Ho ho ho! Santa was here.

Merry Christmas everybody!  I hope everyone's day was as wonderful as mine was.  Last Christmas was so long ago, that I had really forgotten what Christmas Day was like for a kid.  And I tell you, it was beyond fabulous.  

When I came downstairs this morning, all the wrapped boxes that have been kept out of my reach were right there where I could reach them, and there were new toys under our little Christmas tree.  I headed straight for the tricycle.  I really wasn't interested in unwrapping this year, but did enjoy ribbons and bows.  I let my parents unwrap, and I played.  As soon as I started to enjoy one toy, it seemed another one appeared from the wrapped packages.  Some were from Santa... maybe he's not so bad after all.  I might not have cried on his lap if I knew he was bringing Christmas gifts.  

Most were from Gram Mikan, including art supplies, a ladybug pillow, a laughing cow, and a significant expansion to my wardrobe.  Thank you, Gram!  I also received very fashionable attire from Aunt Gretchen & Uncle James, and my great Aunt Mimi.  I can't wait to model them all!  I got this cool spaceship, including an astronaut dog, from Aunt Jill & Uncle Jeff.  Thank you very much, everyone!

After a delicious breakfast, we took my new tricycle out for a spin around the neighborhood.  My chauffeur pushed.  I'll learn how to pedal later. 

I got this inch worm from my Dad a few days early.  We actually went shopping for it together.  And these Sing-a-ma-jig creatures really crack me up.

You may enjoy the experience of some of my toys best by seeing them in use.  Here's a little video demonstration for you:

I've got a lot of playing to do, plus I am looking forward to Grandma & Grandpa Ford visiting next week.  I will show them how to play with all my new stuff, plus we'll be having extended Christmas!  More fun to come!

No ho ho.

Sometimes, I'm not so sure about my mother.  Remember that picture of me with those strange looking pirate guys a couple months ago?  I would have expected that to serve as a clear lesson to her, but it seems she learned nothing!  Let's take a look at the evidence:

Take me to the playground, even in the cold?  I'm overjoyed!

Give me a giant Christmas ornament?  Awesome entertainment.

Take me on a train ride around Santa's village?  I'm gleeful! 

Take me to look at some real live "ish!" (aka, fish)?  I will kiss them!

Set me on the lap of a bearded man who dresses funny and asks too many questions...  then walk-off, and tell me to smile about it??  Seriously, Mom?  Not pleased. 

Can we please learn from our mistakes here?

Just a general update

What's new this week?  My mother is fabulous, but it really takes both my parents to keep me completely happy.  I can't wait for de Dada to get home again!  I've been busying my mother and myself with regular stuff, but the colder weather has kept me from the playground.   I've been doing some artwork outside the bathtub.  I really prefer the larger wall area as my canvas.  Paper is so confining!  I've gone to library storytime, the jumpy houses with some other kids, and various other routine outings.  I'm working on my climbing and bouncing skills daily.

I understand Christmas is coming.  I don't know exactly what this is all about, but I love seeing all the decorations and hearing the peppy music at the stores.  I went to a Christmas parade where there were lots of cool lights and sounds like I've never seen before.  My favorite parts were dancers.  I tried to join in every chance I got.  I was also quite fascinated by the roller derby team.  I'm considering that as a future hobby.
However, this penguin has planted himself in my yard, and to be honest, I'm not real fond of him.  I stay at least 3 feet away at all times.  I don't trust him.

Here's an update on my spoken vocabulary... just the words that you would understand:
-fish
-bab ("bath")
-cat
-Whazzit? ("what is it?")
-behbeh ("baby")

I really don't want my food chopped up anymore, and my favorite foods of the week are apple wedges and rice krispie treats.  "Nyum nyum nyum."  I can identify some animals in my favorite book.  I can imitate some dance moves that I see on Yo Gabba Gabba, and I've figured out some very important buttons on the remote control.  My mother wants me to stop biting her.  Hahahah.  This week's new activities also include walking backwards and whispering.
Last but not least, I've neglected to publicly express my love of my dogs in quite a while.  I still love them as much as I ever have, especially Raven.  I don't share my blankies often, not even with my parents.  But I do tuck Raven and Casey in for a nap with my blankie from time to time.  And I give them kisses right on their noses several time every day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I enjoyed a feast with my mom and my dad yesterday.  I love turkey and green beans.  That's about it.  My mom thinks I should try some of the other things again as "leftovers."  Will she never learn??  Since she doesn't take "noooo" for an answer, I will have to make a really big mess with those leftovers.  Notice that my seat is at the head of the table.  Maybe my parents do know who is the boss after all!  Anyway, I hope all of you had a lovely Thanksgiving and a delicious meal.

I've been doing regular 1 1/2 year old stuff the rest of the week.  You know, dancing, going to the playground, reading, brushing the dogs, burying my dad underneath all my toys.  I went to an indoor playground full of all kinds of giant bouncy houses, and even went to the library for my first storytime.  I loved it.  More of the same to come this week!  Enjoy your leftovers!  Ciao!

Request granted.

I received a request from an adoring fan for more jump-o-line footage.  I'm always accepting requests.  Here you go:

Who's the Boss?

I've been having a little trouble with my parents lately. They can be really disobedient. Often, I provide them with a specific toy that I think they will enjoy. After a minute or two, they just set it aside. I emphatically tell them, "Noooo!!" and give it back to them. Yet, it doesn't seem to sink in.  I have made it perfectly clear to my mom that I like my milk in a particular cup, but she flat-out refuses.  Anytime I see the garage door open, I run to my car, hop in, lock the door, and call to my chauffeurs to let them know it's time to go to the playground. They just don't listen. I hand them the remote, and announce "schooow," yet rarely do they turn on my show. And, I've given them many impassioned talks about how I do not require a daily nap. When are they going to learn who is in-charge around here?? I've got a lot of parent training ahead of me.

I must give each of them some due credit though. Sometimes, they get it right:

My mother has begun supplying me with bath crayons, despite my father's objection that it might teach me that it's okay to draw on walls. I really enjoy these crayons, and the opportunity to creatively express my feelings.

My father got me this jump-o-line, despite my mother's objection that she didn't want this huge thing taking up the whole room. Yes, this bouncy paradise is right here in my house, and it is pure bliss. Thank you, Daddy!

Last, anytime my parents force me to endure a trip to Target, I get to play at this indoor playground afterward. Watch this!

Okay, you better watch this one too.  I don't think the still photo is going to do justice to the joy of the jump-o-line.

One, and Half Monster

Trick or treat.
Smell my diaper.
Candy really makes me hyper.

Happy Halloween!  As you can see, I debuted as a furry blue monster last night.  My parents helped my pick this costume because my favorite book is "I See a Monster."  Trick or treating was really fascinating.  I knocked on strangers' doors, they said I was cute, then they gave me some candy and we left.  Am I not cute enough to get candy everyday? 

Last year, my mother kept almost all the candy that I got.  This year, things are going to be different, although it appears that most of my peanut butter cups and snickers have already mysteriously disappeared.  So far, my favorites are sweet tarts.  They make me spin in circles and laugh.   I also love lollipops.  I've got to get my hands on some chocolate today.

My parents carved this lovely cat-o-lantern for me, but I wanted absolutely NOTHING to do with it.  I refused to help scoop guts, carve, or go near it once it was lit.  Maybe next year.

*               *               *

In other news, I am 1 & 1/2 years old.  The growing is slowing: 2'8" tall (78%) and 24 pounds, 12 oz (69%).  That may not be exact, because I did not like my new pediatrician's office, and did not care to participate in these measurements.  I've got 12 teeth.  My curls are growing a little everyday.

My spoken vocabulary:
-dog
-Dada/Daddy
-Mama
-hi
-look
-show (I want to watch a show)
-meow
-uh-oh
-guck (drink?  juice?  milk?)
-stop! (usually referring to stop tickling me)

Other words have come and gone, and I have many, many words that my parents haven't figured out yet.  I understand most of what my parents say, although sometimes I pretend not to.  But if they ask me to do something that I want to do, I understand very clearly.

Let me tell you about the basic facts of my life as a 1 & 1/2 year old.  I'm still selective about what I eat.  My favorites are grapes, mac & cheese, mandarin oranges, and ravioli.  I can use a fork, but I quickly lose interest.  Why feed myself when I can multi-task and have my parents feed me while I play?  I still love the water, and no matter how many times my parents tell me not to, I love to stand in the dogs' water dish and turn on the bathtub faucet and throw stuff in the tub.  I like to talk on the phone.  If you have not had a phone conversation with me lately, give me a ring.  I'll answer all your questions.  I have discovered playing in my room--it's not just for sleeping anymore!  As soon as I get one of my parents in my room with me, I run and shut the door so they can't escape.  Then I get out my blocks and my books and some other toys.  I love to read books, and I love to watch Yo Gabba Gabba and dance.  I like to color on paper, as well as walls and sofas.  I am very attached to my blankets and my dogs.  I enjoy my beauty sleep--about 11 hours at night, and 2-3 hours during the day.


Gotta get a nap in before I watch the Patriots game with my Dad.  More updates soon!

Big Girl, and Big Sister?

Greetings from GracieLand!  I just wanted to give you a little progress report on my most recent "big girl" activities.  We didn't go on any exciting outings this week, but I've been busy just the same.  One of my favorite things to do lately is brushing.  I like to brush my hair, which is growing, by the way.  I like to brush my dolls and my teddy bear.  I also like to brush my dogs' faces and my parents' hair.  Most importantly, I like to brush my teeth.  I have 12 teeth now, and I want them to stay pearly white. 

In other big girl news, I have been going to sleep by myself for the past couple of weeks. My mother has tried to help me learn this many times in the last 18 months, but I've always given her a really hard time about it. I just loved being cuddled and rocked to sleep. But seeing how I am almost one and a half years old, I have decided I will do it on my own. Really, it's not so bad at all.  I've also decided that I like to take showers.  It's nice because I can dance in the shower, and I can catch water on my tongue.  I've been washing my own hair, too.  Hygiene is important.

I hang out at my new playground several evenings every week. It's right up the street from my house, so I hop in my buggy and have one of my chauffeurs take me every chance that I get. In addition to swinging, I've been expanding my playground fun to climbing and sliding by myself too. I can see some geese and cranes from the park, but I can't get to them.

Well, I guess this is supposed to be the big news of the day:  I am going to have a little sister.  She should be here around the middle of March.  Today, I was supposed have a live videoconference with her, but stuff like this is all they showed me.  It doesn't look much like a little sister to me.  I won't believe it until I see her up-close, and then I'll decide how I feel about sharing my parents and my dogs.  For now, see what you make of this alien-looking creature... 

A Little Local Flavor

Hello everyone! All is well in Gracieland, Georgia. My updates have become less frequent, so get ready for some extra pictures! I've been keeping myself (and my parents) busy around the house. I am becoming an excellent singer and piano player, a great helper by washing EVERYTHING in the bathtub, and am finding unique hiding places for my toys, including the refrigerator, toilet, and kitchen cabinets. My dad has been teaching me about football, and I have been teaching the dogs about hugs.







More importantly, we finally took some breaks from unpacking boxes and rearranging furniture, and ventured somewhere besides Target and Home Depot. Last week, we went to Oatland Island Wildlife Center. We took a long walk through the marshy forest. Well, my parents walked, and I walked a little but mostly I had my chauffeurs push my stroller. That's the life! I think that my dad was afraid that I would be eaten by one of the animals. We saw cougars, foxes, large birds, and bison. But the most exciting animals that we saw were alligators. My dad is not a fan of alligators, but I liked them.







Yesterday, we had a brief trip to the beach at Tybee Island. Now that was exciting. I started off by trying to catch some seagulls, but no matter how fast I ran, they wouldn't let me near them. Then I noticed the water... the biggest pool I've ever seen! My mom and I put our feet in, but we weren't equipped for swimming. I tried anyways--face first into the ocean. When my mother wouldn't let me play in the water anymore, I noticed sand. Good dirty fun. I can't wait to go back there with my swimsuit and some buckets and shovels! Do they make a seagull-catcher?
















Our stop at the beach was a sidetrip on our way to a Pirate Festival. It was arrRR-right. There were a lot of interesting people there, and a little petting zoo. Let me tell you about this picture though. The reason I look so displeased is because right before this photo was taken, my mother tried to give me away. Don't let her tell you any different. She set me down next to these crazy looking pirates, and she walked off. True story.
No big plans for this week, except I've got to convince my parents to take me back to that beach before long! For now, time for a nap. Talk to you soon!