Chatterbox

TJ has turned into such a chatterbox in the past few weeks (really, we don't know where he got it from!). :) He'll wake up in the morning and just talk and talk in his crib for about 20 minutes before yelling, "Mom! Dad!" And while most of the time, we have no idea what he's saying... his vocabulary seemed to have exploded recently... especially when he was at Ga & Pa's last weekend.

Here's a little sampling of what he's saying nowadays:

ball, mom, dad, dog (Ja for Jackson), cat (Bo for our cat), house, boat (for Grandpa's boat), butt (when he points to Bo's tail), doh doh (for donut, thanks Grandpa & Grandma), Ga (for Grandma), Pa (for Grandpa), hot, G (for Auntie Angie), more, choo choo (when he sees a train), bed bed (when he's going to sleep for the night), please, nana (for banana), car

It's crazy how much he changed while we were in California for just a few days. He came back with four new words, and he's much more independent now. He likes to do a lot of things on his own, and Mommy's not quite ready for that just yet! :)

Last weekend Mommy & Daddy flew out to California to celebrate our friends' Dave & Kelly's wedding. We had a chance to spend time with Frankie's friends and his Mom & Bill.

It was a quick trip, but we managed to get a trip to the beach and Universal Studios in. It was a great time, but it was also tough since that's the longest Mommy's been without TJ. After two days, I got to come home, but Daddy had to fly to Vegas for work... so he had to go even longer without seeing the little man. TJ was SOOOO excited when Daddy got home, it was so cute!

While we were away, TJ had a blast at Ga & Pa's. They played in the sandbox Pa made him nearly everyday, went to the park with "G" (that's what TJ has decided to call Auntie Angie), ate doh dohs, and played in Pa's boat.

This week was the last of our crazy-busy weeks at work (for now), so Mommy can finally take a breath, slow down, and spend some extra time with the little man. Even though we tried to have a non-eventful weekend, we still managed to help celebrate two birthdays.

We went to Auntie Jay's birthday party yesterday evening, and G came up for her birthday today. TJ played in the front yard with her, then we went to lunch. G headed downtown for some more birthday fun with Victor, and TJ, Mommy and Daddy went to the museum.

We were really surprised at how great TJ did! He sat so well in the stroller... he loved looking at everything. He was so into the Pirates exhibit and the dinosaurs. He was so funny!

When we left the museum, we walked by a big fountain in the park... all the kids were playing in it, and TJ pointed to it like he wanted to go in. We took his shirt off... and he took off! Right into the water. Daddy followed, and TJ wasn't even phased when the water would shoot up in his face. He squealed and giggled... and had a ball! He cried when it was time to go home. When we got to the car, both TJ and Daddy were soaked, but they had the biggest smiles on their faces... it was awesome!

Here's a video of the fun he had.

This & That

It's been so hectic around the Martin houslately... I can't believe how much has gone on in the weeks since Easter.

Really, most of it isn't anything major... we've just been busy. Mommy is working a lot right now, and so is Daddy. TJ is busier than ever... the little man hardly ever sits still, and we're loving every minute of it.

TJ has moved up at school and is now in the Hippo room. He's still adjusting to the new room and the new schedule, but he's still as spoiled as ever. He loves his teachers Ms. Gina & Ms. Ivy, and he's learning so much. Everyday they learn a new word in Spanish and sign language... have music class and work on social skills. Mommy now drops him off at 11:30, instead of 1:30, so he can have lunch and nap with his classmates. He's doing great taking naps at school now... something he never really did before. His sign language is expanding his speaking vocabulary as well. For example... he says "more" as he signs "more."

In the past few weeks we've celebrated three birthdays -- two in one day (Connor & Uncle Marshall) and Asher's 2nd birthday.

We also celebrated Mother's Day quietly. On Friday, TJ's school had a Mother's Day tea and cookie reception... it was so fun spending time with him at school, and TJ LOVED the chocolate chip cookies!!!

On Sunday... Daddy had just flown in from a work trip in Arizona in the morning, and Mommy had to go to work that afternoon... so we had a nice family picnic in the middle of that chaos. Then... TJ & Daddy dropped dinner off at work. It's so nice to know that in the middle of all of the running around, working, and everyday craziness... we can always find time to be together as a family and make special memories together.

Happy Easter!

TJ loves Easter! Well, let's just say... TJ loves any holiday that involves food and presents... and M&Ms. TJ discovered his love for the candy that melts in your mouth, not in your hands at Ga & Pa's today. He couldn't get enough!

The Easter Bunny was good to TJ this year... lots of presents and candy at his home. E.B. also made a stop for TJ at Ga & Pa's... with gifts from Auntie Angie, too... and presents mailed in from Grandma Martin and his cousins, Mary & Joseph. What a spoiled little guy. :)

We started the Easter festivities yesterday by dying eggs, which of course, TJ tried to eat. He loved it, though! Then, it was off to meet Asher & Jack at O'Brien Park for the Easter egg hunt. It was mayhem! It felt more like a warzone than an egg hunt... Mommy even got tackled by another parent - no lie!

This morning, we headed down to Ga & Pa's for Easter dinner. TJ apparently forgot his rule about walking... the one where no one is supposed to see him do it, and he walked ALL OVER the house today! It was great getting to see all of TJ's aunts and cousins, and TJ was going a million miles a minute... he had so much fun, and he was asleep within minutes of getting in the car.

Earlier this week, TJ had his 15-month appointment. Dr. Marc still says he's a stud... even if he's a little stud. He's in the 15th percentile for height and 30th for weight. He's right on track developmentally, and he even shook Dr. Marc's hand at the end. TJ had shots this time around, but he was ok because he was wearing his security hat.

About that hat... he LOVES it! The attachment has gotten stronger in the past few weeks. He wakes up in the morning and asks for it. He wears it when its 65-degrees outside. He is such a silly boy!