The Birthday Boy

I brought out Gulliver's birthday boy hat after breakfast, and he wore it all day long. When we played trains, he wore his hat. When we played outside and walked around the neighborhood, he wore his hat. When we went to town for the Halloween Parade, I asked him if he wanted to wear his birthday boy hat or the dinosaur hat.  He chose his birthday hat. I made him take off the hat for dinner and birthday cake. When he played with his new toys, he wore his hat. I think he likes his birthday boy hat!

Here are a few glimpses into Gulliver's special day...

Two Years Old

Our little "baby boo" is TWO!

At two years old, Gulliver:

• Weighs between 27 and 28 lbs and is 35 inches long
• Brushes -- and flosses -- his teeth like a champ!
• Rides the rocket, rocking horse, dragon (at the library), Cocoa, and other push toys -- but prefers to ride them standing up or backwards
• Runs a little faster everyday
• Throws serious tantrums from time to time
• Is starting to enjoy baths again, but still hates having his head rinsed
• Has fun at Music Class, Gymnastics, and Storytime
• Likes to watch the "Wiggles" and "Maisy" and has recently been introduced to "Thomas the Train" and "Bob the Builder'
• Kisses & hugs his stuffed dog and cowboy monkey
• Laughs at himself when he toots (which is fairly often)
• Has never had more than a slightly runny nose and mild fever -- what a healthy little guy!
• Stands in front of his bookcase surveying the books deciding which one to read. Favorite books: the giant book of "Things That Go," any "I Spy" book (he blows me away with how many pictures he can match), the Elmo puppet book, and well, just about anything else he can get his hands on...
• Jumps like a frog every time he spots one in a book
• Says "uh-oh," "more," "up - up," and "WOW" All. Day. Long. Is working on "rough" (as in daddy's beard), "water," "light," "milk," "ball," and "moon"
• Woke up one evening in a total panic (we're not sure why). Still sleeps soundly every other night.
• Gives "European" hugs… first on one side and then on the other. It's the BEST!
• Loves to give toys, instruments, and books to others
• Keeps busy with appointments... physical therapy every other week, occupational therapy every other week, and speech therapy once a week. He has awesome rapport with all three specialists and is doing remarkably well in each area. We continue these services to ensure he keeps up his good progress.
• Loves to play trains, but gets frustrated when the track breaks and the trains wreck or can't fit under the bridge
• Stops doing whatever cute thing he is doing the minute I pick up a camera
• Spots an airplane in the sky before it ever comes onto my radar and points and says "ooh ooh" relentlessly until I acknowledge it
• Can walk up and down the stairs by himself, but likes to hold a hand for extra help
• Will dress up as a dinosaur for Halloween (as he has been for many days preceding the official holiday) -- loves the "rrooaarrrr" that accompanies the costume
• Gets excited when he spots the moon -- day or night
• Laughs like there is no tomorrow

Oh how I love, love, LOVE this boy!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday, to my Dear Sweet Gulliver!!!

Feeding the Goats at Grant's Farm

I just love this!

St. Louis

Gulliver and I returned home from St. Louis last week after a whirlwind 8-day visit. Boy, did we keep busy!

Gulliver was a stellar traveler in both directions, even with long 3+ hour layovers in the Denver airport. We occupied ourselves by walking around, watching the planes taxi around, "honking" at the vehicles cruising around the terminal, riding on the moving walkways, and even taking a 45-minute nap in the terminal on the return trip.

We visited the downtown City Garden where Gulliver got a little taste of the hustle and bustle of a larger city.

We visited the butterfly house and rode the carousel in Faust Park, followed by a jaunt in the playground. Gulliver never passes up an opportunity to check out a golf cart.

We ran around Grandpa and Grandma's house plenty -- taking laps from the family room through the hallway into the kitchen and back again. That's always a good time! Gulliver laughed, and played, pushing Deb's and my childhood toys all around the family room.

We saw all kinds of animals at the zoo… elephants, hippos, rhinos, fish, hyenas, a newborn burro, and many more. We also rode the train, of course. I just love the Zoo!

We visited the pumpkin patch (and tried out Gulliver's halloween costume -- it was a hit!). Gulliver's favorite part of the day was riding around in the pumpkin cart with his cousins.

We had dinner with my high school friend and her 3 kids. That was a treat!

We went to Grant's Farm and enjoyed feeding the goats, watching the elephants perform, eating an ice cream cone, and seeing lots of other cool animal tricks.

We enjoyed fondue dinner at the Melting Pot. I did some shopping. We hung out at Aunt Debbie and Uncle Dave's and just enjoyed being with family.

It was a fabulous trip. We were sad to go, but happy to get home. Gulliver and I were both ready to see dad / Mark after a week away. Gulliver's expression when he saw dad in the Gunnison airport was priceless.

Thanks, everyone, for making our St. Louis visit an event to remember!

September Photos

Here are a few other photos from last month I never got around to posting....