Oh.... dampa

The Booger has been lucky enough to spend some extra time with his grandparents over the past month or so.

He spent time with my in-laws during my conferences, and a couple days when he was down and out sick for a week just before that. He had finally figured out how to say grandma by the time conferences were done. But he couldn't quite figure out who to call grandma- it was quite the universal grandparent reference.

This wide spread use of 'damma' continued through Thanksgiving weekend- grandpa was outside and he'd yell for 'damma'. Grandma was in the other room and he'd yell for 'damma'. Grandpa came back in and he cheered for 'damma's' return. You get the picture.

This past weekend, he stayed with my parents, so Mike and I could work on a big project. (More on the later, really, I promise.)

(Okay, so you might have to remind me...).

Annnny way.. It seems he's figured it out.

He woke up one morning asking for 'damma'.

And rode home from daycare that night saying "ohhhh.... dampa!"

Keeping my fingers crossed that these terms of endearment don't morph into another two syllable word that starts with 'dam....'

Oh the joys!

through the looking glass

The Booger has been ever so observant lately and has found a new past time---

Watching traffic waaaay down below our hotel we stayed at when we went to our cousin's wedding in Chicago.

Seriously dad, how'd they get down there?

COOOL!

There has been a lot of work across the street from our house, constructions vehicles and big trucks have been around for the past week. And the Booger is more than happy to watch it all.

Mom, come look!

Hmmm?

And over here?

And to greet each and every bull dozer, dump truck, and construction worker...

I have oh so much to share from the last busy month. I have been busy bein' a good teacher and doing silly things like report cards and lesson plans, and the Booger has been busy growing and learning and being cute as ever! Stay tuned :-)

Some new developments

The Booger has been oh so busy lately growing and learning a million and five things and I've been so busy enjoying it that I haven't much kept track of some of these little milestones in my boy's life. Thought I take a quick recap of his latest abilities.

1) No tears at day care in the morning (and this with a recent change in venue!)

2) Walking like a champ- can even stand up without pulling up on something

Up, up

and away!

3) A sudden ability to hold and actually drink out of his sippy cup!

4) An unending curiousity about everything. He asks "a dat?" (translation: what's that?) no less than 1,000,003 times a day. To which we answer every time. Cause that's why we're here.

He's recently begun exclaiming something else too, but I'm not sure quite yet what exactly that something means. He also says "hi", "dada", "mommmmmma", something in the nature of "I want" or "I need", "uh oh oh oh" (often just before he throws his cup or spoon on the floor...), might also say"outside"..? It resembles "what's that" but is a wee bit different... And he might say "I got!" from time to time. Hey, I'm a mom, not a translator...

5) He can climb on his little baby scooter thing a ma jigs...

Practicing inside (with no clothes to trip on...?)

Showing off outside- with clothes on...

But he can't quite ride them...

Sorry bubba- had to share this one...
he's fine if you're concerned

6) He knows animals make noises- and will growl at any animal or picture of an animal he sees. Even ducks.

7) He knows you say 'hi' on the phone- any phone he gets his hands on, he puts it to his ear and says "hi"! He has also been known to use any given object as a phone throughout the day and says "hi" to it too!

8) I think we've achieved a solution to the seemingly endless diaper and laundry issue. My washer thanks the makers of Silk!

9) His paci is officially retired. With no dramatic issues (except for Saturday morning when Momma can catch an extra half hour of zzz's if she gives it to him while they cuddle. Yes, it's worth it.)

10) He throws a terrific toddler tantrum. Need I say more?

Oh, and he's driving. Yes, I know, he's advanced. We're hoping he can reach the pedals by the winter. Then he's getting a cab. Gotta earn his goldfish crackers!

It was a good try

Last night, my sister called. Not really a shocking event by any means, but most of the time (thanks to unlimited verizon-verizon text messages! woo!) we text back and forth for a few hours instead of sitting down for a friendly chat. It works well- we can accomplish things and tend to all the kiddos, make dinner, check email, sometimes talk on the phone with someone else. I think we both figured this ability to multi task was why we texted instead of talked...

Let me replay our conversation for you... maybe slightly embellished but to the best of my memory ... and you decide why we don't 'talk' often.

Me: Hello there!

Barb: Hey, figured I could call since we were both around anyway. I think I have a sig...

(call dropped...thanks for her lack of signal inside the house)

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(Musical ringing)

Me: Hello again.

Barb: Sheesh- I had five bars when I dialed...

Adam: WAAAAA- GIVE ME FOOD!

Sarah & Jacob: chatter, chatter, chatter (undecipherable over the phone)

Barb: He's got no problems eating- he's a chunker, gained around 2 pounds already!

Me: Good for you both, way to go buddy!

Adam: WAAAAA, don't forget I'm here!

Barb: Get your cup, I'll get your milk. (pretty sure she wasn't telling me that- she's a nice hostess and all, but don't think passing milk or cups for that matter over the phone will work very well)

Sarah & Jacob: chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter

Barb: Here's your milk. (I know I did not give her a cup, so it's not my milk..)

Sarah, Jacob, & Adam: chatter, WAA, chatter, WAA WAA, chatter

Barb: (laughing) I guess I should let you go, sorry!

Me: (laughing harder) I think I just remembered why we don't talk much! I love you have fun with the kiddos!

Barb: Feel free to keep texting- it's much quieter that way and you then won't have to decide when I am talking to you and not the three cute as could be ankle biters around here.

Me: Okay, love you! Kiss your kiddos from their favorite aunt.

Barb: You too!

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Thank goodness for technology!