Alex enjoys the swings at the local park. He's fascinated with the buckles on anything -- swings, car seats, high chairs. We got more pictures the next weekend, smiling and drinking as he swung away. After that, it was off to the other playground equipment. Both Alex and Mommy enjoyed the slides.
He was quite proud of himself when he figured out how to get into the laundry basket without flipping it over.
Who says beer isn't educational? Here, he prepares for a future job stocking the cooler at the local grocery store. He can also build vertical displays.
Snack time in the toddler room at his old day care.
More mileage from old toys. Believe it or not, he wanted to climb in, and was perfectly happy for the next ten minutes.
When it's time for a walk, he lets us know by 1) attempting to open the door and/or 2) bringing shoes to us. This time, it was the park again.
Mid-August or so, he learned to climb on the dining room chair. Mommy's laptop is one of his favorite (and forbidden, supposedly) toys.
We went to visit Ben (friend from day care) at his house, shown here with his older brother. They played in the sand for the afternoon, then sat down for dinner.
In Muscatine the next weekend, Alex empties the fruit bowl, then refills it with Grandpa Jim. Here, he shows us how he can grab his own foot while sitting in a chair. Granny Susan found a coloring book and taught him how to color on it (and the table, and his hands, and ....). Outside, he started his golfing (or caddying, perhaps) career. No interest in the balls, but he's quite happy swinging around the clubs.
That Friday, we visited Niabi Zoo. We saw more animals there than at both Brookfield Zoo trips combined! The baboons were howling at us before we even made it through the gate. Alex was mostly quiet for the train ride. The tunnel was a bit spooky (and dark, save for the occasional flash). Afterwards, a family picture in front of the engine, then a quick elephant ride.
The petting zoo? Well, Alex loved the baby cow, and the baby goats just loved everybody -- especially when Grandpa Jim started feeding them! We braved the bird cage, and loved the close-up views (my hat survived, unblemished!). By the time we hit the giraffe pen, some people were getting very sleepy. Random fact: some animals sleep standing up. There were three lions basking in the sun, but none of them moved so much as a foot for us.
Near the merry-go-round, we found an out-of-order ride that nevertheless gave us a great photo. The carousel was a new experience, but he caught on quickly. Then, a few final monkey pictures and it was off to the buffet for lunch.
(57 pictures in one post!)
Sunday, September 27, 2009
From July
Other pictures from July:
Alex calling in a pizza from the basement phone.
Playing with his new hammer and peg set. Exploring the tool kit, also from Toys R Us. Surprisingly, he didn't mind sharing (some of) his tools. Even Michele liked them.
Who'd have thought a flattened picnic table would be a dance platform?
Mid-July, Alex got a ride in his bike trailer. He's also rediscovered a few of his old toys in the basement, including the bouncy chair. He can get in and out of it himself now. So far, it's held up to his abuse.
This booster seat makes a nice chair on the floor.
One weekend, we went to the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Michele found some jewelery, and Alex discovered Sky Chairs. He wore his hat most of the day and enjoyed playing with mine.
Alex calling in a pizza from the basement phone.
Playing with his new hammer and peg set. Exploring the tool kit, also from Toys R Us. Surprisingly, he didn't mind sharing (some of) his tools. Even Michele liked them.
Who'd have thought a flattened picnic table would be a dance platform?
Mid-July, Alex got a ride in his bike trailer. He's also rediscovered a few of his old toys in the basement, including the bouncy chair. He can get in and out of it himself now. So far, it's held up to his abuse.
This booster seat makes a nice chair on the floor.
One weekend, we went to the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Michele found some jewelery, and Alex discovered Sky Chairs. He wore his hat most of the day and enjoyed playing with mine.
This Blog Isn't Dead Yet....
Finally, another nap, and nothing else I have to do! (Well, mowing the lawn will be done once the sun goes down a bit.)
To set the record straight, after a few weeks of the day bed in July, we got tired of finding Alex on the floor and put the side back on. 'Round the end of August, after another weekend of him sleeping on the floor in Muscatine, we tried converting to a day bed again. This time, it worked. Alex quickly adapted his regular bedtime ritual -- bath, diaper/clothes, bottle, and brush teeth, then he climbs into bed and waves good-bye (though I suspect the wave actually means "go away"!). We then shut the door and walk away for an hour or two (opening the door later, when we go to bed). This works at least 90% of the time, and we're quite happy with it.
In the morning around 6:30-7:00 or so, he grunts & mumbles for a half-hour or so, and if we don't pick him up soon enough he stumbles down the hallway to our bed, finds us, and laughs hysterically. Again, this is quite acceptable to us, compared to crying at 3 AM!
To set the record straight, after a few weeks of the day bed in July, we got tired of finding Alex on the floor and put the side back on. 'Round the end of August, after another weekend of him sleeping on the floor in Muscatine, we tried converting to a day bed again. This time, it worked. Alex quickly adapted his regular bedtime ritual -- bath, diaper/clothes, bottle, and brush teeth, then he climbs into bed and waves good-bye (though I suspect the wave actually means "go away"!). We then shut the door and walk away for an hour or two (opening the door later, when we go to bed). This works at least 90% of the time, and we're quite happy with it.
In the morning around 6:30-7:00 or so, he grunts & mumbles for a half-hour or so, and if we don't pick him up soon enough he stumbles down the hallway to our bed, finds us, and laughs hysterically. Again, this is quite acceptable to us, compared to crying at 3 AM!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Pictures From the Past (Well, early July anyway)
For the Fourth of July weekend, we took a trip to visit the grandparents in Muscatine. While there, Alex was given a lawn mower. He loved turning the key and pushing it around. (I'm hoping he's still got this much energy when he's old enough to reach the real one!) In keeping with the lawn care theme, he got to sit on (but not drive!) the riding mower before raking and hoeing the mulch around the flowers.
He also got his very own basketball hoop complete with Nerf ball. His favorite move? Dunking the ball, then trying to find it. He also found one of my old toys, a 6-wheel car/bus/van, and a cedar rocking chair out on the porch. Wagon rides turned out to be pretty good, despite the uncertain start. I have no idea what this hand signal means, but both Alex & Granny are doing it.
Sleeping was a bit more interesting on this trip. He would only scream when put into the crib. Eventually I got tired of this, and put him on the floor (with a blanket). Oddly enough, he was perfectly happy. So, every time he slept (naps & bedtime), we put him on the floor next to our bed and slept just fine.
Once back home, I took a few last pictures of him in the crib, then ripped the side off. After reviewing the instructions, we added a few new pieces and a day bed was born. Here, he points out the carvings he made while teething. After adding a new step to the bed, it's ready for use.
Hmm, Alex is awake again. Gotta run....
He also got his very own basketball hoop complete with Nerf ball. His favorite move? Dunking the ball, then trying to find it. He also found one of my old toys, a 6-wheel car/bus/van, and a cedar rocking chair out on the porch. Wagon rides turned out to be pretty good, despite the uncertain start. I have no idea what this hand signal means, but both Alex & Granny are doing it.
Sleeping was a bit more interesting on this trip. He would only scream when put into the crib. Eventually I got tired of this, and put him on the floor (with a blanket). Oddly enough, he was perfectly happy. So, every time he slept (naps & bedtime), we put him on the floor next to our bed and slept just fine.
Once back home, I took a few last pictures of him in the crib, then ripped the side off. After reviewing the instructions, we added a few new pieces and a day bed was born. Here, he points out the carvings he made while teething. After adding a new step to the bed, it's ready for use.
Hmm, Alex is awake again. Gotta run....
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