Christmas In July

A few weeks ago, we took TJ to the North Pole (Manitou Springs, really). Ga & Pa used to take Mommy & G when we were kids, and we have lots of pictures and lots of memories of Santa's Workshop, so it was extra special to have the whole family there for TJ's first trip.

Needless to say... he loved it! Of course, the first thing he wanted to ride was the fast ride. We didn't really how fast it went until it started going, but TJ wasn't phased. Next, it was the little Model T ride (Mommy's old fav), then the big slide, the train and carousel. He was pretty tired of rides and didn't feel like doing much... until..

He saw the firetruck! He wouldn't stop riding it... saying whee-oh-whee-oh-whee-oh (his firetruck sound). He had to ride it at least six times. It was pretty brutal getting him off it. TJ loved feeding the deer, too, and he didn't even flinch when they would nibble his hands.

TJ even got to meet the big guy! It was a wonderful day with TJ, Daddy, Mommy, Ga, Pa & G. Lot's of laughs and lots of memories at Santa's Workshop.

That weekend, we also got to spend the night at Ga & Pa's.  TJ loved feeding the ducks at the duck pond, but he had the most fun swinging in the swing in their backyard.  He was in there so much... he fell asleep!

Since our last post... TJ has added about 15 more words to his vocabulary. It just doesn't stop! Puppet, pocket and sock are just a few. On Monday, TJ turned 18 months old. Wow! Where did the time go?

Wednesday, we visited Dr. Marc for his check-up. All is A-OK! Dr. Marc was impressed with TJ's speech... he was talking up a storm at the doctor's office. He's even grown some - going from the 13th percentile in height to the 30th! No shots this time -- so we were happy about that.

One of his favorite things to do right now (besides talk) is playing Super Man - thanks, Ga! TJ and Ga wrap their blankies around their necks and run around like a super hero. It's hilarious! We have some video of it that I will try to get up soon.

Today, we took TJ to the Denver Puppet Theater to see Pinocchio. It's recommended for kids 3 and up, so the director warned us, he may not make it the whole show. But... he showed her! He was great! He loved watching the puppets and only got a little ancy the last 10 minutes of the hour-long show. Of course, that's where he learned the word "puppet." :)

Tomorrow, we're headed to the zoo. This will be TJ's second trip, but his first when he knows the names of animals -- should be a good time!

Here's a fun video of TJ playing hide-and-seek... using his laundry basket!

TJ Says...

A lot! This little guy is a total chatterbox. We've been trying to keep up with all the words he says, so we've decided to make a running list as we approach his 18 month birthday next week.

So... this is what TJ says.
Saints
news
buffalo
lawnmower
dinosaur (yes, really)
bless you (when he sneezes)
shower
panther
airplane
puzzle
all done
all gone
oh wow!
bubbles
shoes
knees
eyes
nose
toes
butt
ca ca/poop
pee pee
mine
TJ
Mama
Dad
Ga (for Grandma)
Pa (for Grandpa)
G (for Auntie Angie)
please
up
down
outside
nana (for banana)
night night
bye bye
hi
baseball
football
basketball
kick
ball
car
choo choo
boat
moose
cow
Melmo (for Elmo)
cookie
doh doh (for donut)
hot dog
cheese
peas
juice
milk
dog
Jackson
Bo (our cat)
Jack (his friend)
Maddie (for his friend in NYC)
Zizzy (his cousin Izzy)
Pay (his friend Payton)
Jo Jo (his cousin Joseph)
cat
dog
house
hot
more
bus
bath
nice
easy
same
hat (of course, that's all he wears)
no
sit
book
blue
star
moon
child
girl
cheers (when clinking cups)
Chica (a character on Sprout)
stuck
sticky
puppy
go! (he likes to yell it impatiently)
zoo
eagle
apple
teeth

Wow! That's a lot... I thought he knew about the average of 20... but it looks like there's a lot more than that! Who would've thunk it? Frankie & I don't talk much. :)

In addition to just saying the words, TJ is putting them together. Mom shoes. TJ toes. Dad car. More please. No bath. Book please, etc.

The funniest thing about his language is how he doesn't like to say the easy words (cow, cat) as much as he does the difficult words (lawnmower, basketball, buffalo.) He's such a silly boy!

Mommy's favorites: lawnmower, basketball, news, Melmo (it is so sweet how he says it) and of course, Mom!
Daddy's favorites: Saints, Dad, Mom, choo choo and no (it's pretty cute!)
Ga & Pa's favorites: buffalo and doh doh

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

TJ stepped back into time... at the Renaissance Festival last weekend, and he had a blast with Mommy, Daddy, Ga, Pa & Auntie G.

There were lots of people and lots to do. First stop: elephant ride. Yes, TJ, Ga & Mommy hopped on the back on an elephant and went for a spin. I was so nervous when we climbed aboard, but TJ was great. He didn't wiggle or squirm at all... he just sat still and took in the experience. The elephant's ears would flap back and hit TJ in the legs... He thought that was pretty cool.

After that... we ate some grub and went on a swinging boat ride. TJ loved it! He's a little impatient though... not a fan of waiting in line. We were the first ones on the ride, so as TJ (impatiently) waited for the rest of the boats to be loaded, he kept yelling "Go!" "Go!" It was too funny.

The animal rides were not over... He then hopped on a camel with Mommy and Pa. He was such a good boy sittin' on top of the camel. He held on and enjoyed the ride. It was same thing when he rode the llama. He loves those animal rides!

In the mornings, we've been taking some walks to the park... it's just a little ways down the trail that runs directly behind our house. It's nice because it's quiet and shaded. TJ loves to play on the slides (his favorite are the twisty and bumpy ones) before moving on to the basketball courts. He likes to steal the ball from Mommy. It's too cute.

We took this picture at the park. he's becoming such a little ham. The only way you can get him to sit still is to tell him we're going to take a picture of him. He's pretty silly.