14 - 31 - 2

That would be...I turned 14 months old yesterday, 31 pictures were taken, and I only sat still enough for 2 pictures to turn out. As I said last month, it's pretty fun watching mom and dad try to get me to sit still. At 14 months, I've basically seen it all now. I've figured out how to work the system. Back when I was a baby, I would let them dress me, sit still and take as many pictures as they wanted. Now that I'm older and wiser, I'm not so willing to be accommodating.

I've been walking more and more often, taking more and more steps each time. I am quite the adventurer. Sunday afternoon, dad took mom and myself out for hamburgers and ice cream. It was fun for them, but not so much for me. It's never fun to just sit and watch people eat ice cream without sharing with me.

Lions and Tigers and Spencer, Oh My!

Well, maybe there weren't any lions and tigers this week, but I did meet up with a bear! Today, mom, dad and I went to the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, today. We walked through the conservatory, Japanese gardens, saw the bonsai exibit. We also went through the Amazon exhibit where I watched fish bigger than me swim by. Unfortunately, Chloe the two-toed sloth was not on exhibit - she was out for a "mating program"; whatever that means.

Next we headed to the zoo where I got my picture taken with a giant tortoise. Dad says they are probably a few years older than me. Then I was off to see the new polar bears. They hid for awhile and just as we were about to leave appeared to everyone's delight. Dad outsmarted a bunch of 6 year olds and so we got some front row pictures. I wasn't scared, but I could tell mom and dad were, so let them now I would protect them.

Afterwards, I came home and had a nice relaxing bath. I really enjoy taking baths; I have so many toys to play with there is barely enough space for me. There aren't many things better than a good soak. Bath time got better, though, I because I found out how fun splashing water can be. Splashing other people is really fun, too.

I started eating asparagus on Sunday and so far no complaints. Just add it to my ever expanding pallet of vegetables. My ninth tooth came in today as well, but not just any tooth my first molar! It is starting to peek through in my upper right corner, which explains why I've been refusing to brush my teeth for the last couple of weeks.

Aside from growing, I've been actively busy as well. Exploring and crawling - emptying drawers and shelves. Not only can I walk on my own for three or four steps, but I started pulling myself and standing all by myself, too.

Quite a day, and I am tuckered out.

Fearless

Fearless - absolutely fearless. Everyday, I am becoming faster and faster at crawling, which is great when I try to make a break from mom and dad. Additionally, I have no problem crawling up the large flight of stairs. It's great. If I get bored with my toys downstairs, I just wait until Mom and Dad turn their back, and poof...I'm off like a shot, up the stairs, and in my room playing with my other set of toys. In addition to speed crawling and escaping, I'm getting better at walking, too. Now, I can take about 3 or 4 steps before I dive into Mom and Dad.





I've also been doing a lot of playing lately. My new best friend is our 80 year old neighbor Ed. I am getting more and more vocal and like to yell out at everyone I see, but Ed is my favorite. I call out and we take turns waving at each other. I also enjoy playing catch with Mom and Dad. I've been known to grab one of them, yell at them and put a ball in their lap. We toss it back and forth. With this young start, I wonder if I may be some sort of Foursquare prodigy.





That's about all. I continue to feed myself. I really like milk, can't seem to get enough. This week I am going to try some asparagus.

Hausfrau

Man, this house is dirty. Apparently, it is up to me to clean things up and I've got a lot to do. So many random objects strewn about. I need to get organized so I can create more space, not just for my current stuff, but anything new I may acquire as well. I can't believe the mess...how could there possibly be Cheerios on the floor in every room? Who could have done this? It is not going to be good once I find out who sprinkled them throughout the house. Man, this house must have a lot of tomtes...who else could have such a wanton disregard for putting things away?

Here, I am hard at work:

Other than cleaning, I have been busy fearlessly climbing stairs, opening and closing doors and drawers (re-opening and re-closing and re-opening and re-closing...). I move like a rabbit and stand up for a couple of seconds all by myself.

Road Trippin'

Hi everyone. I've had a busy day. Today, Saturday, I went grocery shopping with dad, helped with some cabinets, went on a walk and helped mom in the kitchen. I am really close to walking. Yesterday, I took two steps all on my own when moving between Mom and Dad. I'm crawling up and even down stairs really well lately. I've been eating lots of solid foods. Sometimes I eat an entire chicken breast for dinner. I also have been gorging myself on green beans for the last two weeks. I truly am full of beans.



I went up to C-town to hang with Grandma and Grandpa last weekend. It was a lot of fun. I went on a swing, played and entertained all with my dancing to the walker. Dad and Grandpa went golfing a couple of times, but I decided to hang back with the ladies. I checked out my treehouse and saw a deer walk through the backyard.

I had lots of fun playing in the kitchen...so many cupboards to explore. I also helped Grandpa install a hand vaccuum on the wall. Grandma's great - she let me take a bath in her sink, I drank water from a cup (a real cup, not a sippy cup). I also did something else in the sink, but there's no evidence of that so we aren't going to talk about it.

Here I am having fun in the bath.

Here I am drinking from a cup, all by myself.

I also helped Grandma reorganize her cabinets. Not only do I do the work of removing dishes from cabinets, I am more than willing to provide suggestions and advice...

Exploring the New World

Hi. It's been a busy week. I've been drinking milk like crazy and my 8th tooth came in! Now I have four on top and four down below. I've been eating so much chicken, it's coming out of my ears!







I've been exploring my ever-expanding world; opening doors, opening drawers, and just playing with anything within reach!