Vocab-boy

So, as WF said the other day, "He's learning the language!". I followed Bean around today with a pen in hand, and by the end of the day we had over 50 words! This includes "Zoop!" when looking at a big stew pot (who taught him that?), "Bear" when looking at a plastic honey-bear, water and bath when, well, taking a bath. We have juice, cup, spoon, fork, yogurt, corn, meat, booh-beh (blueberries), PEES (please) and pumpkin. We have cat, hat, boot, shoe, sock ("zock") and shovel. Shovel is quite emphatic while we are outside, or when Dada has been spotted carrying a shovel outside when Bean has not been invited to help. He loves to help with outside chores. Inside chores, too...he recognizes the fly swatter (runs around yelling "fwies!" (flies) and the "boom" (broom) is quite a hit.

I'm not sure what's average at this age, but it's fun to have this record right before he turns 18 months old. There's definitely some gears turning up there these days, and it's so much fun to watch!

Talking pictures

Another little sneak peak for the grandparents... and anyone else who cares to listen in. Adding new words every day!

Sneak Peek

So, we found this Tigger and put him to work raking leaves (at a friend's birthday party in town)...


A frog came along to help (a friend of a friend's son, not sure of his name...)


Luckily his tail didn't get in the way!


He had enough energy left over to do some reading afterwards...



And talk to a friend!!

Yep, I'm revealing Bean's Halloween costume early, but I thought the Grandparents who missed out on a visit today due to germs might like a sneak peek. He's too cute not to share. Very cuddly in this second-hand suit, too, I might add. He doesn't really seem to notice his new tail, etc, but did say "Cat!" when he first saw the costume. Yep, a few steps ahead from this first halloween!

This party was for a friend who is exactly 6 months older than Bean, turning 2 years old! That means in just 6 months, we'll be....Oh, my. Time flies!

10-10 = Snow Start

So this was a suprise! I got home late last night to clear and starry weather (was out for a rare night with other moms sans kids; whoo!), and woke up to WHITE! SNOW! EVERYWHERE! Not the normal first snow for the year. A bit early (!!!!) but beautiful nonetheless. It took me a minute to figure out why it looked so strange; green leaves and white ground usually do not mix!

We went out before breakfast for a quick visit; Bean's first snow while walking and more aware!

First tromp through snow; didn't even stop to inspect it first; nothing phases this boy!

Oh, wait! Something's different, mom!

And what are these silly things you managed to sneak onto my hands? I'll take care of that!

Ohhhh... cold! Do not like this!


Oh, well, never mind... I'll just get on with clearing it for you....

The snow is mostly melted by now, but the forecast calls for more this weekend. Yikes. It's been such an odd weather year, but I guess we best embrace the cold. We're pretty well outfitted through fortutitious garages sale, Grandma shopping gifts and wonderful friend hand-me-downs (thanks for the snowsuit, Mary; great timing!). We're ready for more winter now; but maybe some true Fall, first?

5 Years

Went walkin' in the woods with my guys today... one tall, one not-so-tall.

It was a nice short celebration of 5 years together (married) for WF and I... it's been a good time, and now we are three!



We looked at the pictures from that day 5 years ago, sharing them with the new addition. He recognized pictures of "dada-papa"... Grandpa, I think. Fun to start sharing some of his family history with Bean, now that he recognizes pictures. Mind boggling, isn't it all?


Love you, WF... here's to many more 5-year milestones!

Great Great!

We had a great, short visit from Bean's Great-Great-Aunt (wow!) and her family, all the way from Seattle and California! Bean never got to meet his Great-Grandma; this is her sister, 12 years younger...as close as he can come on this plane. Big families mean all sorts of interesting age combinations!

We have many similar ideas about food, etc, and it was fun to share our new, zingy live kraut; Bean definitely impressed them with his zeal for the purple stuff!

In other news, we are still just muddling along, trying to kick some germs (currently colonizing my sinuses) and keep up with the house. No new action, just keepin' up. This is my first week of 3 day work in a while, so hoping that helps us feel a bit caught up. Fall is here; we've had touches of frost. Maybe a garden post (such as it is?) will happen soon...