'ello Elmo!

Tonight mommy said my halloween costume from Mimi is coming - it's Elmo! You can also get a listen to my British Hello ;)

Lately I've been repeating a LOT of words. Sometimes I'll say these by myself, but most of the time I copy someone:
* snack (nah)
* thank you (deet doo)
* apple (obble)

The other night mommy tried to get me to also say bye in Spanish and German, but I just told her no! :) I was being a goofball, and built a hat out of my legos.

And, last night I sort of pooped in the potty!! Daddy took my diaper off, and I started to poop, so he moved me to the little potty in my bathroom. Mommy and daddy said they were very proud of me, and hope I do it some more :)

ISU homecoming

This weekend we went to Ames for Iowa State's homecoming. That's where mommy and daddy went to learn lots of stuff, so they had lots of friends there. I met lots of babies, too (at least 9)!

On the way we stopped at Mimi's to drop wrigley off, have some lunch and run off some steam. she had some soup and grilled cheese. I just wanted the cheese. When mommy and daddy were ready to get back in the car, I ran to mimi and said "up" and waved to mommy and daddy and said "bye mommy, bye daddy!" :)

When we got to Ames, we were going to eat at Hickory Park, but the line was way too long. So instead, we ordered pizza from Great Plains. I had a whole slice all by myself - it was so yummy!

The next morning we got up early, went to HyVee for breakfast and tailgate yummies, and then on to the tailgate, where I met the first of my friends, Cole and Oliver. A little while later we went into one of the nearby buildings, where lots of mommy and daddy's friends were meeting for Alumni Band - they had their babies there, too! Then, just before game time, we went to another tailgate and I saw 3 more babies! Mommy and daddy are hoping I don't get any ideas ;) especially with our baby unit at daycare!

At the game, I sat by new friend Noah (no-no). That baby went night-night for much of the game - he was very well behaved, considering how loud it was. :) I got restless lots, so I took mommy and daddy on lots of walks around the stadium, and found lots of sticks. My favorite part was during the national anthem, when two fighter jets flew over the stadium. they were loud, and I kept looking for them long after they disappeared.

After the game, we made a quick visit to some friends, and then drove all the way back to Mimi's. We didn't get there until about 11:00. I slept most of the ride, so of course I was up until about 12:30! When we got to mimi's I went for a ride on my bike.

Everyone was hoping I would sleep in a bit this morning, but we weren't so lucky. At least I slept on the ride home - so did mommy.

Check out my new skills

I had to remind mommy to post these videos for you to see. They're a bit long (just under 5 minutes), but I climb up and down, work on my words, and buckle my highchair. Enjoy!

Here I am climbing my high chair and practicing my buckling skills.

And here I am practicing my climbing and stretching, as well as my vocabulary ;)

Now do you see why mommy never gets anything done while I'm awake? She's always playing safety net!

lots of development

This weekend, Mimi came to Madison with some of her friends. They left town, but she stayed to see me! Mommy and daddy went to an outdoor concert, and I decided to stay home with Mimi. We worked on counting with a number puzzle - and i can now count to TWOOO! Mommy will have to show you a video of that later.

Over the past few weeks, mommy and daddy have noticed lots of different developmental things.
1) my words are getting more clear:
* cheesssssse (i really emphasize the "z" sound)
* "mo" instead of "my" for more.
2) i repeat (or try to) most words.
3) my favorite one to repeat is when mommy calls daddy "Steve" (and especially if she yells). I copy her and say "Teee!!" :)
4) I understand a lot. especially when I'm in trouble or really want something :) 
* I definitely know what time out is, and that it's not a fun spot to be.
* when I really want something I use signs AND words. If I'm hungry I show mommy and daddy the sign to eat, and say "tee?" (for something "to eat?")
5) I'm starting to be more gentle to wrigley. I like to pet her soft hair.
6) I really like trucks, buses, and big machines.
7) as of late, I LOVE Elmo (eh-mo).
8) I can put my finger to my mouth and say "shhhh"
9) I say "bye bye" (or Ciao, or Au Revoir) and turn around as if I'm leaving. Or, if I'm video chatting, I shut the computer!

This week I also built a really tall tower, and found mommy some pretty flowers.

the molars are coming, the molars are coming!

Yesterday I had my 18-mo pictures taken. We went down to Beloit to visit my friend, Auny. I played with her and let her pick me up, too. This is rare right now, especially since we got back from Europe. but I had lots of fun, and she already sent some sneak peeks. aren't i handsome?

Last night I crashed before 8:00. but then I woke up at 9:30 and was inconsolable. I wasn't hungry or thirsty, and it didn't even help to cuddle with mommy. Finally (after about a half hour), mommy and daddy decided to try some tylenol, and it worked. They figured I didn't have a fever, and couldn't tell them anything else, so they didn't know what else to do. I crashed about 10 minutes later. then I woke up at 3:30 again, demanding more medicine.

Tonight when mommy was putting my diaper on after my bath, she saw some tiny white spots on my top jaw - 2 new molars coming in!! she'd show you, but they aren't as easy to take a picture of as those front sparklers.

an owie big enough for urgent care

As you can see, I'm becoming a bit of a daredevil.

Tonight I was horsing around in my bath, and I slipped and cut my chin on the bath tub. :( It didn't hurt for very long, but when mommy finally got a look, she decided to call the doctor. of course, there wasn't an opening until 9:00... so I was extra cranky when we went in ;) Add that to the fact that I do not like strangers in the same room as me, much less touching me, and we had an *awesome* time at the doctor. just kidding.

I met three new people tonight. Two nurses came in and tried to wash up my cut, and then the doctor came in to check me out and glue me up (seriously). I showed them all how well I can glare, kick and scream. Needless to say, I put on a good show and they were all impressed. I sat with mommy for a bit after we got home, and finally was in bed by a little after 10. everyone is hoping I'll sleep till a little after 10 in the morning.

I also had to go to the doctor yesterday, because the daycare thought I had the start of pink eye. the doctor said I look fine, but prescribed drops (which I challenge mommy to put in 3-4 times a day) anyway. My eye looked better after the first drop. Don't tell, but I really just wanted to spend some time home with mommy and daddy.

This is just a hint of all the fun I've had this week. I gave mommy a bit of a scare and her how fast I can climb up and down my high chair. I even figured out how to buckle the strap.

I can also say "hello," but with a British accent - " 'elo".