30 Days Of Thanks

I really wanted to participate in the 30 days of thanks that I saw so many people posting about on Facebook. I loved the concept and I thought it was really fun to just think of something I was thankful for each and every day because it's very easy to see the negative and not always think of something positive. To be honest, I don't know if I will ever participate again. While I have SO much to be thankful for I feel like it's almost annoying. My (our) life is far from perfect and I feel like this only shows the good and good and happy things aren't everyday real life "things".

Day 1: I am thankful for a family full of women who are strong, God loving, positive and wonderful role models. It's become more and more apparent to me the past few weeks. {when I wrote this one my Aunt was at the end of her battle with cancer. She fought for 7 years and was a true fighter. And a few weeks prior to that two of my aunts were in the hospital}

Day 2: I'm thankful for beautiful places in California. While the desert isn't our favorite place to live we are able to visit so many places within a few hours. It's a blessing to know that we can hop in the car and be at the beach, in the mountains, in the city or someplace else. It makes living at Edwards that much more bearable.

Day 3: I'm SO thankful for this little load of sweetness. He's brought so much joy, love and humor (and if we are being honest, gray hairs) into our lives. Our hearts are overflowing and our days are so much happier with him in it. I'm pretty sure every single night I go to bed I tell Ryan that "I just love him so much and isn't he so cute?" We are so incredibly blessed to be his parents. 

Day 4: I am thankful for this handsome man. He is such a good guy, a blessing to my life and my best friend. I love him more and more every day and am super, super proud of him. He's become such a good dad and has grown so much from the person I met almost 7 years ago. He always puts up with my weirdness, quirkiness and silliness. He goes on adventures with me and supports me even when he thinks I'm crazy. He's a good provider, friend and husband. I am so glad that God put him in my life and can't wait to see where life takes us. I am SO thankful for him.

Day 5: I'm SO thankful to have the BEST parents. We are so grateful to have them...today and every day. They are always so supportive and loving. They're the BEST grandparents to Dominick; they make sure that they are present in his life byvisiting, skyping or even just talking to him on the phone. They have made so many visits to see us and make sure our trips home are always a good time (make our favorite foods, let us borrow a car, throw baby showers, birthday parties or even just get all of our family together, go with us to our favorite places (pentwater, restaurants, etc.) and make sure we are always comfortable). They gave me a great childhood with unforgettable memories, they taught me lessons, were always present for my accomplishments, school and sporting events, supported me, spent many weekends at volleyball tournaments (not always just Saturday's, sometimes Sundays too), took us on wonderful vacations, paid for my college education (something that is a HUGE investment), showed me what a good marriage was, and that's only a few things and most of all gave me a life that I probably would never of had, had they never chose to adopt. They'll never know how truly thankful we are for them or how much we love them.

Day 6: I'm thankful for growing up in Michigan. Yes, there are bad parts and the economy isn't "booming", but it was a great place to grow up. I loved summer time at the lake or bonfires at night. We experienced a true Fall with colors and crisp air. A winter with beautiful white fluffy snow and snow days as a kid. And a Spring where everyone came out of hibernation, flowers bloomed and life picked back up. I'm thankful for the memories and the people Michigan holds. I can't even tell y'all how many times I tell Ryan, "I can't wait to go home" or "I really miss Michigan"...it's too often. It will always be "home".

Day 7: I'm thankful for country music...it seriously makes my heart happy. It reminds me of home and when Ryan and I first started dating how much he used to hate it and now he's a fan. I have so many memories at country concerts with friends and they're some of my favorite memories.

Day 8: I'm thankful for Katie McMullen, Dominick's daycare provider. Being a working mom isn't always easy, but it makes it easier knowing Dominick is being well taken care of and that he actually ENJOYS being at daycare. He LOVES Ms. Katie and she is so sweet and nice to him. We know that we don't have to worry if he's being taken care or of his well being. When we see her outside of "daycare hours" he still wants to be with her and goes to her. When she PCS' or we do will be a very, very sad day not only because she's a great person and friend, but because she's been such a big part of Dom's little life.

Day 9: I'm thankful for two handsome brothers who are so special to me. They always had my back and looked out for me when we were younger. They're handsome, kind, funny, and have beautiful families. I have so many memories with them that I will always love and remember. I'm so thankful to be able to have them in my life.

Day 10: I'm thankful for my two sister in laws. I consider myself pretty lucky to have them both in my life. They're not only family, but two beautiful people who I am so thankful for. I am so grateful I can contact them for parenting advice or just to say hi. I love being around them when our family is all together.

Day 11: I'm thankful for our veterans. Past, present and future.

Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die. -G.K. Chesterton

Day 12: I'm thankful for a good sleeper. In the beginning when Dominick was waking every couple of hours I never thought I would see a full nights rest again. When he was 7 or 8 months and we moved him into his crib it was the best decision we ever made and I wondered why we didn't do it sooner (because I liked him in our room). He LOVES his crib and for the most part has been sleeping through the night (minus a couple nights) ever since. He doesn't like being woke early in the mornings to go to daycare and often tells me "no no" or "ni-ni" and if he's really tired he will even ask to go to sleep. I am SO, SO thankful for a good sleeper. Now I must go and say a prayer that I didn't just jinx myself

Day 13: I'm thankful for our house. It keeps us warm when we are cold, cools us down for the majority of the year and has kept us safe. We have hosted Thanksgiving, Christmas, a 1st birthday party and casual nights with friends in this house. It is our first house on a base (our first base). We've spent our three years of marriage (minus the 6 months Ryan was at basic and tech school) in this home. We use the living room and bedroom to retreat from our work life and parenting joys (and struggles). We eat dinner as a family in the dining room or where Ryan sat many nights studying for the SSgt test and his CDCs. We have a "catch all" room where I sew and where my parents (or other visitors) sleep. We have a garage big enough for my car, a fridge and other things that don't fit "inside". The kitchen has a sink full of dishes from a meal that was cooked nearly every day. We brought our favorite little baby man into this home watched him grow and do so many firsts in this very home. This house holds his nursery where we've changed so many diapers, read books, rocked and played. He's explored all the nooks and crannies of this house. We've turned a white walled, 3 bedroom, 1 garage house into our home. It's our happy place, a place where we can all be together. We have celebrated, cried, struggled, fought, made up, loved and started our family in this very house. When we leave it behind I will be very sad.

Day 14: I am thankful for mint chocolate chip ice cream and Faygo grape soda.

Day 15: I'm thankful to only work 4 hours on Fridays. Nine hours Mon-Thurs make for long days, but it's worth it to start my weekend a little early every week and getting to spend a few more hours with Dom is always fun! Im thankful for the opportunity to work these hours.

Day 16: I am thankful for the opportunity to get pregnant, have a healthy and mostly easy pregnancy, carry a baby for 40 weeks and 5 days, deliver said baby and successfully breast feed for 11.5 months (we stopped early in purpose). There are so many people who want to do any of those things and are unable. While there are many things that I do not love about my body, I love that it was able to do all of those things.

Day 17: I am thankful for our Ed-bests (Edwards friends). To say that we have some AMAZING and lifelong friends here is an understatement. 

Day 18: I'm thankful for my extended family; aunts, uncles, cousins. I love that my family is all relatively close and that I got to grow up being so close to them or only a couple states away. And now that I'm not around for them all that often I even secretly kind of love the Gould Goodbyes (but that's just me...Ryan I still don't think is a huge fan)

Day 19: I'm thankful for long lasting Michigan friendships. While many of our friendships have changed we know that there are still a few who always make time to see us and will always be there no matter the miles or time between us; whether it's a phone call, text, skype date, e-mail or facebook. Moving away has really taught us a lot about who are true friends are and who were "in the moment" or "at the time" friends. We miss our favorites SO much and making memories with them on a regular basis.

Day 20: I'm thankful for cameras and pictures. I love being able to look back on pictures and relive those moments and feelings all over again.

Day 21: I am thankful for God's faithfulness. 
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

Day 22: I'm thankful for CHRISTMAS! If you know me you know my love for Christmas. One year in college I even put up our Christmas tree BEFORE Halloween (and I've actually been asking Ryan if we could put ours up since the beginning of November...he doesn't share the same love as I do). I know Dominick won't remember this Christmas, but I don't care. I'm SO, SO, SO, SO excited. I love that this year we will get to spend it in Michigan (not on Christmas, but close enough), spending time with my little family, making memories and traditions, all the sparkle and twinkly lights, stockings, the warmth of the season, how most people and places are SO festive, receiving Christmas cards (I think I even squeal, do the crazy clap and jump up and down when the first ones start trickling in), shopping and finding the perfect gifts, wrapped presents under the tree and of course I love the TRUE meaning of the season. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. However if I never had to listen to another Christmas song for all of eternity I might not be sad....well maybe not all of eternity, but I am NOT a lover of Christmas music.

Day 23: I'm thankful for all of my senses. It's such a blessing that I am able to see, hear, touch, taste and smell; something not everyone has the luxury of.

Day 24: I'm thankful for days with my family. After the past week of Ryan being so sick and being mostly "quarantined" to a separate room and so busy with work/school I am glad we got to spend so much time together as a family this weekend and am super excited for a long weekend with my boys.

Day 25: I'm thankful for good health. For the most part our family is healthy and that is a HUGE, HUGE blessing

Day 26: I'm thankful for e-mails like this one reminding me that our trip to Michigan is coming up.

Day 27: I'm thankful for Calli and Rocky; for their sweet personalities, loyalty and love. They made us a family before we knew we would be a family.

Day 28: I'm thankful for my handsome nephew, Blake (who turns FIVE today) and my beautiful nieces, Kyla and Joslyn. They've brought so much happiness and love to the Oleson clan.

I'm also thankful for being able to spend holidays with special friends. The past three thanksgivings (along with many other holidays) we have been away from our families and traditions. Being able to spend those holidays with friends is something we are SO grateful for.

Day 29: I'm thankful to have a job. While I would rather spend all of my days with Dominick and it's not my dream job it provides is a second income. We are able to live comfortably, buy a few more wants and not just needs and go on more adventures, making memories together.

Day 30: I'm thankful for our cars. They're reliable, get us from point a to b, travelled cross country and have been good to us.

I have so much to be thankful for each and every single day. While this thankful challenge is coming to an end I have MILLIONS of people and things to be thankful for. From the tiniest little things to the big. I am so blessed with the life I live. My heart is overflowing.

Dominick's Christmas List

 

1.  Leap Frog Letter Factory Phonics – I think Dominick would really be into this and it would be something that would be able to keep his attention and grow with him.
2.       Bubble Machine and Bubbles – Dominick is SUCH  big bubbles fan so I know this would be a really big toy for him outside. He chases them and just thinks they’re so much fun.
3.       Puzzles – I really love the chunky Melissa and Doug puzzles and so does Dominick.
4.       Books – Dom doesn’t really care for us to read to him still, but he really enjoys looking at books. I also think these would fun for him since they make noise and would be great for in the car
5.       Strider Bikes – Our friends son has a strider balance bike and Dominick is such a fan. He doesn’t really get the whole concept yet, but I don’t think it will take him long. He tries to play on it every time he’s around our friends'. This is something that he will be able to use until he gets a big boy bike. I also love that he won't have training wheels so we he will be used to balancing.
6.       VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels – We have the airport and while Dominick always takes it apart, the little vehicles we have are some of Dominick’s favorites to carry around or his take along toys for car rides.
7.       Little Tikes T-Ball Set – Dominick is a huge fan of all sports. This summer we would watch the Tigers and he would recognize it on TV and he recognizes the little baseball guy on my t-shirts so naturally he needs this t-ball toy.
8.       Little People Toys – Some of Dominick’s FAVORITE toys are his little people toys. I’m pretty sure his absolute favorite is the airplane. He LOVES the music, taking the people in and out of the plane and pushing them around the house. I think the pirate ship is a must have for him.
9.       Melissa and Doug Train Table and Train Set – Our friends have the M & D train table and train set so whenever we go over there or Dominick spends any amount of time there he loves to play with it. Right now he mostly just carries the trains around, but I’m sure in no time he will get the whole concept and be playing with it. What little boy wouldn’t want a train table?

Dominick is also getting a pottery barn anywhere chair from his Gigi and Papa. He is going to LOVE having a chair that's just his size and all for him.

Should we add anything to his list?

Our San Diego Trip

The first weekend of November (1-3) we made a trip down to San Diego. We hit up SD quite often because it's not too far out of the way, super family and military friendly, cleaner than Los Angeles and just a happy place to be in Southern California. Whenever we go we stay in Navy lodging at Point Loma. There are quite a few bases in the area, but only Point Loma (there are two different bases/hotels) allows children under the age of 12. We actually really like staying there because it's in a pretty good location to the things we like to do and places we like to go, we are able to get a room and a separate living area (where Dominick can sleep), a mini kitchen and dining area all for really cheap.

 

Ryan and I both only worked a short day. We had almost everything packed so we just loaded the car up and hit the road. Unfortunately, we didn't get on the road quite in time to miss rush hour and sat in traffic for a little while. We ended up getting to the hotel around 6-6:30. Dominick was tired and ready for dinner. When we go here I normally make a few meals to eat in the hotel and bring breakfast. It ends up being cheaper in the long run and more convenient when we have a tired child. He can eat or run around and we don't have to make sure he's behaving like he should in a restaurant or causing a scene. It works out great. So while I was warming up dinner and setting up the pack n play, Ryan was unloading the rest of the car. We thankfully got a room on the first floor (there's no elevators and we always have a LOT of stuff) so it wasn't too bad bringing stuff in. After dinner we let Dominick run around and then it was time for bed. I love that he's able to have a separate room to sleep so we don't have to turn all the lights off or be super quiet.

Saturday morning we had family pictures scheduled at 4 (with Jamie Grant Photography; if you're in the area look her up, she's AWESOME) so we knew we would have most of the day for ourselves. Ryan and I (I took Dominick) went for a quick run/workout sesh when we woke up to start the day and then got around and had breakfast. In Dominick's 14 month post I said that we hit up Sea World. We got there right around 10:30 and it was the perfect time. It wasn't too crowded yet and we were able to get up close to view everything. Sometimes we were the only ones at an exhibit At 11:45 we were passing the dolphin show and I told Ryan how I really wanted to either see the dolphins or the whale show. We were in the back of the park and the whale show was starting in 15 minutes. We hurried to the front and were there just in time. There were tons of seating available and we made sure to sit up top so we wouldn't get wet. Dominick was so into the show. He loved the music, he loved the whales, he loved everything. I'm so glad that we decided to take him because he thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent there. We stayed until around 1 and then decided to go back to the hotel. It was the perfect amount of time for his little attention span and as we were leaving it was beginning to get really hot outside and more crowded.

Once we got back to the hotel Dominick had fallen asleep in the car so we just laid him down for a nap. We actually turned on the MSU vs Michigan game and relaxed as well. I think we even may have gotten a few cat naps in which was quite nice. Dominick woke on his own just in time to have lunch and for all of us to get ready for pictures. We ended up getting lost (thanks to our "trusty" GPS) heading to the location and were LATE. We had pictures and LOVED Jamie, she was so sweet. After our photos we headed to a different navy base because they had a sale on running shoes. Ryan was looking for a pair, but didn't find what he was looking for. We did however find a heart rate monitor watch that I've been eyeing and on my Christmas list. Ryan bought it for me as an early gift. :)

Sunday we got up, finished packing, had breakfast and went on another run. It was chillier this morning so we went separately and Dominick stayed home. He got to play and he still had a good time. After Ryan got back it had started warming up so I took Dominick outside to play and run around before we had to get in the car. We went to Coronado Island, drove around, stopped at Coldstone and said see ya later to San Diego one more time. We got home around 6:30 and were all pretty tired.

I love that we are only 3 hours away from such a beautiful city; it makes living in the desert that much more bearable knowing we can go many places in such a short distance. Ryan and I have both said we wouldn't be in such a hurry to leave California if we lived there.

Happy Friday!

Halloween 2013

This year for Halloween I knew back in August that I wanted Dominick to be a lion. When we were in San Diego I actually bought his costume at the NEX and that was that. I was super excited and just KNEW he was going to be so cute. He was already roaring and that was the first animal noise he had learned so I just thought it was meant to be.

Halloween morning he went with his daycare to the parade for the school age kids.  He was waiting for it to start

Every year that we've been in California we spend it with friends. We have a small "potluck" type dinner and then everyone goes out trick or treating. This year was no different. We got Dominick dressed and then we were off. We only went to a handful of houses, but he didn't care. We ended up walking around 2 miles through one neighborhood with a lot of our friends. He just loved being outdoors and with his friends. He was happy as a clam running down the street. He walked 3/4 of the way and then was carried. He was such a little trooper and absolutely adorable. Thankfully for a friend she took pictures. I left my big camera at home and my small point and shoot just didn't get the job done. I think he might have been the cutest little lion I saw this year (not that I am biased or anything like that).

Painting and Carving Pumpkins

We got Dominick a small pumpkin from the pumpkin patch and then ended up just buying a large pumpkin from our commissary the week of Halloween. Monday before Halloween (the 28th) we decided we should probably carve and paint our pumpkins so they'd be ready for Halloween. It didn't go as planned and it wasn't the fun I had been anticipating. Dominick actually hated the paint on his hands and he even had a taste or two which made it even worse. He threw a not so little tantrum over the fact that we took the pumpkin scoop away from him so we could finish (I think he screamed and flailed around on the ground for a good 15 minutes...over a PUMPKIN SCOOP!). There is always next year, right?

 

 

one smile during the whole thing

ooooh, what's this?

eating the insides...he was a fan

no stencils for us...just a regular old happy face

Dominick - 14 Months

+We had to take you to the doctors on the 4th. You had a cold for nearly two weeks and even after doing your inhalers (you have two), zyrtec at night and benadryl in the morning and nasal saline you just weren't getting better. You had bronchitis and they gave you a liquid steroid, zythromax, more zyrtec and we were on our way. At that appointment you weighed 22 lbs 11.5 oz. so you had gained over 1 lb.

+I got to spend almost 2 weeks with you at home due to the government shutdown. We had the best time getting to spend all day together. You were SO good and it really makes momma realize how much fun we would have if I didn't have to work.

my friend made this hat for him .She has a shop and is super talented.

+We spent many afternoons at the park. You just love going and it's always something that you look forward to considering you LOVE to be outside.

+When you get excited you do this shuffle with your feet and it's quite possibly the cutest thing EVER.

+You love to chase after the cars in the hall. We spend a LOT of time doing that during the day.

+We took you camping for the first time to Pt. Mugu over Columbus Day weekend. You had the best time being outside and did so good in the tent. You loved the water, playing in the sand and being with friends. After our camping trip we went to Santa Monica and you LOVED walking down by the beach. You had such a big time and you are definitely a beach lover...just like your momma.

+You love to run to us and give us hugs. It's super cute, you run with your arms out and then wrap your little arms around our necks. We love them too.

+You are a very loving and affectionate little guy. You don't necessarily love to cuddle, but you do like to give kisses and hugs and they're the best darn kisses and hugs around. You will cuddle us after you wake up from a nap or in the mornings (on the weekends we do this). You like to get up at your own pace and not be rushed. Unfortunately we don't have that kind of time during the week.

+You love to look at animal books and we do lots of sounds and talking about animals. Along with the other animal sounds you know you also learned meow, baa and will moo (boo). You also recognize animals in books/shirts. There was a dog on one of my animal shelter 5k shirts from back in the day and you pointed to it and said, "dog, dog!" If I ask you where an animal is in a book you will point to it.

This may be my favorite picture of him ever...and the funniest one I have ever taken.

+You love to look at books and interactive books, but you don't like when I try reading to you. I think you get too bored since you're such a busy little bee. I hope this will change soon because I think it's important for you to read.

+We did lots of cloth diapering with you this month. It is okay...I'm not a lover or a hater.

+When you do something that you're not supposed to do you'll say no and then do it or continue doing something all while saying "no, no". Some examples are feeding the dogs or playing in the dogs bowls.

+You say momma constantly and then when I respond you tell me something and although I have no idea what you're saying you continue telling me your story. Sometimes when you have something that you're not sure if you can drink or eat you will say momma, show it to me and I will either say yes or no. You picked up a rock outside and showed me and I said no no and you gave it back to me. You do this with your snack or drinks too.

+You call everyone momma. Daddy, Ms. Katie, pretty much anyone...you know you'll get a response.

+You love to be silly and you love to make us laugh. You're very easy at it. Early in the month you would do this loud fake laugh and now you do this silent laugh and both are seriously the funniest things ever. We can't help but laugh every time you do them.

+You love to blow raspberries on my legs and always catch me off guard. It's super funny and it always "scares" me so I laugh really hard and then you chase me so you can keep doing it and making me laugh. This will go on for at least 15 minutes.

+You learned to "jump" this month and it's so, so funny.

+Anytime you hear music you dance. They're thinking of starting a zumbini class on base and if they offer it at a time we can go we will definitely be signed up.

+We watched a lot of the Tigers this month (post season is always momma's favorite since it's actually on TV on the west coast). I felt my job as a parent was complete when I turned the TV on (to the game) and you ran in and started clapping. You would cheer and get excited every time momma did. You would clap lots and it was so fun. I have a Tigers shirt that has a baseball player hitting the ball...kind of dealio (it's really small), but you will point to that little guy and say baseball or ball whenever I wear it.

+Speaking of TV you don't watch much unless it is sports and even then you don't pay much attention. You will watch maybe 5 minutes on your iPhone of Bubble Guppies or Elmo, but that's about it.

+You still love to play with cars, trucks, airplanes, balls and some of your little people toys. One of your favorites is the little people airplane. You love to take the people in and out.

+When I was furloughed you were starting to sleep in until 7:30 and then when I went back to work I would have to wake you up at 5:30 again. When I would go in to get you some mornings you would see me and say, "no, no" or you'd grab your bear and say "ni-ni". I think your teenage years will be rough. :)

+We took you to the pumpkin patch on the 20th. We went with the Espinosa's and Stowes. You loved picking up the little pumpkins and you got to pick which one you wanted. You also loved climbing on the hay bales.

+Your first full week back to daycare there was a Fall Festival for the FCC daycare's. You had SO much fun and were on a sugar high (you got to eat a cookie, a cupcake and animal crackers...just to name a few of the goodies you got)...you only live once, right? On the way home you fell asleep (5 minutes or less) and went to bed around 5 that night and woke up at 5:30. You missed dinner and bath time.

+It's really been hit or miss with your eating habits. Some days you do really good and others you pick at your food. We've had to start putting the dogs in the laundry room while you eat because you always thought it was more fun to give them your food than eat it yourself. We've started giving you a fork/spoon with your meals. You recognize what to do with it, but don't really have that coordination or patience yet. Eating with your hands is WAY faster. And you are definitely our child as you LOVE condiments. Ranch, BBQ, Ketchup and you liked the little taste of  sriracha too, but we didn't want to give you too much in case it upset your belly.You really love yogurt covered raisins, peanut butter, strawberries and sausage (random, I know). If he enjoys something then we definitely know it. He will say "mmmmm" really dramatically after EVERY bite.

+You still take swim class, but only went a handful of times this month. The pool was shut down for the furlough and then I think we only went one other time all week. Ms. Sandy was sick the last week so it wasn't a big swim month. The one time you did go we were really impressed with you since you picked up as if you hadn't taken any time off.

+Your daddy has had some trouble with his back and so he does a lot of stretching. One night he was stretching (think yoga poses)and you were trying to copy him. He started doing push ups and you were trying too. It was so cute!

+You're always so excited to see your daddy and I and you love us and need us for different things. It's so sweet to see you get so excited after work or when we get home.

+If something hurts you, you will say "ow" and then rub the spot that hurts.

+We carved and painted pumpkins on the 28th. You hated the paint. HATED! You did like helping your daddy carve the pumpkins however and you loved to play with the scoop.

+You were a lion for Halloween and the cutest dang lion I ever did see.

+It seems like as the month came to an end it became more difficult for you. You started hitting, throwing tantrums (throwing yourself on the floor and scooting yourself around), hitting your head on the wall, ground or your toys, pulling hair and other "fun" things. I think part of it is that you're so tired at night and another part is just the stage you're in. It's frustrating, but I know it won't last forever...right?

+You like to play peek a boo. You will hide and then pop out and say "boo". It's super cute.

+You are going to be a talker for sure. You always have lots to say and if you jabber to us then we talk back and you talk more. You say SO many words now that I really don't think I could list them all. I will try....momma, dadda, dog, truck, gigi, papa, hello, hi, bye, boo, ball (another favorite), baseball, stinky, what's that, see it, woot woot, eye, nose, no (you say this all the time; you also say no mmm (which sometimes sounds like nope, but instead I'm trying to teach you no ma'am instead...not sure that it's actually working), uh oh, ya, ni-ni (night night), book, bubble, thank you (still assisted), me (meow), stop, wow, ooooo (for something that you think is pretty cool)

his face is all sorts of dirty and he has two bumps on his forehead and cheek. He fell down at the play area and again down the gazebo steps. He never cried and is super tough. I try not to make a big deal out of things because I know it only gets him worked up. The dirty face was due to him trying to lick water off the ground. GROSS

+When you play with airplanes, cars, trucks or motorcycles you make the correct sounds.

+You learned how to climb onto the couch. You have only one specific way that you finagle your way up there...but you can do it!

+Bath time is still your favorite. Sometimes you will go into the bathroom on your own, climb into the tub and start playing with your toys. You LOVE bath time.

+We were in San Diego for your 14 month birthday. We went down the 1st and stayed until the 3rd. You did awesome in the hotel and wasn't too affected the daylight savings time. We took you to your first trip Sea World. I have a love hate relationship with aquariums, zoos and places like Sea World. I think they can be very fun and educational, but it's also kind of sad that that's how those animals are living their lives. With that said you LOVED it. You had the best time looking at everything and you loved how you could see everything so closely through the glass. It really wasn't very busy and it was such a good time for you. The whale show was your favorite. You kept clapping, dancing, jumping and ooo'ing and wowing through the whole show. It kept your interest and you LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it. Sea World supports the military and you can get in one time a year for free. I'm glad we opted to do this that morning because it was such a good time. It started to get hot, but you didn't mind.

+You are still rear facing. All of your friends are forward facing, but I'm just not ready to make that transition yet. You don't love the car seat and I think it may be part of the reason why. I doubt we will make it until 2 like everyone says we should, but at least for a few months longer. :)