Best Date Night Ever (with a 2 year old)!

Tonight, Cash and I had a little date night.  Matt went over to a friends house to watch a football game so I told Cash that we were going on a date.  To start off, we walked (he triked, I pushed) to the school park and toodled around looking at the creek and monster equipment that is set up right now (they are installing solar panels at the school).  He slid down the slide once but went through a puddle of water, so we headed back.  It was adorable because I asked "Donde esta la luna?" and he pointed right at it, though I asked again and I don't think he thought he actually understood what I was saying.

Then we went to Panera for dinner.  On the way there, out of no where, he said "I love you so much."  Tears, I tell you and the highlight of my day.  At Panera, he was generally well-behaved, especially for a two year old and especially after drinking a very sweet hot chocolate (my little treat for him). 

We read book in Mama's bed and sang two songs and he went down to bed.  Just after I left, he said "Where are you mama and prite (Sprite)?" and I just couldn't help but go in and tell him that we were right here and would see him in the morning.  It's now 8:15 and I still hear him tossing and turning but he's been quiet ever since.

Matt reported the best day with him too.  2 is sooooo much fun.  I love it!

22 months

Dear Cassius,

You are a whole lot closer to 23 months now but this is your 22 month letter.

It seems like life is just speeding by sometimes.  I can hardly remember what happened yesterday let alone the last month.

A few funny thoughts from our last month together:
* I've got you saying "Please Mama Dear" and it's super cute.  We were at a party and another guest commented on your manners.  Apparently you asked some one for "more water, please".  Good job, buzz!  You say "no, please" instead of "no, thank you" :)
* You mimic just about anything we say, which is hilarious.  You'll say "awesome", "dude", and all sorts of other things.
* You love our neighbors, especially Megan.  To hear you say "Hi Megan" is about the cutest thing.  You also want to hug, hive five or kiss her or Don (her grandpa).  They've started to watch you a bit and you love it over there.
* You love tools.  Drills, Saws, Blowers, Lawn Mowers, Weed Wackers, Garbage Trucks... you know the names of all of them and you still love to "blow".
* You love the skateboard that you helped Daddy build.  You love to help daddy with projects, like the ramp you built.
* Dad reports that you planted your first bean!  Yeah!  You are still scared of the chickens, but you love to collect the eggs.  We are batting about .75 for making it into the house without breaking the egg.  You know all the names of the chickens!
* We went to a U-Pick farm and you picked and ate plenty of peaches and plums.  You were a complete beast as we tried to eat our lunch and you didn't fall asleep the entire way home :(
*You started a new daycare at Miss Karen's and you seem to love it!  You love Miriam and James and Cameron and talk about them often.  Apparently, they even have you practicing on the potty!
* You like to do a lot of things yourself "my do it" and you often want "whole fing" and not a piece of anything.
* Just the past few days you started to enjoy "being a baby" so that I'll hold you and sing to you.  It's pretty darn cute.  You started singing quite a few words to "itsy" and also to "Happy Birthday". 
* When you wake up in the morning, your little voice says "Mama! Come here!" so sweetly it melts my heart every morning, even if I don't really want to get up.

Despite the semi-frequent meltdowns, you are so fun to spend time with.  I love being your mama!

Love you Cashi!

Mama Dear

21 months

Dear Cassius,

Wow!  Time is flying by!  We've done a lot since my last letter and I'm eeking this in just before you turn 22 months! 

We had a great trip to Witch Lake and you L.O.V.E.D. it!  Every waking moment of it.  You had so much fun playing "boo" with Andy and Georgie.  You weed wacked every day.  You played in the water (a bit) with your Gramma and you loved to watch the saws and tools while Papa and Keith worked (tool are sharp- you remind us!).  A few highlights from the trip:
* You got to see Uncle Brett cut down a tree, with a chainsaw!  You still talk about this! 
* You got to see your other Uncle Brett, Aunt Mikki and cousins Kinley and Karsyn.
* You had a blast with Andy and Georgie doing all sorts of things.
* You flew with mom on the way out and dad on the way back and you did pretty well... it wasn't easy but we made it!
* You got to sleep with us a few nights in the last month or so.  It seems that in a new place, you just like to snuggle.  I kinda like it!

Speaking of snuggle... you learned to say the word "nuggle" and will often request it, especially in the morning.  Your vocab expands every day and you are stringing words and thoughts together all the time.  A couple of days ago you said "uncle" "picture" "raccoon" "phone" "white car"... because the day (or two) prior, Jeremy (aka Uncle Jeremy) came over and showed you a picture of a raccoon on his phone. I can't really remember, but I think the raccoon was near a white car!  Holy moly! 

I can't remember if this is new or not, but you know all your colors! and you are learning to count.  You've got 1, 2, 3 down (especially since we frequently use that to prepare you for what's to come next) and can count aloud to get Daddy to run through the "spinklers" with you.

You love to play with the big kids and can easily get into what ever game they are playing, be it hide and seek, duck duck goose or red light, green light.

It's been a big month for us as we decided to make the switch with your daycare...so August 15th, you start up at a new daycare.  I hope you love the learning, and I think you will.

Oh... I almost forgot.  The temper tantrums have officially started.  Your first true tantrum was hilarious (to us).  You were S.O. upset because you couldn't hold the package of graham crackers.  You kept wailing "brown" (as in brown graham crackers) and "package".  Kicking, screaming, flailing, limp body, screaming and screaming for a good 20 minutes.  Then you got up, asked for a peach (and I gave it to you) and all was okay with the world.  Silly boy!

I know I say this every month, but you are the love of my life and a joy to watch.  I get excited for the times we share because you are just hilarious.

I love you,

Mama

20 months

Dear Cassius,

You are one incredibly smart little dude!  It's so much fun figuring out what you've figured out!  Here's a snapshot:
- You started to sing songs.  Robot Parade was the first... it's so darn cute "obot arade".  You also like/sing Twinkle (Twinkle Little Stars) and (Wheels on the) Bus.  You ask dada to sing Monkey (and the Engineer).
- You like to count, or rather, when we count.  Your favorite is counting the chickens!
- You wake up with mama!mama!mama!mama! or dada!dada!dada!dada! every morning now.  No crying or whining like you used to... you use your words!
- You seem to like timeouts or the "corner".  Always keeping us on our toes.  You only try to bite and hit me... and no one else.  I guess that is good.
- You love "more ketchens (questions)".  What does a cow say? What does a donkey say? This one is my favorite as your "heehaw" is so cute!)
- You know all your colors (blue, red, pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, brown and black).  Just this week the answer is not automatically "lellow" (you would get it right on the second ask) but you're offering the color now and often with the object (white truck).   You are even getting two color combos!
-You love to help in the kitchen- from making food to washing dishes.  You love to be a part of the action.
-Your little voice is so cute.  Your intonation is so cute when you say "good girl" to Sibley or when you say "HONEY!" (as in Honey, I'm Home).

A few exciting things happened in May/June...
We went camping in the BUS! and we all had a great time.  You were hilarious with your saw, saw, saw, saw, saw!

Your dad picked up a bunch of lumber.  As usual, you were game to help! 

We had a foster kitten in the house.  Her name was Diana but you called her nanny.  It's been almost 3 weeks and you still talk about her.  You were scared of her when she would come near you, but you loved to watch her! I also had to bring a cat to the local shelter.  It's name was Toga and you still ask about "yogie" even though you spent all of 5 minutes with that cat!

You are one special little boy.  I am so proud you are mine and I am yours!

Love,
Mama

19 months

Dear Cassius,

You said "I love you" unprompted for the first time this month.  I think my heart nearly exploded as I put you to bed and you said, so sweetly, "la laaaa lo mama."

You went to the doctor for your 18 month check up and you haven't changed a whole lot since your last appointment.  33.25 inches (or so) and 26lbs 5 oz (or so).  The doctor isn't too worried that you supposedly haven't changed much, especially since it's probably due to the fact that you aren't too thrilled about being weighed and measured, hence some kinda wonky measurements (PS.  That is a horrible run on sentence with lots of useless words).

You started to put sentences together this month.  Hello Dada was your first and the vocab just keeps coming.  Today you said "wawa on (water on)".  You are getting pretty good about playing by yourself.  You still play relatively well with others.  You love to help your dad in the garden and you helped me bake cookies for the first time.  It was quite a mess and you only helped for about 30 seconds, but you did help.  We made cookies for all the neighbors who have so warmly greeted us since our move.  You had fun handing out the cookies too, even though you weren't feeling well that day.  A few days after handing out the cookies, you point to the houses where we dropped them off and say "coooookies".

This last month you went to 2 zoo's: Happy Hollow and the Oakland Zoo.  You really love looking at the animals (and running around) but you're not fond of the carousel!

Speaking of under the weather, you seem to have taken on your father's drama queen moments while ill.  Granted, you did vomit once, but the rest of the time, you were whiny and full of drama.  Now that you are on the mend, it seems to be residing.  Yeah!

You had two cousins born this month, Chloe (Chris and Melissa) and Lucas (Bob and Sarah)!

We booked our trip to Witch Lake this month!  I can't wait.  You'll be flying up with me and back with your dad.  It should be a blast!

Not sure there is a whole lot more to report.  I love you so much.  Thanks for being an awesome kid!

Love,

Mama

An email from my hubby...

Hey babe, we're having a great time. Let's see...




Cash is hitting the ball off the tee and running around the bases.

The chickens got out to free range and ran back in when I called them

The new window looks great.

I got a grape planted.

We went to three garage sales with in 1 mile

I figured a way to stop the curtains from blowing in the wind

Cash and I are cleaning out the fridge for lunch

and....best of all....it's already 12:30, that means you'll be home soon to join us.



Love ya,



Dadda and Cash

18 months

Dear Cassius,

You are officially 1.5 years old!  Wowza!  The last few months have been so much fun.  Perhaps this is a little weird, but I'm glad you stil have 6 months before you are two.  Two is just too old, so another six months at one suits me just fine.  I have to say this IS the best age.  You are so inquisitive and you learn so much every day.  You are like a sponge and soak up all kinds of things... which reminds us daily that we have to watch what we have to say. 

Your vocabuary has exploded and is astounding.  You try to say everything... and you do a pretty good job.  You definitely have the syllables down and you mostly get the sounds right.  Some of the more impressive words (to me) are:  broccoli, your name (it's sooo incredibly cute), hoop, apple, orange, pineapple, belly button.

You love bike rides with your dada and the new swing in the backyard under our beautiful oak tree.  We got the swing for a steal at the P. Hill City Garage Sale, so we feel like rockstars.  You probably have already picked up on this but your parents are huge dorks for free and recycled stuff... so this swing was and continues to be a feel good piece to our little abode.  You rocked the slide, thanks to your dad.  You used to be a tad afraid of the darn thing, only choosing the very small slides to go down by yourself, but your dad helped you go down a bigger one at the playground next door and you continued to go down it, by yourself!  Way to go Buzz!

You actually celebrated your 18 month anniversary in Iowa.  We visited your Mimi, Vic, Elle, Mikki, Brett, Karsyn and Kinley and you had a great time.  Your auntie Mikkie bought you a little lawnmower which was just perfect as you just had become obsessed with the one your dad uses a week prior.  You loved pushing that thing around, but you actually loved pushing Kinley's pink stroller around more.  Occasionally there was something in the stroller, but you just really like to push it around.  You traveled like a real trooper and slept soundly through the night for the entire trip.

Another super smart and cute thing you do is "two."  As in more than one of something.  If you see two birds, you say two, if you see 10 birds, you say two... but you know when there is more than one of something!  You would love to have two loveys with you at all times, but we are working on that.  Speaking of working on things... you are d-u-n with the bottle.  We left it at Mimi's in Iowa and we were left with no choice and you've adjusted pretty well.  The first morning back you screamed for about 15 minutes, but after we explained to you that we left it at Mimi's you relaxed and were able to move on with your day.  It's kinda funny that you wanted your bottle the first morning home when you didn't use it at all in Iowa.  I will miss you requesting "joos" or "melk" in the morning but I'm glad to be done with the bottle and the cleaning of it!

Cassius, you are such a joy.  I am so happy you are my kid.  I love you!

Love,

Mama

17 Months

Dear Cassius,

Time is flying by!  We are pretty much settled into the new house and the bathroom is in the middle of a remodel.  I'm pretty sure you'd love to help with all the projects but we do those after you've gone to bed.  You love to help out whenever possible, or just hang around.  This morning your dad and I worked on various projects and you just wandered around with random tools.  You inspect things but you mostly just bang stuff around.  You love hearing the saw run, but from a safe distance and in mama's lap.

While we were playing today, you walked a ways down the court pushing your little cart.  It was so cute but scary too.  You are growing so much and your confidence grows every day.  Sounds are not as scary now, but you are a sensitive guy.

The other day at daycare, Lisa said that you totally understood the concept of musical chairs!  How kid? How?  You are doing great when I leave you at daycare now.  You were crying for a bit there, but now I put you in Lisa's lap and you wave good-bye to me.  She and I are both astounded at how cuddly you have become.   You even cuddled with me the other day to watch Supernanny!

Hmmmm.... Anything else fun?
* You helped Grandpa clean up his fence project the other day.  I guess you guys were cleaning for 1.5 hours and you just hung out, picking up nails the entire time.  Grandma says you need a drill of your own.

* Your dad took you to Buchanan Field where you got to see planes take off and land while playing with a few other kids.  How cool!

* You can throw quite the tantrums when you don't get your way.

* You still LOVE your lovey.  You squeal when you get to see it/hold it.

* You started singing the "Vowel Song" from They Might Be Giants DVD.  A- I- Y!

* You are obsessed with balls and bunnies... especially the neighbor's.

* We jumped in puddles when it was raining and had a blast!

* You sign and say "help" and it's the cutest thing ever!  "Hewp, Hewp"

* You still insist on your bottle of milk in the morning.  I would like to be a tough parent and take it away, your dad insists we keep it as it makes for a happier you and an easier morning.  For now, I'm conceding.

You continue to be the light of my life.  Keep up the growing kid!  I love you!

Mama

16 months

Dear Cassius,

I'm not sure I can come up with anything creative to begin your letter this month as all the usual expressions that come to mind seem redundant.  Of course, you continue to grow and amaze your dad and I and sometimes yourself too.

The best that I can usually do is remember little things about the past few days, so here goes....

Yesterday, a Sunday, we woke up (at 7am) and headed to Home Depot and you were cute.  Then we stopped for donuts and you were cute.  Then we came home and we ate our donuts but you didn't eat yours (we got you donut holes) but you were still cute.  Your dad was working on a chicken coop project with Manoa so you and I went to The Jungle in Concord.  You fell asleep on the way there and were cute as you slept.  We went inside and you were overwhelmed.  At first, you were interested in the big kid stuff but then you headed to the toddler section instead and cautiously explored.  We watched kids on the token machines (like the motorcycle and the car) and you sat on the motorcylce with out it moving and were loving it.  We went to go get you some tokens so you could ride the things in motion, but you preceded to freak out.  We left and came home and you hung out in your room by yourself for almost an hour before falling asleep.  I guess you just needed some down time.  After your long nap, you played and played and played outside and were cute.  You love to throw balls.  You enjoyed pushing your little cart around but got SO frustrated when it would get stuck on something.  You eventually figured out how to manuever it but not after much whining.  You enjoyed many of your morning donuts.  We all went for a walk down to the sushi restaurant while you looked really cute where you preceded to be a wild man which was not so cute!  I guess the donuts caught up to you because you were crazy!  You didn't like anything we ordered and threw everything on the ground-not cute. We got home, gave you a bath and you went to bed and were adorably cute while sleeping. 

Here's things of note:
You are a sensitive soul. 
You like to throw things.
You like to bang loudly on tables and floors and just about anything inappropriate.
You like being sent to the naughty step (clearly it's not working).
You are cute and I'm pretty sure you know it... as you smirk as you do the above naughty things.

You had your check up today and the doctor said that only thing we need to do is keep you safe.  I have to say, we actually do a pretty good job at that, but sometimes its a bit challenging.

You weighed in at 25 lbs (We had to weigh you and me together and then just me... you screamed on the scale and then screamed while the nurse held you while I weighed myself).  You measured in at 33 inches.

You say and sign new things all the time.  On Saturday, your dad and I saw you sign "guitar" while making little sounds (and looking at the guitars at work).  You learned how to flick your tongue when we ask you what an iguana says.   You kiss babies whenever you see them but you tend to hit other kids when they are in your space.  You love balls and balloons and can say each clearly.  You are fairly good about your thank you's and semi consistent with signing please.

I think I'll let the pictures say the rest... with the caption of CUTE!

 

Love you,
Mama

15 months

Dear Cassius,

You have now been "around" for 2 years for you were conceived on January 8th.  I'm sure you'll be glad to know that when you are 16.  :)

This month has been a fun one but also an incredibly stressful one for your parents.  A move is always tough but a move with a very active, very needy child is even more so.  We haven't always kept our cool but we're almost there.   You are actually really cool to hang out with right now, but time keeps on ticking and its tough to hang out with you and get stuff packed, fixed and cleaned.

Your vocabulary keeps expanding.  You've added bakbak while waving your arms appropriately for chicken.  Tonight you said cat.  Today your grandma taught you how to roar like a lion.  It's so stinkin' cute!  You can point to mama, dada, grandma, grandpa and yourself.  Your bottle/any liquid is "jooose".  You are obsessed with the chickens next door and airplanes.  You like choo-choos.  You adore vroom-vrooms (motorcycles).  You turn your head and any truck or loud car.  You are all boy. 

You are walking just fine and quickly too.  It's almost a run but you stumble a bit.  You try to jump.  You bend your knees but you can't get any air (there is a joke in here somewhere about Peters boys not being able to jump).  You climb anything and everything.  Judy, our stepladder, is not match for you. 

This month you had your first sit on the naughty step for touching the stove's knobs.  I had to put you there twice but you got it the third time.  You tried again the next morning and when you got set on the naughty step you moved your attention elsewhere.  You made me realize it's time to get some kind of parenting book- stat!

You love being rocked when/if you wake in the middle of the night.  It doesn't happen a lot so I cherish those middle of the night snuggles.

You love to read!  Well, you love to point out things you know in books...Elephants, dogs, cats, birds, airplanes, trains, pumpkins, Santa Claus, sheep, chickens, ducks, trees.... I'm so happy.  I didn't think you would like them, ever.  You're not big on the story persay but you do love the pictures.  Hopefully those words will intrigue you someday.

I better get to packing so I'm wrapping up this letter (good one, huh?).

Love you,

Mama

14 months...

Dear Cassius,

So much has happened in the last month! 

You started walking!  So cute!  It started with 2-3 steps, but now you are up to 10 steps or so. 

You keep adding words to your repertoire!  You now say affe (giraffe), fant (elephant), eat/at (eat), shuuuz (shoes), dada, ish (fish), ease (please), aseeas (gracias), caca, duh or guh (dog), guh guh or some version of it (Sibley).  You try to repeat many things... such as light, fan, and just about whatever else you can point at but we haven't figured out what you are saying just yet.  

You keep adding signs to go along with those words.  You now sign: giraffe, elephant (kinda), eat, please, more, all done, kitty, and bird. 

You started singing!  Just yesterday, Eliza said that you started signing and singing "Twinkle Twinkle" with Lynn at music time.  My gosh you are cute!

You love craft time and get so excited to do crafts with Eliza. You loved our Thanksgiving trip to the aquarium.

Some thoughts from your dad (with added notes from mama):

We really appreciate your new night time diapers.  We appreciate that you do not soak through them in the night and that as a result, you sleep longer.

We are glad you know how to point, if only you knew what you really wanted with the object at the end of that finger.  Everything is "at" (as in: what's that?)

Today, your parents loan got funded for our new house!  We are moving to Pleasant Hill so that you can have a yard to run around in, a street/court to ride your bike in and a school to attend that is safe and will challenge you to go to college.  We are sad to leave Oakland and our house (afterall, you were born in the dining room) but we are ready to move on.  We hope to see all that Downtown Pleasant Hill has to offer and we hope you enjoy it!

You are more and more our little boy everyday.  You continue to amaze us and make our hearts melt each and every day.  We hope you can kick your stubborn cough soon.

We love you.

Mama and Dada

13 months

Dear Cassius,

13 months!  Holy wow!  I can't believe we are already at 13 months.  Now I have to tell people that you are 13 months, you are not just 1 year.  You are growing every day, learning, becoming more brave and more stubborn too!

Your words are picking up like crazy.  Today you said "ish" (fish).  Yesterday you repeated "zoo" but I don't thnk you knew what it meant. You officially call dada by name.   You love to point out cats and pumpkins and scarecrows.  In the morning, when you wake super early, we pull you into bed with us.  You love to look at the book about not getting out of bed (ironic, really) and point out the "woof-woofs".  You've also just added on the cats and the birds.

Last night we were at your Oma and Opa's (Opa asked to be called that last night) and you got to open your present from them for your birthday.  It was a cool ride-on firetruck and you loved it!  You love pushing the buttons to make sounds/lights and you love when your Oma pushes you around.

It's so fun watching you grow and add on new words and see you understand more and more about life. 

I love you.

Mama

No photos for you!

Dear Cassius,

Your mom has been a lazy mom lately and all your photos from the last 4 months are on the cameras and not on the computer.  One day, I'll upload them but not right now.

Thanks for understanding.

Love,

Mama

1 year! (and 1 month)

Dear Cassius,

You are officially 1 year old (and have been for a month, but who's counting?).  I can't believe it's been a year.

You change and grow every day.  Hmmmmm... Where are you now?

At your 1 year appointment, you weighed 23 lbs, 9 oz (63rd percentile) and measured 31 inches (86th percentile).  You got one shot and screamed at the doctor.

You are communicating more and more every day.  As of today, you sign: more, all-done, cat, and bird.  You point to indicate where you want to go.  You wave bye-bye.  You blow kisses on cue.  You will give a fish a kiss on cue (but you've only given me a kiss like 5 times, you little stinker!).  You say: woof-woof and dog (sounds like "doh" or "og") reliably.  You call Sibley "guh guh (good girl)."  You'll occasionally said dada for your dad but no mama yet.  Your first word (dog) came just a few days shy of your first birthday as you saw a dog walk by the house.

Just this week, you basically communicated in sentence form.  You signed more, pointed at the door and waved bye-bye.  I asked you if you wanted to go to Eliza's and you said yes.

You are still crawling and show very little interest in walking.  You are standing more and more on your own each day.  It's so cool to see that you are adding seconds to your solo stand time each day.  You will occasionally walk with me if I'm holding your hand but most time you just drop to your knees as if to say "this is so much faster."

You are obsessed with feeding the dog treats.  You say "guh guh" the second we walk into your room in the morning (and after naps) and point towards the door (or the cup with treats on your dresser).  Then you direct us to the laundry room door and then to the treats.  You love to have her "touch" your hand.  This week I showed you the dog door and we got Sibley to go through it together, so now you are obsessed with having her go through the door. 

You are quite the whiner.  If you don't get your way, you throw quite the tantrum.

You loved to be chased.  You love "I'ma gonna getchu!".  You love "1! 2! 3!"  You love to be tickled, especially when I squeeze your little thighs.

You still love to eat.  You still love to be out and about.  You still love Here Come the 1, 2, 3's.  

Your birthday party was small and perfect. You didn't really know what to do with the cupcake that your grandma made you.  I think you were just happy that all those that you love were there, even Mimi and Karsyn! 

This first year of your life has been absolutely amazing.  I love being your mom and look forward to future years together.

I love you.

Mama

11 months

I wrote this letter back in September but didn't post because I wanted the photos to coincide.  Well, I still haven't got the pictures (I have to get more memory for my computer) but I wanted to post the letter

Dear Cassius,

Less than a month left before you are 1... HOLY COW!  Time sure has flown by fast.  I can hardly remember those itty bitty days because these days, well, they are just fun.  Every day I get to spend with you is fun.  It's fun watching you grow and learn.  It's fun watching your demands and signs.  It's even fun watching you poop!  Did I really just type that???

Since I'm actually writing this (mostly) on time, I'm only going to recall the last few days and pick out some of my favorite moments.

On Friday, I picked you up from Eliza's and your dad came home shortly after.  We raced up and down the block towards each other and you laughed such hearty laughs.  Saturday you spent the day with your dad.  He taught you to motorboat onto your arm.  You are pretty good at it, but your dad is the best.  Sunday was a family day and the day you actually decided to start the day darn early... like around 6:15am early.  We had a lazy morning of hanging around the house and we took a little trip to our local park.  You proceeded to eat the plastic little thingies on the ground when you dove face first into the grass, so I made us leave.  You took a nice nap, we had some snacks and then headed out to Top of the World with Sibley.  I wore you out to the view in the backpack and your dad wore you on the way back.  You were a happy little clam, just taking it all in.  Your dad spotted a fox and managed to get a few photos... so cool!  Your dad watched football and I took a nap while you napped... All in all, it was a great day.

Today, at Trader Joe's you squealed in delight and a guy working there said "Whoah!" but I just gave you a kiss... it was just a happy little squeal!  You loved the chocolate covered blueberries at Peet's (I ate off most of the chocolate- sorry!) but didn't so much like the candied ginger...

We also went to a park to play with Brooke (who's about to have a baby, anyday) and Kara and Maddie.  You are so stinkin' cute- eating your plum, cruising around, giving me hugs and hanging out.  You did try to steal several of Maddie's toys, but you did your share of sharing too.  Right now, you're just snoozing in your crib.  You are such a great sleeper and really make my life pretty easy in that regard.

Let's see... anything new with you??

You sign more and up and potty/poop (occasionally).  You pooped on the potty today (first time in several weeks- but yeah!).  You eat just about anything.  You give great hugs.  You are starting to bite which is not cool.  Apparently you left some nice "oh's" on Sam's shirt on Friday.  You love to take the DVD's and Atari games from under the TV.  You are obsessed with the refridgerator.  One time we even found you trying to drink directly from the Hershey's syrup bottle!

Spending time with you is so much fun.  Haven't I said that a million times already??  But it is.  I look forward to each day with you, even if we don't get to spend a lot of time together.  I know I tell you about a hundred times each day, but I love you.

Love,

Mama

10 months

Dear Cassius,

I wrote this about 2 weeks ago.... forgive me for not publishing until now.

Just yesterday, you transformed... from a baby to a I-don't-know-what-this-next-stage-is-called-before-Toddler.  When I went to pick you up from Eliza's you crawled to me a different boy.  You looked older, you've started to communicate, you're huge!  Your dad called me at work the day before and told me that you signed "More" as in more yogurt and it melted my heart just hearing that you are learning but then yesterday, I saw it.  You signed more as we were laughing and giggling.  I was bouncing you around and asked if you wanted more.  You put your sweet little hands together and made the sign.  Oh how my heart melted!!  Eliza also said that you saying "no" and "aya" as in all done with her.  As we walked home, we saw the airplane in the sky and as I signed airplane and said "avion" you tried to say it too.  You are starting to communicate! That's not to say that you don't still do your fair share of whining, but it's getting better, I see the light at at end of the "whining because I can't tell you what I want" tunnel.  Holy Cow!!

You are ever so sure of yourself crawling.  In fact, you prefer to crawl.  When I try to walk with you, you just push me away and get on the ground and crawl.  You can get there much faster that way apparently and you know it.  You have the cutest peg-leg crawl.  Your right knee doesn't touch the ground, yet you push yourself forward perfectly. 

You are quite adventurous with your food.  In the last week, you tried sauerkraut, hot and sour soup and carnitas.  You seem to love it all.

You are still a rockstar sleeper when you are at home.  You're like clockwork.  Down at 7pm-ish and up at 7:02am.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you. 

That's not to say that you aren't thrown off when we travel.  We got to experience Lake Tahoe in your last month and I got to experience walking to Nevada at 6am.  That's because you decided to wake up at 5:30am and we were with a whole bunch of other people.  So you and I and our new handy backpack made the trek down to the local Starbucks and over the Nevada line.  We went to another state and back by 7am!  I have to say.... it was actually pretty cool and you were a happy baby once we were out and about. 

I'm pretty sure I end my letters with my adoring love for you but I can't help it.  You teach me so much every day, baby boy.  You teach me to have fun.  You teach me to laugh and go with the flow.  You teach me a love even greater than I could have ever imagined. 

I love you.

Mama

9 months...

Dear Cassius,

You've officially been out as long as you were in and I'm uber late in writing you this letter. 

You got to spend your 9 month birthday at Witch Lake!  We spent 3 awesome weeks at the lake with family.  You giggled and screamed and scooted and learned to crawl at Witch Lake.  You didn't really like the water in the lake, but loved playing in your little pool on the deck.

Before that, you got to meet your cousins down state.  I have to say that I think Andy is your favorite.  He visited Witch Lake and is all kinds of goofy!  He made you squeal with laughter.  Once you got a bit of attention from Andy, you would scream at him if he left the room or stopped paying attention to you.  He greeted you every morning and wanted to say good night every night!

You weigh close to 21 lbs and are 29.5 inches long.  You still have 2 teeth on the bottom and 0 on top, but that top right tooth is just about to come through. 

You love to eat, most of the time.  You especially love chicken and turkey and will eat a ton!  You still feed yourself most of the time and prefer that to being spoonfed, especially when you are tired. 

You just started day care with our neighbor down the street.  You seem to love it and barely noticed that we even left you on your first day there.  On days you aren't in day care, you are spending it with your dad.  He likes to keep you busy (and you are much more pleasant to be with when you are out and about) so you guys have a constant stream of activities.

You are sleeping like a champ now that you are home.  The last few nights you have slept from 7pm until at least 7am, sometimes almost until 8am!  Rockstar!

You still love music of any kind.  You still love clapping and know what to do when we sing the clapping song or when we ask you to clap.  You are also waving hi and bye though sometimes it's a few minutes after we ask.

You are sort of giving hugs and those are the best.  Sometimes, when I pick you up, you'll give me a quick squeeze around the neck and it's so cute!

It's been a challenge and joy these first 9 months but you remain the light of my life. 

Love you little man,

Mama

8 Months!

Dear Cassius,

Time if flying by!  I'm actually closer to your actual month birthday this time, or maybe it just seems like it because I've been so busy.  But it's not about me, this is about you!

You are now 8 months old and, for all intents and purposes, mobile.  Just today, you learned how to push yourself back into sitting after you've reached forward and landed on your belly.  You are really, really rocking on your hands and knees.  You have just started to lift one hand and then the other (though you don't go anywhere).  The knees are next and I'm expecting it anyday.

This morning, before I left for work, I left you in one place on the rug and when I walked back in the room, you had moved over to the drum, then to the books and then were heading off somewhere else.  Watch out!

You are still eating like a rockstar.  Tonight you had your first taste of Uncle Yu's and your first bite of beef.  Of course, it was your father's favorite: Mongolian Beef.  You loved the fried rice, you even liked the mushrooms and asparagus.  You power down pretty much anything.

You still sleep like a rockstar though earlier in the week you were waking at 5:30 ready to party.  Not cool, kid, not cool.

Your smile is contagious, your clapping hands are adorable. You are the light of my life.

Mama

and just for the record... 1 year ago, you were: