363 Days Old...and Counting

I have heard your cries. I know, I know...you are all sick of looking at the haircut pictures. I get it, so here, at long last, is a new blog entry! What can I say? I've been really busy lately. Mommy and daddy's friends, Mike and Tabitha, came for a visit this weekend, along with their three year old daughter, Addison, and their seven week old baby, Reese. We had a houseful! It was a lot of fun, and I especially enjoyed watching Addie and trying to keep up with her. They left yesterday morning, which gives mommy exactly two days to get ready for all of the grandparents to descend for my first birthday shindig. Granddaddy arrives Wednesday evening; while Nana and Papa Wayne and Gran and Papa Cecil are supposed to caravan together on Thursday. Unfortunately, the weather man is predicting a "wintry mix" all along the travel route, so heaven only knows if they will make it. Gran and Papa Cecil may leave a day early to try to make it here, but I'm not sure what Nana and Papa Wayne are going to do. Mommy says not to worry, that Nana would clear snow off the interstate with her bare hands before she would dream of missing my first birthday party. She has a good point.


Other than that, I've been working on drinking from a cup, which is a big step (especially for mommy). Sometimes I drink so much milk at once that I end up spitting it out all over myself, which is really entertaining. I also haven't quite wrapped my hands around the idea that I have to tilt the cup upwards in order for the milk to come out; but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it soon. I have totally mastered eating, though. My latest favorite is baked oatmeal with blueberries. Mommy made some over the weekend, and I can't get enough of it! She gives me a full adult-size serving, which I devour...and then politely request seconds. Mommy thinks I like it because it is healthy - filled with protein, fiber, and antioxidants. Little does she know that I just like it because it gives me a blueberry beard.

Just a Little Off the Top, Please

After a great deal of pressure from the grandparents, mommy finally caved and let me get a haircut yesterday. Daddy--who was adamant that he take me for my first clipping--graciously allowed mommy to join us for the trip to Cartoon Cuts at the mall. In typical Mr. T fashion, I didn't cry a peep. That Samson fellow must have been a real wimp.

Here is the end result. You may have noticed that I have Winston's leash in my hand. Yes, I am still desperately trying to be a dog...and mommy is still desperately trying to stop me. Even though I am a world-class cruiser now, I can still get around on all fours almost as efficiently as the "Dudyas." Nothing quenches my thirst like a splash in the water bowl; and there are few places in the world I would rather be than in Winston's condo. I'm actually asking for a collar for my birthday - one with lots of bling just like Winston and W's have.

In other news, I've learned to blow. I love it when mommy and daddy blow air in my face; and now I've learned to do it. It is tons of fun...almost as much fun as trilling my tongue, which is what I do whenever I am not blowing!

At Long Last...A Christmas Post

On Christmas Eve, daddy, mommy, Winston, W, and I drove from Chattanooga to Kentucky. Whenever anyone asks mommy how long of a drive it is, she always has the same reply: "Longer than I think it is." She's right, but it was worth the trip. After arriving at Nana and Papa's house, we went over to my Nanny Thompson's house for the Christmas Eve festivities. I was finally able to meet my second cousin, Carter, and was able to hang out with my other second cousin, Ella Ann, again. We had a ball playing with each other and with all of the toys. We especially liked the "caroling dogs" toy someone gave daddy, who was all too happy to let us play with it. Everyone said we looked like little angels all dressed in white. Little do they know!

Checking out the Caroling Christmas Dogs with Carter and Ella Ann

Enjoying Christmas Eve Vittles

I woke up at my usual 6:00 on Christmas morning (that's 5 AM Kentucky time). Mommy and daddy gave me a "Cozy Comfy" Lamb with my name on it. It is a stuffed animal and blanket all wrapped up into one. Mommy assures me that I will grow to love it; but frankly, if it doesn't have wheels, I'm not that interested right now. Thankfully, a lot of people gave me cars and trucks for Christmas. Hopefully the new fleet will get me through until my birthday! Truthfully, I have so many, I probably won't need a new vehicle until I turn four...well, maybe three! Of all the toys I had to play with, I oddly enough chose to play with mommy's hairbrushes for most of the morning. Wonder if that means I'm going to grow up to be a stylist.... Just kidding, daddy.

Contemplating My Future as the Next Oscar Blandi

Wouldn't You Like to Find Me Under Your Tree?

My Second Wedding

23 December 2006. Granddaddy got married today, marking my second appearance at a wedding. I was not nearly as quiet at this one as I was at Uncle Devin's back in April. As a matter of fact, mommy took me out during the very first prayer! We were able to listen to the wedding from the anteroom while I practiced walking on the pews. No offense, Granddaddy, but that was a lot more fun for me than sitting through vows. Afterwards, we walked to the Dent House for the reception. I met mommy's third grade teacher (and granddaddy's high school girlfriend), Gloria, and her husband, Thad. We hung out with the string quartet, which desperately tried to drown out our catching up with their Christmas carols. It was pretty fun; and I think I'm going to end up enjoying weddings as much as mommy and daddy do.

With Daddy and Granddaddy

With Mommy and Granddaddy

With Aunt Leslie (in her brown dress that she thought was black)

T Minus Three Days until Christmas

I have finally recovered from my holiday travels and near-broken finger to update the blog. Let me rewind a bit to a couple of weeks ago to catch you up.

22 December 2006. Today, I celebrated an early Christmas with mommy's aunts and my great-nanny. They are certifiably crazy but a lot of fun, so I know that we are definitely related. Mommy about died because they wanted to give me cookies and juice. She shouldn't have been surprised, though. I've read Aunt Sherri and Nanny's promises about getting me off of this organic and healthy diet mommy has me on. Between you and me, I was really disappointed that Aunt Sherri didn't have any of those Long John Silver's "crispies" she's told me about. I was hoping that she would give me that for Christmas, but instead she gave me a present that scared my pants off. It's a Playskool board with lots of plastic, colored bolts on it that light up, make music, and spin around. She said her grandson, Landon, loves it; but I'm not so sure how I feel about it. It's not quite Santa scary, but close.

Tonight, I went over to Granddaddy's new house to exchange prezzies with him and his fiance, Tena. They gave me Elmo TMX, which is really cool (although I think Granddaddy may like it a bit more than I do). They also gave me what has arguably become my favorite Christmas present of all time, a police car that makes lots of fun noises. It is just the right size for me to roll all around the house.