Let The Wild Rumpus Start!!!!

This is officially my second Halloween- but the first one that I have been an active participant in. Mommy decided way back  in the summer that she wanted me to be Max, the main character from Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, which was one of her favorite childhood books. She has been preparing me for weeks now, so I could growl like Max and have the correct "attitude" needed to pull off this King of all Wild Things!! CiCi worked her magic on the costume, but for the past week and a half- I have refused to put it on...crying and screaming every time mommy attempted to dress me in it. I decided to work with mommy and daddy tonight, though- and wear my wonderful costume! I did need to be bribed with some mini M&M's, but after some wriggling about and a few tears, I was in my costume and loving it!!! So- with my pumpkin in hand and Crocs on my feet, we headed out at dusk to get me some candy!! I was a little unsure of what to do at first- but after the first few houses I had it down pat! I would go up to the door, get my candy and walk with it until the next house...then I would hand it to mommy, daddy or Auntie Court (who came to spend this fun night of trick or treating with us...lucky me) so they could put it in my bucket and I could get my next piece of yummy sugary goodness!! I had no fear of walking up to strange houses with scary decorations and dressed up witches, demons and ghouls! I ate up all the compliments that I got on how cute I looked and did not want the night to end. So- after we trick or treated we went home to pass out candy to the bigger kids who started their night a little later that us toddlers. I got to greet everyone, pass out candy and yell "Bye Bye" whenever anyone left our porch! Auntie Court even made us hamburger soup (which was a Halloween night Ryan tradition) and I ate some and actually liked it! Even though most of the super sweet wonderfully tasty candy I trick or treated for tonight will not pass over my lips and into my tummy, I had a screamingly fabulous Halloween!! I am already starting to think of what I want to be next year!!

Ball Bliss

I received the best hand-me-down EVER today!!!! Our next door neighbor, Miss Kathy, is moving tomorrow and she was getting rid  of excess "stuff" while cleaning out & packing up her belongings.  Well- I was the ever so lucky recipient of a doggie shaped ball pit that she no longer had any use for!! The only thing that could dwarf my excitement upon seeing mommy blowing up this huge blue doggie was when  I saw her bring a trash bag full of plastic balls into the house today. I could hardly contain my excitement. I played and played and jumped and threw and rolled and crawled and enjoyed every single minute of this wonderful pit of balls! For a kiddie who enjoys his round spherical objects, I was in hog (or should I say dog) heaven!!! Mommy on the other hand, is dreading the nightly cleanup of 50+ balls...

Sleeping Beauty

Mommy was extremely tired this morning and was pushing me to go down for a morning nap around 9am. I was showing signs of being a bit sleepy, so she did think that this was a possibility. Well, I  was having no part of that and screamed my head off  and was hitting the wall and pulling the video monitor wire away from the wall, so mommy had to come get me. She still wanted to catch a quick power nap- so around 10:15am she laid down on the couch in the living room after making sure that I was properly contained and all "off limits" items were out of my reach. At 10:48 when she woke up from her splendid slumber she heard what she would have (before me being born) typically considered a wonderful sound- SILENCE. Now, lack of noise is not a good thing!!! She quickly ran back into my playroom thinking that I was back there and that is the reason she did not hear me immediately. when I was not there she had just the smallest little lump in her throat. Heading back to the front of the house and heading towards the family room, she was wishfully thinking that I was just quietly reading my books. Much to her surprise, though...I was not reading my books- but passed out cold ON my books. It appears that I was indeed tired even though I had fought my first attempt at a nap- and I did a sleepy nose dive into the carpet!! I continued to sleep, surrounded by my beloved books and toys until 12:15 when I awoke happy and ready to go!! Thank goodness my carpet siesta gave mommy time to catch her ZZZ's too- because for the rest of the day I was  all Go Go Go!

Rain Rain Go Away!!

I am an outdoor kid and typically mommy and I spend a lot of time running around  and making sure that I get the "stinks blown off" AT LEAST once a day in the backyard, playing in th  park, going for a stroll in the stroller & wagon or simply walking around the block. Today the rain was falling so hard ALL DAY that we were not able to head outside and I went a little sticker crazy from being cooped up in the house so long! Not only did I decorate mommy's face- but I did quite a number on her leg and even added a few to my cute little face! It is supposed to be a really rainy day tomorrow too...so I am open to any idea's as to how I can further torture mommy.

Ninja In The Making

Mommy and daddy came to the conclusion quite some time ago that they needed to watch what they said in front of me because I am a little mimic. Well- now it has gone to another level. After tons of outside play today and about 7 laps around the block...mommy was a bit worn out and plunked me down in front of the television so she could cook dinner in peace. She had taped the movie "Kung Fu Panda" and decided that I could watch that tonight while she tried her hand at culinary expertise! When she came in to check on me...I was a berserk little martial arts wannabe who was karate chopping, rolling around on the floor, trying to stand on my head  and kicking anything in my path- but mostly mommy!!! So- now it seems that I am really paying attention to what I hear AND see.  Better get the parental controls set on the TV because I do like to get my hands on the remote and you never know what channel I might end up on...heaven help you guys if it is boxing or ultimate fighting!!!

Tag Team Babysitters

Mommom and Poppy had their first night time babysitting experience this weekend. They told mommy and daddy that they want to babysit me once a month so they can bond with me and mommy and daddy can have some adult time away from awesome little me!! Why they would need time away I just do not understand...but I am not going to argue with them because when they go out, I get some quality grandparent time! Mommom and Poppy (who I call Papa) did the whole deal- they changed dirty diapers, gave me a bath, brushed my teeth, read me nighty night books and put me to bed! They did a great job. I was having so much fun showing them how I hit my golf balls that I did not even notice when mommy and daddy slinked out of the house. We got to eat breakfast together on Sunday morning and mommy showed me the cool clothes that she bought me when she and Mommom went to the Outlets the day before. Because I am such a "ball fiend" mommy got me some clothes with footballs on them...I was so happy with them that I was grinning from ear to ear and showing my clothes to everyone. I even got to wear them today while I played with many different types of balls in the backyard. What a fun weekend...I can't wait until November so mommy and daddy can leave again and Mommom & Poppy babysit! I think this is one monthly tradition I am gonna LOVE!!

Long Lost Love

After months of not seeing Antonella- mommy and Miss Andrea finally set up a play date so us kiddies could hang out!!! I was so excite to see her today that I actually tried to say her name. It is indeed a tough one to say, so I did not do it perfectly...but I think I made a valiant effort! I pronounced it "An ehl uh." Pretty good, huh?? Of course I would not repeat it for her- but maybe next time! We got there and for about 7 seconds I was a bit shy, but then I saw a huge ball and I was all about playing with Antonella and her toys. We read books together on the couch, played with her huge toy kitchen and of course we had a lot of hugging time. Antonella is such a lovey girl that she just gave them out like candy and I was the lucky recipient!!! She is also a dancin' fool! She is a shoulder arm dancer and was so cute that it made mommy giggle over and over again! We are definitely going to have a dance party the next time she comes to my house. I had such a fun day and I cried when mommy put me in the car to go. The only thing that pacified me was a promise of another play date very soon. I am looking forward to seeing you again soon, Antonella!!

Cleanliness Obsession??

Over the last few months, mommy has noticed that I have become a bit more obsessive about being clean and tidy. It started out as me enjoying playing with a wet wipe or two that mommy gave me to keep me occupied during the infamously difficult diaper changes but in recent times has progressed to much much more!! CiCi came to visit us today and got to witness my OCD first hand! We all went to a local park and I refused to walk on the wood chips near the sliding board. I was fine on the grass, but when I get to the edge of the wood chips- I fussed for mamma to pick me up so I don't have to walk on them. Mommy thinks this is because I insist on ONLY wearing my Crocs and with those dang holes, debris such as wood chips can sometimes get into my shoes. At one point mommy refused to pick me up, so she and CiCi just lifted me by my hands and swung me over to the grass, but me being the cute little manipulator that I am...I walked back onto the chips and cried to be picked up THE WAY I WANTED TO BE PICKED UP & CARRIED!!! Can you believe that these ladies would not do what I wanted????? Mommy walked away from me and made me walk off the chips onto the grass by myself...ugh, the nerve!!! Anyway- the OCD continued when I would fall and need to immediately wipe off my hands when any tiny dirt got on them. Also-I made mommy take off my shoes, dump them out & wipe my feet when a little sand from the sand box got into them! While eating lunch CiCi got to see more of my cleanliness in action...my hands got dirty from my food and I wanted them cleaned off before the meal was over. I also accidentally dipped my sippy cup into my PB&J sandwich and needed it cleaned off too. I guess the good thing is that I did not require mommy to clean me or my drink up- I wanted to do it myself!! CiCi thought this new found love of clean was just the most interesting thing- because I was not like this a month a go when I last saw her!!! Guess mommy is going to have to loosen up a bit on her own high cleanliness standards because the apple is not falling far from the tree!!

Man Time

Recently I have gotten to spend some nice quality time with some of the very important "dudes" in my life! Mommy had a baby shower to go to this weekend so daddy and I got to bond. I always have such a fantastically fun time when I hang with my dad. We ruff house and watch sports and just do MAN things!! I am always happy to see mamma when she gets home- but I ave to be honest that I do not even miss her when she is gone because I just love spending time with my daddy so much! Yesterday I also got a chance to spend the whole day with Poppy!! He has become my "go to" babysitter and has helped mommy and daddy out recently when they attend events not suitable for children. I was with mommy and daddy in spirit yesterday, though- because they were attending the funeral services for my Nan. Poppy and I bonded during our day of fun and I was even nice enough to give Poppy a little poopy present to cap off the day! He must really love me because that is the second time he has had to deal with my stinkers and he keeps offering to babysit!! Thanks for the fun times recently, daddy & Poppy...I look forward to some more male bonding time soon!

Bye Bye Nan

Only 2 1/2 weeks after celebrating her 92nd Birthday, I lost my very dear great grandma, Nan, this week. Mommy and (especially) daddy were quite upset this week and I even felt it too. I know that I am too young to really remember Nan, but I am one lucky little boy to have even known my great grandmother!!! So many kiddies my age do not even have grandparents- but I was blessed to be able to spend some quality time with my Nan in the short time that I have been on this earth. She was a true matriarch and did a super job raising my Nana and also helping to shape daddy's future! He told me the story about how one time he said a bad word (but would not tell me which word) and Nan did quite a job of rinsing his mouth out with soap!!!!! She was a strong willed "tell it like it is" woman- and this is definitely a trait that my daddy got from her. Mommy says that she thinks I will be like this too- so I am happy that I have a piece or two of my Nan's personality that was passed down to me!!! I know that all of daddy's family (and even mommy from the 10 years that she knew Nan) have some great stories of this wonderful lady- and through those memories, I will remember her and will always have her as a part of my history and my life. You will surely be missed Nan- but through your legacy, you will live on in our hearts!! We love you forever and always...

Taming The Beast

For the last week, I have been giving mommy and daddy quite a hard time. Mommy has called me some not so nice names including beast, monster and her little devil!!!! I don't blame her, though...I have not been the most pleasant guy to be around AT ALL!!! I have been fighting her at every turn. From first thing in the AM when I wake up and have to get my diaper changed, to mealtime, naptime, brushing teeth, not liking how mommy placed the covers on me, not liking how mommy looks at me, even playing with toys and taking a bath- I have been screaming and hitting and crying constantly!! I was even so naughty on Sunday that I pinched mommy so hard that I drew blood! Well- that was the last straw and mommy called CiCi for some advice yesterday. I sensed that I was trouble when mommy called in reinforcements. When I saw the pack n' play setup in the back bedroom I knew definitively that something was brewin'!!!! So- my screeching reign has come to an end. (Or- at least mommy is handing it much calmer and I am not able to get to her as badly). Now when I am trying to engage mommy in a power struggle- I get plopped in the pack n' play until I am ready to behave and complete the task in which I initially started to freak out about! Mommy is not too sure how well this is going to work- but after 2 stints caged in that mesh rectangle, I was much better behaved today. For mommy's sanity- I guess I should hope that it works even if it means that I have to behave a bit better in the days to come!!

Word Confusion

Mommy and daddy are not too sure why I insist on calling Yogurt by the wrong name...but I consistantly call it Apple. No matter how many times I am corrected- I remain steadfast that it is APPLE!! Go figure...

Play Dates

Now that I have my new napping schedule, mommy has been booking us up for all kinds of play dates and activities to get us out of the house and to try to make some new friends. On Tuesday- we went over to Miss Katie's house and her son Will and I had a great time playing outside, enjoying the beautiful weather and getting to know one another. Today- mommy called Miss Lindsey and she brought over her daughter Lily! Mommy was worried at firstthat I was not in my best form because I woke up last night at 3:45 am and did not go back to sleep. (Figures...no sooner than I posted the entry yesterday about my good sleeping and I had to go and ruin it with a night waking after I had not done that in months!!) There was no reason to worry, though- because within about 4 minutes- both Lily and I had warmed up to one another and we kept ourselves busy for the next 2 hours playing and SHARING all of my toys. She really liked my singing stage and my Little Tykes guitar! We even turned on the ipod and danced to some tunes. Guess the next wedding I go to I am going to have to ask Lily as my date- because she has got rhythm!! We rode cars together, played with my Rody Horse, drummed and played with my musical instruments and played with my Little People too!! I had so much fun that when Lily and her mommy had to leave around dinner time, I actually cried when they left! I had such a good time with my new friends this week that have already asked mommy to set up some more play dates ASAP!!!