Mexican Water Bug

Last week for spring break, we took a family trip to Mexico. If you remember from my previous posts, I started preparing for this trip months ago when I got my passport. I put it to good use traveling south of the border to Puerto Vallarta (PV). We left on St. Patrick's day, so M&D and I all wore green shirts. It was a long day of travel since we had to drive to Dallas (my longest car trip to date), then take a direct flight to Mexico. I had a good time in the plane and slept because it was my normal nap time. When I wasn't sleeping, I had fun looking out the window and saying hi to all the passengers around me. Aunt Christy met us at the PV airport, and we all took a shuttle to the Grand Mayan, which is part of a large resort with lots of pools, restaurants, and fun things to do. I was amazed and a little frightened by the huge Mayan statues that met us in the main lobby.

The first couple of days we spent exploring the pools around the resort. There was a huge kiddy pool area where we spent most of our time. At first I was very timid about going in the water:

 

But with the sunshine dancing off the surface of so many pools and so many new things to see, touch and explore, it was hard to contain my excitement. Soon the Mexican water bug was born, and nothing could stop me from playing in the pool for hours!

...except snack time...

...and nap time... But after nap time, while M&D were still taking siesta, I had fun playing in the condo.Not only did we bring along lots of my favorite toys, but I discovered new toys and books that M&D had smuggled into the luggage without my knowing. My Mexican cache included some fun bugs to chew on, crayons and a coloring book, and a new book called "Go, Dog. Go!"

I got this balloon flower from a payaso by the wave pool.

Go, Dog. Go!

 














We ate logs of great food while we were in Mexico. Luckily two of my favorite foods are available in abundance: avocados and bananas. I ate so much guacamole that the waiters started to recognize me and ask me if I wanted to sit down for a snack. I would have obliged every time, but I had too much work to do in the pool. And to add to all the excitement, half way through the trip, Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Wills joined us. Two aunts, an uncle, new toys, bananas, pools galore...I was in heaven.
 

Surprise! It's Aunt Jennifer!

One of the mornings we all enjoyed a stroll along the beach. I liked seeing all the birds and pointed to them as much as I could. We also saw crabs scuttling back to their holes and baby sea turtles in a sanctuary waiting to be released.

After a few days, I had the daily routine down pat: cereal, sunscreen, swim, crackers (which is one of my favorite words now), swim, lunch, nap, snack, swim, bed, repeat. A few times before breakfast, I insisted on putting on my hat and coverup so that I'd be ready to go swimming right away. I wanted to maximize my time in the water!

Water bug for hire. No water needed.

Unfortunately the week came to an end and we had to fly back home. I was so tired that I slept almost the entire way back. Daddy was tired too, so we napped together in the plane:

And dreamed of sliding into the pool...

One last note about the trip home. While going through customs, the officials searched our luggage and confiscated all of my diapers. We asked why, but weren't really given a good explanation. With little choice, M&D were forced to see how I'd do without wearing a diaper. To their surprise, I not only didn't wet my pants, but I also used the potty when they held me up on the seat. I'd been starting to show an interest in potty training, but I think I exceeded their expectations. Since then, I've been using the potty and have yet to wear a diaper during the day. I do still have to wear a diaper at night because I can't crawl out of the crib to use the potty on my own. M&D are very happy that my diaper wearing days are over. They are also happy that I have a good sense of humor. April fools!

A Fond Farewell

Goodbye Old Friend

This week we said goodbye to the Civic. Mommie was sad to sell it, but it's been neglected sitting in front of the house since we got the Forester. Now it can return to an active life shuttling folks around Austin.

Chair Assembly

To replace the seats we lost, M&D got me some new chairs. I now have Oscar the owl, a big beanbag chair, as well as a kiddie Poang lounger from Ikea. I helped Daddy put together the Poang. He did most of the work while I pondered what Poang means. The lounger is a little big for me still. I can climb up into the seat, but I have to get M or D to help me down. So maybe Poang means "Swedish child trap".
This weekend we enjoyed the great weather by going to Ramsey park. I've been to enough parks now that I know my way around the equipment fairly well. I've started going down the slide son my own. It's great fun. Sometimes I perch on top and just watch all the kids running around. I also like going up and down the stairs a lot.
At home, I've started exploring the backyard while Daddy plays with Olive. I like to search for all her toys and bring them to Daddy. When I get tired of the toys, there are also plenty of sticks for me to gather. With little spring flowers starting to bloom, I've started bringing those to Daddy as well. He said that it's great practice for weeding later. Sounds fun to me!

Bubbles in the park

Try a wood chip. They taste great!

Shopaholic

Finding all the great deals

This past weekend we took a daytrip to College Station to visit Nana and Papaw, who hasn't been feeling well, so I wanted to cheer him up. We got to spend a lot of time together. We played in the living room. We ate at a new restaurant. And we visited Brothers Pond Park where Mommie, Aunt Jennifer, and Aunt Christy used to play when they were kids.
We also took a shopping trip to Sam's and Kohl's where M&D let me run around and explore. I took full advantage and picked out lots of items that I thought we should buy. However, M&D used their parental veto and decided against purchasing the 20 pack of light bulbs and the industrial sized BBQ sauce.

The Hostess with the Mostess

MLK weekend 2014 was much more memorable than my first MLK weekend because I was able to share it with so many people. Cora, Adam, Aunt Julie, Uncle Andy, Mimi, Papa, Great Aunt Judy and Great Uncle Arne all came to visit us in Texas. I had a great time playing with Cora and Adam. I liked sharing all my toys with them. They even showed me new ways to play with my toys. I had so much fun playing that you'd have thought it was Christmas.

Since the weather was pleasant, we were able to walk to the Brentwood park a few times. We had lots of fun running around, swinging, and going down the slides. Cora and Adam climbed all over the place. I tried to keep up, but I'm not quite ready for so much running. Plus, I really enjoy picking up the sticks and rocks, which takes up a fair amount of my time at the park.

Family Bounce Party!

On Sunday, we visited the Thinkery. I was much more adventurous than the first time we went back in November. Maybe it's because I had my two big cousins to show me around. Adam and I spent a lot of time exploring the baby area while Cora took a tour of the museum. Eventually we all ended up in the dance area where...Aunt Julie and Daddy hula hooped, Adam went up and down stairs, Mimi and Papa laughed a lot, Cora jumped, Uncle Andy bounced on a ball, and Mommie protected us from two much older kids sumo wrestling.

Even though we were there for over two hours, the time flew by, and we were all hungry for some BBQ.
I had so much fun with my cousins. I can't wait to see them again!

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles!

Planes!

Looking forward into 2014, M&D say that we'll be doing a lot of traveling. So to get ready, I asked them to order a passport for me. Apparently, it's not as easy as I thought, and we had to go through a lot of red tape, which is different from the tape that was on my Christmas gifts... The best part of all the tape was taking the passport photo. We were able to do it at home and it was lots of fun. Here are a few of my favorite pictures.

Hey, how you doin'?

Super cute smile

Be bold.

Cameras are fun to touch

Unfortunately, M&D said that we couldn't use any of my favorites, but they were able to use a more professional one. To see the one we did choose, you'll have to either go on a trip with me outside the country or come visit us in Couslandia.

 Trains!

Now that I'm old enough, Mommie said that I can play with the Fisher Price trains that Daddy had when he was my age. She cleaned them off for me and now the train makes regular stops around  my room, the living room, and the kitchen. I can pull the train myself, but I mostly like to take the elephant, bear, money, lion, and horse out of the train and give them tours of the house.

Choo-choo!

Automobiles!

For the past month, I've enjoyed riding around in our new car. Once I moved up to my big girl car seat, Daddy decided that it was time to upgrade from a two door coupe to something more practical. I guess he didn't like having to crawl into the back seat to buckle me in. Whatever the reason, we're all happy to have a new vehicle.

Company!

This past week, we've also been preparing for lots of company. M&D told me that in only a few days, we will be hosting the Youngs, the Gavins, and the Hansteens. They are all coming to visit at the same time! I'm so excited to see everyone. We even borrowed extra furniture to seat everyone. I have been diligently testing out Adam's booster seat to be sure it's up to snuff.

Quality testing in progress

Holiday Prep

Baby or Marshmallow?

Lumberjack Crew #3

With Christmas quickly approaching, we've been busy getting ready with gifts and decorations. To start the festivities, we went with the Sims to cut down a Christmas tree from the Elgin Chritmas tree farm. I liked looking at all the trees. There were so many that when M&D asked me which one we should cut down, I kept pointing to different ones. Luckily they were a little more decisive and we were able to pick a tree before my fingers froze. Frozen fingers? Yes, we finally got some cold weather, and I was able to try out my winter coats.

Fun with fish

With a tree purchased, we started shopping for gifts to put under it. My favorite place to shop was the holiday art bazaar. They had fun sculptures to play with, holiday movies playing, and lots of space for me to run around and explore. Mommie did most of the actual shopping while Daddy and I helped the vendors rearrange their goods. I hope everyone enjoys the presents we picked out!

Talking with my friend Manny Quinn

Zombie Walk

Walking makes me happy

Zombie Walk!!!

Since my birthday when I showcased my abilities to walk with a walker, I've been working on my walking skills. Daddy likes to call my current style the zombie walk. I tend to have my arms waving around in the air either over my head or in front of me. I think zombies are supposed to be scary, but when I do my zombie walk, everyone smiles and laughs.
I've also discovered so many things to explore now that I'm up on two feet. I like to rummage through the baskets in the living room and try to reach for things I can't see. I also love chasing Olive around the house. She usually avoids me. Maybe she's the only one who is afraid of my zombie impression.

Exploring the baskets