I'm baaaaack!

Wow wee...it has been forever and lots has been happening here in TN. We rang in the New Year in Louisiana with wonderful friends and started the new year off with family and cabbage (Jake ate our family's share of cabbage!) Thanks, babe!

We came home and started to plan Gus' 3rd birthday party.....Busytown Theme (I started a post for that, but it is still under construction, if you will!). Gi-Gi came to town for a visit, we found out we were having a girl, it snowed, it rained, rained some more and then the sun came out and we have nice weather for a few days, then the weekend came and it rained some more and on this particular weekend Jake had to work outside in the rain. Danny and Bridgette and their 3 children came for a visit during Spring Break and they stayed with us for a week, then Aunt Beth flew in and visited for 5 or so days.....during these visits LOTS of laughs were had by all and we all had a great time catching up and reminiscing!

Somewhere between those visits Jake and I had date night at Bonefish Grill and it was marvelous.....$5 Bang Bang Shrimp on Wednesday nights...I think I know where I will be!!

Celebrated Nanny's birthday at Loveless Cafe while Aunt Beth was in town. Enjoyed some Pinki time while she was on Spring Break! Made a crown of thorns for the St. Joseph's Alter at mom's church...ate lots of chocolate dipped pretzels while making said crown. Had a 2nd ultrasound of the baby. Attend Bunko and actually came home with a few bucks. Celebrated Pinki and Pop's 36 year anniversary on the 27th and finalized some of our moving plans. Went to Zumba last night and it felt great! Giving up on trying to get to the post office to mail March birthday presents to Louisiana...we will be there soon enough and we will hand deliver them! Well that is all that comes to mind right now, but rest assured that we will be using this weekend to catch our breath as it all cranks back up next weekend!!

In the midst of all the above, Gus has learned how to sing his ABC's and count to 40...both were accomplished in about a week!! Jake and I are so very proud of him!!

Gus-isms

It is unbelievable what a jump Gus has made lately. He is talking up a storm. A chatter box for sure! I have been trying to keep track of the cute little "Gus-isms" that he says or conjured up because they are so stinking cute. Here are a few....

Shabe = shave

Dribe = drive

Kill George = Curious George; NOTE - he has NO idea what kill means, that is just how he thinks curious is pronounced!

Cow's House = Chick-fil-A

Oucho chips = nacho chips

Flickee = Flicker the Flashlight from Handy Manny

Star Stickee = star sticker that he gets after he goes to the toilet

Da Da Sue = Dr. Suess

Tat Hat = Cat in the Hat

Bouncehouse House = Jump Zone

Oakshake = milkshake

B-yack = black

Mew = Blue

Mo-A = more

Bus-stache = mustache

MM = Cousin William

Kids or cuzz = cousins

Ibb = Cousin Vivian

Taa-kee = tacos

I know I am forgetting some, but I will add as they come to me!





Expressions:

Oh Dear!!

Oh My!!

K, K, K! = OK

Inside (insert where ever we are going) house!

A few weeks ago we were all sitting in the living room playing and Gus got up and walked around the living room and counted off 10 different random items, but counted to 10 all on his own! A very proud moment for Jake and I!!

Lately he has been really in to rocket ships and 3, 2, 1, blast off so he will count down and blast whatever he is playing with off into the air! Total little boy!


A little white lie as told to me by Gusley:

The other day I picked Gus up from Mom and Dad's house and on our way home we were talking about what all they did. Here is a breakdown of the conversation.

Me: Gus did you have a good time with Nice and Pops?

Gus: Eat oakshake at Nice house.

Me: You had a milkshake at Nice's house? What else did you do?

Gus: Nice cat, bite Gus.

Me: Nice's cat bit you? Where?

Gus: Nice cat bite Gus toes.

Me: Really? Which cat? Rosa or Marley the black one?

Gus: B-yack one bite Gus toes.

I knew he was more than likely fibbing, but I do know that Rosa is infamous for biting toes (hence her nickname "Tosa") so I called mom to see what happened. I told her our conversation and she said that never happened as far as she knew, but that Rosa did bite HER toes and she fussed her so maybe he wanted in on the action and added his toes to the equation!!

Little mister Gusley, what are we going to do with you? I love that it was so innocent and he was so serious the entire time we talked about it!

30 months = 2.5 Years old!!

Where do I even start? Two and a half! WOW!! This is a very fun age to say the least! Gus is a little chatterbox these days. He is now making sentences and we can understand a good bit of what he tells us! I can understand most because I am home with him everyday so I am catching on to his lingo! It seems like yesterday he was a wee little munchkin. Here are his achievements thus far, likes, dislikes and so on!

He is a walking, running, jumping, climbing, chattering, snack lovin', nose pickin', dirt diggin', swinging, sliding, giddy, giggly, music lovin' little boy who loves a good book and lots of kisses and hugs! He is a typical little boy made of snakes and snails and puppy dog tails, but I would not have it any other way!

He knows every letter of the alphabet (upper and lower case). He knows his numbers 1-10 and will often recite them while playing with his toys. He has better rhythm and knack for music than his momma will ever have! I am so glad he was blessed with that trait! He loves to dance (sway his hips in a funky little motion).

Books of the moment: Skuffy the Tugoat, Pigeon has Feelings Too!, Richard Scary - Cars and Trucks and things that Go, Little People at the Barn Yard, Sergio the Penguin, Timothy Tiger's Terrible Toothache (at Nice and Pop's house), Cat in the Hat, Bears Vacation and One Fish, Two Fish! There are plenty more!

Shows of interest: Cat in the Hat Knows a Thing About That, Thomas the Train, Yo Gabba Gabba, Toot & Puddle, Olivia, Super Why, Franklin, The Wiggles, Play with Me Sesame & Moose and Zee (though they are not a show, he loves their little shows between shows!)

Toys he can't live without: PLAY-DOH, colors, markers, stickers, glue, glitter, chalk, trains and trucks and sometimes Roo (his little kangaroo)! He is very much into the arts these days, which I so love to do with him. He has re-discovered his rocking giraffe and kitchen and has been having a grand ole time with his wooden blocks.

Books and Puzzles are not really a toy so they get their own little blurb: He LOVES them both. I got out my 10-25 piece puzzles from when I was younger and he will build them over and over again....all with out any help from us! It is amazing to watch him work these puzzles. Some of them are a little difficult, but he doesn't give up and when it is complete he is so proud to show us his work!

He is talking more and more each day. Currently Gus is obsessed with gas tanks on cars or as he calls it "ass anks"! Combining lots of word to make sentences and is telling us what he wants and if we do not understand him he promptly tells us NO!

I find the following very funny:

Nice House, Pop House, Mom House, Dad House....that could be a Dr. Suess book!
Ass car go....Gas in the car so it can go!
Tat Hat....Cat in the Hat!

He spells any and everything he sees. The other day we were at a red light and he started spelling P-U-B-L-I-X. It took me a few seconds to realize what he was spelling because the sign was a good 50-75 yards away. He can spell Nice, Pop, Mom, Dad, Stop, Gus, Gas, Cat all by himself!

Pottytraining, oh pottytraining.....let's just say it is just that, POTTYTRAINING!! It is a work in progress, but hopefully we are getting closer to being diaper free! Suggestions and tips are welcomed!

I am sure I am forgetting a few milestones, but pictures post are sure to come!!

Chitter Chatter

Seems as though our sweet baby boy is really making the jump into full on toddlerhood and the baby days are coming to an end all to soon. He is talking up a storm and repeating everything we tell him to say!

As of today he can tell us where just about all his body parts are and he is obsessed with "bows" (elbows). He points out everyones bows! He recognizes almost all of his letters and can now say Q and U (shuuu)! We are currently working on X, Y and Z. He notices when there is a pair of something and points it out as soon as he notices it.

I am having such a wonderful time teaching him all of this. It is such a great example of practice makes progress! Kee up the good work big boy!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Pool, Gate, Tree - in that order!

For as long as I can remember every time we drive past or into mom and dad's neighborhood we always tell Gus there is the pool, and the gate and then the trees going up the hill. This used to be part of our discussion when we lived there and would walk everyday. Seems as though it has sunk in! He has been saying "Pooo-ol" and "Gea-te" but yesterday he added the "TEEE, TEEE, TEEE"!! He points to the pool and says pool, then when we turn in he points to the gate and says gate and trees line the boulevard so he is having to say tree a number of times!! Needless to say we are so proud of him!!

This evening he and I were at mom and dad's for a visit and we walked around the entire block and he touch each and every mailbox that we passed and after each touch he would look up at me and say "Nahh". I think that is a combination of night (for night, night) or now - either way it is appropriate. Also on our walk he took on the role of Mr. Recycle. He picked up all the newspapers in the driveways of the houses that are for sale (and no one lives in them) and brought them home to the recycle bins! I guess all this talk of Earth Day coming up has made an impact on him at the age of 2! AWESOME!! Keep up the good work Gusley! Mommy really enjoyed our walk this afternoon and I think Buttercup had a swell time as well! It certainly wore you out as you have been fast asleep since 9 o'clock on the dot! Nah, Nah!!

Letters O & Y

I picked up some magnet letters at Goodwill months ago and saved them for a rainy day. We took them out the other night and Gusley has been hooked on them since! He recognizes the letters O and Y and tells us "Oooohh" & "yuyuyu" and points them out! I feel that this deserved its own post. What an accomplishment! Keep up the good work Gusley!!!

A Breath of Fresh Air.......

FINALLY!!! We were able to play outside today. I do not know who was more excited, mommy, Gusley or Buttercup! The weather was absolutely perfect. Not too cold, not too hot. As soon as I opened the door the dog took off and Gus was right behind her. We fetched, we did sidewalk chalk, we chatted, played chase and had a merry ol' time! It looks like we may be able to have another play date outside again tomorrow, but Sunday is 90% chance of rain.....we shall see what the weather brings! Here are a few pictures of the smiling faces from today!!

17 months.......

It seems as though things are just starting to click in our little man's head. For example we have been counting with him and now he holds out his hand wide open and looks at his fingers and says "ooh, dee, ahh, ooh". Very cute and this keeps him happy in the car, especially when Jake holds up his hand and counts with him!! When the phone rings Gus makes the cutest face and says "OOHH"! He is now saying "uh oh" when something falls, spills, etc. Everyday when we go out and come in to check the mail he has to ring the door bell (several times) which in turn sends Buttercup into a psychotic barking tailspin and the more she barks the more he rings it...funtimes!! These days at our house there is never a dull moment. Gus is on the move more and more and I feel so fortunate to be able to be home with him and watch every step of the way! We have been swimming a good bit and he just loves it. I think if we would let him he would take off. He and I are taking mom and tot swim lessons in a couple of weeks and I can't wait. I have been practicing floating him on his back and he loves to wet the hair on his neck so I think he will enjoy swimming lessons. Lately when we go to dinner he acts so grown up. We put him in his highchair and at some places a booster seat because he is too big for a highchair and he sits like a big boy and colors or doodles or takes the sweet-n-low in and out of the container, but he is good for the most part. When the food arrives he eats like a champ and makes nice smiley faces on his plate!!

There is so much that he is doing these days it is hard to keep up. I am currently drawing a blank (could be the loud thunderstorm luring me to go to bed) but as I think of things I will update/edit this post.

Gusley for 17 months you sure are making mommy and daddy very proud parents and you have accomplished so many little milestones thus far we can hardly wait to see what the future has in store. I love you!

Happy, healthy 17 month old~

I picked this up at Goodwill and it has been a hit. Gusley you wear the stethoscope around your neck everyday almost all day. You brought this to Pinki and Pop's house and by the end of the day you had mastered the yellow key in the yellow door, purple key in the purple door and the blue key in the blue door. A few nights later you and I were playing and you still remembered (yellow, purple and blue!!) A few nights after that you were playing while I was cooking supper and this is what I found.....you mastered the yellow key in the door all by yourself!! Way to go!!

07.14.09 - 17 months

Counting is lots of fun....

I have been counting with Gus for quite sometime now any time we are picking up toys or lately DOG FOOD we count each toy/piece as we put it back in the container/bowl. It seems as though all he wants to do these days is count. For instance, every morning he has to empty Buttercup's food bowl and we count all the marsels of food until they are back in the bowl, then he wants to do it again, and again, and again. The other day Jake was playing upstairs with him and he hollers down for me because he had a parenting dilemma! I have always let Gus take all his socks out of the basket and we count them back in well this time Gusley was taking EACH AND EVERY diaper out of the diaper stacker! We decided that we would stop him in his tracks and count all the diapers as we put them back. He just loves to take things out and put them back. I am trying to figure out something to put in place of the dog food because that is becoming a bit messy, especially when he puts it in the water bowl then wants to count them after they are soaked! Ahhh, the joys of owning a dog and soon our cat will be back home, but his food will stay up far, far away from Gusley's reach!!