I Say: Exercise is Fun

It didn't take Mom and Dad long to realize that I don't like staying still. When I get fussy they can usually soothe me by walking around with me. I'm not expert on these things, but it seems like that was pretty predictable considering how active Mom was while she was pregnant with me. She'd run and swim all the time. (Not fast like before I was there, but she was still moving.) She'd ride a stationary bike. Then sometimes she'd do some less conventional things. There was the time she and I used a hula hoop. (I include myself because I think I helped her hold it up.)

Three weeks before I was born, Mom was doing headstands with me. Apparently that's not typical of women who are 7.5 months pregnant.

Mom at Lake Placid, October 2011

So is it any wonder that I like movement now? At times, Mom and Dad love that. Yesterday Mom went running in Van Cortlandt Park and Dad took me for a walk all over the park. I loved it, he loved it, everyone was happy. I like the fresh air and I tend to be very peaceful and calm when I'm moving. The problem comes when the movement stops. I'm not shy about sharing my displeasure when this happens. At times, Mom has had to resort to some unconventional methods to keep me calm while getting her exercise.

And just so Dad doesn't feel left out, here he is using a more standard means of rocking me to sleep. As you can see, it's not as creative, but it did the trick.

I Say: Happy Birthday Mom

Saturday was Mom's 40th birthday. Even though that's supposed to be a big deal, Mom didn't want to have a big celebration. Instead she wanted to spend the day with me. I liked that idea.

We started the day with a visit from my new friend Corinna and her moms, Heather and Margaret. We had breakfast together and read stories. Corinna was so nice that I can't wait to see her again.

Corinna is so smart that she could have helped with the big words. 

Despite the look on my face, I loved meeting Corinna.

After breakfast the three of us went up to Van Cortlandt Park. Mom and Dad took turns walking with me while the other one ran. I like walking around and I like being outside, so this was a lot of fun. Plus I got to see Nate and Glo again too. Mom got a carrot cake. Mom loves carrot cake almost as much as she loves me. And that's a lot. 

We followed our trip to the park with a "team nap" together. I like sleeping in the bed with Mom and Dad and lately they've seemed a little tired, so it worked out well for everyone.

Nap time for the men of the house.

Later on we went to visit Mom's family out in New Jersey. I saw Auntie Kay and lots of new people too. Everyone fussed over me, which was quite flattering. Recently I haven't been enjoying the nights so much. When I don't feel great my only way to tell Mom and Dad about it is to cry, and that's exactly what I did. A lot. Luckily Auntie Kay lent a helping hand, and so did a nice lady named Ashlie. She works with kids so she helped calm me down and gave Mom and Dad a little breather. Thankfully, I've been feeling better these last few nights, so hopefully the nights will be a little calmer around here. 

There were no big parties for Mom's birthday, but I hope she knows how much Dad and I love her. Happy Birthday Mom. 

I Say: I Love All These Visitors

I'm sorry that I've fallen so far behind in blogging about my social life. It's not that it's not important to me. Quite the contrary. The problem is that most of my day is spent greeting guests or sleeping. Or at times both. Anyway, Dad says that I'd better get caught up on things before I hit puberty and nobody recognizes me, so here's an update on some of my recent visitors.

A while back I met my new friend Ali over at JackRabbit. She doesn't work there, but she got word that I was visiting and she dropped everything to come over and see me. I appreciated that. I made such a good impression on her that she came to visit me at home and brought her boyfriend Brian. I approved of him and made my feelings known by spending most of the afternoon sleeping on his chest while Dad spent most of the afternoon eating muffins that Ali cooked. (How is it that I'm the cute one who lures the guests, but Dad's the one who gets snacks? That hardly seems fair.)

Brian, me (center) and Ali

Gloria and Nate came by with their nephew Oliver. He's a big kid. (Dad says Nate's a big kid too.) And Glo was really fun too. They were unanimous in their opinion that I'm cute. I hope to get to play with all three of them when I get a little older.

Then Mom and Dad's friend Kwok-Ming visited. I'm told that has been asking about me from way before my arrival, and was always concerned and supportive.

Everybody knows Ming

I really enjoy all these visitors. Later in the week I'll tell you about some of the other nice folks who have been stopping by.

I Say: Friday Wasn't Bad After All

My mom is a school teacher. She works with big kids in High School. Right now she's on maternity leave so she can stay home and take care of me, but on Friday she had to go into work for a day. Though she didn't like to admit it, I think she was a little nervous because she had to leave me with Dad. Coincidentally, Dad didn't want to admit it, but I think he was a little nervous too. Thankfully - and mostly because I was so cooperative - everything went perfectly.

The day started when Mom and I woke up a little after 6. That's not so unusual for us, but from what I'm told, Dad isn't used to being up so early. When Mom woke up she left me with Dad. I was wide awake, so Dad was too. Mom went off to school and Dad and I stayed home for a few hours. We took a little nap, but mostly just hung around the house. Around 10 he fed me and got me cleaned up and dressed. Then we got on a subway and a bus to go visit Mom at school. As usual I liked the public transportation, so that went smoothly. We got to school and Mom was in conferences. I saw her but stayed calm and quiet because I know that's what you're supposed to do in a school. (Plus Dad told me that I need to make a good impression on the Admissions Committee.)

Dad feeding me. 

Dad left me at school with Mom for a while and I got to visit with all Mom's co-workers and friends. Her friend Lauren even came by with her son Ryder and baby daughter Mia. It was great to see all these people. Then Dad came back and watched me for a couple more hours while Mom went back to work. By the end of the day Mom and I were pooped. We came home and took what Mom calls a "big fat nap".

All in all it was a great day. I think Dad enjoyed spending time with just the two of us, and I think Mom was a little relieved that it went so well. I know she misses me when she's not around me - and I certainly can't blame her for that - but at least now she realizes that Dad and I are OK without her for a little while. Just don't go too far away mom.

I Say: I'm a Party Animal

Saturday was all kinds of awesome. So awesome that it will take more than one blog entry to fill you in on the day's activities. I'll start with the evening. Mom and Dad and I went to two parties. That's right - two!

The first party was the Photo Party at Francis' house. Apparently he has an annual tradition of having a holiday party and taking portraits of all the guests. I was a little sleepy for my pictures, but Francis was nice enough to supply the biggest dog ever to keep us company.

Not only did I get to meet Francis and his giant dogs, but I met Kenley, Alisa, Kevin, Maria, Steven and Steven, and a bunch more really fun people. The party was full of dogs, nice people, and other kids and babies. (Dad says I'm the only one who's still under warranty, which I think means that I was the youngest.) We couldn't stay too long at the Photo Party because we had to go to our next stop, which was the JackRabbit Holiday Party.

I was worried that I'd be disappointed by the JackRabbit party since the first party was so much fun, but this one was just as good. I saw lots of Mom and Dad's friends, and everyone said how cute I am. I got a little cranky for a few minutes, but for the most part I tried to be on my best behavior. I know that Mom and Dad like to show me off to their friends because they love me so much, so I figured I'd be good. Plus their friends are really nice, so it was easy to play along. I saw some old friends like Bridget, Johanna, Molly and Becca, plus I got to meet a lot of new people.

Overall I have to say that parties seem like a lot of fun so far. I can't wait to go to some more.

I Say: I Met Big Kids

Sorry that I've fallen behind on my blogging. Dad has been hogging the computer with his "work" and I've been a little cranky lately, so it's been hard to keep up. Not to worry about the crankiness - the doctor says it's just a phase, and it's only for a couple of hours each day. Overall I'm still in very good spirits and bringing my parents lots of happiness.

Anyway, the fun continues around here. Though I failed to mention it at the time, I had a couple of really fun visits from big kids and their parents last weekend. First, Mom and Dad's friends D-Ferg (whose name is rapidly moving up in my ranking of favorites) and Erik brought by their son Henry. He's 10-weeks old, and we got along great.

Erik and D-Ferg holding us. I'm the little guy. 

While Henry and I were playing, Dad took some pictures of us. Everyone says we look like old men. At first I objected, but then Erik showed us these two photos side-by-side. In case you can't tell, Henry and I are in the photo on the right.

That same weekend, I got a visit from another awesome boy. His name is Javier and his moms are Wendy and Ines. Javi is a big boy and was very nice and gentle with me. He lives in the same building as we do, so I hope to get to see him a lot.

Thanks Javi

Finally, I met Dad's friends Soley and Danny, and their sons Lucas and......wait for it......Dylan. They were visiting New York and wanted to meet me, and I know that Mom and Dad wanted to see them too. We all went for lunch and had a great time.

That's Mom holding me and sitting with Dylan

I really enjoying being around all these people. Mom and Dad say it's good for me to get socialized. I say it's fun.