Halloween!

While we wait for our fancy fall video to upload (read: tomorrow...), here are some pics from tonight's Halloween trunk or treat. We took Shepard around the block to the church where he goes to pre-school. They have a big to-do there with everyone decorating their cars and handing out candy. He was pretty mesmerized by everything going on.

He was a puppy (chasing a car)....
click on picture to see it enlarged

Probably his favorite thing there was the big blow-up "snow globe" thingie with pumpkin and tree inside and gray stuff blowing all around. Of course, he had to circle it, push on it, and inspect it thoroughly to see what made it all work.
Not sure how we're going to unload all this candy. He got a ton at school. He's never even really eaten candy yet, other than maybe an M & M. I bought a lot to hand out, but as soon as we got home, Shepard went to bed and we didn't want the bell ringing over and over. Hmmmm...Anybody got a sweet tooth?

Fall for the Beach, part 2

Here's the long-awaited video. :)

Stayin' Alive

I know, I promised a beach video, but this was just too much to wait on!
Shepard and I were listening to a little disco music in the kitchen before bedtime this evening. He has really been learning some sweet moves lately. I credit his dad's and my awesome dance skillz. And maybe Miss Brandy and Miss Whitney at school. I know they do "music and movement" every day. Forget the alphabet and colors...this is PRICELESS LEARNING!
Enjoy.

Fall for the Beach!

Last weekend Shepard and Mommy had a chance to make a quick getaway from the everyday and join Gigi and Pops at the beach! The weather was divine, so we struck out east and had a blast. Here are some pictures of our time there. Video coming soon.

Here doggie, doggie!

When Grandma came to visit last weekend, she brought lots of smiles and giggles. And a sweet little dog named Tux (or "Batfish" as we like to call him too). Tux was ever-present under the high chair when baby-feeding time came. Shepard realized quickly that Tux would jump up and join the feeding and decided to take a more active role (as in, more active than just accidentally dropping a cheerio...).

Enjoy the moment.

Mr. Fussy Britches ~By Shepard

Every day the world is making more sense. I'm starting to use some words and the teachers and mommy and daddy can understand. They still don't really understand when I just open my mouth and see how loud I can be. I wish they did. I'm very good at using my lungs and making high-pitched noises. I have been practicing it a lot but it's really because my mouth hurts a lot because I am getting giant teeth all over the place. Sometimes I find myself making my loud noises and crying and they don't know what I want at all. It will be nice when I learn some words for ouch and thirsty. Sometimes Mommy calls me "Mr. Fussy Britches." I just want to do what I want to do. What's so wrong about that?
I am really good at sleeping all night though. I have been sleeping between 11-14 hours a night lately with barely a wake-up. I am growing a lot lately, so I have to sleep a lot. Plus I run around all day at school, and we go outside twice a day and I get to swing and slide and play. I nap at school, too, on my monkey mat. It's soft and nice to sleep on.
I went to the doctor today for my check-up. Guess what? I have grown TWO WHOLE INCHES in the last three months! I am 34" tall and offically off the percentile chart. The computer told mommy I was 98.8th percentile and the doctor said 100th. I am already getting too big for some of my 18 month stuff and wearing 2T. The doctor also said I had long feet, but they go with my height. I like my feet. They carry me all kinds of places. I am starting to climb on things like the ottoman, hearth, sofa and pretty much anything I can. Mommy is always right behind me in case I don't make it. I weighed 23 lbs. and 14 oz. so I'm in the 41st percentile for weight. I will probably look a lot like my dad. Tall and handsome. They told us how big my head is, but I can't remember it right now. I'll have Mommy look it up and write it on here soon. She is good at recording that stuff so we can make sure I'm growing right.
I still really love pizza and lasagna, and love to eat my broccoli, cauliflower and carrots with a little cheese sauce. I also love PB-banana sandwiches and yogurt and cheesesticks. I eat fruit every day. Lately, I like to see my food hit the floor or see if I can drop it on the dog as he hovers below the high chair. It I'm a good shot, I can get a cheerio right on his head! Mommy keeps telling me, "NO THROW!" but she must not know how much fun it is for me to hold up the food and drop it. It always falls the same way. But bananas look different on the floor, and noodles are fun too.
That's all for now. My Grandma's coming over tonight, so I will be happy to see her. We will have fun this weekend...and remember my Papa. It's been a year since he went to heaven. We miss him a lot. I wish I could have known him and he could see how big I'm getting. I will have Mommy send a note to heaven and make sure he knows we love him.
I have to go nap now. Writing makes me sleepy.

Mom's Musings

The more I talk to mommies, the more I realize...it's never really going to get easier. I might get better at something, but there are always new challenges because every day you basically wake up to a NEW kid. They are learning and growing at such rapid rates. This morning, I was groggily lifted from bed by the cries of my little guy. I stumbled to the bathroom, washed hands and made some milk for him, changed his diaper, grabbed his blankie and sat with him in the rocker for a solid 20 minutes. So cute in his little Buzz Lightyear pj's...I was hoping perhaps he would want to drift off to sleep again as he so often does if his soggy diaper wakes him early. I smelled his sweet head under my chin and kissed him  at least five times on the hairline. He is sitting in my lap, but I know he will not fit there forever. I can still hold him and wrap him up in my arms. Wonderful moments of stillness and quiet before his little legs realize that they have places to go today. He very often greets me with a wave from his crib when I enter in the mornings. And I think he's trying to say "Hey there." I love moments like this morning. Half-awake hugs and cuddles are the best.
I often feel overwhelmed by how much there is to teach him. Saying "please" and "thank you." Not throwing his food off the table, how to open the door for people and look them in the eye and smile, how to share and hug and stay still long enough to get clothes on. These days, I'm in a full-blown sweat by the time I get my hair fixed, make-up on, coffee drunk, clothes on me, clothes on wiggly him, find the shoes, pack the lunch, did I remember to eat?, chase him down the hall, feed the dog, clean the tray, find my phone, find my brush (he likes to steal my stuff), keep him from eating the jewelry as I accessorize, marvel at how he approaches the computer and can get a song going before I can turn around--hopping on one foot as I strap on my sandals.
I think he can't hear me yet, or doesn't recognize his name when spoken sharply. It truly doesn't seem to phase him. I try to use it when he's climbing on a chair or about to trip over something in the floor. One of my friends said that since men aren't multi-taskers like women are, they truly can't hear while they're walking/playing/climbing. :)
How I wanted to have a lazy day with him today and just hang out. Sigh.
Somehow, every day he is fed and wearing cute clean clothes. He is hugged and kissed and made to laugh. He stares in wonder as I whistle. He flops about like a trapped crocodile when I change him. He wipes his tired eyes with lasagna-covered hands, and we splash (and SPLASH!!) and lotion up and get the "jammers" on and do it all over again.
This is a great job.