Fun With Grandma

TJ and Ga were reunited this past week, and the little boy couldn't have been happier.  He soaked up every minute with Grandma... waking early and falling asleep super late, like 10:30 p.m. late! Mommy had to work, but the two had plenty of fun playing in the backyard, reading books, playing trains and singing songs all day.

On Saturday, TJ decided he wanted to take Ga to Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf.  (Again.)  He wanted to eat at Bubba Gumps (again),  ride the zebra on the carousel (again) and watch the sea lions (again.) :)  TJ absolutely loves Fisherman's Wharf.  He asks to go back about every other day.  I love seeing him so happy!

TJ was spoiled rotten while Ga was here.  It was like Christmas!  He got gifts at the Wharf, the Mickey Mouse store, and Ga took him on a trip to Toys R Us where Pa told him he could pick out a big John Deere Tractor.  Of course, Pa couldn't be left out, and he mailed him a Goofy Monster Truck toy while Ga was here.  When it arrived, TJ took Goofy out and introduced him to his other cars.  He said, "This is Goofy.  This is Red.  This is Fancy (the name of his fancy red fire truck)... and so on and so on.  He did the same thing with John Deere.  This boy is a crack up!  Today, after Ga left he said, "Ga is the best.  In the world."  And when he played with Goofy he said, "Pa gave me that.  I like Pa's toys."  Well, I guess so!!!

TJ has had a busy last few weeks.   He met his new pediatrician, Dr. Berston, and TJ & Mommy really like him!  He had a quick checkup – he’s 70^th percentile in weight, 50^th in height, and Dr. Berston says TJ’s very advanced.  He says his comprehension, vocabulary and speech is at the level of a 3 ½ - 4 year-old.  It is pretty remarkable how this kid communicates.  Tantrums and fits are rare because he can express in complete sentences what he wants… what he’s feeling… etc. 

TJ knows shapes, colors and some of his letters.  He can say his ABC’s, count to 10… even counting pictures and everything he can see.  He knows feelings – TJ can look at a picture and tell me the person is happy, sad, grumpy, etc.  And his memory is absolutely nuts.  TJ remembers who gave him nearly every toy or book.  He told Aunt G the other day that she bought him the fire truck he was playing with.  She did buy it for him – before Christmas! 

He is also picking up Russian.  Ms. Irina is Russian, and she speaks the language with the children.  He sings songs in Russian, and he also can say thank you, car, and jacket.  The most amazing thing is that he comprehends what Ms. Irina is saying.  Today, she was speaking to him in Russian, asking him questions, and TJ was answering the questions correctly in English.  It was really something to see.

TJ also had his first dentist visit.  He cried a little during the cleaning from the dental hygienist, but when it was time for the dentist to look at his teeth, he opened up and said, AHHHHHH.  It was too cute!  He was so excited he got a sticker and a toy airplane, and the next morning he asked if he could go back to the dentist.

Last week, TJ gave up his binkies.  About a month ago when Daddy was visiting, he spotted a very special toy at the Mickey Mouse store – a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Glove Balloon set.  It was a pricey toy, so we told him he couldn’t have it then, and he would have to earn it.  Then, I remembered the idea TJ’s Colorado pediatrician had given us – Let him use his binkies to buy a toy at the toy store.  For a month, we talked about how when he was ready, TJ could pay for the glove balloon with his binkies.  He’d get close to doing it… even getting buckled in the car, then decide he’d like to keep the binkies, and we’d go back in the house.  When Ga was here, TJ decided he was a big boy, and he was ready.  He paid for his special big boy toy, and that was that.  He’s asked for his binky a few times, but then I explain to him what he did, and he accepts it.  He even told Ga, “I’m a big boy.  I don’t need a binky.  I like my new toy.”  Seriously.  The kid needs to slow down and stop growing up so fast!

This weekend should be low-key.  We’re counting down the days to our trip to Colorado Memorial Day weekend.  We’re extra excited that Daddy will be driving out a few days after we return to SF, and our family will be whole again!

Easter "Hop"penings

I know it's been a few weeks since Easter, but this is the first chance I've had to sit down and write it all down.

It was a perfect Easter weekend.  Daddy flew in Wednesday night and stayed until the following Tuesday.  It was wonderful to have time together as a family, and TJ loved having some one-on-one time with Daddy while Mommy was at work.


We took a trip to Fisherman's Wharf (one of TJ's favorite places), and TJ wanted to eat at Bubba Gump's again.  After that, it was time for a trip around the carousel.  This time, Daddy got to go, and TJ once again picked the zebra.  Before the ride began, "You've Got a Friend in Me" came on.  TJ got the biggest smile on his face and he started singing it.  TJ loves singing that song with Daddy, and it was so cute watching them sing it together again. 

On Saturday, it was perfect weather for a beach day.  We made a quick stop at the mall so TJ could get his picture with the Easter Bunny.  He loves E.B.!  TJ ran right up to him, gave him a big hug, climbed up on his lap and said, "Cheese!"  It was so sweet.

We all had a blast breaking in TJ's new sand castle set at the beach.  It was a beautiful day, and we found  nice, quiet beach near our house.  It's secluded, and it felt like we had the place to ourselves.  That evening, we colored Easter eggs.  TJ had a great time, and he was very curious.  When he picked up a dyed egg, he looked at us and said,"How does that work?"  It's crazy how his mind works.

That night, Daddy was putting TJ to bed, and they were talking about Easter morning.  They were talking about all the presents he was getting from E.B., Mommy & Daddy, Ga & Pa, Aunt G, and his cousins, Mary, Joseph and Rory.  TJ looked a Daddy and said, "I don't believe it!" 

TJ loved all of his presents in the morning, but he was really upset E.B. came without staying and playing with him.  Mommy was sick, so we just had an egg hunt in the backyard, and Daddy went and got us hamburgers and milk shakes.  It wasn't anything like the Easter dinners we had at Ga & Pa's, but we were together, and that was all that mattered.

Since Daddy left, Mommy and  TJ have gotten back into the groove with just the two of us.  TJ is not like most 2-year-olds... he's very helpful, he's a good listener and he expresses what he wants and what he's feeling without a temper tantrum (90% of the time), so while it's hard work without Daddy and we miss him terribly, TJ & Mommy make a good team, and things are relatively easy.

Our home in Colorado is now officially under contract.  We are so relieved we won't be making a mortgage payment on top of rent, and we are so excited Daddy will get to come out after the closing at the beginning of June!!!  It can't get here soon enough!

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!