Books and Lashes

Ian loves to read! He spends hours sitting looking at his books, turning the pages, "reading" them. I love to watch him get so excited when he finds something he really likes in them -- typically lions or ducks. He will roar with glee or quack uncontrollably! Why is it that kids learn animal sounds first?

He is gathering quite a library in our living room. He has taken over an entire shelf of a bookcase and is slowly moving into the one above it! Before he was born I was so worried that he wouldn't like books. I wasn't sure I could cope with a child that didn't connect with my favorite thing! That makes me laugh now since there are SOOOO many other things to cope with including his latest tantrums if he can't go outside or dig in the trash! Oh Boy!

***What do you think of my new lens?? I'm loving it!***

First Real Steps

Disconnected...

I was given an amazing new lens for my birthday and...the card reader in my computer has decided to no longer work! AHHHHH So I can't show you the amazing pictures. You can't see Ian wearing his bike helmet around the living room or eating rice at my birthday lunch. You will just have to take my word for it! He was pretty funny. He really wanted help putting the helmet on and then he just sat on his little couch and smiled. It was the first time I said, "smile" and he sat and smiled without grabbing the camera! He knows how special my new lens is = )

El Diablo

Trick or Treat
Smell My Feet
I'm Cranky And Want to Go Home!

So Ian's first trick or treat outing ended after knocking on one door! We visited Uncle Justin who was still at work and then attempted to visit a friend's house to the sounds of screaming from the back seat. It was the longest 5 minute drive of my life! We decided that between the time change and all of the excitement it was just a little too much for a little guy so home we went.

He did successfully, although reluctantly visit our next door neighbor's house. Then it was home for dinner and watching trick or treaters from inside. Year one = one house so I'm thinking year two = two houses. I can handle this pace!

Once you discover the vat of candy why go door to door?

Pre Halloween Festivities

We got the "babies" together for some picture taking and play date fun yesterday. They had fun and the moms all attempted to get pictures of the wiggly group of toddlers. Ian was a good sport and sat with the pumpkins for lots of pictures. He's becoming a better model every day...should I be worried? We missed his friend Leo who was home with a cough.

Then we got an extra treat with a short visit with Auntie Jordona and her kids at Southside Park! Wish we could see her more often.


A good day for all of us.

oh...and another good thing...finally got an offer on our house! woohoo

There would be more pictures, but silly blogspot won't upload them!

Babies On A Plane

Shea had the week off so we jumped on a plane for a visit with his sister's family in San Diego. It was a quick 3 days of the zoo, sunset on the beach, and juggling a 14 month old and 17 month old on opposite napping schedules! They had fun playing, but not really with each other. Ian also increased his asleep during take off record to 7 of 8! I think our days of easy flights may be numbered though!

Ian played with his cousin Kirin's toys! Toys that belong to someone else are always best!

They played with the goats in the petting zoo.

Ian showed us his ice cream tongue...mmmmmmmm

There was a panda sighting. (1 of only 12 in the United States!)

And back at Erin's we found a little monkey in the window!

Lots of books were enjoyed. (I think I can go a few months before I need to read Are You My Mother again!) They were okay with each other as long as there was NO TOUCHING!

Pumpkins

We ventured up to Apple Hill today to pick Ian's first pumpkin! It was a beautiful day for walking through a field of soft dirt with big weeds to find the perfect pumpkin. Ian loved the dirt, but wasn't a fan of the weeds touching him.



We decided that we each needed our own pumpkin, so...



Three pumpkins, an apple pie, and lunch at Sweetie Pie's and we headed home again! It was a good day.

Surrounded By Girls

Ian had a playdate at his friend Annika's house yesterday. They loved playing with this crazy toy that shot balls up and around with air. They tried to put balls down the tube and Ian would scream uncontrollably every time they'd come flying out. His screams scared poor Annika but didn't seem to phase Addie.

I think Ian has entered the screaming like a girl phase...I hope it's short!

Baby Einstein?

Ian has asked me to take over his blog for a bit. He's just a little busy lately with playing, sleeping, growing, eating, and other toddler activities.

So tonight while giving him a bath we discovered that he might just be a little genius! I asked him where Sammy the Seal was and he picked it up. I asked him where Danger Duck was and, you guessed it, he picked it up. I asked him where his boat was and, once again, he picked it up! He didn't just recognize the right bath toy, he was able to distinguish them from the required thirty toys bobbing in the tub.

In our amazement we asked each other, "is he smarter than most babies?" And of course...we know the answer! I refuse to pick up a child development book to confirm.

--Ian's Mom

McWho?

My parents were taking me to the park a few days ago talking about this place called McSomething or other. They sounded really happy saying that I would probably never really know what it was since we don't have a tv (although I've seen the huge one at my uncle's house) and they haven't eaten there in over seven years.

People keep calling me vegetarian, but I don't really know what that means. All I know is that I like my food!

My favorites lately are:

• Beans -- any size, color and flavor
• Broccolli
• Peas
• Corn
• Grean Beans -- especially when they are long and I can hold onto them
• Garden Burger patties like my mom eats, in fact I ate half of hers a few weeks ago so they started giving me my own
• Soy yogurt
• Blueberries
• Grapes
• Bananas -- they aren't letting me eat them anymore, something about something called constipation
• My favorite food -- Goldfish -- although mom makes a mean face at dad when he gives them to me at dinner
  
  You can make your own sign too!
  
  

And for you skeptics (dad taught me that word...he tries to teach all "his kids" that word) out there that wonder, what will my parents do when I go to school. Check here! Thanks Cousin Brian for sharing that link!

Leo Said It Best

I had a great day on Friday! We spent three hours with my friends at Southside Park. Leo's mom took great pictures.

A Day Off With Mom

Mom and I took a day off today. We skipped right over my nap -- woohoo -- so that we could play together. We started out at that coffee place she likes so much and shared a scone...ymmmm. We walked to the park right by my daycare. I know all of my friends there were sleeping AND missing their moms.

Mom let me play on a new bench that she told me was for Tony and Rich. They didn't die, just helped a lot of people run 26.2 miles. (I'm not really certain how far that is...mom said something about 26 times around the park, but I won't usually let her go more than 2 times around) Rich is the guy who always tells me how cute I am. I kind of like him. I'm sure glad they let me share their bench.

I fed the ducks cheerios, and well, I ate some myself. I talked to some other kids my size. Mom pushed me in the swing, but I'm really not such a fan of swinging. I'd rather just watch the other kids. We went down the slide together and watched the squirrels on the walk home.

What a good day! I think I'm sleepy now... I hope mom and I take tomorrow off too.

The Sleepiest Place On Earth

Disneyland

The Happiest Place on Earth

The Magic Kingdom

Mickey Mouse

I slept...and slept...and slept.

When I woke up we were someplace called ToonTown and there were people everywhere! My cousin Lainie had a great time taking pictures with Minnie Mouse. I thought she was big and kind of scarey.

I liked It's a Small World A LOT, but my dad kept muttering, "you won't like this next time we come."

The parade was pretty cool, but those mice are HUGE!

But sleeping...that was the best!

The Deluxe Haircut

They had my hair cut.

I guess it was kind of a big deal. My mom took lots of pictures (what's new) and said she was going to cry (she says that a lot). Dad stood by for support. They took a before picture just to show how long it had gotten. My mom said she liked the curls in the back. It kept poking me in the eyes in the front though.

Before

I was a little nervous, but I think I did okay. I wonder when I get a lollipop like the guy before me?After

My dad was very proud.

What A Weekend!

Wow! I got to spend the entire weekend with my Mumzy and Gramps in Pacific Grove and Santa Cruz. They gave me ice cream, bought me toys, held me, let me eat sand, and made sure I had everything I need. My mom spent two entire nights without me...I'm not sure how she did it! Mumzy and Gramps are soooo fun I didn't even miss her. I did get to see her go by me a few times while she was going around in circles with a lot of other people in purple doing their triathlon. I clapped for her when I saw her, and occassionally I just clapped because it seemed like the right thing to do.


Next year I want to do it!

My Dad

My dad is a fun guy. He lets me do things that my mom won't like eating ice cream, wiping my nose with my hand, and staying up past my bedtime.

Do you think I look like him? Mom says I have his eyes.

I Can Dress Myself

I thought I'd play in the laundry while mom was "working" on the computer. She really needs to put things away. I sure hope they let me do an event soon! How old do you have to be to ride a tricycle?

Something Called Sushi

So my parents make me go to fundraisers all the time...you name it I've probably been there. Saturday they took me to one that my friends Judy and Becky were throwing. Most fun I've had! They were all making something called sushi. It didn't really look like food, but they all sure seemed to like creating it and eating it. Personally, I liked the rice best.

Warning: Mom Hijacked My Blog!

She has done it again...sometimes I have to let her ramble.

So I’m awake at 4:30AM this morning…no reason. I guess Ian is sleeping too well, so what could I possibly need more than 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep for? I’m laying in bed questioning having put my child in daycare a few days a week – feeling badly, wondering if he is really being fed or if that is just what she’s telling me, thinking maybe this perfectly nice background checked friend recommended woman is in some way harming my precious one. It’s much too early to call Yvonne to ask if she went through her own personal moment of insanity after putting Annika in said daycare so I must do the next best thing, email her!

I open my email to discover I’ve received my latest Powell’s Newsletter (only the single best bookstore on the face of the planet)! Reading through it I discover a cute little link to this book titled “Mommies Who Drink”. Okay, I’ll admit that it wasn’t the title that got me but rather the author’s description of having appeared on Six Feet Under. Immediately I was compelled to figure out who she was and did I see that episode. (As you wonder, no I still don’t own a TV and have no plans to, but have found myself addicted to Six Feet Under, the Soprano’s, and of course Lost thanks to Netflix.)

I found myself even more intrigued when I discovered that an anthology including a story by the author was banned in Ashland, Oregon because of said story! Yeah banned books!!

Further perusing random links about aforementioned (thank you sarah n for adding that to my vocab) book and I discover Brainchild: The Magazine for Thinking Mothers. It made me cry...so maybe I need more sleep. Or a drink...

Zoo Trip

I met my friends today at the zoo! I love the zoo, so many things to see. I think I like the kids the best though. You know the two legged walking talking kind. Today I got to watch the monkeys play for a long time...very fun!

We ate lunch in the playground with my friends. Then their moms let them walk all over and go up and down the slide. I didn't even have shoes on...so I didn't get to do any of that fun stuff. My mom doesn't even have shoes for me to wear. She always says something about, rest of my life to wear shoes, what's the hurry. I don't know what she is talking about. I just sat with my mom and watched my friends play. Party pooper. She did FINALLY let me walk up the slide, holding her two hands of course. Only once though. I screamed for her to let me do it again, but she wouldn't listen.

I slept while she drove home. It was a busy day!

Blah Blah Blah

Nothing too exciting, whitty, or clever to say today, but thought I should post something! So, here are pictures of me my mom took while she was sitting in dog poop.

Did she make my head look funny?

I thought the poop was kind of funny!

Tomorrow I'm going to the zoo!

A Boy! A Chair!

Today my mom let me sit in a big chair in the front yard! I loved it...I just sat and sat...until she made me get out of it. And of course, there she was with the camera again. She wouldn't let me sit in it when we got back in the house...I just don't understand why!

Play Group Madness!

All of my friends came over yesterday! What a day...wish I could play with them everyday.

Scarred For Life...But For A Good Cause

My parents insist on getting me out of the house almost every Saturday and Sunday morning to go hangout with a group of people who are sweaty and smelly and REALLY fun to be around. They pass me from one person to another and I absolutely love it! I have at least 20 Aunties who I've know for A LONG time and about as many Uncles. Dad usually hangs out with me while mom attempts to run, ride her bike, or swim for a while. I'm not sure why she doesn't take me with her, but I'm sure glad when she comes back.

Today was a special day. We were going to meet Grandma Sue for pancakes after everyone ran in circles for an hour or so! Any day with Grandma Sue is a good day. Pancakes make it a GREAT day! Mom told me that all of the special people there were "honorees", I guess they are all leukemia survivors. I'm not quite sure what that means though.

I was just minding my own business cruising around looking at all of the cool things they had for everyone while mom and dad where off doing other things when I crashed (they left me in excellent care...for you worrywart relatives reading this) ! You know it happens! So my face is a little banged up...kind of cool though, my scratches are on the same side as dad's scar! I was such a big boy, I didn't even cry. I just needed to suck my thumb a bit when mom came back.

My poor Auntie Becky...she thought it was her fault...said something about paying for my college. I'll have to tell her later that I'm really ok, but she can always pitch in for school, I heard it is expensive.

I'm Crackers About Crackers

I love crackers. Don't bother me with other food. Give me crackers.

Today I ate...crackers...only crackers. Well, plus 5 peas, 6 kernels of corn, and a few bottles of milk. I even found the bag of crackers Dad left on the table, had 6 of them in my mouth before Mom and Dad realized why I was playing so quietly.

MMMMM Crackers...

Call Me Ishmael

So...I've been noticing lately that my parents call me many many things. Kind of funny since I really don't call them much of anything and I still am able to get my point across.



Top Ten List For This Week

1. Little Pooper (or just pooper for short) -- no explanation required
2. Poopy Pooperson -- again, no explanation needed
3. Cutie Pie -- usually from mom, she still hasn't figured out I'm not a fruit filled pastry
4. Sweetie Pie -- ditto above
5. Bud or Buddy -- I was okay with this until I met my Auntie Kelly's dog
6. Dude -- some throwback to the late 80's early 90's I believe
7. Mister or Little Mister -- I believe the correct term would be master but I'll give them a break, they are sleep deprived
8. Little Man -- mom's favorite when she thinks I'm being sweet
9. Senor -- dad's favorite typically with the phrase "uno moment" attached to it
10. Ian -- my personal favorite although it does rhyme with a "p" word!

Someplace They Keep Calling "Home"

Isn't home Sacramento?

So my parents loaded me in the car on Sunday and brought me to this little town in the middle of nowhere. My Mumzy, Gramps, cousins, aunts, and Grandma and Grandpa are all here...for some reason. I like them all. We've been here a few days while my dad is fixing the house they lived in before me...he sure comes home dirty, so he must be doing a good job of fixing it. I like all the attention I'm getting, everyone here let's me get away with A LOT more than my parents do.

Can't write much, they use something called "Dial Up" and I guess pictures are out of the question.

Looking forward to being back home soon.