Toddler-hood

On Saturday, we had a major clean-up day. You know, the kind where the washer is spinning, the mirrors all get clean, and dust bunnies quiver in fear? That kind. I'm not 100% sure Shepard was keen on joining in to help CLEAN, but he surely did enjoy the dry swiffer. (try not to get distracted by these super-cute monkey jammers)

 He played with the thing for at least an hour. I finally had to trick him onto the diaper-changing table and leave it in the hallway for Daddy to fetch while the attention was diverted. He tried to swiffer pretty much everything in the house.

Of course, we'd love for him to learn to be helpful! Hopefully, he will model so many of the wonderful things his Daddy does around the house. Like swiffering!
In addition to this fine turn of events, he has been learning lots of new words and sounds. Seemingly something new almost every day. This week, we got "night-night," the RAWR of the lion, "fish," and MEE-MO (his way of saying Nemo when we show him our clownfish), and "cracker." He also does a terribly cute thing whenever he finds a phone or something like a phone. He holds it up to his ear and makes a funny sound like "hemmmmmmm." Not sure who he's emulating there.
This morning, as we left for the day, I pulled out the big golf umbrella to shield us from the rain. You would have thought I have given him his very own traveling circus tent. His little eyes lit up and he smiled and looked at me with that great curious stare, as if to say, "Mommy! What just happened!? Don't ever let it end."

Fall Round-Up

October was especially full. We were able to celebrate birthdays of Grandma, Aunt Jessica, and Pops! We all went to the SC State Fair. Then, we took in a fall festival at the Aw Shucks farm. The really great pictures here were taken by our friend Pranee Loffer at Beauty for Ashes photography. Then, we rounded it all out with Halloween and a sweet puppy costume. Whew!

Looking forward to the holidays, spending more time with our dear family and enjoying Christmas with our little ball of energy.

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.