To FL and back (from March)

Dear Friends,
I just returned from a trip with my mom to visit Gramps and Gigi in Florida. I kept a journal during my stay so I could tell you all about it.

Mom and I flew down last Wednesday. I love the airport, and I love planes. I was such a good boy on both planes, well really, I was the life of the party. I talked to everyone around me and even wanted to sit in the lap of the lady sitting next to us. She didn't seem to mind. We got off in Atlanta so I could run around the airport. The club cars that take people to the different gates are fascinating. Everytime I hear them beeping, I stop to watch them drive by. When we took off for Ft. Walton Beach airport, the seat in the middle was empty. I insisted on sitting in it by myself. There were kids in front of us, so I played peek-a-boo with them in between the cracks in the seats. Behind us, there were some grandparents and a college girl. I jumped up and down on my seat to see them. They were very nice. I drew them a picture, and the college girl lives in DC and may be a future babysitter.

When we landed in FL, I finally fell asleep. I was so tuckered out, that I did not wake up until after we exited the plan, got in my stroller, picked up our baggage, and sat into my car seat. We went to Gigi's house and I put on some shorts.

That night, we went out to eat at the beach. I like the waves a lot. Then, we went to a shopping mall. They have a play area there. I climbed with all of the big kids and got mad when Mom carried me away. That was the best playground ever. We looked around and stopped in a shoe store. They had a Crocs display, and Gigi noticed they had some in my size. Mom tried them on me thinking I wouldn't be able to walk well in them. Did I show her! I took off running around the store, pointing at the shoes on my feet. I looked at them in the mirror and pointed at them as I ran. It was like the Indy 500. So, we just HAD to get them. They are by far my favorite shoes. I try to put them on myself.

On Friday, we went to Alabama for Uncle Daniel's graduation. I was such a good boy. I just sucked on my pacifier and held my blankie throughout the ceremony. Uncle Daniel got a bunch of awards, including the Distinguished Graduate. Mom and Gigi cried of course. I got to sit in a helicopter and see the insides of some planes. It was fun.

We drove back to FL on Saturday and Uncle Daniel, Aunt Brooke, and her sister Lindsay came, too. Lindsay is my new girlfriend. I like her a lot. We fed the turtles in the lake at Gramps and Gigi's and I threw rocks in water and made big splashes.

Mom took me to the beach on Monday. I wasn't so sure about the sand at first, but after a while, I was chasing the sea gulls and watching the body surfers. The beach is my mom's favorite place. I put my toes in the cold water. Gramps took me to look at the boats on the dock in Niceville. What a fun trip!

I know, I need a picture.....

Sorry I have been so bad about pics. Our digital camera is MIA. I am pretty sure it is in the bedroom though, with everything else! Construction if finally done, and now we are finishing up with the painting. Our lives will be in much better order soon.

I think of stories to tell all of you via this blog every day because Daniel is always doing something new and funny, or both!

He repeats more words every day. Turtle, fleece, blue are the latest this weekend. I forgot to mention that he now says, "stinks," and points to his diaper. Gigi taught him that one. We've started working on colors, so right now everything is "booo," for blue.

Daniel is a full participant in cleaning these days. He wants his own paper towel to help with the windows or his own Swiffer to clean up the floors. Daniel is also eating very well with a fork or spoon! He really wants to do it all, on his own.

We went shopping for furniture several times in the last two weeks, and he had the BEST time in the furniture store. I never would have guessed that he would have such a great time running around, opening cabinets and trying to get up on couches and beds.

I will definitely get a photo of him riding his horse. He can climb on and off independently, and let me say, he really goes to town bouncing all over the place, scooting across the living room.

We are headed to FL this week to visit and attend Uncle Daniel's pilot training graduation. Then, the following weekend Daniel and I will go to KY to see our extended family. I've got to get some new books and toys to make the flight interesting for him. I think it could be a challenge!

the latest

My dad reminded me that I have not blogged in a while. I am trying to get better - I think of things all of the time to write!

Our little man continues to move and shake. We hear him repeating more and more words - dirty and present are his most recent. And, Daniel almost always has something to say, we just don't know what he is saying quite yet.

My latest challenge is food. Well, it's a returning challenge. I know I need to diversify his menu. Daniel is a good eater, but we have a steady set of meals in rotation, and I need to expand. Hotdogs and cheese, grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, butternut squash, cheeseburgers, mexican rolls, spinach pizza rolls, cheese pizza rolls, mac-n-cheese, manicotti, spaghetti and meat sauce (with broccoli smuggled in). That's really it. I seriously don't know how we would make it without the organic frozen food section at Whole Foods. I really need to branch out on the snacks, too. He does say, "Bite, bite" when you've got something he wants to try.

Gigi taught him to pick up his toys when she was here - woo-hoo! What a great visit. It may not have been that relaxing for her, but it was for me and Scott!

The basement is done and the upstairs bathroom is mid-construction. I will be glad to have our house back! It will be a great improvement though, if we can find a couch to fit through the basement door!