Visiting with Grandma Janet and Grandaddy

Stephen's grandparents are visiting from Tucson right now, and we have been enjoying many adventures! The first, was Stephen's first taste of Mediterranean food.

He was eating Dolmas. He ate several bites, so I think the "sour" face was just for show.

Stephen has also been doing a LOT of walking for the last 2 weeks! Here he is demonstrating his new skills.

Check back for Christmas photos!!!

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas to everyone!!! We are planning on heading to church for Organ music around 4:30, and hope to be home by 6:30 for late dinner, and then I guess we'll let Stephen open some of his MOUNTAIN of presents from his grandparents!!! We have been telling him that he needs to enjoy the spoiling this year, since next year, his new cousin will be here, and he'll have to share...

Hmmmm...

Ok, so I was trying to go back to add our blog address to some of the photos on previous posts where I forgot to do it, and Blogger when nutso, and wouldn’t let me move photos around. So if you come across something that looks a bit different than when you previously read it, that’s why. I gave up after a few photos, and ended up having to delete some (sorry!).


On another funny note, though, this is how Stephen took his nap today!

Thank you, Grandma Deb and Grandpa Big Rick!!

I love my shirt!!!

And Chanson loves everything else...

Training update

Stephen's trainer is convinced that Stephen is going to be an independent walker within the next 2-3 weeks. In fact, she asked us to call her in Michigan while she is on vacation when it happens! She was also extremely impressed with his imitative play - he showed her how he "cleans" his table with a baby wipe, which I showed him how to do last week.

You would think that an hour of PT would wear him out so that he would be willing to take a good nap for me, though, wouldn't you? Nope, not our boy! His new "trick" is to throw his bitey out of the crib and then yell and cry until someone comes up to give him back. On Monday, he tried this trick, but I caught him in the act. He was standing up, about to drop Bitey over the side of the crib when he spotted me. Stephen laid down immediately, and attempted to cover himself back up with his blanket, as though he was doing nothing wrong... He is very sneaky!

I am TWO!!!

Today was Stephen's Birthday!!! Erik and I spent almost an hour last night putting together his tricycle...

As soon as Stephen woke up this morning, he spotted it, so Erik took him all over the family room, dining room and kitchen, using that handy-dandy parent handle! Stephen couldn't reach the pedals in his jammies, but was using his feet to help propel himself as Erik pushed him, and having an excellent time! After a birthday breakfast of pancakes and banana, we took his bike out for a spin outside. It was pretty windy, so Stephen didn't want to ride, so we walked down to visit with a neighbor instead.

Stephen also opened his other presents, with Erik's help, of course!!

After lunch, we went to buy a Christmas tree! This is the first one he will probably ever remember, and he helped us decorate by playing with his OWN Christmas tree...

After dinner, we all had cupcakes. Stephen decided that the icing was the best part, and ate all of that first, before making a mess of himself!

Overall, it was a super day! And a much better birthday than last year, that's for sure! We are so excited to see what this next year holds for all of us...

Oh, and for your viewing pleasure...

Some pictures!!

A recent trip to the park...

Eating Daddy's birthday cake...

(you can't see it, but there is cake in his right ear)

Eating at the grown-up table...

And some general mischief-making!

Update from "training"

Stephen met with his "trainer" today. While we were working on things, Stephen decided that he wanted to play with his Alphabet magnets, like this:

He reaches down into a box on the floor to pick up a magnet, and then places it into the yellow base, which then sings a phonics song about the letter. Well, today, he decided to pick some up and put them on the board, and then take them with his left hand and put them into the base. Usually he balances himself on the wall with his left hand, so today, he was balancing himself with... NOTHING!!! Just his trunk! He stood without touching the wall for almost a minute!!! Stephen grabbed the wall again when he needed to reach down for another letter, but his trainer and I were just so proud! The two of them have a very good relationship, so once Stephen starts walking completely independently (more than he is already), we are going to try to think of every single motor skill that he should have by the time that he is 3, so that she can continue to come every week and work with us. I'm pretty pleased with all of that!!

Snow?

It's snowing here. Just as I was outside talking to the sprinkler guy, who said that the way our system is, it will drain on it's own when we turn the water off (YAY!), I noticed these little white spots falling from the sky. And more than that, they were cold! Yes, it is the first snow of the season, and wouldn't you know it? The weather forecasters are calling for ice early next week. Yesterday was the anniversary of last year's big ice storm, so it was a shock to hear them talking ice again. Yuck. Of course, while I was outside, Stephen was getting into some mischief - I returned to the dining room to find him scooping applesauce onto his lap. At least he was almost done with lunch when I had to go outside!

And poor Stephen can't even go outside to appreciate the lovely white stuff. It's not sticking (yet), but since he has a nasty cold that he decided to share with his Mommy, it's probably better that he stay inside. Bummer! I think he may have been sicker THIS year than when he was in daycare!!! Or maybe it just feels that way since he has had so many ear infections this fall. Poor kid.

The life and times...

This seems like the best way to keep people up to date with the goings on in our household, since Stephen is doing something new and cool pretty much every day...



Speaking of...

No, he isn't particularly happy with me in this shot... but cute, no?

He has been letting go a lot more often, and taking more and more steps by himself without falling. Sometimes all we have to say is "ok, go!" and he does! He has been enjoying more imaginative play, and has been "cooking" in his kitchen. He's a little short to stir with his spoons, so he does it with his hands in his "pots." Stephen hasn't said yet what he is cooking, but he is certainly enjoying himself!