Thank You Great Grandmom

Checking out the Xmas Lights

Adventurous Boy

Saying Bye Bye

It's always tough when my family leaves to go back to Ohio.  The house always seems a little quieter and a little less warm.  It's sad not to come downstairs and see my Uncle Dick already up (he's an early riser and up by 5 am).  And then not to see my Uncle Larry sitting at the table taking it all in.  As for my parents, it's tough not to see my dad laughing with the little guy and my mom holding him.  But the worst part:  we just lost all of our babysitters!

I kid, we are very fortunate and thankful to have the little guy home and sharing in this incredible family.  He gets love from all angles.  Mike's side is just as loving and involved.  He's a lucky little boy.  So as we wrap up another Thanksgiving and gear up for another Christmas, we already have the best gift that money can't buy.  Love of family.

Turkey Trot 2011

This morning, Mike ran the Turkey Trot while grandmom and I walked it with the pups.  Mike finished 11th overall and dominated the old women and young children age group (I kid).  He actually did very well with a 7 minute mile pace.

While we were away, the little guy played with Grandpop & Uncle Larry and Dick.  Something tells me that they got their exercise chasing him.  

As usual, the pups garnered much attention from everyone.  If there was an award for dogs, they would win.

The Day After

After a long day of gluttony following Thanksgiving Day, the little guy has returned to his fully active self.  First, there was that small task of putting up the Christmas tree.  Or as better expressed by the eyes of the little guy "What in the World"  

Then there was the walk in the park with Grandmom and Uncle Dick.  A beautiful 66 degrees in Philly. Of course, a walk would not be complete without a visit to the playground.  

And to knock off the day, what better way than to unwind on the deck in the rocking chair.  With the little guy, this amounted to a 2 minute pit stop until off to the next adventure!

Uncle Dick with Trojan & Mattie

Wishbone Dada

We had a great Thanksgiving.  And the little guy did what he does best:  eat.  Our little dooney thoroughly enjoyed his meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and green beans.  (ok, so the green beans weren't a big hit).  

When the little guy wasn't eating, he was showing off his knowledge of the human anatomy.  He now knows his head, ears, nose, eyes, feet and (my personal favorite) belly.  

Mike & I are thankful that we have a tremendous family to share in his 1st Thanksgiving.  There was good food, plenty of laughter and hard as rock brownies.  In other words, plenty of brand new memories to last a lifetime.

Wishbone

Full Mama

Uncle Larry

Aunt Carol And Uncle Jack

Mashed Potato Mama

Time to eat

Grand mom making gravey

Little Guy's 1st Thanksgiving

We're ready for the big day.  After much cleaning and food prepping, all systems are go.  We are so thankful to celebrate the little guy's 1st Thanksgiving with the entire family.  Something tells me that little guy is going to get plenty of love and attention.

Little Taster

The little guy showed off all of his fine food tasting skill set this morning.  Taste good, Grandmom! 

Playground Dada

In the eyes of a child

Go Bucks

Success

A dab of toliet paper:                                   $0.25

Abandoned Pampers                                   $3.50

Toddler Toliet Bowl Seat                            $20.00

Watching the little guy cheer in jubilation:   PRICELESS

So, we are in the early stages of teaching the little guy about potty.  To say that we've been at a stalemate would be an understatement.  But tonight, we hit our first milestone.  After two quick toot toots, we heard a plop plop.  That's when we started cheering, and the little guy giggled and clapped in happiness.  

Hot pursuit of pups

Watching the little guy chase the pups is really rather amusing.  We call it the slow paced chase.  Generally, the pups make a quick get away, while the little guy crawls or drunkenly runs after them.  The pups eventually stop, arrogantly thinking they are no longer in range (they really should take some lessons from the hare in his race against the tortoise).  Until, the little guy startles them into realizing that he is close---and then the chase begins again.  

Helping with the wash

I will not be stopped

The last couple of days have been absolutely perfect out for a fall day.  Unfortunately, the sun sets so early that we have to rush to make the most of it.  So, we quickly walk the pups, let the little guy out to rumble around, and make our way to the playground.  Did I mention that the little guy's new love is climbing UP the slide?   Something tells me that we may have a little daredevil on our hands.

Walking with Trojan

Man in motion

My Baby's Dancing Legs

Ok, so he isn't quiet showing all of his suave moves (yet).  But the good news, he loves to dance.  And even better news:  to the Beatles (only the single best band of all time).  I know, remarkable good taste for a 16 month old.  Lately, we've been doing a lot of dancing to their music.  As soon as the music starts, his little hands go up to be picked up to dance.  The best part, his little head and legs gyrate to the music.  My boy has rhythm.

Ladies be warned, wait till I pull out Elvis.  You Ain't Nothing But a Hound Dog.  

Trip to grocery

Yeah, that's how we roll when getting our grocery shopping on.  What you missed was the one hand on the steering wheel as he called "hey baby" to all the cute chickeroos.

Wait a minute mama, I think we just passed a hot blonde.

My little drummer boy

Thank you Aunt Chris for the drum set.  My little drummer boy loved it.  The pups not so much....

Beautiful fall day

I love the reflection in this picture.  Wow, today was amazing.

Don't let the sun go down on me

With the change in time, we have to rush to get our walk in.  Although I must admit, watching the sun hit the fall foilage is absolutely beautiful.

Chocolate Pudding

Hey, Hey Hey, I love my chocolate pudding!  Get in my belly.

Big boy chair

Today was a beautiful fall day.  To bad, I spent most of last night up with a stomach virus....ugh.  The good news the little guy appears to already be over it.  Here he is in the big boy chair.  These chairs need to get in before winter but I'm holding out as long as possible.

One rather funny note:  My little Korean Kimchi says "bye bye" with a southern accent.  The first time he did it we thought it was an accident.  And then while picking him up from day care, we figured it out.  His little buddy said bye bye in the cutest southern accent.  Umh, I wonder where the little guy picked that one up.  A Korean with a southern accent....too funny.  Maybe he has a future in Country music.  I wonder if there are any huge Korean Country stars?  

Checking out the flowers

Mama's flowers have been successfully winterized.  Here's the little guy checking out mama's work.  

Creepy

Nothing like turning the corner to go upstairs and seeing this creepy site.  He must have gotten turnaround in the wind.  Or did he?

Muscle Man

We're starting to realize that the little guy is strong as an ox.  Here he is pushing his jogging stroller on the grass. ( Keep in mind that it's hard for mama to negotiate it).  I'm going say that those huge leg muscles that the little guy is developing are a big contributor.   We joke that with those leg muscles he looks like an NFL running back.

I will not be stopped

Can you spy the slick little look he gave me when I said come here?