This Week without Dad

This week Matt went to California for business and stayed til Friday. Tommy and I were lucky enough to have Shilo and Dylan stay with us. This was so Autrey could do the final packing and drive here on Friday with Mimi and Papa. They officially moved to Euless, Texas this weekend!

Tommy playing earlier last week...


Here are some examples of fun! Tommy loves to play the 'pano' and he knows how to make it play the programmed songs. He always hits the first one which is, "Beyond the Sea" He's probably the only 17 month old that would recognize THAT song! He also has some new dance moves!

The heat has been driving us crazy (!) so I made this finger paint for him to play in. He enjoyed it for a few minutes, but he really hates to be any kind of STICKY.

Painting the table...

Tommy telling the story of Daddy fixing the fence-with lots of hand motions for effect!

Tommy really loves Dylan (6 1/2 mos.). He'll do his own thing now and then, but randomly come up and 'play with him' which means look at him...

give him a toy...

or give him a hug! This video is super cute!

Tommy found Dylan's diaper and thought it was So funny for some reason

Tommy said 'Ear' (Dylan is such a good sport!)

He was also caught IN the jumper with Dylan! I still don't know how he fit in there but poor Dylan was getting squished and he let us know it! It was too funny but I didn't get a picture because I was really worried about Dylan....His crazy cousin! I'm sure he'll get him back some day!

On Thursday we went to the splash park with some friends but we showed up a little too early. We didn't realize the water didn't come on until 10:05. There was a little league football team practicing and that became Tommy's full interest....even after the water turned on! ( He can now count to 3 and usually does this when he's about to throw a ball, or get down from a chair. Most of the time it's just 'onnnee, twoooo' and then he's off, but one morning he said 'Threeee!' or 'phreee' is more like it ;)

He can understand so much now, as well. I asked him to put my phone in the diaper bag and then I went to get some snacks ready in the kitchen, before leaving for the splash park. I then looked into the leaving room and saw him playing with some toys, and figured it was on the floor somewhere. I asked him, Where's mommy's phone? and he went to the hallway where my bag was and pulled it out of the pocket I usually put it in!

He had to have been thinking "In the bag, where you wanted it, duh mom!"

He's getting so big! sniffle sniffle

He also says 'NOPE" and usually it's the answer to any questions we ask him...funny MOST of the time!

On Thursday Mimi and Papa drove up to then fly to St. Louis, and they bought Tommy this awesome Pirate water table. He LOVED it, even before the water was in it. We waited til Daddy came home to put it together.

So proud of himself that he got up on the chair and happy as a lark!

Daddy's Homecoming...same result

Matt came home on Friday, and then we headed straight over to Shilo and Autrey's new apartment to unload!

On Saturday morning Tommy was able to get his water table set up. (It was Dad's idea to put it in the kitchen)

Tommy had to do some measurements too while his table was being put together.

On Saturday night Uncle Autrey helped Tommy do some hammering.

And on Sunday we went to church, said goodbye to Mimi and Papa, and then said "see you later" to Autrey, Shilo, and Dylan! It sounded a little strange to be saying that at first, but we are really excited to have them so close. Especially since Shilo and I get to go see Twilight together! Hehehe

17 Months!

The time is flying by with our little man! Here are some things he's doing right now:
*Tommy is wearing size 5 diapers.
*He still takes 2 pretty good long naps, as long as nothing changes his schedule. Church and storytime only allow for one nap and he tends to be pretty cranky come 5:00.
*Occasionally he'll drag his blanket around with him, looking like Linus.

*He is talking up a storm! When he walks into a room you are in, he says Hi!

*When he gets hurt, he comes to me crying, while pointing to what hurt him and tries to talk about it. He also tells it no, no!

*When he wakes up in the morning or from a nap, he yells 'Momma!'

*He will randomly come up and give me a hug or a kiss- I LOVE IT!

*He still loves loves loves the park, and is liking the splash park more.

*He has liked airplanes and trains for awhile now. When he hears the train by us he says, Choo Choo, and points.

*Right now his fascination is with tools. He loves daddy's tools and so we finally bought him a set of his own (pics below ;)

*He loves to sit in any chairs, especially our table chairs. He can now crawl onto them and sit on the edge. He is so proud of himself when he does this and grins with glee as he swings his legs back and forth.

I was trying to get pictures of all of his hair, which is really coming in. I got these photos first!

We went to the splash park on Thursday and he really enjoyed it! He's playing with adorable Isabelle, knocking on this sign, and then peeking under it.

You have to love this pic!

On Thursday Tommy helped me make Oatmeal Applesauce muffins. They didn't taste that great but Tommy still ate them!

On Saturday we finally got Tommy his tools!

Sunday fun! He loves to put things on his wrist and say Bye Bye! This was Uncle Autrey's watch.

Tommy went to Nursey for the first time! They are allowed to go in at 17 months if a parent stays with them. He has awesome leaders in there and he had a pretty good time with the toys, despite some bullying kids. I had to teach my Beehives the third hour so Matt was in there and said he also had fun, especially during  snack time. ( I think Daddy really enjoyed it too ;)

Example of his love for chairs. He was squirming in his high chair during dinner. I finally took him out and walked straight over to the chair to climb right up.

 (Notice his legs are blurry in the pic-kicking with excitement!)

I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home....on the inside!

Matt went to Columbus Ohio for a week of training. Tommy really missed him and pointed to his picture during the day, saying Dadda, Dadda. That's why this video of him at the airport is so funny!

Apparantly he couldn't part from the awesome vending machines!

Matt did get Tommy's attention with this mug that lights up.

We missed you! Love you tons, honey.

Trying to Beat the Heat

On Friday night we had our friends over for dinner. Their little girl Isabelle, who is 2 months younger than Tommy, played so well with him. They thought our side table was a nice bench to sit on and take a break from playing in Tommy's tunnel.

On Saturday morning Mimi, Papa, Autrey, Shilo, and baby Dylan flew in. Here's Mimi and her boys!

Autrey and Shilo looked for apartments while Papa so graciously helped Matt fix the A/C in Matt's truck ( a MUST right now)

Tommy was a little helper. He loves, loves, loves tools, especially 'hammos' (hammers) as he calls them. Whenever we get into the car he points to the tools and ask for the hammo. And he's talking about the 3 lb. hammer he would walk around and hold if I let him! He also carried around Matt's drill and even made the noise it makes.

Mimi and Papa left Sunday night. Autrey and Shilo had to finish up some paperwork at the new apartment in Euless. Here is Autrey putting balls in Tommy's shirt!

'Nana' (Banana) for breakfast

So we were going stir crazy Monday and Tuesday and Tommy's palm tree pool wouldn't stay up so I bought this at Target. All the reviews said, "I bought this for my 18 month old and he loved it. He played in it all summer!"

It's like a splash Disneyland and Tommy really did like it. You hook up the hose to it and there are fountains all throughout it. The slide is a bit wobbly but he liked to climb on it. Dylan even enjoyed it, despite the freezing water! All in all I think it's a good and worthwhile purchase!

Taking a drink, the first of many!

San Diego-Trip #3

And last but not least, we all flew to San Diego Saturday morning for the Memorial day weekend. I tried to be selective of the pics but I didn't want to leave anything out, so enjoy!

Tommy did pretty good on the 3 hour flight. He slept the first hour and half and then kept pretty busy the rest of the time, thanks to Mimi and Papa sitting by us. He met daddy at the airport and immediately wanted to walk around with the ladybug.

Waiting with some crackers...

After getting the rental cars we ate some Mexican food in Old Town San Diego. Then we headed to the Hotel Del Coronado. Matt and I remember oohing and awing at this place when we were here for our honeymoon. (WE stayed at the Best Western in downtown San Diego almost 7 years ago!)

Mimi and Papa got a 3 bedroom Villa and it was really nice. It had an upstairs with an 'outside bathtub' on the deck. Poor Tommy fell on the stairs which left a two good size rug burns on this head ;(

One bedroom at this little door that went to a walk-in closet. Tommy and Maggie had fun with this!

First trip to the beach!

The water was SO cold!

The sand was a bigger hit than the water! Matt put a little sand on Tommy and then he started putting it on himself! I thought his little sand-covered feet were so precious!

We had to warm up in the outside bathtub after the ocean water.

Tommy was SO relaxed and mellow.

On Sunday morning we had a great complimentary breakfast. We got to sit outside with a fire pit around us. Then we rented this four person bicycle where Tommy and Maggie could sit in the front seat. ( Tommy was pointing at ALL the bikes this weekend, and saying 'bicycle' as best he could.)

Helmets were required and Tommy freaked out. Once we started riding he did okay, only because he had his binky. One of the most hilarious moments came when we had been riding for a few minutes. I see Tommy's head start to bob to the right, and then the left. I realized he was falling asleep! I came around to the front and saw his eyes closed. It was so funny because the helmet made his head so heavy that it flopped from side to side. I wanted to take a picture but I felt so bad for him, I took him right out.

Maggie was sad to lose her riding buddy so we stopped at this park. This crazy chair was pretty cool and comfy enough for all of us. Tommy stayed asleep until the last minute of the ride. Poor Matt and Danny had to pedal for Lori and I the rest of the way, as we were holding our babes.

2nd trip to the beach

I love this shark hat Mimi bought for him. I looked So cute playing in the sand!

Little kiddos working hard. Autrey is in the background building a sand bumbo seat for little Dylan.

Matt found a lady bug for Maggie!

Shilo and baby Dylan having fun in the sun!

Lori and Danny having fun without the sun!

Autrey dug a hole for Tommy and Maggie to stand in

We also walked along Orange street which had all the shops on Coronado island. There was a park near the end of the shops and as we walked up the entire park was full of people! There was a Memorial day celebration going on. It was too packed for Tommy to play so we left. Maggie got to play for a bit though.

That night, after Tommy went to sleep, Matt and I were able to go to one of the hot tubs. It was pretty cool because it had color changing lights in the water. Although, when the red came on it was a little creepy! I have forgotten how great hot tubs are and how much I enjoy them! They are so relaxing!

Monday we had another yummy breakfast and then had another little swim in the outside tub. The hotel's pools were a bit too cold that morning. Then we packed up and because our flight wasn't until 5:30 we headed to that park that was too crowded the day before.

This was Maggie saying the letters of her name as she outline the letters with her finger. Really cute! Then she left and Tommy sat down and started jibber jabbering just like her. It was too funny and too cute.

We had too much fun! Thanks Mimi and Papa!