I was there

Check me out around second 25. I'm the one in the blue puffy coat and skull and crossbones cap doing a little bouncy jig in Dada's arms.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBUIfMSKhro&feature=youtu.be

The building blocks of success

Animal magnetism

Santa

I met Santa today. That guy gives me the creeps.


He arrived to Fell's Point on a tugboat this morning. Mama, Dada and I gathered around with a bunch of other kids and their parents waiting for him to pull in to the pier.


When he arrived, he went into one of the restaurants so we could take pictures with him. Mama actually tried to put me on his lap. I was not having that. I made my legs super stiff so that he didn't think I'd just sit on his lap like that, not even knowing the guy. I showed him.

Feeding the ducks

Halloween

You may remember that last Halloween I dressed up as a pirate. Well this year I went as something far more formidable - a ferocious elephant. This costume choice was in large part due to my uncanny impersonation that I have been perfecting over the last 4 months - see evidence here:



On Sunday, the day before Halloween, there was a kid's parade in our neighborhood by the ponds where I go to feed the ducks. There were lots of other kids there, and we were all sizing up each other's costumes and eating treats.




On Halloween day Mama, Dada and I met our next door neighbor Cullen and her parents to go trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. She was a pumpkin and together we made a scary pair! Mama went a bit overboard with her ghoul costume - she was worried I'd be scared but I thought it was hilarious. We stopped at a few houses and knocked and when the people opened their doors they handed Cullen and I candy - how crazy is that?! Dada didn't like the candy I chose though - I liked the brightly colored ones - he told me I needed to get more Reese's peanut butter cups. Whatever, Dad.




Then we went home so I could have dinner, but we kept getting interrupted by kids in costumes asking US for candy. We had a big pail of candy to give them, so that was okay.

At the pumpkin patch

I am loving this autumn weather! The other day we enjoyed the sunshine and hit up the pumpkin patch. There were some farm animals there - a cow, a pig, a goat and a few turkeys.



We also went on a hayride and Mama and Dada got us lost in the corn maze.



And of course we picked out a few pumpkins (I call them keukas).

Bakfietsin'

Now that the weather has cleared up, I've gone out on the bakfiets a few times. I'm definitely the coolest kid in the neighborhood riding in that thing. I am pretty comfortable in it, it's Mama and Dada that work up a sweat driving up the hills. My helmet is pretty rad too.

Hoppin tots

On Tuesday mornings I go to Hoppin Tots, my baby gymnastics class. Every week there is a different theme and we learn a new trick - like forward or backward rolls. There is an obstacle course and everything is padded so if I fall I don't get hurt. My favorite is the trampoline, I'm getting pretty good at bouncing on it. I also love the tunnels and the parachute game we play at the end of class.

Fish

Today Mama and I went to the National Aquarium in the inner harbor. We saw stingrays, sharks, sea-horses, octopus, puffins (aka ducks) and all kinds of other fish.



Mama taught me how to make a fish face, so I was basically doing that the whole time. I was also yelling "wow-wow-wow!" and the other patrons got a kick out of that.

Here comes the sun

Finally after all this rain we are getting some sunshine again so I can play outside in my new backyard!

15-months

I went to my 15-month old check-up the other day. I have a new doctor and he's a pretty funny guy. When he first saw my name, he said he hoped he didn't have to give me a shot because with that name he wouldn't want to mess with me. Too bad he gave me one anyway, but this time it was on my arm and I didn't even cry. And I got a Spiderman band-aid.

My health report card was stellar. I am strong, active, chatty and affectionate. He said I am in a comprehension phase, and Mama and Dada will be astounded by the things I am beginning to understand (tell me about it, sometimes they are shocked at what I know). I am starting to like books for more than just something to nibble on. I have a mouthful of teeth, which has been causing me to pull on my ear a bit, but my ears look perfect inside. Also because of my teeth, the doctor suggested I start drinking milk out of a cup - I do NOT like this idea.

I weigh 24 lbs 4 oz and am in the 75th percentile for weight. My length is 31 and 1/4 inches - 50th percentile. So I like to eat, what of it?

My new house

This past weekend we moved out of our old apartment into a real house. This place is so much bigger than any other place we've lived - I can ride my bike all around the downstairs. The couch in our family room is super comfy, and I love to climb on it.


My room is really cool too, now that my toys are there. And there is a big yard I can explore - today I was helping Mama sweep out there. I can't wait to pull on the plants and eat bugs.

Mama and Dada say moving is a real pain. But I am loving these boxes.



There is still a lot to do around the house, but I'm trying to do my part.




It's also great being close to my friend Leo. Yesterday I went over to his house to play with his toys outside.

The long road home

My first bike

Streaking

Smell that dairy-air

Last week Mama and I went to Wisconsin for a little vacation. I met a lot of my family that I hadn't before, and they all seemed to enjoy my presence greatly. I went up on a tractor and rode a four-wheeler (while strapped to my mom's back anyway).


I ran around a lot and hung out with Daisy the dog.



I also found out how much fun it is to play with a hose and how dramatically people react when you spray them with cold water - I gotta remember that one.



And of course what is a vacation without lots of eating?


It was a great trip - I had lots of fun hanging out with everyone and getting some quality time with vóvó.




But I did miss Daddy a lot, and traveling takes a lot out of a babe (and apparently out of mamas and vóvós too!)

Death to blueberries

Beach bum

Last week I was on vacation. I visited grandma and grandpa, and vóvó and vôvô, and great-grandma and great-grandpa. I skipped dubiously on the beach sand, and I charged trustingly at the ocean. The only thing that managed to stop me was a bad cold - I was laid out for 2 whole days with a fever, and I slept most of that time. But on day 3 I made a full recovery and made up for all the time I missed.

I'm pretty buff

What does it take to get some milk around here? Guess I just have to get it myself.

Making friends

I am just now discovering that there are people out there that are my size. I have noticed them around before, but never took an interest in them until recently. I see them in my music class, at my baby gymnastics class and in the park. It's fun to hang around these little people.

Sharing is caring

Poolside

Big people pools are cool.


But the little pools sized just for me are super fun.


It's like being a big fish in a little pond - everyone just caters to you, you know?

Happy Birthday to me!

Can you believe it? I'm one! It's hard to believe that just one year ago I was sleeping most of the day, couldn't really see, my whole world revolved around milk and everything was new.



Now I'm a little man about town, socializing, walking, giggling, talking and eating pretty much anything you put in front of me. My crib has been in 3 different apartments. I have been to 3 countries and 3 states. I have 6 teeth (and more coming as I write this) and a head full of hair.



To celebrate this momentous occasion I had a birthday bash at vóvó and vôvô's house by the beach on Long Island. The highlight was my birthday cake, which was shaped like my most favorite thing to eat - the remote control. Everyone came to sing happy birthday and give me kisses. I got to meet my cousins Lyla, Taylor, Kane and James, and see all my grandparents, great-grandma, aunts and great aunts, uncles and great-uncles. Oh, and my mom and dad were there too. As if that weren't enough, I also got lots of presents! This birthday thing is pretty rad!

Games

I've always loved to take things out of containers - like when I take all of my toys out of the drawer. I was never really into putting those things back INTO their containers. Until now, that is. Turns out, putting things in is as much as taking them out.

Around the house

Mama works so hard that whenever I can I like to help her out. Lately I am helping by picking things up around the house and throwing them in the garbage bin for her. Every little bit helps, right?

Party time

Today we went to a party at my friend leo's house. I was the youngest one there, but I was holding my own, impressing everybody with my walking skills. We kids played with the toys while the adults mingled and laughed at us.

Scandal

My brazilian passport may be revoked for this...