"Well Looky What We Have Here!"

Oh, I think I see something... is it.....?





Yay! My first big snowfall ever! I hear so much about the "greatest snow on earth" and how awesome it's supposed to be, and man, I can't wait to see. Let's go check it out.....




Dang. It's cold. What a disappointment. I tried to muster a smile but I just couldn't. Dad took a picture when he woke up this morning and it looked like this...




Sheesh. Everyone here says snow is soooo great, but I'm gonna have to call "B.S." on that one. Here's another view:



Just get me inside already. I definitely couldn't be happier about going to Arizona tomorrow. Christmas in the desert southwest- now there's an idea.

So I'm gonna switch gears here a little bit. Here's me and aunt Katie at Thanksgiving time. She really liked holding me. I have no problems with that:







Switching gears again, it's.... 80's FLASHBACK TIME!!!!! This is where we try to figure out who looked the most like me as a baby. The winner gets $10,000 and a trip for two to Cancun! Our first contender is my mom, circa 1986:


Here she is, showing an early preference for her favorite kind of shoes. Definitely some resemblance.




Our next contender is my dad, in a picture taken in March of 1984:






Truly a sight to behold, but I think we can do even better. Here's my uncle Owen, in 1989:

And I think we have a winner! Too bad he can't claim his prize though.*



*Contest open to current U.S. residents only. Void where prohibited. And in Newfoundland. So there.

I Am Baby, Hear Me Roar

Just a few new things for everybody tonight. Sometimes I get really amped up, and I start growling:




Then tonight, I was having some tummy time, only I rolled over, so I was on my back... obviously. So out of nowhere, dad decides do some impression of a southern black woman telling me to go to bed. It's not bad, considering he's getting over a cold. And I don't know why, but it was darn near the funniest thing I have ever heard. Mom had the presence of mind to grab the camera and caught it all on tape:





Something tells me I'm never going to learn political correctness in this house.
And I've saved the freakiest part for last. There's this thing in our house... that has a baby inside it, and he looks just like me. He's a good lookin' kid, anyway:

"Just Greenery And Humid Air"

So it turns out I never did post an update from California. Just way too much going on. And can I say, a 12-hour drive was way more than I bargained for. I definitely had a few moments in the Mojave desert that I'm not proud of. And then there was the poop explosion in a parking lot in Yorba Linda. But lemme tell ya- all things considered, what a great trip. I met tons of new family members...

(my dad here with his mom and her mom)


(my great uncle Dennis and great aunt Linda)

saw the ocean for the first time (albeit at night):

(from the end of the Oceanside pier)

....visited 3 new states, and most importantly just enjoyed the comparatively warm weather.
I loved walking around outside. Unlike here, all of the trees at grandma's house still have all their leaves, if you can call them that. Some pretty strange plants down in those parts. Palm trees, citrus trees, plumeria flowers, that one tree with the purple leaves... crazy, I tells ya. Let's not forget that I spent almost a whole day with my grandma while mom and dad went up to Balboa Island. They told me it would be really boring so I should stay and have fun with grandma. Sounds like flawless logic to me. I was sad to leave that place, and I could tell mom and dad were too. Just a few lyrics in memory of the trip...

"Been on the road a while
I gotta get back to a place with style
Hang out, havin' fun
I gotta get back to the beach and the sun

Southbound I-5
Windows down and music on the stereo
I'm drivin' and I'm dreamin'
There's no place I'd rather go"


And guess what, gang, I'm four months old today! This was me, four months ago, having a close encounter with a camera flash.



Ah, how time flies. I think my fans will agree that I photograph much better these days:



That's from this morning. If you look at my shirt, you'll notice the drooling problem I'm dealing with right now. It's a little embarrassing.
I went to the doctor yesterday for shots (I recommend against those, by the way) and a checkup, and the winning numbers are....
15 lbs. 12 oz. (70th percentile)
25 inches long (56th percentile)
43 cm head circumference (72nd percentile)

Yeah, I don't like to brag, but, you know, that's a pound above average for my age. I'm just sayin'.
I think that about brings us up to speed, although there are some pictures I don't have, which I know were taken, of me and other relatives, so hopefully I can get some more for the next post. Until then, stay warm out there.

"Get Into The Car And You Point It At The West Coast"

To start off, I'm pretty stoked about next week, when I get to go on my first official big road trip. When the sun goes down on Monday we're heading to St. George for the night, then driving on down to the Golden State for Thanksgiving. I hear the weather's gonna be pretty good, and something about turkey, which from what I can gather is something really good that everyone keeps raving about. I didn't really gather much more than that. At any rate, I'll be posting next from Vista, California- a northern suburb of "America's Finest City", hence the Mates of State lyric that is the title of my post today.

But that's not all, friends, no, not by a long shot. The last couple of days have been especially noteworthy, because here's why. A couple nights ago I was SUPER ornery, not unlike last Saturday night. Somehow, it wasn't any more fun than that time, but when my dad tried to put me to bed, I was so frustrated and fidgety- and I don't know really how I did it- that I rolled over! It was way freaky at first, but I've been able to replicate this feat several times since then, including the next morning when mom came to get me out of bed, and I looked like this:





So mom took a picture. I always sleep on my tummy, even though that's supposedly not the right way anymore. I'm over it. I just won't tell my doctor, since mom and dad haven't. As you can see, I definitely rolled onto my back after I woke up.
I'll admit, I feel very pleased with myself.

It's My Party And I'll Cry If I Want To

Hey guys, me again. Ready for some edge-of-your-seat, nail-biting action this week? Well so am I:





But, sadly, that is not exactly what we've got on tap. Just funny stories and goofy pictures. First we go to Saturday night. I really got myself into a heap of trouble, let me tell you. Worse than a blowout in a blizzard on a mountain grade. My mom and dad got invited to a surprise birthday party all the way out in Saratoga Springs. They were asked to bring a box of ding-dongs to contribute, and I got to hold it on the way there:




Only part of the box is in the frame, so it just says Dongs. That's awkward. So anyway, we got there, and it was before the surprise, and some older kid, maybe like 2 or 3, blew a noisemaker right at me as soon as we got inside. That did it. I turned on the sirens and the waterworks and I was going at full bore for about half an hour, before mom and dad decided to give up and go home. And as soon as I got in the car, I was quiet. For the whole way home. Take that, mom and dad, for trying to have some semblance of a social life.

In other news, I've been enjoying some quality tummy time while dad's been at work. These were taken close together, and they illustrate just how moody some babies can be. One second I'm confused, worried, not enjoying myself:



The next minute I feel great, like I've had a bit too much adult beverage, and tummy time is happy hour:



Here's a video of (hopefully) an early predecessor to crawling. At the end I put my head on my arm and rest a while.



And to wrap things up, this one was taken today, around the same time as the picture up top:



Also, happy birthday to my mom tomorrow! The big 23. A year ago today, I was a still-unknown little embryo, and none of the three of us had any idea what we were getting into.

Wet Roads, While Dangerous, Are Certainly Intriguing

Well, here we are again, folks. So after Halloween it got pretty cold and it rained a lot, which I've only ever seen once before, but this time I sat with dad by the front room window and watched it, and watched... mom managed to get me to turn my head away enough so that she could get a picture of how fascinated I was by it all:




I have slightly more control of my hands these days. They've been hard to tame, but I'm finally making some headway. And, as a prelude to getting my first "solid" food in about a month, I've kept up practicing eating the very same hands I just mentioned. It's terribly convenient and an easy pastime. I mean, it's not like I got a whole lot else goin' on. Anyway, the darnedest thing happened the other night. I was trying to have a bite, and my bib was in the way and WOULDN'T MOVE! I have to wear that dumb thing because my drooler has been working overtime the past few weeks, and it's really overstayed its welcome. Note my frustration in the following clip:






And here's a still of my exercise in futility:

Pit Stop

Today I saw a ladybug for the first time. While at Sunflower Market, mom was picking out some kiwis when she saw a ladybug crawling on one. She picked it up to show me. It was pretty dang exciting. Sorry no picture.

And its been 3 months today since I made like a baby and headed out.

Various And Sundry Things

Hey gang. I've been on the road a while, and it's good to be back to reconnect with my public. We had Halloween this week, so I'll get to that first. This is me in my trick-or-treat onesie, my leg warmers that mom made for me, and the socks from Grandma J that say "hocus pocus" on them. I also had my fingers inextricably tangled up, and I was so engrossed that I didn't realize the picture was being taken, but what else is new:




Mom and dad carved pumpkins one day when I was taking a nap, and really enjoyed it. It was all I could do to keep them from carving me into a jack-o-lantern too, but reason prevailed and they merely dressed me up as one. Then we all sat out on the porch for a photo op:




Then yesterday we hit the road for my first trip up Provo canyon. Mom and dad always talk about the fun they've had up there, so of course I went into the experience with high expectations. And boy, were they ever met! Dad put me in my carrier and we went on a super hard-core 1/2-mile hike around the grounds at Sundance. I saw so many trees and cabins and streams, and little wood bridges. We definitely have to go back again:




It got a little cold though, and it was getting dark so we went home. It was too bad since I was enjoying our outdoor excursion so much. But I guess it's kind of like warm bottles and naps and shootin' the crap with dad when mom's in class... they all come to an end. It was a happy time though, all of us up in the mountains and such:




And here's me with mah bear:

A Few More From Yesterday's Adventure

My still-developing brain forgot a couple things from yesterday. First, I sat on a really big pumpkin:



And then I saw some of nature's pumpkin pie:




All you need is some cinnamon and a pie crust and you're good. Mmm.....

A Long Way From Home

Well, guys... quite the adventure today, lemme tell ya. I went on my longest road trip ever- all the way to Salt Lake County! Mom found out about a really cool pumpkin patch in South Jordan, so we went and I thought it was going to be awesome. I guess it was, except for the fact that is was really windy. I had to hide inside my carrier almost the whole time, and I wasn't very happy when I was outside of it:



It was in a really big field, as you can see here, and that's the spire of the Jordan River temple in the background:




Mom and dad had fun, so I tried to be a good sport. I guess I did ok, because after a long time, they finally put me back in my car seat, which is much better than being out in the wind. Plus I look a lot cooler:



One more of the biggest field I ever saw. Way bigger than my backyard, that's for sure.

Half My Age Plus Seven (Months)

Well hey everyone, I know it's been a while. Lots going on these days. I've been learning new things, meeting new friends, going through diapers at breakneck speed... the list goes on.
In keeping with the birthday theme, I went to my first birthday party last week. That was great, because it's kind of hard for me to meet girls my own age, but there were three at this party, and the oldest one- it was her party- she just turned one. So, y'know. I'd say that's in range. But moving on, it sure has been cold lately. Mom and dad had to go pass out flyers in the neighborhood for some church thing... I don't know, but they made me go with them, and it was really cold out. They must have put on all my clothes at once, because I looked like this:


"I can't put my arms down!" (name that movie, anyone?)


Speaking of the cold, my dad broke the ice scraper, whatever that is, last spring, when I was still, um, fermenting. He got a new one and decided that the brush on it could straighten my hair. I think the look on his face and my disinterest say it all:



One day when it was kind of nice out, mom took some pictures of me, and this is the close-up that catches my good side. I wish I could lift my head higher:



I look like one of the seven dwarfs or something. Seriously. I can't explain the crossed eyes either. Maybe it's not my good side... moving on....

I said I had learned some new things... one of them happened today, when mom was in the shower. She put me in my bouncy chair for the duration, and taught me how to grab onto one of the hanging toys that have been so elusive in the past. Only, she didn't teach me how to let go. (remember my kung fu grip from a couple of posts ago? I wasn't kidding.) So when she came out of the shower, I still had my fist around one:



For my next trick, I shall put my whole fist in my mouth... or maybe just have a snack while I'm watching the tube:




And lastly, but not leastly, or whatever... this one's from a few weeks ago, but you get the gist:

I've Had a Birthday, Shout Hoorray

To start things off, here's another, (slightly) better picture of yours truly in the famous blessing outfit. Mom wasn't satisfied with the others. I look like I am speaking French, oui? "1-2-3-crack! New egg!"



So yes, uh, it's official. I'm two months old as of Saturday morning. I went to the doctor on Friday and they said I've gained weight, which is supposed to be good, so now I'm 12 lbs. 14 oz., and 23" long. It's pretty awesome, really. I was really bummed that it rained all day Saturday though. And it was COLD when I was outside today with mom and dad. That's never happened before, and I hope it never does again.
I've made another discovery. Whenever I do gross things in my diaper, I always get taken to the same place, where there are some amazing animals on the wall.



I always try to run and catch them, but I haven't succeeded yet.



Mom wonders why I poop myself so much... it's cause I miss my animal friends. She and dad are the only people I know, and quite honestly, they aren't always that fun. I mean, work? School? Sleep? What about MY NEEDS? Like tippin' back a cold (warm?) one at the end of a hard day:



::BURRRP::


Enough said.

Bugs On The Windshield

I woke up Thursday morning and I had some trouble seeing the road, you might say. My mom came in and fixed it (turns out my eye was stuck shut) but I still looked like this:



I'm getting better, but in any case, martial arts is a little too much of a contact sport for me. It's true what they say- the worst part of a fight is the day after.

Another career option I've been considering lately would be that of a professional runner. From watching the Olympics, it looks like all you have to do is kick your legs back and forth really fast, and once I learn to hold my own weight on my legs, you just put the two together, and there you go. I've already got the first part down, as you can see:



And if I can't get the running thing down, I might try cycling.

Mid-week (or so) Update

Sometimes I even surprise myself with how cute and goofy I can look in pictures. First the surprise:


Now the cute goofiness:

By Popular Demand

Have Diaper, Will Travel

It's Sunday again. Last Sunday I was blessed, at least that's what they tell me. All kinds of people came to see me that weekend, but as for the blessing itself, I slept through the entire process. Apparently it was important enough that grandma J stayed up to finish making me the snazzy little number you see me wearing here:


Looks like I blinked.


In other news, I've been wondering if truck driving is really my calling in life. I've been doing some soul-searching on this, and I think I might have the chops to make it as a martial arts teacher. I mean, I was practicing last night:

And I was like, "be careful or I'll mess you up with my kung fu grip!"
I'll let everyone know if I come up with any other alternate occupations. No matter what, though, I'm goin' places.

Sleeping At The Wheel

My parents, especially my dad, think they are SO funny. Or more accurately, they think I'm so funny. I really don't get it. I fell asleep in dad's lap and he and mom took this really immature and sloppy video of me when I was asleep. I guess I kind of snore, which is supposed to be funny when someone as young as me does it. I'm not sure I have a real good grasp of this "humor" thing yet. But this video made mom and dad laugh.



More news tomorrow.

Blowouts And Other Road Hazards

There's one skill that I just don't seem to have yet. Sometimes I hear mom and dad saying something about a "potty" and then there's a word after that which sounds like "train" which I know is the noisy thing that lives 2 blocks south of our house, and runs by and shouts a lot, especially early in the morning. I think whatever they're saying has something to do with what happened to me today.
Dad was feeding me this morning because mom was still really tired (I don't know why. I let her sleep at least 5 hours straight last night.) I nearly always poop when I'm being fed. Better out than in, I say. But today was different, and especially embarrassing. I pooped as usual and when I felt an unusual warm sensation up my back, I gave dad a big smile. He smiled back, because that's what we do these days since I discovered this social trick. Anyway, he seemed happy enough, but then he turned me over and looked at my back and he wasn't smiling anymore. He got up really fast and took me in my room and took all my clothes off and held them between two fingers on the way to the washing machine. By this time I knew what had happened and I was so mortified and cold and naked that I couldn't help crying. Pretty soon dad came back and put a new diaper on me so at least I was decent. Then I pretty much forgot all about it when he put me in my swingy chair, which is basically my favorite place to be.




"Waitress! Gonna need some milk in here!"

First Day On The Job

I was born at a very young age. When I got done, I was tired. So was mom, I think.






Doesn't grandma Johnston look proud?




One of my first trips on the open road.