Happy Baby

Bryce is loving life!

Bathtime Chaos

This is how we take our baths now-a-days.  We get a real kick out of each other's mischief causing antics and giant splashes.

It's also next to impossible to keep either one of us in the bath.

B is still a little chunker.  Cute!

And I am forever inventing Superheroes.  This one is "Splash Man."  Thanks Mom for adding a few extra bubbles before taking pictures.

Eight Months Old

Mom says she JUST posted my Seven Month blog entry yesterday didn't she?!
Well whatever, Mom.  I'm on the move and cannot be stopped.  Here I am doing my new favorite thing - Climbing!  Other favorites include:
Person - Cole
Food - Apple/Maple puffs
Toy - balls, straws and anything Cole shares with me
Song - 1,2,3,4 By Plain White T's
Time of Day - Morning
Activity - walks or rides in the car
Friends - Sydney and KK
T.V. - I do really like those big talking heads on CNBC
Book - Frog and Toad
Syllable - Da Da Da Da Da Da.  I'm also saying something similar to "Hi"

I'm still more on the serious side and like to think things through.  I'm now very demanding and NOT at all a fan of any kind of alone time.  I'm great at feeding myself and grabbing little or big items.  I'm also great at crawling and cruising around on furniture standing up.  I'm working really hard at climbing, but that is pretty tricky.  I'm a great singer, although Cole thinks my singing is hilarious and not especially pleasing.  I'm still a world class sleeper and a fantastic eater.  My allergies are still a pain, but I'm working through them slowly but surely.  I'm really excited to be able to go to daycare in just 4 more months.  I absolutely love going there to pick up and drop off my big brother so January can't come soon enough for me.
Here's to growing up!

Busy B

Cole has had a big first week of Pre-K.  Don't think he's the only one doing big things around here though!  I figured out how to pull myself up this week and I've been busy getting into a whole new level of trouble!  Like my big brother, I love being naked.  I also love taking apart anything Mom has organized - like all these books in my room.  I spent about 15 minutes taking each one out and throwing it on the floor.  It takes time to create chaos!

I've also been playing with that kid who lives in the giant mirror in Mom's room.  He's a good looking dude!

Gimme Five, Man!

I'm almost impossible to hold, dress or change.  I'm very strong and cannot be bothered to sit still ONE bit.

Lookout Mom and Dad!  I'm busy!

Back To School!

Today's the BIG day!  I was so excited to get up and get ready to go back to PRE-SCHOOL!  I have to admit that I was really bummed when I found out that Mrs. Herzog was not going to be my teacher for life, but Mom explained that she teaches only little kids and now that I'm a big 4 year old, I'm too cool for that 3 year old stuff.  Besides, I really like my NEW teacher and she thinks I'm cute so I'm set. 

As a bonus, I got to be the first snack helper in my class!  Mom packed my backpack full of treats for Tuesday and Wednesday and we brought a GIANT cookie that said "Back to School" on it for today.  I'm glad she didn't try to make me carry 40 juice boxes, the snacks were enough for me.

Lookout world!  I'm ready to LEARN!

Love

This post is dedicated to love.  First, a shout out to Papa and Mama Vandy who have officially been hitched for 5 years today.  All that love has built an incredible family and a wonderful life.
Second, in honor of this milestone, B and I got to spend the evening with someone else who loves US to bits and pieces - Grandma!  She hung out with us while Mom and Dad went on a date.  Lucky us, eh?

Grandma was impressed with B's motor skills.  She worked hard with me on the little walker she gave, so it was only natural to put the little man on it straight away.  He loves it! 

We got to spend the day shopping with Grandma on Saturday for Back to School stuff.  B is getting slightly jealous that he doesn't get to go, but he'll be there soon enough.  Speaking of jealous, that little man has his first cold and will NOT let Mom out of his reach lately.  He gets really mad when anyone or anything gets in between he and Mom snuggles.  Yeesh Kid!

Men at Work

Dad has been looking a little bored lately, so he decided to tackle yet another big project around Vandyville - the terrible back deck.  Of course, I am the best helper a Dad could ask for.  My #1 job is to pick up the scrap wood (with Mom's help) and make sure it's out of the way.

I'm also really good at quality control.  I make sure I ask Dad a kazillion questions to be sure he knows exactly what he's doing and why he's doing it. 

I also test any tool he'll let me use.

It's hard work, but we Vandy men don't mind!

The best job I got was sweeper!  I have mad sweeping skills.  I like to pretend it's a combat sport.

Never miss an opportunity to show your moves.  That's ninja rule #236.

Mom says I have curling potential.  Whatever that means...

I may have thrown a few dance moves into the mix as well.  It's good to keep the neighbors guessing.

I worked so hard I earned a treat. 

I know what you're thinking and I'm sorry, but I don't do kitchen floors.  My Dad needs me and I've got to save all my time and energy for Vandyville.

Last Week of Freedom

Well it's the last week of Summer Vacation.  How did that happen?  Mom let me squeeze in one last sleepover with my good bud Parker.  Of course we included B in the fun.  I love that kid!

He thought he was pretty cool to be one of the big guys.

We had every intention of being good and going to sleep after our movie.  Unfortunately, one distraction after another led to an awesome fart contest at about 11:30pm.  Dad was not as amused as we were and we almost got seperated!  We did finally doze off around midnight.

Can you believe Parker woke up at 5:30am?!  Bryce got up to keep him company.  What a good host.  I was out cold until 8. 
Thanks for coming over Parker!  I sure did have a great summer with you and can't imagine ending it any other way.

Conversations With Cole

Cole:  What are those red things in your eyes Mom?
Mom:  What red things?!
Cole:  Those red things (tries to point directly in Mom's eye)
Mom:  Ouch!  Honey, I don't have red things in my eyes!
Cole:  Yes you do!  You have red lightning bolts.
Mom:  Oooooh...  Well those are what grown ups get when they're very tired all the time.
Cole:  Oh.  I'm tired all the time too Mom, but I don't have lightning in my eyes.

Happy Tummy, Happy Baby

Mom and Dad finally stopped feeding me pears and my face and legs are almost all clear.  I've been SO happy this weekend.  I've been talking and singing and having a fantastic time with Mom and Cole while Dad was at work talking clients off the ledge after the Asian Markets collapsed.  You might think a baby wouldn't know about the world of finance, but when CNBC is on 24/7, you tend to pick up a thing or two.  Plus I'm really sharp :)

Here I am doing one of my favorite things with my favorite person.

Mom can't stop smoochin my cheeks lately.  I guess I can see why.

And I bet you can't guess who this is at 7 months!

Solitary (but not really)

Now that B is mobile, I've had a few toys confiscated - like my hundred mini magnets.  What gives?!  I begged and begged and Mom finally let me play with them in Bryce's unused playpen. 
Oh, and I'm not really in here alone.  That's my friend "Ghosty" beside me.  He's been around all the time these past couple of weeks.  Mom says he's my "maginary" friend, but I made him up and I don't even know what that means so I don't agree with it.  Ghosty is a cool dude and an excuse to ask for extra treats :)

Motorin'

Now that I'm able to get my hands on most things I want, I am LOVING life.  My big brother likes to stay close to make sure the things I want are not things he wants drooled on.

We have a great time together.

I'm a big fan of my tongue these days.

Like my brother, now that I'm going I can't be bothered to stop and do silly things like eat, get changed or snuggle.  Who needs that?!

Lookout world, I'm a man on a mission!

I am also working very hard on cruising.  Thanks Grandma for the little walker you gave Baby Cole.  It's coming in handy this time around too.  Mom and Dad were banking on a calm "laid back" baby.  HA!

Happy Birthday Mama Vandy

Here in Vandyville, we really know how to treat our Mom right.  Since today is her birthday, we let her sleep in and have been really good boys ALL week.  We gave her the exact gift she asked for, and even threw in a singing Spongebob Squarepants birthday card for her listening pleasure.  Even though she's pretty old, she's still our #1 girl and we make sure knows how much we love her everyday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM YOUR TWO BEST GIFTS EVER MOM!

As a bonus, Cole accompanied Mom on her run today.  You never know when these old ladies might break a hip or something...