Ruby's eating food!

Since she went for her 4 month appointment at the doctor - measuring in at 15 pounds and 24.5 inches (same weight as me at that age, just half an inch shorter) - Ruby has been eating solid food. The first time Mama and Dada gave her banana I thought it was the most hilarious thing. Now she eats pear, avocado and sweet potato too. She seems to really like it. As long as she doesn't try to eat my treats, I'm cool with it.

My big boy bed

Since Saturday I have been sleeping in my big boy bed! It was in my room for a week before I actually go the nerve to SLEEP in it (we had been "reading and relaxing" in it, and I had been testing the springs by jumping up and down on it). But it is super cozy, and I love my flannel sheets with the moose on them. 

On Friday I decided not to nap, much to Mama's dismay, so on Saturday I was super tired come late morning, especially after eating 3 giant pancakes with syrup and 3 slices of bacon and several spoonfuls of Mama's yogurt for breakfast at the Belvedere Market. So I fell asleep while Mama was reading "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" to me. I spotted a picture of a little boy in a bed in the book and I pointed to it and said "he is sleeping in a big boy bed, just like me" then I took my blanket and turned away from the book. Mama got all my little stuffed animal friends that were in my crib - Frank the dog, Vladimir the crocodile, La Roux the kangaroo, and the Texas lion - and put them in the bed with us. I fell asleep before she could finish the book. I got a great 3 and a half hours of delicious slumber, then when I woke up I realized I could just go downstairs instead of waiting for someone to come get me! So I got out, opened the door and shouted out "I'm heee-reee!" I could hear Mama and Dada laughing downstairs, and they yelled up for me to come down so I did. They gave me lots of hugs and told me how proud they were of me. It was pretty cool. So now I'm sleeping in the bed every time! They said next I am going to have to start using the potty. I don't think so. 

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving we went to grandma and g-pa's house. Mama and Dada were worried about the drive because Ruby doesn't like to ride in the car. I often have to tell her "It's okAY Rubes!" or "No crying in the car, Rubes!" or "Almost home, Rubes!" to try to make her feel better. The ride was fine for me - I had my binky, and my ipod and my snacks. On long drives like that I like to toggle between episodes of Curious George and Sesame Street and music videos and to play games. Mama also has the movies Car on her phone in case of "emergencies". It was also nice that Mama sat with Ruby and I in the back for some of the ride, and that made Ruby feel better - and it was good to have someone back there to hand me my various snacks whenever I wanted.

There were lots of people there for Thanksgiving - I know I met them last year but I was still a bit shy around everyone at first. I had fun playing with Great Grandma - when I woke up from my nap she was the first person I asked about. I spent a lot of time in g-pa's basement looking for cows - I think there were three of them down there, but I could never find them. We also played a lot of football outside.

Fun times at the zoo

I love meeting my buds Axel and Aly at the zoo. We ride on the tram, see puppet shows, pet goats, eat soft pretzels, and of course see cool animals.

Halloween

Halloween was so much fun. It felt like it went on for days! To kick it off, Mama, Dada, Ruby and I went to the zoo - they had special games, a costume contest and trick or treating. All the kids were dressed in their finest - as was I, in my excellent lion costume, complete with terrifying ROOOOAAARRR's. Ruby went as a cute little kitten. My friend Aly was also there - she came dressed as Dorothy - I guess from some movie.

Then Hurricane Sandy hit, and we had to stay inside for a few days. We had our flashlights ready, and I loved wasting the power on them by leaving them on, much to Dada's chagrin. But lucky for us, we didn't lose power so I could sit comfortably on the sofa and watch Cars to my heart's content.

The weather cleared up in time for some trick or treating a few days later. We went to my friend Axel's house. I vaguely remember this from last year, but it still blew my mind - we knocked on people's doors and they just handed us candy! Just giving it away! Crazy. As soon as I would get a piece of candy I would immediately try to pop it in my mouth. They didn't taste so great because they were wrapped in plastic, so I would make Mama open them for me.

That night I got to eat pizza and candy and stay up late. I didn't want to take my costume off, it was so much fun. But also pretty exhausting!

Lil Rubes

My baby sister is so cute. She really cracks me up.

Autumn fun

Fall is a great time of year! Jumping in leaves...

checking out the zoo with my buddies...

bursting bubbles..

playing catch with Ruby...

mulching...

and eating bananas in a giant box. 

The Ruby Games

I love playing with my baby sister. Whether she likes it or not.

Ruby is here!

My baby sister is finally here!

Story time

I really love to read. This past weekend I stopped in for some story time at the bookstore. For the first time I actually sat and listened to the story - if only for a few minutes...

If only they had "A Perfect Picnic" or "The Little House" then I would have sat and listened all day. I make Mama and Dada read those over and over and over and over....they grumble every time I ask them to read those - he, he, he.

The Animal Farm

The other day vovo and vovo took me to the animal farm. I saw goats, bison, a giraffe, sheep, horses, baby ducks, kangaroos, a mountain lion, monkeys and peacocks. My favorite were the goats - and you know I had to give them hugs. Remember last time?

Two Years Old

As most of you know, I am now two years old. I weigh 28 pounds and 10 ounces and am 34 1/2 inches tall. I am super chatty and can count to ten in English and Portuguese and I know all my letters (see previous post for evidence). I love cars and trucks, cooking, reading books, burrowing in giant boxes, eating, going to the playground and the pool, and riding in the bakfiets with Dad. I am obsessed with watching Curious George. I still sleep with my bulldog buddy Frank every day and night. I am excited to be a big brother soon. Being two is pretty great so far.

ABC, easy as 123

Swimming

Swim class is over for the summer - I'm going to miss it!

The Big 0-2

I'm two years old! Last weekend there was a birthday party in my honor, and I had a great time. I woke up to my own little kitchen where I make such delicacies as carrot and egg sandwiches and dinosaur soup (move over, Rocco Dispirito, there is a new chef in town!). Then in the afternoon lots of friends and family came to hang out and wish me a good birthday. There was a cake with Curious George on it, and everyone stood around it and sang me a song - I loved every second of it, and when it was over I said "again?". And then there were presents! Can I have another birthday soon, please?

Vacation

Mama and Dada and I went on vacation! We hit up the beach at Amelia Island, Florida. I had a blast swimming, jumping over waves with Dada, looking for sea shells, shark teeth and turtles and digging in the sand. I woke up every morning with the ocean and beach on my mind - Mama and Dada are very pleased that I'm already such a beach bum. And what is a vacation without lots of yummy food! I was also very good on the plane, thanks to my ipod that was loaded up with games and Sesame Street and Curious George (my faves). Oh, and snacks. Lots of snacks. Mama and Dada tell me I'll be on the beach again soon enough when we go visit vóvó and vôvô in June - can't come soon enough!