Biltmore House

Before Helen had to go back home I took her and Ma and Pa to the Biltmore Estate (the touristy thing to do here). We couldn't take pictures inside the house so here we are on the outside! The inside was all decorated for Christmas with tons of Christmas trees. Ma and Pa said I did such a good job while I was there and I walked up about a million stairs! They must have tuckered me out because when I got home I took a 3 hour nap!

"Toy Time!"

There is a time for everything but mostly I like toy time! Christmas this year lasted longer than usual for me. We opened gifts at Nana and Papa's house on Christmas Eve, at my house with just Mom, Dad and Zeke Christmas morning, with my great Grandma, Pop, Rob and Con Christmas day and the day after Christmas my Herzog grandparents (Ma and Pa) and great Aunt Helen came to my house and we opened more presents. By the end I didn't want to open any more so I just left a couple under the tree for when I get bored. Which probably won't be for a really long time because I got a lot of cool toys.

It's really great having Ma and Pa here. I always have someone to play with!

Merry Christmas!

Even though I didn't get my picture taken with Santa this year (I was afraid he was going to look at my tooth...) he somehow knew exactly what I wanted.

I had lots of fun opening presents. At first I didn't want to but after a while I started saying, "open more presents now". I was a very neat opener too. When I tore off a piece of wrapping paper I wanted to put it in a bag right away. I'm still a neat freak I guess.

My favorite toy was a bead maze. I made sure everyone got a chance to play it with me!

"All I want for Christmas..."

"...is for my tooth to get all better now".

Yesterday while I was on my stepstool innocently washing my hands, I slipped and fell knocking my bottom tooth loose. It hurt quite a bit and had mom and dad pretty worried. It was after 5:00pm so we were lucky to find a dentist who was still working. Dr. Chambers was kind enough to stay after hours to help us out. He had a great office but my first impression of him wasn't too great. He was wearing a Santa outfit and I did not want that man looking at my teeth. (I'm not sure I will get my picture taken with Santa this year...) Well, I protested the best I could but he looked anyway and even took some x-rays. Dad got to sit with me in a cool room with glow in the dark stars on the wall. I kept saying "all done now" but mom kept saying "almost" so then I changed it to "almost all done now?" After they checked out my teeth real well I got to play while the dentist talked to mom and dad. Turns out I have a luxation which in technical terms means: a traumatic injury which has knocked the tooth out of position, injuring the surrounding structures of the tooth and its root. Pretty serious huh? Well, we just wait and see now and then go back to see the dentist in 4-6 weeks. It's back to baby foods for me since I can't bite down on anything. Plus I'm fighting a bit of a cold this week so I'm not in the best shape. Hopefully I'll feel better by Christmas!
The only good thing about going to the dentist was this cool blue balloon I picked out.

Christmas Tree

Last week we finally had time to put up our Christmas tree. Mom and dad planned to take me out to cut down our own but they were all sold out. Can you believe it? So this year our tree came out of a box! Mom likes it better that way anyway (no bugs).

I had a great time decorating the tree. I put up all the ornaments and clapped for myself each time one actually stayed on. Then one by one I plucked them all off. Now our tree only has decorations on the top. It's still very pretty and I love to say "Christmas tree" every time I walk by it.

Plumber Guy

The other day when dad and I went out for a walk we saw the Roto Rooter van drive by. Well, I love to wave at cars so I was doing my best 2-handed wave as they passed by. They must have thought I was pretty cute because they stopped and handed me this great Roto Rooter Plumber Guy equipped with a plunger and everything! Who knew Roto Rooter had a mascot? You can't see it from the picture but my plumber guy is winking. I can wink too but not for the camera apparently. I was so excited to get home and show this to mom.

23 months!

Well, just one more month till I hit the big 2! Life is good. I've got a new baby brother who I adore. I love to give him hugs and kisses and whenever he cries I run to go get his plug (pacifier). I haven't been too jealous yet. Mom and dad make sure to spend lots of quality time with me. My Nana also comes over lots to play with me, we are big buddies.

In other news, I got my first real haircut the other day. Nana was getting her hair cut so Dad took me to get mine done at the same time. Mom sent the camera with him but didn't realize the batteries were out. But he said I was such a good boy. I sat still the whole time and put my head down when the lady asked me to. She even took out a buzzer thing and went around my ears and the back of my neck. All the ladies in the beauty shop were impressed with me. Mom says I look so grown up now.

I still love to read books. My Papa got me some great new books the other day and I love them. One is called Gossie and Gertie (they are goslings and they are best friends) and I can't get enough of them! At night I tell mom and dad that I am going to dream about Gossie and Gertie. Although in the morning when they ask me what I dreamt about I always say "Dada". (I'm still a Mama's boy but I like to make Dad feel special too!)

SATURDAY MORNING

PANCAKES WITH DAD!
Every Saturday morning Dad and I get up and make pancakes! I do most of the work. I crack the egg, tell dad when to flip them and I let him know when they are done. Sometimes we even put bananas or blueberries in them!

The last step...eat and enjoy!

Bye-bye big boy bed...

Well, my big boy bed didn't last too long. Since I could get out any time I wanted, that's just what I did. It didn't matter if it was midnight or 3:00am, I could go to mom and dad's room and tell them what was on my mind. One night I looked out the window and saw the moon so I had to go tell them. Another night (at 4:00am) I decided that I needed to brush my teeth, so I had to wake them up for that too. And one night (ok, actually two) they were so tired I got to sleep with them! Boy was that fun. Soon after that they started a nasty rumor that I snored though...I don't buy it. I sure did like to stretch out though. Dad got the crack and mom got the foot of the bed, the rest was mine!
Unfortunately after that my crib got turned around so the tall side is facing out and darn it, I can't climb out of it anymore. I was not happy about this arrangement and I tried to let mom and dad know about it. I stood up and pleaded, "me out now please". But nothing worked. Here I am on the video monitor actually sleeping standing up.
Mom said it made her sad when I cried so from now on I had to lay down and not get up until she came and got me. She said even if I cried she wasn't going to get me. After 2 nights of protests I finally gave in. Now I'm back to my old sleeping patterns but I lost my big boy bed... (any suggestions Rogan?)

Baby Zeke is here!

My little brother is here! I've been spending lots of time with Papa, Nana and Dad lately but now mom is home and I couldn't be happier. I've really missed her. And she brought Baby Zeke home with her! I like to watch him and tell mom when he has had "enough"to eat.

I like him already because he got me this cool basketball hoop. When mom is busy feeding Zeke, Dad and I play hoops!

Big Boy Bed!

My friend Rogan had a great idea: If you don't want to be in your crib anymore, climb on out! That's just what I did yesterday when mom tried to put me down for a nap. I didn't feel like sleeping but she was just going to let me cry. She sat down and turned on the TV to drown out my noise, well I showed her and I climbed out, opened my own door and said, "Mama, climb out bed, walk". She didn't know whether to scoop me up to make sure I was okay or to start laughing hysterically. Needless to say I was quite proud of myself. Then she took me back into my room and asked me to show her exactly how I climbed out. It was simple. I hiked one leg over the top and straddled the crib like a horse and down I went, just like hopping a fence! And the good news was I didn't have to take a nap. But I wasn't finished yet. Last night I did the same thing three times and mom and dad both saw me on the video monitor. First I threw out all of my stuffed animals and blankets (to ensure a soft landing). Yeah, I'm a real thinker. So today Dad and Papa put together my big boy bed! We'll have to see how that works out later. But so far I love it! Thanks for the good idea Rogan!

Happy Birthday...

PAPA!
Unfortunately it isn't my little brother's birthday yet. He was due on Saturday but, like me, has decided to keep us all in suspense for a few more days.
But my Papa had a birthday and I helped him celebrate! First I went over to his house to play, then we went out to eat pizza (a favorite of mine) and then back to my house for cake! I wasn't interested in the cake so I just watched everyone else eat. Hope you had a fun day Papa!

Turkey Day!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Today we went over to my Nana and Papa's house to celebrate turkey day. Everyone planned the meal around me and my nap time but I was having so much fun playing that I went down for my nap 2 hours later than usual and missed the whole meal!

Luckily they saved some good food for me. Here I am eating my great-grandma's specialty...mac and cheese! And by the smile on my face you can be sure that it was yummy!

I love to read books so I made sure that Nana and Papa got to enjoy some too.
After dinner Papa and I went on a walk outside and found lots of cool leaves. It was very cold outside but Papa let me borrow one of his winter hats so I stayed nice and toasty.

Nana and Papa sent us home with lots of leftovers so I will have another big meal tomorrow.

GOBBLE GOBBLE!

Mama Milestone...

She really did it! Mama left me for the first time today with someone other than Dada or Nana and Papa. We went to church and I got to go to the toddler room. Last Sunday my Nana stayed in there with me but today I was my own man! I woke up on Saturday and told mom and dad I wanted to go to church to "clap" and "sing" but they said I had to wait until Sunday. Well I did and boy was it fun! Mom signed me in and dropped me off at the door and then waited, waited, waited (for me to call for her) but I took off and started playing and never looked back. She was tempted to go and check on me throughout the service but Dad and Nana said I was fine. They were right. I had a great time. I got to go outside and play and for snack I had goldfish and juice! Yum! When mom and dad came to get me I was happy to see them. Mom was afraid that I wouldn't want to leave but I was excited to tell them all about my fun morning. The rest of the day I kept saying, "more church". I can't wait to go back there!

Nature Center

Fall is here!
Last weekend mom and dad took me to the Nature Center and boy was it fun! I got to see lots of fun animals and even got to pet some of them. I wasn't too sure at first but once I saw dad petting them I figured it was okay.

Here I am driving a big tractor.

Thanks for the fun day! I can't wait to go back!

22 months!

Someone stop me! I'm growing too fast! I am 22 months old today.

Some things I love to do are paint, play with my trucks, go outside with my choo choo train, eat, and read books.

We just got a new book about a big brother and I love to read it. I pat mom's belly when it mentions a baby brother. I call him "Baby Zeke" and I ask to hold him a lot. I even kiss mom's belly button. I am a very sweet boy.

I'm still taking swim lessons but I do not enjoy putting my face under the water. I know every time the instructor comes near me I have to go under so I shout, "no no" but they blow in my face anyway and under I go. I always do a good job and never swallow any water so I'm sure with a little more practice I'll soon enjoy it. I love to go in the shower before and after class and I don't mind getting water in my face then.

My favorite foods are still cheese (orange, white, cottage, it's all good!), cereal, grapes, prunes, spinach, peaches, beans, noo noos (noodles) and my new fascination eggs! Mom hard boils them for me and I love to crack them open. They have to limit me to just one or two a day or else I could probably eat a whole carton of them! Mom and dad also have to hide things in the fridge because I go there whenever I want and get out whatever I want. It's getting harder and harder for them to hide things from me though because I can climb right in and even pull out the drawers. I also love to mix my food. Some of my best concoctions are grapes and spinach, cereal and corn, peaches and carrots, just to name a few. And I also love to mix 3 or 4 different kinds of cereal in my bowl each morning. Lately I've been hooked on Cheerios, Kix, Fiber One, and Corn Chex.

I now know all my colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, brown, white) and can count to 10. I also know a few letters like B, P, O, D, X, and a few others sometimes. My favorite is B for some reason. I point them out in books, on road signs and on cereal boxes. Speaking of road signs, I love to watch the traffic lights and tell mom and dad when to "pop" (stop) and "go".
Well, thanks for checking in on me! See you soon!

Baby Shower for Zeke

Today mom and I went to a surprise baby shower for dad at his school. His math department kept it a secret from him but they had to tell mom since they wanted her to come too. We went there for lunch and then everyone started bringing out gifts. I even got a toy truck! And I LOVE it! When mom and I got home I held it while we read books and I begged to take it to bed with me but had to settle for leaving it on the couch. Mom said we could play with it when I wake up. Having a baby brother around won't be bad at all if I keep getting all these cool gifts!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN ("quack quack")

This year I decided to be a duck for Halloween. It was a tough decision because I like so many things. I was going to be a bear because my parents still call me "Jonah Bear". I was also going to be a dog because, well, I love dogs. There was also a cute penguin costume or a cow, the list goes on...

Well I started my fascination with ducks a couple weeks ago when my mom and I were shopping at Ross. I saw a nice porcelin duck soap dish and I had to have it. I carried that thing around with me the whole time and handed it to the cashier fully expecting to see it again. Unfortunately that was not the case. I stood on my tippy toes and pleaded, "me duck please" but it didn't work. Luckily mom got me a duck a couple days later when I wouldn't stop talking about it. And ever since then, that duck goes everywhere with me. He reads books with me on the couch, sits with me in the car, takes a bath with me, you name it! I leave him on the couch when I go to bed though, he's not very soft. So there you have it. I am a duck for Halloween!

I went over to my Nana and Papa's house for dinner and to show them my costume. I didn't go trick-or-treating but I waited at the door to see who came to our house.

My baby brother Zeke was a Jack-O-Lantern for Halloween and after I saw that I wanted my belly painted too! Mom said maybe next year. Yesterday mom and I made cookies for dad's school. I was such a good helper and quite entertained for a long time.

Before Halloween mom tried to get me to put on my costume but I only liked the hat and feet. Today was the first day I actually put on the whole costume and that's only because I was bribed with cheese.

Well, I hope those crazy kids don't keep me up ringing my door bell tonight. I'm off to bed!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!