Swinging on Sunday, March 29

I was getting worried that the weekend was going to be a total washout, but the sun made some appearances this afternoon and it warmed to where I put on shorts and took off the shoes! It was delightful. We walked through the park, and I waved at all the other kids in strollers and on bikes and scooters. I was quite the social bug as we made our way through the park. We even got some ice cream from the big white truck, but I did not show much interest. Perhaps it was just too cold. And, of course, we stopped at the swings. I can't wait for more of these warmer park days!

Hoppin' on Friday, March 27

Today, Moppy, Mommy, and I took a trip to the mall. The best thing about the mall... all of the lights! I was signing away. And, we could not pass up a visit with the Easter Bunny, though he had not much to say; he just waved. I did like all of the flowers and butterflies that surrounded this silent character. Didn't quite understand him, but I enjoyed him nonetheless. While we were gone, Pop took a nice little walk down the road. He is feeling better each day.

Puzzled on Thursday, March 26

It has been an eventful yet quiet week. My mom is enjoying her second week of spring break, so I have enjoyed her company. As well, Moppy and Pop are on an extended stay. Our week started on Monday with Pop's surgery at our local hospital. All went well, he was only in the hospital for one night, and the prostate is out! We are happy to have that behind us, and Pop is on the road to recovery. It is a bit hard for me to understand that he can not pick me up, but I still enjoy his funny faces. Papa Fred and Aunt Val sent Pop a puzzle, which kept him (and my daddy!) busy for most of the afternoon and well into the night. Of course, I tried to get my hands on it; the little pieces looked quite interesting.

Playing on Sunday, March 22

Lots of sunshine today and lots of time outside. However, it was hard to pull me away from my new play area! My parents cleaned and cleared out our basement, which is a nicely finished area formerly serving as a media room (with Daddy's big TV), office (with Daddy's big desk), and in-law suite. Now, it is my playroom, with a media room and in-law suite attached.  Thanks, Dad, for sharing/giving your space.  And, it is almost all baby proofed, so I can go anywhere, pull up on anything, and just have fun! Though, they did gate the steps, so I can't go up the stairs. And, any day, I think I will stuff something in the VCR, but that is so 20th century; it won't really matter. The best thing about my play room is that all my toys are at my disposal on lots of open shelves, and there is so much room I got a tunnel, which I love. Of course, with all of this playing and fresh air, I had to break for a snack of blueberries, one of my favorites. Today, they were especially juicy and messy.

Fishing on Saturday, March 21

Today was the opening of trout season in our little stream, and it was "Kids Day". I enjoyed watching all of the kids fish and seeing the interesting characters they were catching! I look forward to the day when my daddy and I will be fishing out there. I also had a fun visitor today. Troy came to visit, and he always makes me laugh, maybe it is because he tickles me! I still have a few sniffles, if only I knew how to blow my nose!

Signing on Friday, March 20

Though feeling a bit down with another touch of a cold, I signed my first two words today: light and kitty cat. I am feeling quite pleased with myself! I am signing light all the time--amazing how many places I see lights, such as on toys, in every room, on the remote control, and in the sky. As for kitty cat, I have only signed that once, since our cat, Desi, does not come around me too often. Wonder what I will sign next...

Going Green on Tuesday, March 17

Happy St. Patricks's Day! Today's mission is to find green--and it was pretty easy. Along our travels today, which included a brief time on the beach, we founds lots of green things, including a green bagel, green balloons, lots of signs, benches, and green crocs. As I said, we were on the beach briefly. While the sun did come out, it was still chilly!

Shoppin' not Beachin' on Monday, March 16

We are starting our Spring Break with a few days at the beach. I want to get back for my Wednesday music class, and surely I will miss my dad, so we will only be here until Tuesday night. However, today is not much of a beach day. It is chilly and damp. So, to my mom's delight, we went shopping! Luckily, Pop was there to push me around in the stroller and keep me entertained. Of course, a shopping day also means a stop for coffee and a stop for lunch... I was a trooper even delaying my afternoon nap by an hour and half! Back at the beach house, I am having a great time getting into all sorts of things, and they can't keep me away from the stairs that I just want to climb. Thanks, Moppy and Pop, for letting me tear through your home!

Laughter on Saturday, March 14

I make my parents chuckle everyday. But, lately my humor is becoming more purposeful and methodical. Fun games, such as "Come and Get Me!" or "Keep Away", make us all laugh. And like in the restaurant tonight, my dad tried to reach for my cup, and I moved it just out of his way. Then, we had to move the cup back and forth at least a dozen more times--we cracked each other up! And, tonight in the bath, I made my mom giggle so much that she had to try putting bath toys on her face, too. Anything for a laugh!

At School on Friday, March 13

My mom missed a great photo opportunity today--me and lots of seventh graders! I went to school today and had a fantastic time. Since YaYa is in the Phillipines, and it is the last school day before my mom's spring break, she thought it would be okay if I tagged along. School is so much fun! We went outside and played Revolutionary War Capture-the-Flag. And then, we went to the library and into lots of classrooms. All the girls wanted to hold me, and the boys made funny faces at me. So, since we missed that picture among all of my new friends, we got one with my latest discovery. I like sipping juice out of a straw! It is so much easier than a sippy cup that I have trouble tilting up especially when the juice gets low. It did not take me long to get the hang out of sucking through a straw. My mom tells me the world is full of great inventions, like the straw... French fries... recess... the Cat in the Hat... swimming pools...

Eleven Months on Wednesday, March 11

Eleven months on the 11th. Happy day to me!
I do believe that this picture captures many things that I am doing these days, such as growing teeth (slowly), smiling, and performing. So Big! continues to be one of my favorites. As well this past month, my exploration and investigation skills continued to grow! Lately, I am into body parts, and I especially like to point to noses. I also use that pointer finger to find holes, new textures, or the smallest of objects on the floor to pick up and investigate, and then, of course, that object finds its way into my mouth. One of my favorite toys lately has been water bottles with varying amounts of water in different bottles. It is quite interesting to note the different weights and sounds they make. I continue to love reading, which includes turning the pages myself. My favorite book series is the touchy, feely books, "That's Not My..." I know them all by heart. In fact, I am not that fond of new books my mom tries to introduce; I have my stack of favorites. So, in between good eating (newest favorite as of this morning--blueberries--my mom can only give me one at a time; otherwise, I stuff in my mouth too quickly and excitedly!), good sleeping, and lots of playing, I look forward to my twelfth month, my FIRST birthday. It is hard to believe that has almost been a year since I was that tiny baby!

Sand in the Toes on Sunday, March 8

Spring is in the air! It was a beautiful weekend, made so lovely by the weather and by all the people that surrounded me. My Grandma and Grandpa Ashley came to visit this weekend. Last weekend, they were unable to come because of the snowy weather. I am glad they waited until this weekend, as we were able to go to the park together. We also just had a wonderful time hanging out. They were so impressed by all of my tricks and activities. This was also quite the birthday weekend. On Saturday, I went to Luke's first birthday party. And, today, we celebrated Kylie and Craig's birthday over on Kent Island. Notice how I got my hands in Kylie's cake before she did (with my Uncle Dave's urging); we were practicing for my birthday. We also walked down to the beach, and I walked in the sand and put my toes in the Bay without any hesitation. This makes me look forward to my upcoming Spring Break at the beach. Don't forget, this weekend was also daylight savings time. This should actually work in my favor since I am such an early riser. Perhaps this will allow my parents (and me) a few extra winks in the morning ;)

Monkeying Around on Thursday, March 5

For playgroup today, we met at Elevation Burger for lunch and then headed next door to Monkey Business for play. You can imagine that the proprietors of the burger place welcomed us half-heartedly and smiled skeptically when we all walked in, but they were cordial enough even though they ran out of high chairs, and we left a trail of cheerios behind us. And, of course, playing in Monkey Business was just a blast. My caregivers are getting a bit weary of my explorations at home. I am constantly finding new areas to explore and fun things to reach. It is a challenge to always stay one step ahead of me! A place like Monkey Business is perfect for me--totally baby friendly, as long as I watch out for some of the bigger kids running around. In these pictures, I am playing ball with my playgroup buddy, Jack.

A Top Tooth on More of March 2

I just had to share one more picture with you today. I almost have top front teeth! I am still trying to get used to them. I often have my tongue out feeling them, and I click my top and bottom teeth together to make a funny sound. I am also trying them out--I chew peas with all of my teeth, and if I am not careful though they just fall out of my mouth. More teeth, more food! Bring it on!

Snow Day on Monday, March 2

A Snow Day! What a nice surprise to wake up to a winter wonderland. I enjoyed an early snowball fight with my dad (see video). Luckily, I was protected by our picture window. Later, I went out into the fluffy white stuff to enjoy first hand, which included making a snow angel. Though, I had no choice in that matter, as I was plopped down in the snow. However, it was delightfully invigorating, even as the snow blew in my face!