It's been a while.....but I'm still here! And now I'm TWO!

Yes, it's been a while since my last post - isn't that always the case?  October started with Papi's Birthday celebration!  Daddy and I took Papi out to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.  After dinner, we took a few pictures outside on a random couch we found on the sidewalk. 

While the weather was still nice, I continued to get lots of playground time in - one of my favorite things!  I've gotten really good at climbing and I've mastered the big boy swing as well.

 I am really talking SO much now!  I say new words nearly every day and sometimes I even throw in a whole sentence.  I like to say "I think so" and put my index finger up to my head and other cute things too. I like to help out around the house and try to listen to Daddy and Papi -- but sometimes it's hard.

I love the outdoors!

The biggest part of the Fall was....my Second Birthday!!  I had a great time!  Nana was here for the whole week and for my Birthday dinner Mimi Carol and Titi Fran came over too.  We had cake and opened some presents.  Daddy and Papi got me a really cool pizza set and a keyboard, among other things.  Daddy caught my amazement over the pizza set in this picture.  I enjoy making a slice of pizza for everyone who stops by - sometimes I even take their order for which toppings they'd like. 

My friend Ava and I are just a few days apart so our Birthday parties were on the same weekend!  Her's was on Saturday.  We pigged out on chips and other goodies and had really yummy cupcakes!  She looked stunning!

The next day was my Birthday party!  By this time, Papa had come to visit as well.  I was so glad that he and Nana got to come to my party again this year.  My friend Clive from downstairs and Ava played with me on the deck since it was a gorgeous day.  I practiced my guitar skills for everyone too!

Daddy made me two fire engine cakes, since that is one of my most favorite things.  I asked Sofia to come help me blow my two candles out.

 

My cousins, aunts and uncles came and celebrated with me -- it was truly a special day! 

For a special Birthday treat, Papi and Daddy took me to an amazing pumpkin patch on Long Island.  They have a petting zoo, playgrounds and lots of pumpkins!  I really enjoyed seeing all the cool animals and feeding them too.  They were a little aggressive, but I didn't mind.  I think Daddy and Papi were a little more worried!

They had lots of fun stuff to do -- I love getting silly with Papi and Daddy!

We even went on my very first hayride!  By the end of it, I was really feeling the Halloween spirit so I decided to make a scary face!

One of the reasons we went to the pumpkin patch was because Sofia was coming over for a pumpkin-carving sleepover later that week.  To make things a bit easier, Mimi Carol gave us some pumpkin decorating kits.  We had a great time putting on the silly faces -- don't they look great?  (Maybe next year we'll actually carve them!)

 We all got silly and tried on Papi's Halloween wig!

For Halloween, I was DJ Lance Rock from Yo Gabba Gabba!!  That's my favorite show so it was really cool to dress up just like him.  A few days before Halloween, Daddy had me try on the costume - and then he caught me singing "Happy Birthday" - until I realized that I couldn't open my costume from the front!  

 

The day before Halloween, we went to a family party at the NYC Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center.  Some of our special friends came too and I got to see Ava, Flora, and Greta ... and lots of other families like mine! Here's me and Greta -- she was Cinderella in her own pumpkin!  She insisted on holding my hand for this picture, which I liked a lot!

The next day was Halloween!  Right as we were about to go trick-or-treating, Pete stopped by!  I was so excited to see him!  He had a great costume, although he's a cop every day of the year!  

  Then Papi and Daddy took me trick-or-treating around our neighborhood.  I got the hang of it right away and really liked getting candy!  I told everyone "thank you" and even said "Hoppaleen!" when Daddy and Papi said "Happy Halloween".

 

 Our neighborhood had a lot of decorations, scary music and tons of people were out.  My pumpkin got pretty heavy but I carried it until we were almost home.  I can't wait to go again next year -- I still talk about the candy almost every day!

 

 My cousin Owen turned 1 in November so we got to celebrate with him.  It was a great party -- lots of treats, balloon animals, face painting and a puppet show!  Sofia had her face done like a butterfly!  After the puppet show, I got to get my picture taken with the whole crew from Yo Gabba Gabba!  WOW!  Somehow I didn't get a picture with baby Owen, though -- I'll be sure to get one for my next entry!

Next we headed back out for a relaxing weekend in Montauk!  We didn't do much while we were there but I got to spend quality time with Papi and Daddy and my aunts and uncles -- and celebrated Tio David's Birthday!  We headed into town one day for brunch and I got to drive my own car.  Ever since then, I always ask to drive our car whenever we have to go somewhere! 

The weather was amazing so we checked out the beach too!  It wasn't exactly swimming weather, but it was gorgeous!

  Tio Danny and I were cruising around town and then we all got a game of foosball in!  Being that it was my first time, I was pretty good!

I've continued to perfect my guitar skills.  I've gotten pretty good and I like to put my guitar on my back so I can walk around and look cool.  Sometimes I even try to play my guitar on top of my head!  In this video I'm singing "No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed!".  This is one of my favorite books.  I really love to sing and dance and play the guitar.  Sofia and I just finished our second session of music class together.  Our teacher was Nicolai and I just adored him.  Every week I would stand by him while he played the guitar and sang to us.  Now I have his CD and ask to listen to it every chance I get!

 

I had a spontaneous play date with Ava at the playground a few weeks ago.  It was pretty chilly and we both had runny noses but we had a great time chasing each other around.  It was hard to get a good picture of both of us -- we kept trying to get in front of each other!  But this one at least shows that we're good buddies!

For Thanksgiving this year we headed up to Nana and Papa's house.  We had a fantastic meal ... although I didn't eat much of what everyone else had.  We went to see the Lights on the Lake, which was really cool!  Lots of pretty lights that looked like animals, people, houses and other cool things.  I also went to see Santa for the very first time - and he gave me a candy cane. so I gave him a High-Five!

The day after we got back from Nana and Papa's, we went to Aunt Dona and Tio Dave's house for another Thanksgiving dinner.  We had great food and I got to stay up really late!  It was a special night that won't be forgotten for years to come!  Here's me and Papi and my uncles!

One of my favorite songs right now is Whip My Hair by Willow Smith.  It's so silly and fun!  Sofia and I have fun dancing to it.  Here's me and Papi whipping our hair after dinner one night!

I start to go to school right after New Year's.  It sounds like it will be a lot of fun - I can't wait to tell you about it.  Right now Papi and Daddy and I are getting ready for Christmas - especially Papi!  We're decorating the house, shopping and making social plans.  I'll share all of this with you next time.  For now, I'll leave you with two more pictures.  The first one is of me at Nana and Papa's house with my new pajamas on - and some silly antlers courtesy of Papi's photo apps (he's obsessed, I tell you!).  The other is me getting the house ready for Christmas - I can't wait!

The Best Summer of My Life!

Me and Daddy in the Pool

Okay so it's way past my bedtime but Daddy and Papi let me stay up late only if I promised to start writing this new blog post - so here I go!  This is a long one so stick with me - I've got 5 videos to share too!

The Summer of 2010 was truly fantastic - lots of fun and tons of memories!  We started the summer in Montauk with Aunt Dona, Tio Dave, Uncle Monroe, Titi Jessie and Tio Danny.  It was perfect! 

Texting with Uncle Monroe

Montauk Family Pic

Reading My Mags

My Own Pool!

Aunt Dona and Me on the Deck

Tio Danny Teaching Me Some Strokes

We had great weather and chilled by the pool all weekend.  I totally love swimming and SPLASHING is especially fun.  It makes me laugh so hard.  Even when I'm not in the pool and other people splash, I run around the edge of the pool screaming.  Too much fun!  Many thanks to the Hochbergs for letting us stay there for the weekend!

Right after we got back, Papi and Daddy went to a party to celebrate the great work of Elaine Hochberg so I got to have a sleepover with Ava and her daddies, Rob and Lew!!  We had a great time playing outside and having a tea party.

Greta and Papi and Me

Titi Nessa, Owen, Papi and Me

The following weekend was lunch with my friend Greta and her mommies and also Sofia's Birthday Party!  It was at a really cool gym and I got to ride in a car and on a carousel, walk in a bouncey room, play with lots of toys and some cool party games.  Sofia was the princess of the party for sure - but she and I didn't get any pictures together!  I got to see my little cousin Owen too!

Cri and Me

Soon after, we headed out to Denver to see Uncle Dean, Aunt Karen, and my cousins Maxine and Riley.  Just a few hours after we arrived, we headed up into the mountains and spent a few days in Keystone.  I have to admit it was really beautiful there, although I wasn't myself for much of our stay.  It may have been the altitude, or the time change or just the travel - but I had a bit of a rough time while we were there. 

Trying to Get Riley's Belly Button

My Chariot with Aunt Karen and Papi

My Marshmallow on a Stick - I made it last!

We went for a bike ride through the woods - I enjoyed the first half and then had a bit of a melt down - I have to admit that it was pretty though!  I most enjoyed spending time with my extended family - singing, dancing, and trying to get everyone's belly buttons!  After we left the mountains, we returned to Denver and chilled out for the rest of the week.  I really enjoyed checking out my cousins' trampoline and Maxine took Daddy and I to a really cool pool one day too.

Maxine and Me at our Cool New Playground

Riley and Me at our New Water Park

Maxine and Riley flew back home with us and were great company on the plane.  We took them on a quick tour of Brooklyn and the next day we all drove to a park in Pennsylvania to picnic with Nana and Papa so they could take Maxine and Riley back home with them to visit for a few weeks. 

Pennsylvania Picnic

The next day was the NYC Pride March so Papi and Daddy and I strolled through the city for a few hours.  We had a great time and I got a new set of beads!

Feeling Proud!

Aunt Dona and Me on Deck for July 4th

The following weekend was July 4th and we stayed in town.  We had a few friends over and enjoyed the sounds of fireworks in the distance.  It was a low key holiday this year -- but with all of our travels, I was just fine with that!

The next weekend Daddy's friend Sam came to town and brought a whole crew with her.  I got to see them all for a party at our house.  I had to go to bed but it sounded like they had a lot of fun.  I enjoyed seeing Sam again and hope to see her son Alexander next time.  (hint, hint!)

Big Kid Swing at the New Playground

Being Silly with Papi in the Subway

Blowing Bubbles at the New Waterpark

Papi and Daddy and I headed to Coney Island one Sunday evening to walk around and check out the new Luna Park.  It was nice to have some family time together and I really liked the rides at the park.  The only one I was big enough to go on was a little carousel - but I thought it was great!  I liked watching the big rides go round and round - I suppose I might like those one day too.

My Own Private Carousel at Coney Island

Helping out in Nana's Kitchen

Nana and Papa and Me in P'Town

Our big vacation started the next week!  Daddy and Papi and I headed up to Nana and Papa's and spent the night there together.  The week before I had a sleepover at Sofia's house and decided I was too big for the pack-n-play - I hopped right out!  The same was true at Nana and Papa's house so I got to sleep in a really big bed.  It took a little extra time for me to get settled in, but I think I did pretty well!  The next day Papi and Daddy headed out for Provincetown for their vacation and I got to stay with Nana and Papa!!  I had great fun with Papa and Nana and got to go to a party, a luncheon, a BBQ and saw all of their friends!  I was on my very best behavior AND slept in that big bed all week long!

P'Town Harbor

Very Excited to Join Daddy and Papi!

The next weekend Papa and Nana and I drove to Provincetown to join Daddy and Papi.  I LOVE IT THERE!  We had such a great time on the beach, at the pool, walking around town, shopping, eating, early morning play groups - it was fantastic!  It was Family Week while we were there so I got to see lots of other kids with two dads and two moms, which I thought was pretty cool.  My favorite was Lukas -- we got to hang out with him and his daddies, Tom and Jimmy, a few times!  Papi's family was on Cape Cod as well so they came to visit one day.  We had a great time together and I got to see my little cousin Owen, who is just so cute!  Nana and Papa stayed for a couple of days and then Papi and Daddy and I chilled out together for the rest of the week.  Oh, and I slept in ANOTHER big bed there too!

My First Parade in P'Town!

A Romp in the Daily Bouncey Room!

Getting Wet on the Deck

We got home and stayed put for a few weeks.  Throughout the summer I spent LOTS of time at playgrounds with Sofia and Cri and Papi and Daddy.  A super cool huge new playground opened right near our house in June.  I've gone down the huge slides, swung on the big kid swings, played in the big sandbox and I really love the water park area.  I love getting wet whenever I can!!

Silly Faces on the Playground

I continue to grow like crazy and it seems like my legs are just getting longer and longer.  I've checked out a few scales lately (the one at Aunt Dona and Tio Dave's was my favorite) and it seems that I weigh just about 30 pounds.

Tea Party with Tio Danny

I've been trying out pretty much every word I hear lately.  I'm saying more and more names and love singing and dancing - especially to Yo Gabba Gabba!  If I'm really listening, I can follow directions and I like helping out around the house.  I like helping to clean (especially vaccuuming!) and cook and still love watering the plants on the deck with Papi. 

New Haircut!

Fun in the Fountain!

Playing with My Apps on the IPhone

I continue to be obsessed with technology, especially Daddy and Papi's IPhones.  I have my own apps that I love to play with - lately the Talking Tom Cat one has been cracking me up!  You'll see in this video that I even like to kiss the Tom Cat!

I also got my own stroller this summer and I really like pushing it down the sidewalk from time to time - although I don't appreciate having my picture taken - I prefer to stroll in peace!

This is How I Roll

Last week I got my OWN big bed!  My big cousin Sofia just moved into a new house and she has her own bedroom and a REALLY big bed.  Lucky for me, she didn't need her toddler bed anymore so I get to use it.  I really love it!  I like to climb into it all the time and when I wake up, I still call for Daddy or Papi or Cri and wait for them to come get me.  I've heard they really like this and think it's cute so I think I'll keep it going for a while. 

Piano at Play Group

Before getting my bed on Sunday we were at Aunt Dona and Tio Dave's and I got to play Aunt Dona's guitar with Daddy.  It was so much fun and I really sang my heart out.  Then on Tuesday, Papi surprised me with my very own GUITAR!!! Wow!  I love it so much and I've been playing it every day.  I also love to sing "Taxi, Taxi" while I play it.  I'm getting more and more words of the song down and I think I sound pretty good - Daddy and Papi agree!  This video shows my excitement when receiving my new gift - and I've played my guitar every day since.

The big news around here is that Sofia is going to be a big sister - which means that I'll be a big cousin again!  We are all really excited about this and are so happy for Cri and Pete and Sofia.

This past weekend was Labor Day Weekend so we headed up to Nana and Papa's again.  We celebrated both of their birthdays and went to the New York State Fair!  Daddy and Papi were really excited to show me all of the animals there.  To be honest, I had more fun running through the buildings, but I did notice a few pigs and cows and goats and sheep on my way by.  I did notice all of the chickens and bunnies a bit more and even got to pet a cute little bunny rabbit!

Even more fun were the two rides that I got to go on with Daddy and Papi.  These were a first for me and it was so much fun!  At first I wasn't sure what to think.  On the carousel Daddy asked me "Do you like it?"  I said "Like it!" and then started waving to Papi and Nana and Papa on the sidelines - I just needed that little prompt!  The when I rode the next ride with Papi, I was excited to wave to everyone again, as you'll see in the video!

Naked Deck Time!

For many months, I have enjoyed pointing out our car - or any other Honda Element.  I point and very excitedly say "OUR CAR!"  For the past week however, I have been telling everyone "Our car" and then I put my lips together and blow out and make a "puh" sound.  Sometimes I say "our car, puh, our car, puh, our car, puh" over and over again.  No one is quite sure what I mean by this -- which makes it even funnier, if you ask me.  The true meaning of this is quite funny so I laugh when I say it- even though only I am completely sure of what I'm saying.  Ah, the beauty of toddler-hood!

Fall is now upon us and I'm looking forward to continuing to get outside, especially now that the heat is behind us.  Sofia and I are going to go to music class together and I may check out some tumbling classes too.  Daddy had been helping me do somersaults so perhaps I'll be a gymnast!  My Birthday is coming too so I'll have lots to share in the upcoming weeks!