April Fool!

That's our TJ... our silly fool!  He's such a goofy boy.  The things he comes up with to say... and do just cracks us up.  Case in  point: the kid has a new obsession with Mickey Mouse and Mommy's red shoes.  So, last night, he decided he would go to bed wearing both!  I mean, really?  Who comes up with this stuff?  TJ, that's who.
He also likes to do anything to make you laugh... giving funny faces, tickling you and breaking out in fits of laughter.  He knows his giggles are contagious, and Mommy can't help but join in with him.

This weekend was a busy one... TJ got to spend some time with Mommy's cousin Ross and his new bride, Carole.  I'm not sure if it was the M&Ms she gave him... or the French accent, but TJ instantly fell for Carole.  All he could talk about was seeing Carole again, and today when we dropped them off at their hotel after breakfast, TJ cried, "Carole, come back!"  It was so sweet and so sad all at the same time.

After spending the morning in the city... we headed over to South San Francisco where TJ's 'nastics school was holding an Easter Egg hunt.  TJ insisted on bringing his big sand castle bucket instead of his Easter basket.  He had so much looking for eggs and managed to spot a few.  After the hunt, the kiddos got free-play on the mats and trampolines.  All in all... it was a good time.

TJ continues to surprise us with his vocabulary and his ability to remember and process situations.  Today he started talking about Jackson.  We haven't had the dog for six months, but he still remembers him and can tell stories about him.

We're so excited for the week to begin because Daddy is flying in for a long visit on Wednesday night!

Colorado Visit

A few weekends ago, TJ & Mommy were able to head back home to Colorado for a four-day weekend.  We managed to have a whirlwind trip... visiting family and friends, and we learned... time there will never be long enough!

TJ had some much needed Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa time.  Unfortunately, Aunt G had the stomach flu, so we didn't get to see her, but he did get some play time in with Jack and his other buddies.

Daddy had to work because of the March Madness tourney, so Mommy & TJ drove down to Ga & Pa's house for a night.  TJ always has a blast there, and he eats well, too!  Pa made homemade spaghetti and meatballs, and our little meatball ate them up!

Mommy was able to catch up with her friends, too.  It was so nice to be back, but it was even tougher to come back to San Francisco knowing how much we miss everyone.  Last week was a little difficult for TJ... he had more downs than ups coming off our trip home, but this week, he's seemed to have bounced back.

He's picking up more words in Russian, and he's singing all of his ABCs.  It's so funny.  He LOVES singing songs.  "Life is a Highway" and "You've Got a Friend in Me" are among his favorites.  In the morning, he'll lay in bed and sing songs before calling for Mommy to come in.  It's tough singing him to bed now, because he likes to chime in and do a duet... then, forget about him being relaxed for bed! One thing he loves to do in bed before falling asleep is read... it's so cute.  His favorite book is about trucks -- go figure!

Later this week, Cousin Ross is visiting from Boston.  We're hoping the rain will let up enough for us to enjoy the outdoors and maybe head back to Fisherman's Wharf this weekend!  Then, next week... Daddy flies in to celebrate Easter!  We can't wait! Mommy & TJ make a pretty good team, but we're ready for Daddy to hurry up and get here!

Here are some videos of our little peformer!

What's Shakin'?

We are!!!  On Monday, TJ & Mommy experienced our first earthquake.  Well, at least Mommy did.  TJ slept through it.  The 4.0 quake hit at 5:33 a.m., waking us up.  Thank goodness Frankie was here (he's no stranger to quakes), and he assured me it wasn't "The Big One."  Still, the quake definitely rattled my nerves.  :)

TJ continues to adjust really well to the new house, new city and new school.  He started his new school nearly two weeks ago.  We decided to have him start a few days before Ga went back to Colorado, so we could continue making "baby steps" with all the changes. 

He was so excited the first day... he loved playing with his friends, reading books and singing songs.  His teacher, Ms. Irina, is very affectionate, and you can tell TJ has a good time when he's there.  Ms. Irina is Russian, and TJ has already picked up a how to say "thank you" and "coat" in Russian.  He even corrects Mommy when she tries the language. (Stinker)

TJ was pretty sad when Ga left, but he enjoys calling both Ga & Pa each night.  He also asks to get on the computer to talk with them.  He enjoys eating M&Ms with Pa, and playing Simon Says with Ga.  I'm sure Ga & Pa have a good time, too. :)

TJ's also missing Daddy, and he was soooo excited when he flew in for a weekend visit last weekend.  All he really wanted to do was play trains with Daddy, but we did manage to make a trip to Golden Gate Park.  The boys played in the sand box before and after our picnic.  Then... we did something TJ's been wanting to do since he arrived in the Bay Area -- We drove across the Golden Gate Bridge.  He absolutely loved it!

TJ's vocabulary and communication continues to blow us away.  He has really blossomed in the past month, and he has become such a big boy.  He's able to have a conversation with you, and he comes up with the funniest sayings.  One of our favorites right now is in the morning, TJ lays in his "big boy bed" and yells out, "Guys!  Guys!  Hey guys! Guys?"  It cracks me up.

TJ also loves to sing.  His favorite song is "Life is a Highway."  He calls it the "Mack song" because of "Cars."  It's hilarious when he sings, "ride it all night long!"  He also sings "You've Got a Friend in Me."  It's the absolute sweetest thing I've ever heard!

TJ loves to help with everything... vacuuming, putting away dishes, even feeding the cat.  He likes to get Bo's food out, and then of course, order him saying, "Bo Bos eat your food."

We're excited for the upcoming week because we get to go back to Colorado for a four-day weekend.  TJ keeps talking about seeing Daddy, Ga, Pa, Aunt G and his friends, Jack, Payton, Asher and Camden.  Colorado here we come!!!