Days 390-391: Summer is HOT

No one warned me that summer was going to be so HOT. I just heard all winter about how great it was -- all these parks and beaches and lakes and trips and fun, and that might all be true but wow it's hot out. And sticky. My hair gets all matted up in just minutes. But that doesn't mean I won't go out and make the most of it. Mom's been taking me to this sweet new playground down by the smelly river and it's so cool -- has so many swings and slides and whole sections with sand and water. The one on the right is the sand part. It was awesome and I got very dirty mixing sand and water and throwing it on myself and other people. And the one on the left is the water part, which has fountains and pools and hoses and also too many kids, at least if you go on Memorial Day. Hopefully next time we go back it will be less crowded.

Day 389: Happy Birthday, Dad!

Dad's home, and it's his birthday. Double yay! Today we went for a drive and took a hike in the woods. It was a little warm -- I was riding in the backpack thing and man was I sweaty! -- but we had fun anyway.

Last night cousins Jill and Emily came over to grill sausages and play with me. Well, they are Dad's cousins, so I'm not sure what that makes them to me but we'll just call them cousins to make things easy. Hi, cousins!

Days 286-389: Hello, Ladies

Mom and I had a good time this week while Dad was gone. Of course we missed him but we were out and about in the nice warm summer afternoons. I met some nice people, for instance this (very) young lady I took for a spin in my fake car. I'm not sold on the design of this car -- it's a little confusing as to who is supposed to steer -- but she didn't seem to mind.

Day 385: BAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Oh, hi there. Was I yelling? Sorry about that. I just get excited sometimes, especially about cake, and maracas, and noise.

It's been nice weather here in Brooklyn. Finally nice. I wish Dad would come home, though. I miss jumping on him at 6am!

Day 383: Moving Pictures! A Test!

I don't know if this will actually work but I'm going to try an experiment - I'm going to post a video, an adorable video of me! Eating! Let's give this a shot:

Day 382: This is More Like It!

See, no giant tube. And warm water! Yay, baths!

Day 382: Pools - Hmmmm...

Here's me in the pool. I'm not sure about this whole swimming thing just yet. I mean, I like water, but I like it all warm and cozy, like the bath. This giant pool is not as warm as a bath and it's also very deep so that I have to wear this ridiculous tube thing. In the tub, I only have to wear my birthday suit.

Days 378-382: To Florida and Back

Mom and I got home from Florida on Friday night. It was a tough trip home, especially for her. I didn't help much by not sleeping, and being squirmy, but it was exciting entertaining all those people! I'm sorry, Mom.

We had a great time in Florida, visiting with G'ma and Papa and Auntie Steph, who was also visiting. We swam in the pool, and ate some oranges, and sat around in our plastic chairs. We even saw some manatees! (Which are some seriously weird looking fish!) Thanks everybody for a nice week. I miss you all already.

It was a beautiful day in Brooklyn yesterday and we had a nice brunch. But today it's cold and gray again. Boo. Dad says he has to go away for work again tomorrow. Boo. I hope he comes back soon!

Day 377: On Vacation

Look at me, in the pool! I'm just testing the temperature but I plan to jump into this big tepid bath as soon as they'll let me. I'm on vacation with Mom at G'ma and Papa's, in Florida. The weather is good -- not too hot! Dad is not here, unfortunately; he's in some place called Europe for a few days but he's going to meet us back home on Friday. I wonder if we can get one of these pools in our yard?

Day 376: Milestones

So I think we might finally be done celebrating my first birthday, which is probably good since soon I'll be two. Here's another picture out at Uncle Eric's cabin, where Mom's reading me a new book. You'll notice I'm wearing what some people call a Canadian tuxedo -- a jeans jacket with jeans -- but in homage to the location of the cabin, I modified it by going barefoot, so I call it my West Virginia tuxedo instead. Probably I should also be shirtless under the jacket. Next time.

Speaking of milestones, I forgot to tell you all that I went to the doctor last week and it wasn't so bad because he didn't stick me with any needles -- for once -- and I got my new report card. I weigh 24.13 pounds, which is in the 75th percentile, and I forget my height but it's in the 95th percentile. So I'm tall! Or as big people say, for some reason, long. As if I can't stand up. Ha! Also my head isn't as ginormous as it was before. It's now also in the 75th percentile, which is more normal and probably good or I'm not going to fit into any hats.

Day 375: Bonus picture!

Here's an artier shot from my birthday, courtesy of one of my team of photographers.

No one told me those birthday hats look so ridiculous. Who came up with those things?

Days 370-375: My Apologies

I know, I'm sorry. It's been ages. I've been busy since I turned 1. It's tough being all grown up. I promise to post some more photos but for now enjoy this shot of me eating cake. More cake! I had a second birthday party this weekend. Not actually a second birthday - time doesn't fly this fast - but a second first birthday party, with Granddad and Grandmom and Aunt Jenny and Uncle Eric and cousins! (And Zoe.) It was a short trip out to the green hills where my Dad grew up but I had fun seeing everybody. I'm sorry Aunt Jenny got sick and missed the cake, though. I hope she's feeling better now.

Oh, and happy retirement Grandad! (Granddad?)

Day 369: Happy Birthday to Me!

Hey, these birthdays are alright. They just keep going on. We threw a party on Saturday and lots of people came. Also I ate cake. CAKE! It's so good; why have you people been hiding it from me for so long?

We got a new yard too. It's very green. And not dirty like the old one. Which was pretty much just dirt, come to think of it. This one magically grew overnight.




I wonder when my next birthday party will be? I quite enjoy them.





Thanks again to everyone who came, and brought me gifts.

days 367-369: Hi There

Happy Monday morning everybody. Thanks to everybody who came to my party, especially my G'ma and Aunt Claire, who came from far away. It was very fun. I ate cake! I'll post some pictures later.

So now I'm 1. What's next?

Day 366: Now What?

Now that I'm one it doesn't really feel very different. Though I did enjoy the cards and gifts. And my G'ma and Aunt Claire came to visit and help throw me a party. Or as we Cinco De Mayo babies call it, a fiesta.

Rumor has it there is going to something called a piñata that I get to pound on with a stick. Pounding on things with other things is probably my favorite activity, so I'm pretty excited about that.

Day 365: Happy Birthday to Me!

Has it really been a year already? It has!

Happy Birthday to Me! Happy Birthday to Me!

How old am I? Count my fingers. See you all at the big party on Saturday. I would have had it today but I guess some people have jobs and couldn't come. I'm off to hire some mariachis.

Day 358: See You on the Other Side

So you know what: I need to fire my staff mathematician. I know we don't update every day, but we try, and we try to fill in the gaps when we miss a day, or days, and I was getting ready to post today when I realized something: our math is off! It says Day 358 up there but that's wrong and you know how I know: BECAUSE TOMORROW IS MY BIRTHDAY! That means it should be Day 364. But who's counting?

I am!

Tomorrow, I will be 1. I can't believe it. That's so old!

I don't know how to account for those 6 missing days but a lot of things happened this year - births, weddings, books, trips - so I guess it's not all that surprising. It is a mystery that will never be solved.

So, tomorrow, we will time warp ahead and catch up. And also celebrate my birthday! Yay, me! And also Yay, Mexico! Because it's Cinco de Mayo. You should buy us some margaritas.

Day 357: Food, Glorious Food

Oh, boy - I love food. So many foods. This is me at Aunt Jenny's, when I was eating some pureed fruit. It was delicious. Other things that are delicious include bananas, strawberries, apples, yogurt, Thai red curry, duck confit and my latest discovery -- short ribs braised in rice wine, soy sauce, and sesame seeds. This list is by no means complete. I think expanding it will be my life's work.

Also, Happy Birthday Grandad! Or is it Granddad? Grand-dad? Grand Dad? I can never figure that out. But whatever - HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Perhaps I should eat some cake in your honor.

Days 353-356: Case of the Mondays

Hi there. It's been a very emotional couple of weeks and I'm just getting back to town after some travels so I haven't had much of a chance to post any photos. I'm sorry. Maybe you're all distracted anyway with all this news of some guy that got yanked off his lounge chair in some mansion in Pakistan, wherever that is, and tossed in the ocean. I'm not sure what that's all about but people are happy, so I'm happy too. I like to be happy. It's much more fun than being sad. Even though being sad is okay sometimes.

More soon, I promise.