I Love This Bar...

And Grill. TJ had a chance to meet the Big Dog Daddy, Toby Keith, at a private party where he hosted the grand opening of his new restaurant in Denver. "I Love This Bar and Grill" is enormous... complete with a giant guitar-shaped bar, stage, and mechanical bull, which, of course... TJ rode! :)


TJ was more interested in the pretty girls in cut-offs... smacking kisses at them, smiling, and flirting. He even leaped into the arms of one of the servers! At 13 months, he's already trouble!

TJ had a very busy week meeting people. We went to the CSU-UNLV men's basketball game last Saturday, and TJ loved it! He had such a great time watching the game... and he actually watched the game. He LOVES basketball! TJ hung out with Cam the Ram, star player Andy Ogide and head coach Tim Miles. He was so much fun, and it was so nice to spend time with Daddy even though he was at work!

On Sunday, TJ and Mommy went to breakfast with our buggy buddies, Camden & Chris. Then, it was off to Little Monkey Bizness... it was so much fun! As soon as we walked into the giant playplace, TJ's eyes lit up... and he instantly knew it was a place just for him! He had so much fun playing with Camden and climbing all over the place. He absolutely loved sliding down the giant inflatable slide. He belly-laughed the whole way down and made me take him up it several times. He went down on his own on a smaller inflatable slide... did a face-plant and rolled over with a smile on his face giggling! It was so funny!

This week we've had more chances to be together as a family of three, and it was so much fun. Little things like having lunch together or going to the grocery store mean so much, and we laughed and smiled so much just doing everyday tasks. Besides, TJ is just so cute and so full of personality, you can't help but have fun!

Today, TJ's little girlfriend, Payton, celebrated her first birthday! We had so much fun at her party, and we are so lucky to have a great group of friends! Happy Birthday, Payton!

Our 13-Month-Old

I know... I know... it's been a while since I've updated the blog. But between TJ having another round of RSV... to Mommy being sick... to both Mommy & Daddy being swamped at work... there just hasn't been enough time.

TJ is officially 13 months old now. And he's a maniac! He has so much energy, and such a hefty appetite! He's added "night night/tired" to his sign language vocabulary, and is picking up things almost instantaneously now! It's so fun to watch him interact.

As I mentioned, TJ had RSV for a second time. This time, it was worse than the mild case he had in September. He had to have a breathing treatment every 4 hours for 8 days. He did like getting to stay in PJs all day and wear his new Lone Ranger pajamas from Auntie Angie. Daddy and Mommy each took a day off to take care of him, and Ga helped, too. The poor little guy was so sick, but he's all better now, and you can tell he's so happy to be feeling peppy again!

Last weekend, we all drove down to Canon City for a homemade Italian dinner to celebrate Ga's and Daddy's birthdays. Their birthdays are a few days apart, so we celebrate them together. TJ loved playing with Ga, Pa and Auntie, and he especially loved Pa's homemade raviolis! It was a good thing we took his shirt off before dinner. TJ played on Mommy's old lady bug bike, which Pa has now named the "man bug" since it's TJ's now. :)

TJ's cousin Li'l Joe was born on the same day as TJ's Grandma Reno, so we want to wish him a Happy First Birthday!

On Thursday, we celebrated Daddy's birthday at the Downtown Aquarium. We had lunch there with the fishies, and TJ loved it! He was so into everything... he loved looking at all the fish, turtles and even Tigers... and he enjoyed petting and playing splash with a sting ray. TJ would splash and the sting ray would splash back... TJ laughed so hard. Nothing much scares this kid.


It was a great day! And it was so fun being able to be together as a family! After the aquarium, Mommy had to go to work, and she had a wonderful surprise waiting for her! Frankie had sent me roses on his birthday! It was so unexpected, and so sweet... That guy is good!

So, that's what we've been up to. Tomorrow, TJ & Mommy are going to CSU for a Men's Basketball game with Daddy. And on Tuesday... we get to meet Toby Keith! Mommy won a contest on the country station! TJ will be wearing his boots and Wranglers, of course!

One Year Checkup

Last Thursday, TJ had his one year checkup, and it's official -- TJ is short and chubby! :) Anyone shocked? He's in the 20th percentile for height and 30th percentile for weight. More importantly, he's a perfectly healthy and happy one-year-old!

Dr. Marc was quite impressed with TJ's dexterity and his little vocabulary. TJ says 5 words. When he sees Jackson, he says do- (sometimes he gets the g). He also says cat when he sees Bo, Ga when he sees my mom, Dada and finally -- Mama!

TJ loves stacking his blocks and he's become quite skilled at putting them back inside one another. He also plays with his wooden blocks and has figured out some of the shapes... still others still trick him.

He's also becoming an even sillier little boy. He just does the strangest things. There have been a few mornings when he's gotten out of bed, and as we were playing in his room, he would crawl over to his Nikes and put them on top of his feet. Then, he'd cry if I wouldn't put them on him. So, some mornings, he wears his pajamas and Nikes.

Well, now this little quirk has expanded to head ware. Last week, he was set on wearing his plaid Elmer Fudd hat. All morning! He just sat there and played in his pjs with his hat on. He's so silly!

It's not just his Nikes... he loves his new cowboy boots. He actually cried the other day when we took them off of him, so the boots went back on, and TJ was back to happy! :)

Another favorite? Dancing. The little guy loves to move to music. He's even figured out how to turn the radio on in his room. Of course, it's tuned into the local country station, and as soon as it comes on, he starts groovin!

TJ's loving all the new foods he's trying, and he transitioned easily to whole milk. It took him a few days to get used to sitting forward in his car seat, but now he loves it!

We finally have a sick-free home, and we're hoping it stays that way. TJ ended up giving Mommy, Daddy and Grandma the stomach flu. The house has been decontaminated, and we're crossing our fingers the ickies stay away!