Snow Day!!

This is my first official meeting with snow. I'm not the biggest fan, and I much prefer looking at it from the window inside the warm house! Thankfully, my coat is so puffy that it padded my fall when I slipped on the ice! It is a bit hard to get up though....

Deep in the Heart of Texas

I have officially been to Texas now! And we went on airplanes to get there! We spent the holiday weekend in Texas visiting Uncle Marcus, Aunt Tracie and Saige. The weather was beautiful for our trip - we took outings to the park, played with lots of fun toys at Saige's house and visited the Children's Museum. From what I remember, Saige couldn't walk the last time I saw her so she was much more fun to play with this time. I actually had someone my size to talk to! Plus, she had lots of fun new toys to play with; the circus train was especially fun! I tried to show her how to slide and run around at the park, but I have to remember she is 5 months younger than me, and hasn't mastered running, climbing, and sliding as well as me yet. I hadn't been down a curly slide before now, and it was so much fun! I went on it over and over and over again. Once I got accustomed to the toddler exhibit at the museum, I had a blast! My favorite parts were bouncing on the bouncy donkey and climbing up and down the padded steps! Technically, I didn't climb down the steps, it was more like slide down on my butt!
In the evenings when we were done playing and seeing everybody, we stayed at a hotel where I had so much fun running over the bridge and looking at the fish in the water! We also got to see Mimi and Papa. Papa drove us around in a big van which every time we went somewhere I had to get used to it. The doors were so big! One of the days, we met Judy and Arne. They came a long way to visit with us and meet me for the first time. There were so many new things, including a big dog named Olive; I was sometimes overwhelmed, but for the most part I had a great time. We were certainly unprepared for the weather when we returned home. It was COLD! We have not gone outside most of the week, so Cora and I have to play with each other! Her new art easel is fun to use!

Rolling Around the House

 The new bicycle I got for Christmas keeps me very entertained when we are downstairs. I'm starting to get used to the idea of riding it, now all I need to do is grow a little bit so my feet can reach the pedals. Cora (yes, I have started saying it even though it sounds like COW-a) has given me a few pointers by letting me ride with her a few times. It's fun for the first 15 seconds, then the fun turns to grief when she continues to drag me around when it's clear I need to dismount. We play much better together these days. On a usual morning, Mommy leaves us upstairs to play while she prepares breakfast so I'm staring to get used to taking orders from Cora. On a good day, there's not much disagreement and we can get along just fine.

Now that 2014 is in full swing, all of the regular activities which took a holiday hiatus are back on schedule. Cora goes to school so I get my Mommy time once again. This past week, she took me for story time at the library. I really enjoyed it and hope that it becomes a weekly thing for her and me. The other kids are really into it; I prefer to sit in Mommy's lap and observe. Other than that, I'm getting along just fine, and when I'm not rolling around I'm running around in my new shoes saying hi to people. The new shoes are going well for me. I don't fall too much, only when I've been walking a long time and my legs are exhausted. I mentioned saying hi to people - I'm quite the chatter box these days, still trying to learn as many new words as possible. It's getting easier and easier to convey my needs to Mommy and Daddy. That results in less crying although I still do my fair share of that between the new teeth nagging my gums, Mommy leaving the room or Cora stealing a toy away from me.

The Opening Extravaganza

I am quite the present opening expert now that we have celebrated another Christmas! On Christmas morning, we woke up like normal, but instead of coming downstairs for breakfast, we found that Santa had delivered gifts under the tree! I wasted no time in having Cora point out the presents that were for me and ripping into them! This year, I was much more interested by the toys than the paper. I got a tricycle, new shoes, a tractor and some miniature animals.
I gave a great Christmas present to Mommy and Daddy this year. I have finally realized there is a different between yes and no. When asked if I want something, I can decide for myself and not make Mommy and Daddy guess. That makes them very pleased. I've also gotten two more bottom teeth over the holidays, which gets me closer and closer to using my mouth normally instead of chewing everything between my top teeth and two bottom teeth!
A few days after Christmas we enjoyed a short trip to Virginia to see my cousins! I enjoyed all the attention and spending time with the family. I certainly kept everyone entertained, especially when I dressed up in Cora's tutus!