up. You are fast asleep in your bed for nap time and Rhemy is napping on My bed. I literally said "Rhem its nap time" and she walked in the room, pointed to the bed for me to lift her up, and fell fast asleep. I am not quite sure what kind of miracle that was, but I find myself in a quiet house with 2 under 2 sleeping within 20 minutes. I do not want to jinx anything, so that is all I will say...other than WHEW!!
As we creep into November I can only hope some of my love for the holidays rubs off on you! We have so much to do and unfortunately it always seems too little time. When I say "too much to do" I do not mean the hustle and bustle of shopping, wrapping, traveling, cooking...blah blah blah. I embrace all that! I  just always feel like we welcome this time of year and then before we know it is over. I want to love every second of this "most wonderful time of the year" with you and not waste one minute of it stressing over the small stuff. So I promise I will try not to do that with you! I will  bake because I want too not because I have to, I will shop if I feel the gift is right, and we will welcome all the traveling/visitors because it brings us closer to our family. Holidays are to be celebrated not dreaded!




Well my little pet monster dragon, time for me to get all geared up to take you both to Sadie's house when you guys wake up! Today is the first day of 3 under 2!! God help me!!! I hope you know hope much I love you and as much as I LOVE all the clinginess and cuddle time I have received this week I hate to see you sick! So hurry up and get rid of your ear infection pronto!!
Love you Baby Boy!!
Mommy xo

Timber.

Dear Baby I,
 Good morning my dear! As I sit here in cellar typing away, you are fully engrossed with the Halloween Special of Super Why. Not to mention you have completely emptied a box of Golden Grahams onto the floor (Mommy's of course) and you are wiping off each graham with one of the dozens of baby wipes you have strewn across the floor. Oh Happy Monday! At least you are content...for now!
Dare I say Kiddo we had quite a pleasant week - including some qulaity sleep time! Maybe it was your "non" ear infection - or that nagging cough that kept you a little more on the mellow side this week - but either way we both got some much needed snooze time! I think it has something to do wtih Mommy FINALLY putting batteries back in Scout. I probably should have done that months ago!
 This week started out kind of rough for both of us.  I got a whiff of whatever bug you had - and it wasnt any more pleasant in the adult version. I swore I was never going to eat again - of course I am already over that vow of abstinence. It was like Morning sickness all over again! ugh! The Horror!!! Luckily this morning sickness only lasted a few days and not a few months! Lucky for us, Mommy it is much better now - but now poor Daddy is up in bed flanked by a garbage can, soda, and blankets. At least Mr. Bug crawled around the house slowly and hit us one at a time! I cant wait until a few days from now when I can poke fun at daddy for making fun of me for all my moaning and groaning last week! Mr. Bug has exacted my revenge! But Mommy is not PURE Evil...I will give it a few days before I begin my "Told you so" chants! Funny how that "bug" always hits then men-folk harder!
I cannot tell you how much I love this weather Monkey man! It has been PERFECT outside! Cool, Crisp and sunny with just a bit enough of a breeze to break out the sweaters and hoodies. Although the night times are getting a bit chillier! I even drove past a car completely covered in snow!! The park seems to close up a bit faster and earlier these days. We snuck in a quick trip to the zoo this week too - with our good friends Sadie and Brady. All was going well, until your lack of nap kicked in! Then it was time to hit the road!





So one challenge we seem to be having lately kiddo is you learning what "SHHH!" means. Ok, honestly we are miserably failing at learning any commands! I have been trying REALLY hard to take you to church with me on Sunday mornings - but I have yet to make it past the Gospel before I have to grab our stuff and dart for the closest exit! It is SO frustrating! I do not know if I am just trying to take you there to early in the game for you or what is going on. As soon as we get there you just start hollering and screaming and doing ANYTHING in your power to run around. I get so aggravated it pretty much defeats the whole purpose of going to Mass. The other parrishoners couldnt be nicer, they give me the "ahhh, you poor thing" smile meanwhile I do all I can to not pick you up by your collar and drag you out to the car! I guess I should wait on bringing you again.
This past weekend was also filled with our family fun as always! Friday we had a long walk in the leaves around the neighborhood. Saturday was Mommy's favorite lazy day! Sunday we went up to visit Aunt Sue and watch her and Daddy chop down a tree for fire wood. (poor tree! :( )
It was MUCH cooler up there than we expected. Winter is on its way - especially up at Windrock! So you and I got to hang out inside and rearrange - and break! - Aunt Sue's knick knacks! I can only imagine that she is still finding carrot sticks and apple slices all over the house from you! Zorro got to meet his first deer...Oh boy does Aunt Sue have her work cut out for her this weekend!
Alas a new week is here - and a special week at that! Its Halloween this weekend! So much to do!! My bet is you are going to be the cutest most fierce dragon ever seen! My little Cute-asoraus Rex!! I cant wait to see you all dressed up although I know it will be short lived! Bring on the trick or treaters! We will be armed with candy, goodies, and lots barks for everyone who enters the door! We have lots to work on this week - learning to be quiet, using a fork (or at least eating off some sort of utensil - in public AT LEAST!!) and for the Upteenth time I will try to get you to point at your "eyes" after Mommy says "where are Isaac's eyes?" 6 billion times!! Its always so easy looking on TV!
I love you Mr. Tiny Taranadon! Time for us to get up, get dressed, and start the day (it is 11:45 AM afterall!

Love, Mommy

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