Take A Hike!

Not really! If you went and did that, you wouldn't be able to read by latest brag-blog! I only wrote that because it was a nice transition statement into one of my most recent accomplishments: the ability to use and abuse verbs! These verbs help me to tell Mommy and Daddy what I'm doing (incase they can't figure it out for themselves): "I'm kicking," "I'm eating," "I'm throwing," "I'm running," "I'm walking," "I'm reading," "I'm playing, "I climb it" just to name a few. My verbs also help me to tell Mommy, Daddy, and Mephisto what to do: "Leave it!" & "Move (Please)!" are very useful. I also like to point out some of the things I see around me (e.g. "I see a tiger"). I like to point out that Mephisto's barking too: "He's barking!"

I've also been using my words to get what I want: "Reach," "Touch it," "Hold it," "Eat it," "Bite it" or "I bite it," "Tickle, Tickle;" "I like it," and, of course I can't leave out the three little words that seem to get me anything, and everything, "I LOVE YOU!"

I enjoy asking for, and giving, hugs and kisses, and I know how I feel and I like to express it: I like to declare "I AM HAPPY!" (and point to my chest with both of my fists). I also say "I am sad," but much less frequently. I know when someone else is tired or sleeping, but I've yet to admit that I am tired myself.

It's fun to point to Mommy and say "Hey, Hey, Hey!" or "Whooooaaaa, whoooooaaa, whooooaaa!" to see if she'll repeat it.

I'm beginning to count. I know one very well, and often shout out assorted numbers up to five.

I like to point out "dirty" or "messy" things. I was in a bakery yesterday, and noticed the messy floor. I didn't hesitate to point it out.

I am developing very good manners: I leave the room when I have to poop, and when Mommy comes in to check on me, I say "No Mommy" shake my head, and wag my finger until she leaves. I have also learned to say "Excuse me," "Please," "Thank you," and "Sorry."

I LOVE balls, magnets, pumpkins, raisins, and money. I have my own wallet with credit cards and dollar bills. I refer to my credit cards as "money" and my dollar bills as "dollars."

I find it funny to blow on Mommy's tummy and make fart sounds. It's so funny to watch her squishy tummy wiggle like a bowl full of jelly. Hey, is SHE the real Santa Claus?!

I like getting a reaction from saying: "Ding dong (insert one or more of the following words with major expression here) cheesies, raisins, pizza, beans, cookies!

You probably haven't been lucky enough to realize it, but I am the BEST dancer. I wish you could witness my moves. They kill Mommy. She thinks I'm Krumping. I dance whenever I hear music. Not only do I shake my booty, I also shake my maracas and my tambourine, and incase you didn't know, I keep a wicked beat on my drums.

I like to speak Chinese to the Chinese storeowner across the street: "Nee How!" (it gets me free raisins EVERY TIME! It has also got me a couple of other freebies, including a free hem on my coat!)

I should probably update you on the toys I'm perfecting. I'm quite good at using my shape sorter, figuring out puzzles, and using those peg boards to place shapes on top of. I'm still stacking 9 or so blocks, and I really like playing with, and eating, playdough. Playing in my kitchen is extremely fun. I enjoy slicing and dicing the food, cooking, setting the table, and pretend eating. I also like to sing, and often you'll be able to name that tune in three notes! I also like to compose my own songs...some of which will be available on my new release: "Baby Bieber."

School is going very well. I know ALL of the names of my friends at school. Mommy and Daddy have been told I sing "Oh Canada" the loudest of all of my classmates. They have also been told that I "laugh loudly" when playing with my friends. I have a group of friends who always want to play with me, and I get to hold the Canada flag during the national anthem. Just recently, I blew my first bubbles at school, and Mommy showed up just in time to witness it!

On Thanksgiving weekend I was in Port Colbourne, and I had my first hospital experience since my birth: a major ear infection. I've been a happy boy since receiving treatment.

In October I enjoyed going to the pumpkin patch and also going Trick or Treating with Mom Mom,Uncle Shane, Mommy, and Daddy. I was the Itsy Bitsy Spider. Mephisto was a bat, but he went all batty when his costume got too tight around his crotch, so we had to take him home. Eventually I had to go home too because I was just getting over a little cold, and I had a few bats in the cave (if you know what I'm sayin').

Well, sorry this post was so long, but I had a lot of updating to do. I'll try to keep you updated more frequently!

I LOVE YOU!

Image (Above): Mephisto didn't bat an eye when I demanded to wear his costume after we got back from Trick or Treating

Image (Left): I'm the king of the pumpkin patch!

Image (Left): Posing with my favourite person...er, vegetable

Image (Left): Posing with my favourite vegetable....er, person

Image (Left): Contemplating the consequences of smashing this pumpkin

Image (Left): Stalking the streets for the best Halloween haunts!

Image (Left): Hey! My fourth eye is all wonky. It's likely looking out for any noxious fumes Uncle Shane might throw my way.

Image (Left): An overly excited Mephisto. Calm down boy!

Image (Left): My spidy sense is telling me there's candy in the vicinity

Image (Left): My spidy sense is telling me there are many more pictures I'm gonna' have to pose for

Image (Left): Mom-Mom made me a pumkin cake, all decked out in spiders. Hmmm, won't eating these spiders make me a cannibal?!

Image (Left): It's time to reap my Halloween rewards

Image (Left): Enjoying the fruits of my labour

Image (Left): I know there's a treat here somewhere...where's my spidy sense when I need it?! I must've left it in my costume somewhere!

Image (Left): Happy Halloween everyone!

I'm A Smooth Talker!

At 18 months, I have more than 100 words at my disposal. This makes it real easy to convince people into getting my way...most of the time. In fact, I know the names of all of the people in my family: Daddy, Ma-Ma or Mommy, Mom-Mom, Pop-Pop, Na-Na, Grnpa, Shane, Dawn (Shawn), Lawra, Teena, and Fisto (Mephisto). I know this will come in real handy, as when each of them hear their name fall from my sweet baby lips, they will fall under my spell (I say this as I'm rubbing my hands together and grinning through my teeth).

I also know many of my body parts: head, hair, eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, tongue (open your mouth and shake out your tongue for this one. Don't forget to say arh, arh, arh, arh), arms, fingers, belly button, foot, toes, bum, and pee-pee.

My favourite numbers are three and five.

Not only am I a pro at picking up on individual words, I'm also quite good at putting my words together: "Good Morning Daddy," "Goodbye Daddy," ..."You're my favourite Daddy"... HEY, MOMMY PUT THAT ONE THERE. I don't say that...yet. "All gone," and "No more" are also said quite frequently.

You'd be happy to know that Mommy and Daddy have decided that it's finally time for me to join them at the kitchen table. I'm still sitting in my highchair, but I get to use the family table instead of the tray that used to be attached to my highchair. Eating from the family table is a real plus because it helps ensure that I get the table scraps before Mephisto. I also get to give Mephisto the scraps from my scraps. BO-NUS!!

I have some physical accomplishments I'd like to brag about too. I can kick a ball, and throw it overhand. I'm an excellent runner, and I'm doing my absolute best at jumping. I'm nearly there. I can also walk backwards. Mommy thinks I'm doing the "Moon Walk." I'd like to think she's right because I know that I'm a super-expert at spotting the moon - whether it be out in the day or night. On top of all of this, I also blow kisses and enjoy receiving eskimo kisses. I like playing chase too. It's a lot of fun for me, and fun (up to a point) for Mommy and Daddy as well.

In case you're wondering, I'm liking Montessori school. It took me three days to adjust, and then I fell into the routine quite easily (that is, I stopped crying when Mommy and Daddy dropped me off). My Teachers say that I learned my routines very quickly. In fact, after the second day of school, Mommy witnessed me walking with my hands behind my back (practicing walking in line). My Teachers have also noted that I love to sing, read books, play with practical toys, and watch the squirrels run about the playground. They've also started to encourage me to use my "gentle hands" - just like Mommy and Daddy - because sometimes I use my hands instead of my words. To help deal with my anger issues, I'm learning to say "I don't like that." I don't like that I have to learn "I don't like that," but I'm learning to deal with it.

What I DO like is singing, and my current favourite songs to sing are "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," "Patty Cake," and "ABC."

Well, I think that's enough said. If I keep up at the pace I'm going, I'll probably have a lot more to say next month.

I love you guys!!

Image (Above): Learning to fly

Image (Left): Holding an invisible football.

Image (Left): Pretending to fall.

Image (Left): Again! Again!

What's the Scoop?

I thought you'd like to hear this story: Mommy watched me one Saturday morning as I watched her filling Mephisto's bowl. Usually I help her with this process as I scoop Mephisto's food and pour it into the bowl, but today I was simply witness to the event as Mommy poured what looked like some yummy, gooey topping atop Mephisto's usual crunchy bits. My mouth began to drool at the site, so I figured I'd help myself to some of this ooey-gooey goodness. I took a cup out of my designated kitchen drawer and proceeded to fill it with Mephisto's food. Then I went and grabbed a spoon out of said drawer and proceeded to scoop the deliciousness into my mouth. Mommy caught me on film, and said one day I'd live to regret stealing from my fur-brother. I don't think that day is coming any time soon, 'cause I'm lovin' getting my hands into Mephisto's grub!

Image (Above): Diggin' in!

My Lemonade Glass is Half Full!

Now that I'm officially 17 months, summer is a little more than half way done, and I'm only a few weeks away from starting Montessori school, BUT I'm determined to squeeze every last lemon drop outta' my summer!

This past month was full of fun excursions, new experiences, and exceptional growth, and I plan to do the same this coming month!

The month of July I visited zoos (Toronto and Niagara Region), the Science Centre, Ontario Place, Niagara Falls (the actual "Falls"), assorted parks, splash pads and pools, and various ice cream stands. I even went on my first boat and swam in the lake with Pop-Pop!

My favourite form of transportation was, and still is, my Daddy's bike. Although I still dig the attention I got from "The Green Hornet" (my car). AND, if my horse "Henry Miller" would actually get off his pedestal, he just might have a shot.

This month, I began walking backwards, jumping in my crib, and climbing everything and anything in my sight. I can now climb three steps up my slide and slide down all by myself. I can also mount my horse "Henry Miller," as well as Mephisto on the odd occasion. Mommy says "odd" is the operative word.

Mommy's favourite accomplishment thus far this summer is my ability to rub noses like the Eskimoses. It's definitely one of my favourites too! I do it every night before bed. I also like to play "Row, Row, Row, Your Boat."

I've been admiring people's tummies for a while now, but it's only as of this month that I've been able to point to my own belly button. I lift my shirt and point when asked "Where's your belly button?" I'm also pointing to my nose, mouth, and teeth. I'm beginning to point to my eyes. Although, sometimes I must confess, I confuse them with my mouth. Hey, don't you go dissin' me, at least I'm in the right vicinity! It's not like I'm pointing to my hiney!

It's probably important to note that my little infatuation with belly buttons has extended beyond my own to other people's. I enjoy lifting everyone's shirt - whether I know them, or not - and taking a peek at their bellies (be forewarned!) I also like to point and say what sounds like "buddy."

On top of all this, I also like to share with everyone - again, whether I know them or not. I get a big kick outta' watching people I don't know pretend to eat what I'm offering them.

I am filling Mephisto's bowl with food, and feeding him treats (well, I feed him the treats that don't land in my mouth).

Some of the words I've enjoyed picking up this month are "Daddy," "no, no, no-ney," "ballooney," "money," "cheese," and "more." On occasion, I've been known to say "more pease." I attempt to count to three, and I also said "mommy" once or twice, but am currently more interested in "daddy." I must mention that on July 27th, I said BOTH "Mommy" and "Daddy," for the first time but then dumped "Mommy" for my main man "Daddy." This depresses Mommy and makes her feel unimportant, but she knows she's just being silly.

I have included pictures for you to take a look at from this exciting month!

Image (Above): Joyous in my jumpy castle that Mom-Mom bought me!

Image (Left): Falling for my "jumpy castle"

Image (Left): This is what I'd look like if I fell on my face one too many times

Image (Left): Mommy's pride and joy: there's no better compliment than imitation!

Image (Left): Getting my feet wet in the splash pad

Image (Left): Falling for the Falls

Image (Left): Let's face it, my family is a bunch of animals!

Image (Left): Looking at Uncle Shane (a.k.a. Uncle Fart) with adoring eyes; I admire the hat he's worn on his head for what seems like the past 6 months. I wonder if there's a rat's nest under there. Please, Uncle Shane, let me in on the secret.

Image (Left): Curling up in Mom-Mom's arms - and laying an egg to boot.

Image (Left): Daddy, don't look now, but I think that's Uncle Shane in the cage behind you.

Image (Left): Securely laying an egg in Pop-Pop's arms

Gone Wild!!

As of late, Mommy would say that this title describes me to a tee, but I'm not referring to my recent behaviour. I'm talkin' about the trip I took with Mommy, Daddy, and Pop-Pop to the ZOO! WOW; what a place! I felt right at home. I could run free, throw my food, and scream at the top of my lungs and nobody would even notice - BUT, I didn't of course, because I have complete self-control. You see, that's what separates me from my primate brothers.

Anyway, I digress. You probably want to know all about my day. Well, I rode a carousal, visited the gorillas, elephants, tigers, boas, zebras and giraffes - amongst many other animals. I roared with the lions, chased a few peacocks, became one with a sea-otter, and galloped with the gazelles. I ran my way through much of the zoo, and if I wasn't running about while holding Mommy and Pop-Pop's hands, then I was either riding Pop-Pop's shoulders or swinging with him through the trees.

Oh, and get this, I missed my first camel ride by about a half hour, BUT when I got home, I discovered a rocking horse in my backyard. YES, that's right; my own rocking horse! Pop-Pop brought it for me, and it more than made up for missing out on my first camel experience.

Ah, what a fun-filled day!

Image (Above): Taming a fierce cheetah

Image (Right): WARNING: If you see this orangutan, stay clear. His behaviour is extremely inappropriate and offensive. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Image (Right): Alice the camel has nothin' on my horse. I hear her two humps give people hemorrhoids!

She Blinded Me With Sneezes (at the Science Centre)

Yesterday Mommy, Daddy, Mom-Mom and I went to the Science Centre and delighted in many of the distractions they have to offer. I danced on this magical coy fish pond on the floor, and pulled out some wicked moves to a classical violin piece. Many people commented on my rhythm. I even had a few people take photos of me. Oh, how I LOVE the spotlight!

Throughout the day, I enjoyed playing the steel drums, making huge bubbles, playing in the water play area, and taking a walk through the "rainforest." I was a little scared of the caves. Mom-Mom attempted to bring me in and I said "Noooo!" Later on, Mommy took me through a different cave twice, and I survived (unfortunately, when we got out Mommy realized I had been walking around with a "bat in the cave!" (if you know what I'm sayin'! If you don't, you need to get hip to the analogies. That means I had a little booger in my nostril). ) How embarrassing!!! After suffering from humiliation, Mommy distracted me by taking me to this flat wooden woman who very rudely sneezed in my face! I was blinded by the air that spewed from her mouth. It was so off-putting. I couldn't believe her lack of manners! Anyway, every time Mommy opened her flat wooden mouth, she would say "ah-choo!" and then a burst of her sneeze would fly in my face. I looked at her disgusted, and tried to get away, but Mommy insisted she sneeze in my face a few times so Mom-Mom and Daddy could get a laugh at my expense. Thankfully, I didn't walk away with a cold. I did walk away with a new word though "ah-choo!"

Image (Above): Walkin' the plank

N-O, N-O, N-O Spells "No, No, No"

Mommy insisted I create this post because she was so entertained by my recent behaviour.

It all started at the grocery store: I picked up an item from the shopping cart and decided that I would work on destroying it before Mommy and Daddy got a chance to pay for it. Daddy caught me in action and said "No, No, No" and swayed his index finger back and forth. I delighted in Daddy's actions and decided to imitate him. I swayed my index finger and repeated "No, No, No." If you're not entertained, then you had to be there. It was KILLER!

Something else Mommy gets a kick out of is when I sit in my pool and recline on my beach balls. Ah, it's soooo relaxing! Again, if you're not entertained by this stunt, then you have to witness it in person. KILLER!

Happy Canada Day!

To celebrate our country's 143rd birthday, I decided to go out with Daddy and get a tattoo of a maple leaf on my chest. After said stenciling, the family went to watch the East York Canada Day parade. I did my part by enthusiastically waving our country's flag (one flag in each hand). We then took a bike ride to the park - TWICE! The first time, we ran into all sorts of familiar faces, and the second time I rode on my first Merry-Go-Round (twice)! I also rode on a train. I ended my day by taking a nice stroll to the ice-cream shop with Mommy, Daddy, and Grandpa where I delighted in some of Mommy's chocolate ice-cream cone! What a fantastic day!!

Image (Above): Waving "Hello" to Canada

My Stinkin' 15th Month

My favourite feat to date is the acquirement of my new special power: STINKY FEET!!! My "StrideRights" certainly don't smell right (in Mommy's opinion), and they leave my feet smelling deliciously disgusting! After fermenting for the day, I like to take my ripe feet out of my sandals and stick them in Mommy's face. I die laughing at the reaction. Thank you "StrideRight" for choosing to bestow me with this awesome super power this month! I can't wait to get further acquainted in July and August!

On top of adding smelly feet to my repertoire this month, I went to my first wedding (Uncle Mike's) where I danced the night away with Mommy and the rest of my family (Daddy, Mom-Mom, Pop-Pop, Uncle Shane & Uncle Shawn, and Aunt Tina). I also began walking Mephisto (I grab his leash and attempt to drag his fat behind, behind me). I also feed Mephisto my bottle, and dump two cups of dog food in his bowl each morning and evening. I'm regularly feeding myself as well. I use a spoon, and on occasion, I use my own fork. I'm in the habit of cleaning up after myself too. I mop the floor and wipe the table top of my highchair.

On top of all of these accomplishments, I'm proud to say that I can now climb up on the couch, and on occasion, when the moment strikes, I enjoy getting up on our table and dancing. Mommy hopes this is not "foreshadowing" - whatever that is.

I'm also glad to report that I get a real kick out of singing the song "Hey Baby!" I love to stop and smell the flowers on our nightly strolls, and I'm ravenous for books! I bring Mommy seven, or so, books to read to me at a time, and enjoy flipping through each one. I love repeating the words and adding my own gibberish spin on them.

Image (Above): Pretending to make sure Mom-Mom's pearls are presentable while my feet secretly vent their gaseous fumes. Three seconds after this shot was taken, Mom-Mom blamed Mephisto for farting. My secret weapons are working.

Image (Left): Mom-Mom smells the reek of my feet as they permeate the air.

Image (Left): An unsuspecting Pop-Pop eagerly kisses me as my feet slowly and silently release their noxious fumes. Two seconds after this photo was taken, Pop-Pop blamed Uncle Shane for farting.

Unfortunately, Uncle Shane admitted to farting, and hence, intercepted the smell of my feet. Vengeance is mine Uncle Shane! Vengeance is MINE!

Image (Left): Alas, vengeance was not mine on this day. Whilst I tried to release the toxins imbedded in my feet, Uncle Shane became the wiser and intercepted Mission Vengeance. He held me down and made me smell six of his rotten farts. I'm not sure I'm equipped to deal with this villain, but I'm not giving up!

When Mommy's Away, Her Boys Will Play

The last weekend in May, Mommy went away for a spa weekend with her Mommy friends, while Daddy, Mephisto and I did some serious bonding! Check out all the fun we had!

Image (Left): We worked

Image (Left): We contemplated more work

Image (Left): We played

Image (Left): We ate steak

Image (Left): We had a few drinks

Image (Left): We relaxed

I'm 14 Months!

The fourteenth month has come and gone like the wind! Ah, May! It's been a good month. Here are a few of my latest accomplishments:

*I answer the phone and hold it on top of my head

*I'm nodding "yes" and "no"

*I say "hello" to anyone and everyone. Well, my actual words are "Hi-Ya!"

*I get a real kick outta' saying "Bye-Ya!"

*I can point to, and say, "moon" and "balloon" ...on top of quite a few other words, but these are the most impressive ones

*I clap and give high fives

*I can stack 5 cups/blocks

*I am using a straw (I especially love to slurp fruit smoothies!) and I'm feeding myself with my very own spoon

*I enjoy dancing, pulling lids off containers and putting them back on, and taking my shoes off and attempting to put them back on again

*I love riding in my car, playing in my sandbox and at my water table.

*I like going to the park and riding on the swings and the slides

*I have fun playing "peek-a-boo" before bed and kick my legs in excitement before I take the covers off. I also like lifting people's shirts and checking out their tummies. Mommy's is really cute and squishy. Daddy's is...hairy.

*I'm enjoying pinching and hitting faces.

Image (Above): Stopping to smell the roses (well, petunias really) at the Riverdale Zoo.

Lucky number 13

My thirteenth month has been a good one. I've had lots of fun at the playground on all sorts of fun equipment. I love being around other babies and adults. I'm really enjoying my daycare. I love my backyard: playing with rocks, grass, plants, my sandbox, my water table, my basketball net, and my tube. I also adore my new car. It's flashy and it's green. The girls really dig it. Whenever I park it, I notice a few of them hanging around, and checking it out. Too bad it's a single-seater, or I'd stride on over with my Frankenstein stride and offer 'em a ride.

A few other notables this month:

*I'm saying "Hi."

*I'm holding the phone to the top of my head and saying "Hi," "Yesh."

*I'm dancin' like a disco duck WITH my disco duck

*I've learned how to get out of my highchair (FREEDOM!)

*I'm beginning to undress myself (in private)

*I'm drinking from a cup, and holding my own bottle.

*My bottles are 100% milk now!

Image (Above): Reachin' for the top! I've acquired the necessary wrist-action to turn door knobs! It won't be long before Mensa comes a knockin'!!

Image (Right): Hey pretty baby; get outta' my dreams and get into my car! Beep! Beep! (I've gotta' give Billy Ocean credit for that one!)