My First 100 Days

Days 640-641: Goodbye, Fever!

2012-01-27T11:58:00.000-08:00

So memories weren't the only thing I brought back from Mexico. I picked up a fever. That made for a sucky few days, and a really sucky trip to some terrible place where people poked and prodded me into the wee hours of the night. But I kicked that virus to the curb and am now fever-free. I will celebrate this, and prove I'm back to normal, by storming the baracades by the bookcase!

Day 639: Adios, Mexico

2012-01-25T11:42:00.000-08:00

Dear Mexico. I really enjoyed my first visit to your country. I didn't sleep very well, but the days sure were fun. Mostly I think I'll miss picking and smelling the flowers. We don't have many of those back home right now. Adios, Guille, and Suzannah and Marseilles! Thank you very much for all the delicious food and Spanish lessons. See you again someday I hope.

Days 635-638: ¡Hola!

2012-01-24T12:15:00.000-08:00

Time flies here in Mexico, even when you are torturing your parents but refusing to sleep in a crib and waking up at 5am ready to watch "artooons" even though there is no TV! The weather's been great, and me and my pal Frankie have been all kinds of busy. We've probably picked a bushel of flowers from the street out front, thrown a ton of rocks into the ocean, and gone swimming in the ocean like a bazillion times. I think I've eaten enough queso to employ the state of Wisconsin for a month. I might even go SCUBA diving later if Mom lets me. But enough typing. It's time for a virgin margarita.

¡Adios!

Days 632-634: What a Difference a Week Makes

2012-01-20T20:36:00.000-08:00

Last week, this:

This week, this:

I'm not saying one is better than the other. I love snow and winter and woods as much

as I do beaches and sun and palm trees. Luckily, I get both! Greetings from Mexico, people. Now, I need a virgin margarita. Adios! (for now.)

Day 631: Leaving, on a Jet Plane

2012-01-17T15:12:00.000-08:00

Advance warning: I'm leaving the country. I'm flying south for the winter, or for one week of winter anyway. This is a little silly since winter only barely started, but I hear Mexico is nice, so I'm going to roll with it. I'll miss the wide open spaces of the new house, and also the more confined spaces of the Brooklyn place, where the grass is greener -- but only because it's plastic. Still, I make the most of wherever it is I happen to be. I'm sure I can hang pretty comfortably along the Caribbean. Look out for pictures! If I have Internet. And my editor isn't too busy eating tacos and drinking Pacificos.

Days 630-631: What is a "hat" anyway?

2012-01-17T15:08:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, Mom gets so frustrated with me when I don't want to wear the hat she wants me to wear. I can't explain why, exactly, but sometimes I'd rather just wear her hat, or a lego bucket, or maybe even a colander. If you're wondering why, I'd ask you to broaden your mind a little. What is a "hat", anyway? Isn't it something you wear on your head? In that context, is a colander not a hat? Chew on that while I climb up and retrieve some Tupperware from the counter.

Days 626-629: Snow!

2012-01-15T10:59:00.000-08:00

Finally, the mythical snow people kept associating with winter arrived! Not a lot of it, mind you, but plenty to justify putting on my snowsuit and boots and going out to play in the yard. Mom and Dad pulled me around on the sled, showed me how to make snow angels, and even rode around on this funny board thing that also works as a sled. We just need to find some bigger hills before the real snows come. Our yard is great but it's pretty flat. Keep snowing, please!

Days 624-625: Hi!

2012-01-11T23:49:00.000-08:00

That's pretty much all I have to say today. Just: HI!

Days 620-623: Where's Winter?

2012-01-09T14:30:00.000-08:00

People got all crazy in New York with the hype about winter. It's going to be so COLD! And SNOWY! Okay, I heard them, and I was waiting, but so far it's much ado about nothing. Even at our house in the mountains, it's pretty mild, and as you can see, barren of snow. I guess there was lots of snow last year but I don't remember it. I was excited for this year. I even bought a tiny shovel! And sled! You don't think that's the reason, do you? Did I jinx it?

Oh, well, guess I'll go back to shoveling leaves.

Day 619: Big hats

2012-01-05T17:34:00.000-08:00

I have a lot of hats, most of which are designed for my tiny-human-sized head. But I like to wear Mom's. With the right pants, I could totally make it into hat-suspenders.

Days 617-619: Oh, Christmas

2012-01-05T17:31:00.000-08:00

Christmas is a great holiday. You get presents, you eat delicious foods, and you wear adorable red sweaters. And if it's Christmas in Florida, you go barefoot. That wouldn't fly in Brooklyn. Here's me enjoying a contemplative moment by the fire, praying that someone brings me a life-sized Elmo that makes cookies on demand. A kid can dream.

Days 611-616: Hello from Mink Hollow

2012-01-02T11:41:00.000-08:00

You've probably been wondering where I've been. I'll tell you where: upstate! At our new house! In Mink Hollow! It's great up here, especially now that the heat and electricity works. The first night, they both conked out! And we had to go to a hotel, where I proceeded to drive my parents nuts b/c it was too much fun sharing a room to go to sleep. That's me up there in the house the first night after the heat broke but before the power did. Mom was working on starting the fire and I was all bundled up, so it wasn't that bad.

Of course, the next day when everything was working it was all a lot more pleasant.

And then our guests came. Lots of babies!

Happy New Year everybody. We'll see you tomorrow in Brooklyn.

Day 610: What's Up, Florida?

2011-12-27T08:08:00.000-08:00

I haven't forgotten all of you guys either! Thanks for a great time, and an awesome Christmas!

Days 609-610: Hangin' With the Cousins

2011-12-27T08:03:00.000-08:00

Hello from Virginia, where we made a quick stop to see Granddad and Grandmom, Uncle Eric and Aunt Heather, the two Maos, the Puppy, and the cousins! Those guys are the best, especially Dew. And the Merlin Mao (pictured above). And Puppy.

We're going home today. It feels like it's been forever since I was in New York.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and got lots of presents with Elmos and buttons that make noise.

Day 608: Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T06:51:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody, Merry Christmas! I got you all a super awesome present: this adorable picture of me at the zoo! Been having a great time with Mama and Papa and all the aunties -- yesterday, Claire and Mary took me to the beach and I dumped water on my own head for an hour! -- but I'm also sorry I don't get to spend today with all my other grandparents and aunts and uncles. I'm thinking of you guys.

Okay, time to open presents. I hope most of them are Elmo things.

Days 605-608: Xmas Eve (Belated Update)

2011-12-25T06:48:00.000-08:00

I meant to post this yesterday, saying "Guess how many days until Christmas? THIS MANY DAYS!" But I got busy with all the aunties and dolphins and sugar pops and forgot. Livin's easy here at Mama and Papa's in Florida so sometimes you just lose track of time.

Days 603-604: Aypanes

2011-12-21T10:09:00.000-08:00

Mom says Dad's coming to Florida today, in a big shiny aypane, so I'm gonna watch out this airport window until he lands!

Day 602: When Life Gives You Lemons...

2011-12-19T21:26:00.000-08:00

...Obviously, you eat them. This has differing and conflicting effects on a person.

On the one hand: tasty!

On the other hand: Bitter!

The jury remains out on this matter.

Day 601: Off to Florida

2011-12-18T21:25:00.000-08:00

Well, Charlotte was fun but it's time to head to Florida for a week of presents and swimming in the pool at Mama and Papa's house. What does that have to do with wearing this helmet? Nothing! I just like the picture. That's Dad's helmet. I just like to wear it sometimes. Hopefully he'll come visit us in Florida soon once he's done whatever it is he's doing in Utah. Utah -- that's kind of a funny name for a state. It almost sounds better backwards. Hatu!

Days 597-600: Hello, Charlotte!

2011-12-17T15:26:00.000-08:00

I'd never heard of Charlotte before yesterday but its grocery stories have these sweet cars instead of shopping carts, so I'm already a fan. Mom and I flew in yesterday for Auntie Stephanie's graduation. Congratulations, Auntie. Let's celebrate with some cheese sticks.

Day 596: Thanks, Brian!

2011-12-13T08:06:00.000-08:00

I had fun at your sweet house and botanical garden last weekend. My only complaint is that you don't have any pet bears around. Please find some for my next visit. Also, tell Buddy I miss him. I love that puppy!

Day 595: Boo Hoo

2011-12-12T18:38:00.000-08:00

This is just mean -- putting me in a snowsuit without openings for my hands makes it VERY hard to play with peoples' phones.

Day 595: On Expanding the Palate

2011-12-12T18:37:00.000-08:00

Parents are all about "taste" this and "try" that. I say, give me some goldfish crackers, a few chunks of apple, some Swedish meatballs, and a banana and I'd be just fine. But I'll humor you guys, sometimes. The other day Mom made green spaghetti. Aesthetically, it was a little weird. But you know what, it didn't taste half bad. Until I found out it was made out of pureed leaves. I didn't need to know that part.

Days 594-595: High Five, Yo!

2011-12-12T18:34:00.000-08:00

I've got all kinds of tricks in my bag these days. Here's the high five, delivered with élan to my pal Leo. He's got some sweet hair.

Days 589-593: Hi there!

2011-12-10T09:23:00.000-08:00

Miss me? I figured. I'll update soon, I promise!

Days 584-588: I'm a Homeowner!

2011-12-06T08:24:00.000-08:00

I have some big news for you people. I'm a homeowner! I bought this sweet place up in the mountains, with Mom and Dad's help of course. Here are a few pictures of me from last weekend when we did lots of building and errand running and generally doing things that weren't at all relaxing. Still, I found some time to kick back, as you can see in these shots of me kicking around the yard, and also in the new living room, taking in a little Nick Jr while people who aren't me were making a HUGE mess of the place. Seriously, they say I'm messy but look at this!

Day 583: Cousins

2011-12-01T19:03:00.000-08:00

Just now going through my photos from the holiday. I really had fun with my cousins. All two of them! This is Patrick -- he's the tall one who isn't wearing pink and awkwardly squatting. The other one is Drew, not pictured here.

Days 582-583: Wow!

2011-12-01T18:59:00.000-08:00

Were you guys aware of how close we are to Christmas??!?!? (I don't exactly know what that is, or what it means, but judging by the lights and the commercials and the special sales it must be EXCITING!)

Okay, I have some mischief to get into. See you later.

Days 574-581: I'm Back!

2011-11-29T08:24:00.000-08:00

Hi there, peoples. I know I've been gone a long time and I'm sorry. But it's the holidays and there's so much going on, especially travel. I have a lot of photos from Thanksgiving to go through this week but I did want to share a few photos of my new best friend, Mao. (That's short for Meow, which is short for Kitty!) He's a fat and friendly little guy and was my favoritest thing about Thanksgiving other than my cousins Drew and Patrick. Drew says Mao is so easy to get along with because he trained him to be patient by dragging him around by his head and tail. I tried to cuddle with the puppy but she wasn't quite so excited about this idea.

Day 573: Visitors

2011-11-21T06:49:00.000-08:00

It's been a pretty crazy fall -- non-stop visitors to play with me. This weekend it was Aunt Claire. She took me to the playground and we had fun, despite my expression in this photo. This is me doing icy cool, because my pumpkin hat is so gangsta.

Days 569-573: Slides! Again!

2011-11-21T06:45:00.000-08:00

It's probably no surprise by this point that I'm into slides. I love those things. But what was a little surprising is what plastic slides do to your hair when it's chilly out. I guess this is called static. It's funny!

Days 567-568: It's Not Easy Being Little

2011-11-16T13:31:00.000-08:00

Mostly, I like being little. People carry you around, and push you around in strollers and give you food whenever you whine -- pardon -- ask politely for it. But sometimes it's tough. Like when you want to play basketball with the big kids. They never pick you! My friend Alina and I were hanging around the courts the other day just waiting to be called to service, but no dice. Their loss.

Days 564-566: Caught on Hidden Camera

2011-11-14T08:24:00.000-08:00

The elusive Night Sweeper of Cumberland Street, captured by hidden trip-wire camera!

(Just kidding, that's me. It gets dark early these days -- like, at noon I think -- so things like chores have to get done in the dark. Mom says most people don't use brooms to clean up their yards because most people have real grass and not artificial turf. Unless those people are in New York in which case they don't have yards at all.)

Days 561-563: I'm a Chef!

2011-11-11T05:18:00.000-08:00

The Swedish chef! Can I make you some meatballs?

Actually, no, I'm just wearing some shorts on my head.

Day 560: Hello, Again!

2011-11-08T08:33:00.000-08:00

I've also been putting in a lot of time at the playground with my friends. I especially like the slide. Max does too. Ready, set, race!

Days 556-560: Hi there

2011-11-08T08:31:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry I haven't been updating nearly as much lately, but I've been very busy putting stickers on my face and hair.

Days 554-555: Puppy!

2011-11-03T09:24:00.000-07:00

I made a new friend this week. His name is "Puppy" and it turns out he's been sitting up there, on my couch, all this time and I never gave him a chance. Now that I've found him, though, I'm never letting him go. To get the word out, I ran around for a couple hours yesterday just yelling "PUPPY!" so that everyone is aware that he's part of the gang now. I even introduced him to Lamby and they're getting along so well. Lamby isn't jealous in the slightest.

Day 553: World's Cutest Turtle

2011-11-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

As promised, here's my costume! Adorable, right? I can't tell you how many people asked to take my photo, or stopped and said something like "AW, LOOK. WHAT A CUTE LITTLE TURTLE!" Who am I to argue?

If I'd known how much attention I'd get for it, I would never have complained the first time Mom made me wear it. Now I love it so much I'm going to post a whole gallery of photos of me in the turtle suit!

Day 552: Mama!

2011-10-31T18:49:00.000-07:00

It was really nice to have Mama and Auntie Steph come visit. I see a lot of them down in Florida, but rarely up here in NYC, so it was pretty fun to show off my Brooklyn toys and friends. It was also fun to play lots and lots with Mama's iPad (I even spelled it right, with the little "i"!). We read this cool little book that made noises and did cool things when I touched the little animals. I hope for Xmas she gets me my own baby iPad! Okay, Dad says that is not an acceptable request. Apparently, I have to wait until I'm old enough to serve in the armed forces to own my own iPad. Maybe I can just play with it lots and lots? I'm sorry you couldn't stay to see my sweet turtle costume. I was a big hit around town. I miss you guys.

Days 548-552: Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T13:45:00.001-07:00

Hello, peoples! It's Halloween, and I don't have any adorable photos of me in my costume -- yet! Nor do I have updates of my fun weekend with Mama and Auntie Steph -- yet! I will be back tomorrow with more. In the meantime, here's a picture involving something else awesome and orange -- mac n' cheese!

Days 546-547: Happy hump day

2011-10-26T12:12:00.000-07:00

I'm told they call Wednesday "hump day," because it's the hump in the middle of the week that you have to get over in order to start coasting downhill towards the weekend. Frankly, I don't get all the fuss about weekends. Saturday and Sunday don't seem any more special than the other days. But I don't make these things up. So, happy hump day! If you're wondering what I'm so happy about in this photo, the answer is simple: apples. APPLES! I love those things.

Day 545: Oh, Right. We Also Did This!

2011-10-24T08:39:00.000-07:00

The carousel. I forgot about the carousel! This is the second straight weekend we went on a carousel ride. This time it was an older one, that went really fast. So fast that it seemed like the horses might fly off. But they didn't. I think I liked last week's carousel better, though.

On Sunday we did more walking, and found this really pretty park down by the bridges. It had a great view! And also this little brat in a cable-knit sweater who kept hogging the slide. I tried to just slide into him and knock him off but he was solid and it didn't work.

Day 545: Football!

2011-10-24T08:35:00.000-07:00

After the zoo we went to the park and played some football. Here, I'm running the halfback option but no one seems to be option so I decided I'm just going to run with it instead. Football is fun, but I think it would be easier if the ball wasn't as big as my torso. It makes me a little fumble-prone.

Days 541-545: Hey, Ladies!

2011-10-24T08:30:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a beautiful weekend that was. Perfect weather! I think we walked about 1 million miles around Brooklyn, give or take a little. Saturday we went to the zoo, and the park, and at the zoo I met these girls at the sea lion tank, where these things that look nothing like lions jumped around and ate fish. I also saw these same ladies later in the monkey room. I looked for them in the goat pen later, but no luck.

Day 540: Books

2011-10-19T17:06:00.000-07:00

Books. I love books. The way I see it, you can never have too many. One of my favorite things is to curl up with a good book or 7 -- preferably in a warm lap -- but if necessary I'll just pull up a chair and do some reading myself. I'm not 100% sure what the words all say, but I do know some of the pictures, like the thing that goes MOO and also the duck that goes QUACK. Oh, and the airplane! And the train -- CHOO CHOO! Okay, now that I think of it, I guess I know a lot of them. Now I need to get back to my book. This one's in Spanish! I mean, Español!

Day 540: Not EVERY photo is perfect

2011-10-19T16:55:00.000-07:00

If you're a regular reader of this blog you probably think, "Wow, that kid is adorable, and he never takes a bad picture." That's largely true, but every once in awhile -- a long while -- I'm caught looking less than perfect. For instance, here. Or maybe I'm just making a wish.

But I can't leave you on that note...

Day 539: Barbecues, Yards.

2011-10-18T09:58:00.000-07:00

Saturday we went to a barbecue in some place called "the suburbs." It's nice up there, or out there, or wherever we went. Dad's friends Alex and Jenny have a whole house, and also this big yard full of ball balls and kids running around. Here's my friend Willy, who's my age exactly (minus 8 days). He's pretty fun, and nice, as long as you don't hug him. He also doesn't like my hugs so much.

Day 539: Yo! (Gabba Gabba)

2011-10-18T09:55:00.000-07:00

I forgot to tell you guys about my weekend. Sometimes things are so busy that I forget! Friday something very exciting happened: We went to see Yo Gabba Gabba live at some big theater full of kids and lights and confetti! It was a little scary at first -- that's kind of sensory overload for a kid who barely watches TV -- but then I got really into it and it was awesome. I had no idea that those robots and cats and little green things were real, but I'm glad they are. I played with this light-up wand thingy and danced in the aisles with lots of big kids. DJ Lance is right -- dancing to music is awesome!

p.s. Sorry my photos aren't as awesome. The light in that place was tricky for cameras.

Day 538: Hugs!

2011-10-17T08:50:00.000-07:00

These days, I'm really getting into hugs. Some of my friends love hugs. Like Alina. She's a good hugger. Other people, not so much. Greta, for instance. She did not love my attempted hug.

Day 538: Race cars!

2011-10-17T08:49:00.000-07:00

Every Saturday morning, at least when we're in town, we go to pick up the bags of vegetables at Habana. The best thing about picking up the vegetables is that it gives me another chance to drive my favorite neighborhood Batman car. The worst thing about picking up the vegetables is the vegetables. Most of those things are kind of gross.

Day 538: Vampire!

2011-10-17T08:47:00.000-07:00

It's never too early for a Halloween costume. Here's me impersonating a vampire -- or just eating some delicious french fries at brunch! I would have to say that french fries are one of my top 5 favorite foods, just behind ketchup. The only times french fries are not delicious is when they are really hot. If you ask me, that's kind of a cruel trick that restaurants play on hungry people, to deliver this really tasty plate of food to a hungry person that burns your mouth when you eat it. I would like to start a campaign to serve less hot fries.

Day 531: Elmo!

2011-10-10T04:51:00.000-07:00

People keep talking about Halloween. It's some special day where you put on special clothes that make you look like someone else and then people give you candy for it. Pretty nice idea, this Halloween! We went costume shopping the other day and I tried on a few ideas, including this thing that makes me head look like Elmo. I love Elmo! But we didn't choose this one. What did we choose? You'll just have to wait and see!

Days 530-531: Who's Angelic?

2011-10-10T04:48:00.000-07:00

I am! That's what Mom says! Why is Dad laughing at that? Just look -- clearly I am just quietly and politely eating my bread without making a mess, or a fuss, even when we have to sit at breakfast a long time waiting for the lady to bring us things. I was so polite and nice and didn't even get a crumb on my face or on the table. I didn't once whine or cry or throw my food on the floor. Seriously -- why is Dad now both laughing and shaking his head? Okay, maybe I fussed, a little... And threw one or two pieces of food... But with this face I can get away with it!

Days 525-529: Big Shoes to Fill

2011-10-08T05:25:00.000-07:00

Look, Dad got some new shoes! But the way I see it, we all share things around here, so I think I'll take these out for a spin.

CLOMP. CLOMP. CL.... THUMP. OUCH! OOPS.

Maybe I'll stick to my shoes for awhile.

Day 524: Dad can be annoying

2011-10-03T10:20:00.000-07:00

I was just trying to say Baaa to some sheep, when he kept tickling my ear with a weed he'd found. At first I ignored him, but when he wouldn't stop, I finally gave him the look to let him know to just CUT IT OUT.

Day 525: No No No No No!

2011-10-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

My mom does this thing where she wags her finger and sings, "No, no, no, no, no!" when I'm doing something naughty. She says it is a line from the song, "Ain't Nobody," by Chaka Khan. Whoever that is. Anyway, to make her laugh, sometimes I do it right back to her. This is me at brunch, saying No, no, no! and wagging my finger. I made lots of older people laugh. I love it when that happens!

Day 524: Weekend with Lots of Lambys

2011-10-03T09:42:00.001-07:00

So I have lots of words now. Well, a lot of them are just animal sounds, but the doctor said they count as words, so if he says they are words, then they are words. Some animals I can do are: a cow, an owl, a dog, a cat, a seal (yes, that's right), a bird, a bear, a lion (it is pretty much like a bear) and a fish. This weekend I learned a new one: A SHEEP! We saw lots of them in a field, and I said "Baaa!" to them. I also said "Bye Bye" when they walked away. I showed them my awesome Lamby, but they were not really interested. As you may know, my Lamby is not supposed to leave the house, but lately I've learned that if you cry really hard when they take it away, your parents will just give in! I wonder if this works for everything? So far it's gotten me food, my mom's food, other people's food, binkies, my lamby and even the occasional remote control.

Day 524: Weekend with Lots of Lambys

2011-10-03T09:35:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, we went outside of the city to a really cool place called Stone Barns, up in Tarrytown. (That's where Washington Irving, who wrote The Legend of Sleepy Hollow lived. Aren't I smart for an 18 month old?) They had hay rides and music and food and lots of other babies there. I met up with my friend Frankie Friedman in the herb garden, and we gave each other flowers. Later, I hugged her baby brother Finn, who is 7 months old, for a really long time. Mom was not smart enough to take photos of this, but it was incredibly cute, if I do say so myself.

Day 521: The Playground

2011-09-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

A lot of you people are wondering what I do all day. So much stuff! The last couple of weeks Mom has been working too so I've been hanging out with my friend Alma. She's cool, and also speaks Spanish. I'm trying to pick some up myself. For instance, I used to say "WA WA!" when I was thirsty and now I say "AG UA!" only sometimes it sounds like a mix of the two. That's me drinking AG UA! from a magical spout that dispenses water freely and for as long as you can drink it. It's called a fountain and I would like one installed in my room that also sometimes spouts milk.

This fountain is at one of the many playgrounds I like to frequent. This is the one at Ft Greene Park and you'll often find me on the swings there, or on the slide, or running around stealing, I mean, borrowing toys from friends and strangers. For instance, this little pink carriage I found in the possession of a little girl yesterday. She let me use it for a few minutes and then I had to give it back. That's my least favorite part of borrowing -- returning things.

And yes, it's pink. So what?

Days 516-520: Frostburg!

2011-09-27T09:30:00.000-07:00

We're back home after a short long trip out to Frostburg, where I spent a great couple of days hanging with granddad and grandmom. (by "short long" I mean the visit was short but the drive was long!) Mom and Dad went to see some game on Saturday so I spent the entire day playing with the grandparents -- walking around, playing at the playground, climbing stairs, throwing the ball, pointing at ceiling fans, pushing the porch swing and jumping around on that loud metal thing by the front steps. That's what Granddad is doing in the one photo. I can't quite jump yet but once I can I will definitely jump higher than that! Anyway, I had a great weekend and lots of fun. Thanks for taking care of me, guys.

P.s. - Apologies for having no photos of Grandmom. We didn't take many pictures and she's not in any of them for some reason. I think she was hiding. But she was definitely there! That might even be her hand there in the jumping picture.

Oh, OK

2011-09-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

Now I get it.

Lollipop Kid

2011-09-22T17:49:00.000-07:00

I don't know where I am learning these bad habits, like sticking out my tongue for the camera.

Day 515: I'm a Monkey!

2011-09-22T07:43:00.001-07:00

So I've mastered walking, running, and smacking my head into things. What's next on the agenda? Climbing! I've become a master at getting up on everything, especially if I know there's something awesome up there, like my mom's iPhone or my dad's glasses. Apparently this is against "the rules," so I try to be sneaky and very quick about it. I usually get busted, but I find this hilarious, so I just do it again and again! Making your parents clap their hands and shout loudly is the funniest thing in the world!

2011-09-21T08:31:00.000-07:00

On tonight's menu: SEE food.

Day 514: Dinnertime Fun

2011-09-21T08:27:00.000-07:00

I'm having a hard time with this whole "spoon feeding" thing now. It makes me feel like a baby! I want to feed myself with the spoon, but for some reason my parents hates when I do this. So they just put it on my tray and I eat with my fingers. Half the time the food makes it into my mouth, the other half I fling it on the floor because it's really hysterical to hear the grownups going "HO, HO, HO!" Oh wait, my mom just said they're actually saying "No, no, no!" Oh well, I still crack up each time I do it.

Me & Pops

2011-09-20T12:19:00.001-07:00

Now I know we've been home from Alaska for a few weeks, but I just found this great pic of me and dad and hiking and thought I should post it since he won't be here to give me my bottle tonight, which is sad. Alaska was fun, but my mom said she's glad she doesn't have to have any more conversations with people in elevators about "how they grow up so fast." Who is "they?" Babies? Like me? Come on people, I'm only 16 and a half months old!

Day 513. Am I counting that right?

2011-09-20T12:13:00.001-07:00

Hey friends,

My Dad is flying on an airplane right now, going to do something with cars and driving and I don't know what. All I know is that this morning mom told him, "No crazy stunt jumps, please." She is really cool, that lady. She is also helping me write this post. And no, she didn't just make me say that. It's true. Anyway, speaking of planes, she also recently said, "I'm not flying alone with this kid again." I don't get it, everyone likes playing peekaboo and high fiving with a cutie like me for three hours straight, right? I mean just check out how adorable I was on a recent jaunt to Florida!

Day 512: Bye bye summer, hello fall

2011-09-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

There are many transitions, real and symbolic, as summer gives way to fall. Leaves dry and change color. Warm days give way to cool ones. Dads complain less while Moms complain more. And of course baseball season hands things off to football. Many people in New York forgot that the Mets are still playing baseball, and who could blame them? Even Dad seems to watch fewer games, and gave up throwing pillows at pictures of David Wright awhile ago. That's because we've moved on to WVU football, and things are off to a great start. Huge game this weekend. Let's Go Mountaineers!

Days 511-512: Sushi Anyone?

2011-09-19T09:43:00.000-07:00

This is my Japanese outfit. I'm not sure if it's a kimono, or pajamas, or just a very tiny sushi chef's uniform. Can I interest you in a rainbow roll or maybe some uni?

Days 508-510: Bucket Boy

2011-09-17T08:18:00.000-07:00

Look, I'm an astronaut! Or a deep sea diver! Or a hungry boy pressing his face against the window of a bakery longing for a sugary donut! Probably that last one is most plausible.

Day 507: Monkey & Me

2011-09-14T12:59:00.000-07:00

Someday, I'd like to go to a place where the monkeys are bright yellow. Just sayin'.

Days 506-507: Hats

2011-09-14T12:56:00.000-07:00

Who says a hat has to be a hat? By which I mean, if this little corduroy box that came with the little pots I used to bang together as hard as I could until they mysteriously disappeared one day and have never surfaced again fits on my head like a hat, is it not a hat? I think it is. I've seen people from Europe wearing stranger things on their heads here in New York.

Day 505: Incognito

2011-09-12T08:39:00.000-07:00

On Friday, Dad took me to the doctor. I don't like the doctor, not one bit. They poke and prod you and then stick these sharp needles in your arm just for fun. I had an idea once I got there to put on a disguise in hopes that the doctor wouldn't recognize me, and might just move on to the poor sucker in the room next door. This is my disguise. I'm sad to report that it didn't fool anyone.

Days 502-505: Caught!

2011-09-12T08:37:00.000-07:00

When no one's looking I like to sneak back past the plastic fence, past the fan, past the plant, back to the air conditioner, where I like to push all the buttons until it's either putting out 55 degree air, or not working at all! Unfortunately, sometimes not even the curtain is enough to prevent me from getting caught. Sorry!

Day 501: HOLY COW!

2011-09-08T16:35:00.000-07:00

Have I really been around 501 days?!?!?! That's a long time!

Now someone explain where I came from again, please?

Day 501: Tasty Beer!

2011-09-08T16:34:00.000-07:00

Sometimes after a long day at sea all you want is a cold Alaskan Amber beer. Just kidding! This picture is a fake. I didn't really drink the beer. Beer is gross. And I expect to feel that way for at least 16 years.

I bet this post makes Granddad thirsty.

Days 498-501: Hello, Brooklyn!

2011-09-08T16:30:00.000-07:00

So I'm back home in the BK, even though these pictures would lead you to believe I am still in Alaska. I just don't have any pictures from this week because the weather here is terrible. It just keeps raining, hard, which I think is what it's supposed to be like in Alaska. Only in Alaska it was pretty nice and sunny, so everything's all upside down. I'm pretty happy to be home. We all are. That was a fun trip but it was also a long time to be away from all my friends and toys and stuffed animals. If only we could get rid of this rain everything would be great.

Day 497: Hello, Canadia!

2011-09-04T21:02:00.000-07:00

We have only a short time in Canadia -- a single day, sadly -- but Vancouver couldn't have given us a better day. It was sunny, and beautiful, and just about the perfect temperature. This morning we ate a super delicious breakfast and then watched this silly man play a tiny guitar. He was funny! As you can see, I was his biggest fan. Later, I chased pidgeons, and then I chased some dogs. Poor Mom wasn't feeling very well so Dad and I went for a long bike ride around this really nice and giant park full of cheerful Canadians while she had some rest. It was my first-ever bike ride and even though I kind of hated wearing a helmet, I had fun! We also went to some swings, and a slide, and then chased some more dogs. Finally we ate Japanese food. Tomorrow we have a few hours then we have to fly home to Brooklyn on a giant metal bird. I hear it isn't always this sunny and beautiful here in Vancouver, but if it was, I think I might have to try and convince the parents to buy me a summer place here.

Finally, I'd like to wish Papa an early Happy Birthday tomorrow. I hope you catch a giant tarpon. And also some scotch.

Days 494-497: Bye Bye, Alaska

2011-09-04T20:56:00.000-07:00

Well, the boat has stopped sailing. After Homer, Tutka, Haines, Juneau, Ketchikan, and a lot of afternoons on the Lido deck, we said goodbye to Alaska and hello to Canada this morning. I enjoyed my time at sea, especially all the friendly boat workers who were so smiley and nice to me. I'll miss those guys and ladies. I'll also miss the otters and bears and mooses and bald eagles and whales and dolphins and especially that silly little mink thing that was doing the backflips under the dock in Tutka Bay. He was cute. I'm excited to be home, though. It's been too long since I have strolled the urine-soaked sidewalks of NYC, run through the fountains at Camel Playground, and played with all my friends like Max and Leo and Jack. Coming home soon, dudes!

Day 493: Bonus pictures!

2011-08-31T12:24:00.000-07:00

Here is proof that I am not on a cruise ship in Alaska by myself. My family is here! (Lamby Pt. 2 not pictured.)

By the way, contrary to what people tell you the sun does come up sometimes here. We've seen it on 3 different days. Which I think is a record for one month. So far so good!

Days 487-493: Alaska!

2011-08-31T12:16:00.000-07:00

Hey peoples! Sorry to go silent for so long but I am in Alaska. It's hard to get on the Internet, or find Nick Jr., or get to the playground up here. And when there is Internet, it is slow. I guess this is what it was like in the olden days. Glad I missed those! Here's a quick recap: We were at this lodge out in the middle of nowhere, and now we're on a boat in the middle of nowhere. The boat is big -- but after a few days it seems less big. I think by the end of the week it will feel very small. Today we finally got to go on land and it feels good to not be wobbly. All in all things are pretty good. I have my own room, which is nice. And yesterday we saw this giant glacier thing -- it was blue! This morning we saw an eagle and an owl and Dad says today we might go see some bears. I hope so! Oh, and otters! We saw otters. And a whale very far in the distance. It likes to spit water, just like me.

Here are some more pictures to tide you over until I can get a decent Internet connection again.

Oh, and I'd like to note the passing of a friend. Lamby left us at Newark Airport last Thursday. I hope whoever found him is taking good care of him and that he isn't lonely or scared. I miss him. Luckily, I had Bunny as a back-up, and miraculously a new Lamby appeared later that day. It's not exactly the same thing, but he's growing on me.

Ok, time for lunch. Do they have bananas in Alaska?

Days 485-486: Bubbles!

2011-08-24T06:28:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of favorite things but definitely one of them is bubbles. Here I am playing with some bubbles at Aunt Jenny's a couple weeks ago. I think my cousin Emma took this picture and now she is off to college, which I guess is where you go after elementary school is over. I hope I don't have to go to college too soon!

We are home from Florida and I haven't had a chance to direct my assistants to go through and pick some new photos from G'ma and Papa's house, but I will soon. We had a great time. Now I guess we're home for a day and then we're going to some place called Alaska. I hear there are bears there, and a giant boat, so this sounds fun to me. I can't wait to torture my parents for 6 hours on the plane! After that summer will be over and I think we won't travel so much, which is okay with me. My friends here miss me, I'm sure. Summer was fun, but it went so fast. Soon it will be winter and Dad says Mom complains about the cold as much as he does about the heat. Yikes. Maybe we should live somewhere where it is always spring and fall. Those are some seasons we can all agree on!

Days 482-484: Like My Shades?

2011-08-22T08:14:00.000-07:00

Dad joined us here in Florida over the weekend. I'm having a great time sweeping up the house, pointing at birds and ceiling fans, chasing Papa around, and of course swimming in the pool. Mom got me some new shades, and I actually don't mind wearing them sometimes. Especially when it's really sunny. Also we got matching bathing suits! (Except for Dad.)

Day 481: Gone Fishin'

2011-08-19T13:08:00.000-07:00

Meanwhile, down in Florida, livin' is easy. We're just doing some fishing and playing a little golf. Sometimes all at once!

Days 480-481: Hanging With the Crew

2011-08-19T13:01:00.000-07:00

Just because I'm in Florida doesn't mean I've forgotten about my crew back home. Keep an eye out on the corner while I'm gone, fellas. I'll see you soon.

Days 476-479: Hey, Florida!

2011-08-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

So Mom and I just arrived in sunny, hot Florida to enjoy some days by the pool with Papa and G'ma, as well as Aunt Stephanie, who Mom says just got her wisdom removed. I don't really know why anyone would do that, honestly, but I guess she thinks she can just rely on instincts from here on.

Like my cool new monkey backpack? I'm practicing for school already!

Days 474-475: Just Doing My Work

2011-08-13T11:55:00.000-07:00

I got a cool new table and chairs from the blue Swedish store that packs couches into tiny boxes. Naturally, I use the chair most for its natural purpose -- to help me climb higher. What could possibly go wrong?

Day 473: Bonus Pic!

2011-08-11T16:42:00.000-07:00

Hi! Me again. Nothing much to say here other than I thought this picture of me was cute, so I'm sharing it with you!

Days 468-473: P-U!

2011-08-11T16:41:00.000-07:00

This is what I think of the streets of New York on a hot summer day. It smells worse than an old, dirty diaper out here!

Busy as ever. Had a fun sleepover at Aunt Jenny's last night. Thanks to her and Uncle Conrad and cousin Emma for playing with me and taking me for walks. I even got to touch a big fat kitty named Jesse. For a second, anyway.

Day 467: Come Back Here With That!

2011-08-05T11:50:00.000-07:00

I'm usually pretty happy when I wake up. Sometimes very happy! But mornings are tough, even for me. And just like you grown-ups need that gross, brown, bitter, hot drink coffee, I need my binky. So don't you dare take it away!

Day 466: Look, Teefs!

2011-08-04T11:29:00.000-07:00

Look who's got nearly a full set of teeth, at least in the front: this guy!

(Note: Photo taken with special Barbara Walters filter. I don't think I need it, though. I'm not wrinkly yet.)

Day 465: Grocery Carts!

2011-08-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

The best thing about the grocery store is obviously the food. There's just so much of it I don't know how anyone chooses what to take home. The second best thing, though, is riding around in grocery carts.

Days 459-465: Going Places

2011-08-03T13:15:00.000-07:00

Oh, boy. Where have I been? Honestly, I'm out of excuses. It's just hard to find time to sit down and update my blog when there's so much to do. If I have a free minute, the first thing I think of isn't to sit down at the computer and start typing; it's to head for the door and try to make a break for it before anyone notices.

By the way, in this photo I was 100% definitely not trying to open the front door and escape into the great outdoors. I was merely peeking to see if the morning paper had arrived.

Days 454-458: Summer is Busy

2011-07-27T08:25:00.000-07:00

Wow is summer busy. I blink and weeks go by! We just got back from another long weekend away. This time I had a few days with Grandmom and Granddad while Mom and Dad went away somewhere. I'm not sure where, exactly. At first I thought maybe they'd never come back. Then a few minutes later I forgot about them. That's because I had so much fun my grandparents. They took very good care of me, and fed me lots of peaches. Thanks, guys!

I was of course happy when the parents came to pick me up. Especially Mom. I like it when she sings me songs and feeds me Cheerios.

Day 453: Happy Birthday, Mom!

2011-07-22T05:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to my Mom! I hate to pick favorites but probably if I was being honest you are my favoritest person. Thanks for hanging out with me so much since I got here, and mostly not getting mad even when I break things, or cry when you won't give me more nana. I don't know how many years are you, but I know it's at least as many as these awesome balloons G'ma and Papa sent. You don't mind if I pop them, do you? Thanks!

Happy Birthday! I love you!

Day 452: Oh, Brother

2011-07-21T13:12:00.000-07:00

It's a scorcher here in Brooklyn. You know it's hot when people other than my Dad are complaining about the heat and right now, EVERYONE in this city is talking about the fact that when you go outside it feels like the exhaust from a dryer filled with wet socks somebody fished out of a swamp. I guess down south they just call this "a normal summer day" but up here we don't much like it. You can take this weather back to Georgia, thank you.

Now, who's ready for a dip in the pool?

Day 451: A Day at the Pool

2011-07-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's hot here, and has been for days. Hard to do much other that sit by the air conditioner -- or in the pool. Good thing I have my own private pool out back. Sometimes I have friends over to swim. This here's Jack. He's the kid from the car that you saw a few weeks back.

Days 446-450: Time Flies

2011-07-19T06:45:00.000-07:00

It's hard to fit blogging in with all my activities, especially meals, scraping my knees, and making a mess. I guess another weekend came and went. They come so fast, and go too quickly. But I guess every day is kind of a weekend when you don't have school or a job.

I bet you were thinking that was Edvard Munch's "The Scream" up there. Nope, that's me. In what I call the "ready position." I like to be prepared in advance for the arrival of food, so that I don't waste valuable time opening my mouth once the tasty morsels are in place. This way, I can just chomp down, chew, and start preparing for the next one. I learned this strategy from those plants that eat flies.

Day 445: Other things I love

2011-07-14T18:32:00.000-07:00

Cousins!

And goats!

Girls I'm not so sure about -- yet. Don't get me wrong, I like the ladies, and this one was cute. But she was a little forward. The kids at the playground said that's what happens when you hang out with older women. Lesson learned.

Day 445: Grandparents

2011-07-14T18:30:00.000-07:00

Grandparents are the best, aren't they? I'm lucky to have so many. And I'm a little late with this one but I wanted to say thanks to Granddad and Grandmom for having us out last week. I had fun! Dad says you're going to babysit for me soon, and I'm excited about that. I promise to behave myself and only whine if you run out of bananas and blueberries and grapes. In a pinch, I'll accept pears and strawberries too. If you're worried about entertaining me, don't! I like just about anything outdoors, especially the swings. And water. And sand. And dogs. Also bears. Even goats and pigs. Maybe you can get some of those and put them in the yard until I get there.