18 Months - Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!! I hope you are all getting in the holiday spirit and are gearing up for the big guy in the red suit to come and visit you soon.

 

Goodbye Warm Weather...Hello Mr. Winter

There has been a lot of stuff happening since my last update! Gone are the days of spending time at the lake, playing in my sandbox and splashing around in my pool. The cold weather is upon us now, so I have put away my sandals, shorts and t-shirts and switched them out for my winter coat, long pants, sweaters, and as much as I don't like them....my mittens. (Not to worry though, I am an expert at taking my mittens off and saying "No" as I throw them on the ground!) One thing I do enjoy wearing is my winter hat, and if you try to take it off me when I am not ready to let it go I get upset! So, it isn't a big deal to see me running around my house wearing it...check me out lounging at home sporting my winter hat:

 

Household Chores..when do I start getting paid for all of this?

I love to help out around the house as much as I can. You know, like taking the cooking utensils out of the drawer and putting them where I think they should go! I also love the vacuum cleaner so much that I got one of my very own to use around the house. (Mom says if my vacuum cleaner actually sucked up dirt, she would have the cleanest carpets in Minnesota!) So far my record is vacuuming for 35 minutes straight!

Here I am in all my carpet cleaning glory:

 

Besides helping mom inside the house, I am actually a big helper when it comes to yard work! I don't know what my dad would do without my help and supervision. Before the snow fell, I helped my dad with the fall yard work. I have my own lawnmower to use, but sometimes I need to use the big one, because after all....dad needs some help! (For some reason it doesn't make the loud noises when I use it though, only when dad does...I think he is using it wrong!)

 

Tick-or-Treat!

With the falling of the leaves, it can only mean one thing...Halloween!  This year I went as the Great Pumpkin, and I didn't mind having my costume on at all. I helped with handing out candy to everyone that came by our house, and I even got to go trick-or-treating to the neighbor's house. I didn't really understand it though, when they put a piece of candy in my bucket, I took it out and put it back in theirs...this happened a few times and everyone would laugh!

Ready, Set, SWIM!

I have been taking swim class and after this weekend I will officially be a graduate of the Tiny-Tots Swim Class! If you ask me, this class was too easy. I have never had a fear of the water, so jumping in, dunking my head and splashing was a piece of cake for me. Mom and dad took turns being in the water with me, and the only time I get upset is when it is time for the class to be over and I have to get out of the pool. Since I liked the class so much, I get to take another class so I can keep up with my swimming!

 

Thankful

Thanksgiving morning mom and I went to the Mall of America super early and did the 5k to End Hunger race. Since it was inside the mall before it opened, we didn't have to worry about the cold temps outside, so it was a perfect race, for a great cause! We raced for the Second Harvest Food Shelf that was able to donate close to $300,000.00 to help benefit the hunger relief efforts! That was a perfect start to the Thanksgiving holiday, because we have so much to be thankful for and helping others is always important!

Here we are after the race, enjoying the activities they had:

 

Reading Time

I still love reading...books, cards, the paper...you name it!

I love getting cards in the mail, and my Great Aunt Kathy never forgets a holiday, which I love! Here I am reading my Halloween card, which caught my attention and as you can see, I really get excited:

 

I also got one for Thanksgiving too, which I needed to read mid-meal! I kept the card on my tray the whole time and enjoyed reading it over, and over, and over!

 

Besides Cards, I love reading a good book, or two..ok or maybe three at the same time! One of my favorite books right now is this big book called "100 First Words" I have to read it almost everyday before we sit down for dinner. Also, as you can see in the picture below I have learned how to ham it up for the camera, and flash my big smile!

 

As for the paper...well I like to read the ads as much as possible, after all Christmas is coming soon and I need to get my list started! Somehow the coupons got mixed in with the toy sections, and that just can't happen! No worries though, I toss them to the side and keep looking for the biggest toy I can find. I mean, I have been a good boy all year long, so I am sure Santa will be very generous!

 Ho Ho Ho!

Speaking of Santa...I was able to spend some time with the big guy and tell him all about the gifts I would like and that I have been a very good boy this year! He and I had a long conversation as there wasn't anyone in line behind us so I got all of his attention. He was so funny and kept tickling me to make me laugh...oh, and he even let me touch his beard too! I promised I would leave him milk and cookies along with some carrots for his reindeer to have!

 

From my family to yours, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy new year!!

 

-Donovan

12-15 Month Update!

Excuse me, do I have cake on my face? ha-ha

Well, my first birthday came and went...and one thing is for sure, I LOVE cake! My Auntie Joy made my main birthday cake, and a special little one just for me! The little John Deere tractor on my main cake is very special, as my great-grandpa Vincent had it on his 92nd birthday cake! (He saved it and gave it to me as a special keep sake!)

The party was a great time, and everyone gathered around to sing "Happy Birthday" to me and watch me eat my cake (and get messy!!). Here are some shots of me enjoying my cake:

 

Lake Time

For the 4th of July weekend, we all packed up and headed to the lake for some much needed down time! My Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Joy, Uncle Shawn, Mommy, Daddy and I went!  We stayed for almost a week, and just relaxed, had fun and lots of laughs! While there I enjoyed shoulder rides from my dad, playing in the water, and hanging out on the boat and getting spoiled! We didn't catch any fish, but the Smores were delicious!

 

Summer time Fun

This summer has been a lot of fun and we have been enjoying out time outside. Here is some of the fun things I have done this summer:

 

Brats at the Farmers Market...daddy's "breakfast of champions" as he calls it! We like to head to the farmers market on the weekends when we can to stock up on fruits and veggies that are all locally grown. Plus, all the beautiful flowers are fun to smell, and the people watching is always fun too!

I got a sandbox from my grandpa and I love playing in it. Yes, a lot of the sand ends up on the outside of the sandbox, but I have a blast playing in it so mommy and daddy don't mind!

 

I also got a pool this summer for my Godparents, and since I love my bath so much, I of course love playing in my pool!  I think the whole neighborhood can hear me squeal with excitement and laugh when I am in my pool!

 

My mom finished up coaching her summer men's league which my dad played on. I was at every game and was considered the assistant coach. All the guys loved me and I seem to get all the attention in the tent between games! (They tell me some day I will be captain of the team!)

 

My mom and dad have been bringing me to the man-made lake near our house that has a really nice beach. I love playing in the sand there too, and splashing around in the lake. The beach has been pretty quiet this summer, which is nice for me because I get to play with all the sand I want! (But for some reason Daddy won't let me put it in my mouth to eat!)

We went on a bike ride and stopped off at a local park to play for a little while on the way back home. I am not sure who had more fun, Daddy or me?

My mom bought me a kitchen play set, that is my new favorite toy to play with right now. As soon as I get home from daycare I make a rush over to play and start cooking everyone dinner on it. Maybe some day I will be a chef!

 

 

To finish off the summer, my favorite treat is watermelon...a true summertime snack! I tend to get really messy and sticky while eating it, but I enjoy it so that is all that matters!

 

Two last pictures, one  of me enjoying spaghetti night at home! (Yes, my shirt is taken off and I get really messy and enjoy every minute of it! So does my mom and dad as they laugh and laugh and take tons of pictures of me!) The other is of me about to enjoy my favorite summer grilling food...brat with sauerkraut and grilled veggies! (The sauerkraut is my favorite part!)

Watch out...I am walking!

I just started walking, and now that is all I love to do! I have a new freedom and am able to get around the house really fast now. Mom wasn't ready for me to grow up this fast, but I sure was! I don't like to be carried around anymore, so going from place to place takes a little extra time now because I like to walk by myself!

Here is a video of my first steps!

 Click here to watch me walk for the 1st time!

 

Words, Words and More Words

My favorite word to say right now is "stop" and "ahh-huh" along with "tickle tickle" and "puppy". When you ask me what a puppy says, I will answer with "woof woof"!

I am a talking machine and if you ask me questions I will answer you back with babble, needless to say everyone likes having conversations with me!

 

Until next time,

Donovan

1 Year Old!!

I am officially 1 years old!!! I have had a crazy and fun first year, and one thing is for sure I love to be active! I have seen a lot of things, gone to different places but most importantly I am happy, healthy and growing!

Before I give you a recap of the past month, here are my "Top Ten" of the year (remember my first post ever...I decided I needed to do a Top Ten again, 1 year later!)

1. Music -  From the beginning until now, I love my music and enjoy listening to it as I drift off to sleep every night! My mom sings me "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and for some reason that always calms me down, it has from day one!

2. Water - Doesn't matter if it is a bath or the swimming pool, I love to kick and splash every chance I can!

3. Food -  From the very beginning I like pretty much like anything, with the exception of eggs and jar baby food! (I think I was spoiled with the homemade food!)

5. Dog - I love my dog, Java! From day 1 at home, she sleeps in my room with me, always has to be near me to protect me, and is nice enough to share her toys!

6. Talking - I am definitely a chatter-bug and I love to tell stories - from the minute I wake up until I fall asleep. My favorite words I say are Mama, Dada, and Go.

7. Reading - Doesn't matter if it is a book, card or the newspaper, I love to "read" and look at words!

8. TV - While I don't watch much TV, I still do love Jeopardy! (I have been told I have an old soul, so maybe it is true...most kids watch cartoons, but not me!)

9. On the Go - I never stop moving...I crawl, walk around things, roll, or do whatever it takes to get where I need to go! I don't sit still for too long, no wonder my favorite word to say is "go"!

10. Love - I feel so lucky to be loved by so many people in my life. Whether they are close by, or on the other side of the world, I am one very lucky boy who is loved by many!

Now - onto my recap of the past month:

Frequent Flyer

So, to keep up with my ever exciting list of activities I have done, I can now check off flying to Denver! Grandma, Mom and I packed up our stuff and flew off to Denver for a girl's trip (plus me, there was no way Grandma would leave me behind!). While there I got to meet my 2 Great Uncles, 2 Great Aunts and tons of cousins, not to mention I got spoiled beyond belief!

I was once again a great flyer and did awesome on the plane! Our flight was early in the morning, so I slept for most of the flight and everyone around us said how great of a boy I was on the plane!

I got to go for my first wagon ride, given to me by my Great Uncle which I loved, and I think he enjoyed strolling me around his neighborhood too!

I also received some great words of advice from my Great Uncle and heard all about the funny things my Mom did when she was little!

My Great Aunt and I hung out at the park and shared a snack together on our blanket! It was a great time, and the view of the mountains in the background was the best! After our little picnic on the blanket, we headed over to the park and I enjoyed swinging on the swings as my cousin Ryan pushed me.

 

I even made a new friend in Denver, Billy the Dog! He would follow me around and play with me all day long! He even shared his water and food with me, but for some reason no one would let me try his food. I did enjoy taking his water dish and dumping it all over me and splashing in the water...a few times!

 

After 4 1/2 days in Denver (filled with swimming, family, laughs, swings, wagon rides, and lots of hugs and kisses), it was time to say our goodbyes and head back home, as my dad was missing me (and mommy too)! So, we flew back home to MN and dad met us at the airport. I think everyone heard me when I saw my dad because I squealed with excitement to see him! Once again, on the flight home I did great and even took a little cat nap mid-flight.

Haircut...again!

My hair was getting out of control, so it was time for another haircut, I had my first haircut over Christmas, but this time we went to an actual Barber Shop! I sat on my dad's lap and all the barbers thought I did a great job and would clap and make me smile.

Food

I love feeding myself, so all meals have to be finger food for me now. My favorite thing is playing with pasta, so spaghetti night is a lot of fun for me, and messy for mom and dad! I learned how to slurp the noodles in my mouth and when I did it the first time it caught me off guard, and mom and dad laughed. I got the hang of it, and I had spaghetti all over my face, hair, hands, bib and even my dog had some on her! (I think she likes that I feed myself now, because she gets extra dinner now too)

Oh, and I got to try Nutella for the first time too, and I LOVED it! Big shout out to my Great Aunt Sheila for introducing it to me! I get really excited when I get some on my toast in the mornings as a "Special Breakfast Treat"!

Finally, I want to say thank you to everyone who has read my blog this whole year! Turning 1 is an exciting time for me, as I am a toddler now, and no longer a "baby". The year flew by and I am so lucky to have experienced so much and had the chance to see and do so many things so far. But, again, most importantly I am happy, healthy and growing. I am loved by so many, and I am reminded everyday how much I am loved. My mom and dad tell me that I grew under their hearts, and they waited for me for so long because we were meant to be together as a family. Before I was born, I was loved by so many people and that is the reason I am such a special boy to so many people!

Thank you all for loving me!  

Now...it is time to eat my BIRTHDAY CAKE!

Love,

Donovan

11 Months!

The month didn't start out the greatest as I got a nasty virus. I ended up having a  fever for two days and was pretty tired, all I wanted was to be held for three days straight. Once I started feeling better I was ready to get back into the swing of things and make up for lost time sleeping!

There I go....

I am pulling myself up and walking around furniture now, and I like to get into anything and everything. (nothing is safe!!) My mom picked me up a baby walker that plays music when I walk behind it. It is probably one of my favorite toys to use around the house now! Check out the video and watch me walk! 

Here I Go!

Easter

I received an Easter Card in the mail along with two Easter Bibs from my Aunt Kathy, and like always I LOVED the card! We celebrated Easter by having a big family brunch, an egg hunt and of course getting our Easter Baskets! I received some fun toys,got to try my first Peep,(just a small bite because they are filled with sugar!) and even got a homemade book from my Grandma!

I also got to wear some bunny ears, and while this picture makes it look like I didn't like them, I actually wanted to keep them on!

Life on the Farm

My Grandpa flew in from NC and spent the evening at out house, spoiling me of course! Then we all headed to my Great Grandparent's farm in SD for the weekend. I loved seeing all the farm cats play around the yard, but when they would come close to me I would get too excited so they would run away! While there I even got to take my first Tracker ride, and I squealed in excitement the whole time! To top off the visit to the farm, I got to meet my newest cousin....as you can see from the picture, I was very curious....Mom was nervous...and Dad, well he didn't even notice! ha

Swimming

I LOVE being in the water and can't get enough of the pool! I was like a little fish, and just splashed and kicked my feet in the water as much as I could. The water was actually a little cold, but I didn't mind it at all, and when I wasn't yelling in excitement I was clapping my hands with a big smile on my face.

 

Favorite Show

I have a new favorite show....brace yourselves, as it isn't your typical kid's show! My favorite show is....Jeopardy! Yes, it is actually one of my favorite shows, weird I know. I don't really like watching tv, but for some reason whenever it is on, I get really excited and get upset when they break for commercials!

Check out the video link to watch me get all excited, and note that I shake my head no when they read off the categories if I don't like them! 

This Is Jeopardy!

Spring is FINALLY here

The weather has finally turned nice out and I am loving being able to go outside for walks, bike rides and being able to sit in the grass! We are all geared up to head to the lake this summer, and I even got my own lifejacket to wear in my Grandpa's boat! My Uncle Shawn is so excited to take me in his boat, he even bought me my first fishing pole!

Well, that is it for this month...see you all next month when I turn 1 years old! 

Donovan