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.

I Say: Thanksgiving Rocked

Having heard all the hullabaloo about Thanksgiving, I was worried that I'd be disappointed. After all, what were the odds that the day would live up to its advance billing? Well guess what? It did.

Mom, Dad and I made the voyage to Bridewater, NJ where we spent the holiday with Grandma Aunt Carole and her family.

Our hosts were Stacy and Jeff, and their kids Jacob, Abby and Sadie. Then there were Jen and Jon and their kids Madeline and Julia. (I call them Maddy and Juju.) They were all really nice to me. They took care of me, held me, and gave me my pacifier when I got a little cranky. Dad is a worrier, but he was really impressed with how kind and gentle the kids all were with me.

Hi Juju

Maddie was fun

That's Jen & Jon

Our hosts were Stacey & Jeff

Jacob took care of me

Sadie was really fun

Sorry about that little accident Abby

And let's not forget that Grandma Aunt Carole and Auntie Rachel both spent plenty of time with me, and are as much fun as I remembered.

Then, as if this wasn't enough excitement, we did a Face Time call with Dad's family in Arizona. I got to see his uncles Aboo and Dan, along with Aunt Lola, Lisa, Craig, Tevie, Mark and Sam. I've heard all about all these people, but I haven't met them yet. I really want to see them in person, but the video call was a good replacement for now.

That's Dan and Aboo on the computer. I can't wait to meet them. 

Aside from mass quantities of turkey and stuffing, along with good company, Dad has one other tradition on Thanksgiving. Ping pong. Some thought that his new role as a responsible, protective parent would get in the way of this practice, but they should know that Dad is not easily deterred. 

I may be young, but I'm a quick learner, and I already figured out that Thanksgiving is awesome. The really cool part about yesterday was that so many people were nice to me and made me happy, and I think I made them happy too. Happy Holiday everyone. 

I Say: I'm a Social Butterfly

I'm sorry that I haven't updated in a couple of days, but things have been real hectic in my world. Mom's off taking a well-deserved nap right now, and I'm sitting here with Dad, so it's a good time to get everyone up to speed.

Tuesday was an awesome day. It started when Dad and I took Mom to her doctor. The doctor said that mom is doing much better, so Dad and I were relieved. And Mom was very brave - she didn't even cry in the doctor's office.

After the doctor, we went to visit Mom's co-workers and friends at the Dalton School. Mom said we'd visit for five minutes. Two hours later when we left, I was pooped. We saw a lot of Mom's students, and they were all excited to meet me. Mom's co-workers were super nice to me. I met Maggie, Kathleen, Molly, Lisa (she performed the ceremony when Mom and Dad got married), Guy, Will, Lisa B, Emily, Richards, The Alumni and Development Team, The MS/US Admission Team,  and a bunch more. I saw my old friend Felicia again too. (She and I go way back - to last week.) I even met the Admissions Director. For the record, I would like to publicly state that I think she's wonderful. I am sure that I will always remember our meeting fondly, and I hope she remembers me in a favorable light in a few years...Wink, wink.

Then on Wednesday we went to see my doctor.  I like my doctor, so I was on my best behavior. She said I'm doing great, and she was impressed that I gained 11-ounces in just five days. Since I'm doing so well, I don't have to go back for two whole weeks. I think the doctor just wants me to come back then because she likes me so much.

Mom helped keep me calm at the doctor's office

I like all this traveling around. Most people complain about the subways and buses, but I find them soothing and fun. (Plus at my age they're free, and I'm my mother's son, so I don't like to pass up a bargain.) And even though I don't know the people there, everyone comes up to Mom and Dad to ask about me and to say how adorable I am. Mom and Dad talk about how big New York City is, but it seems that people are very friendly when I'm around.

Even though I know you don't need a reminder, here's further photographic evidence of just how cute I am.