Hockey Returns

Time moves fast. So fast that it seems like yesterday I was telling you about our vacation to Walt Disney World (again). Then I look at it has been a month since Little Guy took his first international flight - to Cabo of course. And now, hockey season is in full swing. Here's the evidence. (ok, look for a real video soon. Apparently I need a you tube account, which I don't have. Instead here's a photo taken seconds ago.)


Have patience with me. My patience with outside forces is gone. This means I will be posting again. See, I have even embraced technology and will post from either my phone or, as is the case tonight, Big Poppy's phone, from time to time. Now I must work on getting a driver (Bentley with a driver is this gals dream) all the time. I feel like such a power player "working" while on the our way to...you guessed it, the hockey game. Any bets on how long into the game before Little Guy asks for ice cream? - Posted using BlogPress from Big Poppy's iPhone

I'm Taking A Shower

Last weekend Little Guy and I went to SD to visit my side of the family and watch SoyBoy play in the state baseball tournament (more to come later on that). We were staying with Ranger and FavoriteAunt and I was a little nervous about the bathroom situation. You see, their kids are almost fully grown and no one takes baths. When they redid their bathroom a couple years ago instead of putting in a tub they opted for a shower only instead of stepping over the tub to get into the shower (the shower is huge and I love that!). However, the only time Little Guy has been in the shower was a few months back. He was playing in the bathroom while I was showering. The next thing I know, the shower curtain is moving and Little Guy is crawling into the shower - fully clothed. After he felt the water splashing on him and it not stopping, Little Guy let me know his displeasure. I had visions of tears and sadness while forcing him to shower.

Friday night got to be too late and Little Guy fell asleep without getting cleaned up. That had to be wonderful sleeping for him. I mean, have you ever started watching baseball at noon with high humidity? Napping in the shade of the grand stands because you were so upset to go home for a few minutes because Mommy wanted you to nap in the air conditioned home? Making it home around 10 pm? But he did fall straight asleep despite my poor parenting skills. :)

On Saturday morning, I re-introduced the shower to Little Guy.

There were tears alright. Tears when it was time to turn the shower off. He was not a happy boy.

Saturday was much of the same. Baseball. Hot. High humidity. Napping in the grand stands. However, Little Guy was a little wiser. At about 7:30 he looked to me and said. "Hot. Go home." I asked him, "You want to go home?" "YES!"

And so we went home and he was able to shower again and I took these three quick video clips with my phone. I watch them now and still laugh. 

When we got home on Sunday, Big Poppy was holding Little Guy. All of a sudden Little Guy looked dead serious.

LG: I showered!

BP: You took a shower?

LG: Yeah. Little Guy showered!

He is too flipping cute!

I Understand

Do you see these beautiful blue eyes?



I understand. I get it. Little Guy is easy to fall in love with.

I also understand that I may have played a role in our current situation. After all it was I that taught him:

ME: What do you give the girls?

LG: *** Wink, Wink - as in both eyes close for a quick wink*** A wink and smile

I may have also contributed by this:

ME: Where are your biceps?

LG: ***Rolls up the right arm sleeve and kisses the bicep, rolls up the left arm sleeve and kisses the bicep. ***

I do understand it is hard to resist these smiles.

However, I do not understand this change.

The game is suppose to go like this:

ME: Who loves you?

LG: MOMMY!

ME: Who else loves you?

LG: DADDY!

ME: Who else loves you?

LG: JETER!

Sometimes the game goes like this:

ME: Who loves you?

LG: DADDY!

ME: Who else loves you?

LG: MOMMY!

ME: Who else loves you?

LG: JETER!

Ok, not as much fun for me but it is acceptable.

However, there have been a couple times where it went like this:

ME: Who loves you?

LG: EMILY! (not her real name)

ME: ***Excuse me? When did this little hussy show up in the picture? The last time I knew, Emily was the school "friend" biter on the incident report. When did the little hussy trump me? This will never do. ***

I understand this little hussy friend becoming smitten by Little Guy.

I do not understand this little hussy friend out-ranking me.

I might need to have a talk with the little hussy friend's parents to ensure she watches herself.

Growing Boy, Jumping Boy

Last month was Little Guy's birthday. It also means it was time to check in the doctor and see how he compares to other little boys in terms of growth. As expected, he is a tall little guy (I am starting to get looks from people that don't understand he isn't as old has his height makes him appear. You know the looks, why isn't he potty trained - more on that to come - or he should be speaking better by now.)

Vitals at Twenty-four Months

Height: 35 1/2" (90 percentile)
Weight: 28 lbs 7.5 oz (50-75 percentile)
Head: 49.8 cm (50-75 percentile)
Click here for vitals at eighteen months.

Two year pictures are on the way. From the sneak peak, I am very pleased. It helps to have such a handsome family.

*** Can I tell you how annoying it is to have program updates running in the background while I am trying to do this update. Things are running very slow and I need to leave in a few minutes. Sometimes, I think computers are meant to irritate me. ***

Along with being a growing boy, Little Guy is also a jumping boy. He finds anything and everything to use as his launching pad, including yoga blocks.

Prior to jumping, one must count to three.

After reaching three, bend the knees, put a smile on your face and prepare for blast off.

Now it is time to enjoy the flight.

A safe landing is desirable, however, tumbling to the ground also offers up loads of fun.

And if you are lucky Little Guy, I will soon be able to hide the shirt you are wearing so Big Poppy cannot put it on you ever again. When you look back to pictures and it looks like you wore the same shirt every day please know that was not the case, however Big Poppy put it on you once a week and let other shirts gather dust in your drawer (Big Poppy helps him get ready in the morning most of the time).

Those are Stickers

We do are best to keep Little Guy clean. Sometimes it is difficult because he is an active little boy. I promise, his shirt is not dirty here. He is just really into stickers.

Stickers can be used a bribe or a reward or, if I'm feeling naughty, torture (as you keep the stickers just out of reach but within eye sight but are unable to hear "sticker, sticker, sticker" - which is said in an increasingly whiny voice).

What I like to do sometimes is time Little Guy's reaction time. You ask him polite to come see you. No response. You may tell him to come see you in a little more authoritative tone. No response. You ask if he would like a sticker.

And in true fashion, as soon as Little Guy sees the camera, the smile brightens his face.

He also moves quicker when there is a camera around.

A camera could likely make Little Guy move quicker than stickers do.

And he just cannot wait to see his face on the camera's display.



These Boots

More often than not Little Guy wants to be just like Big Poppy.

However, there are times when he likes what Mommy has, especially when shoes are involved. Or in this case, boots.

Last night, Mommy took her boots off and Little Guy flew over to take of his shoes. In one swift motion, the shoes were off and the boots were on.

He did surprisingly well in heels.

I'm thinking I may need to take walking in heels lessons from Little Guy.

Parks Are Fun

Have you ever noticed how parks are fun?

You go to the park, you have fun and you go home in a great mood (at least you leave in a great mood if there isn't a melt down because you are leaving the park - something I would never do, however Big Poppy has been known to have a melt down or too).

There are so many things that are fun at the park. A quick walk and we are at the park to have fun.

Slides are fun.

Swings are fun.

Tunnels are fun.

Pelicans are fun.

Mommy's are fun.

OK, maybe I just wanted to show-off a little bit that Little Guy was captured giving Mommy a kiss...which is always fun for me!

He Does Get Groomed

He does get clean.

He likes to take baths.

Althought more and more it appears we have forgotten basic cleanning habits.

And sometimes it just looks like we don't own a brush.

But Little Guy does get groomed.

Sometimes he is just cuter with a little mess.

Bat of a Good Time

Did you survive the ghosts and goblins on Sunday?

We barely survived with all the scare tactics of the neighborhood children.

Halloween was a little different than last years party. For the most part it had to with having a Little Bat. He sures like to climb up on everything and spread his wings to fly.

GrandB and GrandC came over again this year. We had some blood punch and zombie pizza's and dogs, but the spread was not laid quite as nicely as the previous year. However, we did have some Halloween cupcakes with bone toppings - an addition from last year (and Little Bat tried his best to eat only the frosting).

Having the trick-or-treaters come to us again this year was quite fun for Little Bat. He would get very excited when they came to the door. To each and everyone he gave them a polite "bye-bye".

Little Bat with GrandB and GrandC.

In between treaters, baseball was played (I know, we are still very disappointed about the Yankees and Twins).

Little Bat waiting for the perfect pitch from Big Poppy.

All in all in was a Bat of a Good Time.

Little Bat was not patient for the camera this time around but I was having a good time.

In case you were curious, Little Bat stayed in character all night. He decided to be a nocturnal creature Sunday night!

He Likes to Move It

Little Guy really likes to bust out the moves from time to time. However, this time, I think Big Poppy might have been dancing more. Little Guy looks slightly horrified.

You didn't think I would actually show Big Poppy dancing did you? Big Poppy is holding the camera - the shaking, that is him dancing to the music.

Let's just say, between his skills and my skills, Little Guy is not going to be thinking about a career in dancing. We will need to enlist the help of friends to show Little Guy how to grace the dance floor.

Twelve Month Photo's - FINALLY!

These may have been worth the wait but boy did it feel like I was waiting and waiting and waiting. The prints are ordered and I even decided to try a canvas enlargement. Can you guess which on may be gracing the fireplace mantle in the not to distance future (or it may be gracing the guest bedroom - I'm sure any guest would just love, love, love to see a giant head staring at them as they drift off to dream land)?

All of the photo's were taken in our house or in the our yard. It almost looks like I keep up the yard maintenance.

Just Like Daddy

With a puppy (he will always be my puppy) named Jeter, it seems fairly obvious baseball is an important part of our life. Sports in general are a good outlet for us while playing and going to games together is a way we enjoy spending time together.

Little Guy already has quite an arm on him - or at least that is what others are saying. With a little help, he is also getting a pretty good baseball swing. Little Guy is becoming just like Daddy - a love of playing sports.

Don't take my word, look for yourself.

Or, it appears I am unable to load the video of Little Guy swinging the bat. I've tried three times now all with the same message. Take my word for it, with every swing, Little Guy would laugh and laugh and laugh. The neighbors were really enjoying the BP in the front yard.

Tapping Home Plate

This Bat Might Be A Little Big

I Caught the Ball

Mr. Roboto

One of the hilarious things to watch is how kids do things when they are first learning. I cannot tell you how many times Big Poppy and I have laughed (and come close to tears because of how hard we were laughing) watching Little Guy motor around.

Picture it, Little Guy, all cute and smiley, walking over you to give you a great big hug. Now add to the picture that when Little Guy is moving as quickly as he can, he does not bend his knees. His arms are straight out to his side ready to wrap them around your neck. He's very proud of himself (as he should be!) for walking over you and is laughing uncontrollably.

It's hard not to laugh right along.

Then, of course, once Little Guy makes it you there are cheers. There are hugs. Then there is the spin around to send him Big Poppy's way.

Now repeat. Back to me.

More than once, as the jerky movements come my way, I cannot help but to start thinking of the old song, Mr. Roboto. Or it reminds me of the Tin Man when he needs a little oil.

I really wish I could describe the movements a little better. It brings a smile to my face just thinking about it. Here's a short clip trying to show you my "Mr. Roboto" but keep in mind, Little Guy is NOT camera shy. In fact, he loves the camera and always trys to rush over it to get a better glimps. Perhaps if Little Guy oiled up his knee joints a little bit, then the lower half of his body could keep up with how fast he wants to move. Instead, the camera usually means a face plant is sure to follow.

I swear, I love him but this is too funny not to share.

He is a ham...

...and he loves the camera.

Hungry or Trouble

Silly Boy

Are you ever silly on a Sunday?

We are.

Good thing phones have built in cameras. How else could we capture such silly moments?

It's Your Birthday!

 It's your birthday Little Guy. You spend however you want.

If you want to eat all your pancakes before Mommy enters the kitchen. You can do that.

When asked how old you are you want to grin to show space in your upper two teeth and show us how big you are. You can do that.

While Big Poppy is helping make birthday cupcakes...

You want to attack the camera. You can do that.

If you want homemade mac-n-cheese. You can have that.

You can blow out your first candle.

You can take a first taste of frosting.

You can shove a cupcake in your face.

You can try to figure out how to have more frosting and less cupcake.

You can show Big Poppy and me how you are eating all the cupcake.

You smile big because it was so very tasting.

And, if on your birthday, you want to take one small little nap during the day and play all day long, fall asleep at 7 pm and not open presents on your birthday. You can do that too.

Happy First Birthday Little Guy! We love you! You are loved by so many, both near and far away.

The Saddest-Sweetesy Thing

The saddest, yet sweetest, occurrence is happening in our home. It brings joy to some and tears to others. The highs and lows are all the result of a common incident. Like all good drama, there is an instigator.

When Big Poppy picks up the leash our home become full of emotions.

The Happy Boy (Jeter) cannot stop jumping with excitement because he get’s to go potty or go for a walk.

The Sad Boy (Little Guy) moves has fast as he can to the front door when a coat is not put on him because he knows he’s not going along. Once Big Poppy has the leash on The Happy Boy, the tears roll down The Sad Boy’s face.

And then, I get to watch this, The Sad Boy patiently waiting for Big Poppy and The Happy Boy to finish with their business in the front yard. Once The Sad Boy sees Big Poppy and The Happy Boy start their walk back to our house, then I get to see The It’s Going To Be OK Boy.

I sure hope Little Guy wants to spend all his time with us when he’s older.

NOTE: After a brief delay, I’m back and will get the vacation update and other updates up quickly. My only excuse is me. Every spare moment I have been spending with Little Guy and have not wanted to take any time for anything else. Then, while Little Guy is sleeping, I’ve been lazy. The couch, Big Poppy, tivo and I became way too close. Thankfully for all of us, I am getting bored with the tv again.