I'm Cute as a Button

Mommy and Daddy (or Bobert as I often call him) took me and Baby Lysander to the Duke Gardens Saturday. As we were watching the ducks bathe and frolic in one of the ponds, some passersby offered me some bread for duck food. I fed one of the ducks right out of my hand and it surprized me when it "bit" me. We had a great time.

I now know all of my colors, can work many different types of puzzles, and can build blocks over half my height. I love Dora and Diego more than ever and only started watching television two weeks ago. I beginning to count and so far, I can say one, two, three, four, quatro, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten... but maybe not all together at once. I am also beginning to sing my ABC's. I am able to "read to Mommy" some nursury rhymes. I can nearly sing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" and Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee. I also love Wee Willy Winkie, The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, Little Jack Horner, Pussy Cat Pussy Cat, and Little Boy Blue.

Sometimes, when Mommy and Bobert tell me how much they love me, I tell them I love me, too! It's great. I love everybody. I frequently ask about my Grandma, Papa Chris, Nana, Papa Frankie, Charlotte, Kiki, Rylan, Brandon, Matilda, and Adelaide. I also ask about my favorite puppydogs Happy and Temberdog.

Ok, time for pictures!

My Little Brother, Lysander

So I have a new little brother and that sure enough makes me a big sister. You can visit his blog to find out more about his grand entry into the world. He's a pretty silly little boy and keeps me entertained - just watch him when he sleeps!
Just prior to meeting him, I woke up to my Nana and Papa and they put me in high spirits by reading lots of books to me and talking about our upcoming beach trip in August. After then, shortly after meeting him, my Grandma and G-Papa came down. I got to try on all my Grandma's jewelry (as usual) and then, even gained access to her purse when she wasn't looking (probably going gaga over the new baby, no doubt). I found a cool pair of shades in her accessory bag and decided that since I was now a big sister, I could try out a new look. I tipped up my nose a bit and peered through the gap to compare the view of the hospital room with vs. without glasses. Turns out, it's much cooler to look through the shades. I'm ready to join the Garden Club! As a big sister, I have taken an immediate interest in Lysander. I bring wipes and diapers whenever Mommy or Daddy is changing him and I try to comfort him whenever possible, usually by singing "Oh My Darling". Would you believe that he likes my rendition of that folksy song?! I ofen find that I'm not able to help out as much as I'd like, so that's when my dolls come into play. I've been taking terrific care of them for months. I even bottle-feed and am a master of the bottle prop! Sometimes, after a long day, I do feel that taking care of the baby and the dolls is about to cause me to pull all of my hair out of my ponytails! It's a tough job, but I'm up for it! I must say, my sense of humor keeps me on top of my game and therefore, I think it's appropriate to point out that my little brother is sleeping in what was once my pink carseat in the photograph below: Lysander's arrival has afforded me the terrific opportunity to stay home for a few weeks with Mommy and Daddy. That has been some-kind-of-wonderful! I also get to see lots of visitors, including Cousins Charlotte, Harrison, and Matilda (who is also now a big sister to Adelaide, another cousin); Aunts Andrea, Jennifer, Liz, and Tember; Uncles Chris, Eric, Eric, and Jon; and of course, my beloved grandparents Nana, Papa, Grandma and G-Papa. One of my highlights has been frequent trips to the Museum of Life and Science. In the video below, I demo the drums and other unique percussion instruments.
If you visit my brothers blog, you'll see that we also enjoyed trips to Duke Gardens. I also got to enjoy lots of water sports, including simple pleasures such as playing in the tub and kiddie pool at my home. My bunny rabbit robe-towel has been with me since my first baths. And if you think I look happy in the pictures above, check out the ones below! I do enjoy having Lysander around and when he's not immediately visible, I find myself wanting to look after him and asking my Mommy and Daddy about him. Also while my little brother was busy sleeping and growing, I enjoyed some extra time dancing with Daddy! At the end of the video (fast forward if you must), check out my enthusiastic farewell!I've also had plenty of time to interact with Mommy. We've been reading books and practicing language! I know these are some long video's, but you might enjoy this one of me opening my car window with my big left toe.

Horray! Matilda came to Play!

I have been busy adjusting to being a big sister to Lysander born last week! I'm doing a great job, but I have moments where I like to spend time with kids closer to my own age. Matilda is 18 months and 5 days old and she and I had a blast today reading Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton and then, hammering a table with our bottles of apple juice. I look very forward to telling you more about my little brother, but here I'm simply having a fabulous time playing with my cousin who expects a little sister, Adelaide, to be born in the next two weeks. Matilda and me in my little fairy tent:

Matilda and me playing copycat:

I'm So Much Fun

I love life! I wake up in the morning and smile and greet my momma and daddy and bring them so much joy. I love cosleeping and have no concept of the idea that they may actually try to get me into my own bed some day soon. Momma has a baby in her belly and I'm very friendly to it, kissing it at times and even talking to it. I love other children, big and small and am just the sweetest little lovebug to just about every creature I come across. I don't kill little creatures by stomping on them because they all have what I have, this little lifesource that gives us spunk. Daddy took me to Mommy's workplace a couple of nights ago and I enjoyed wearing a colorful hat. Sorry for not keeping up with the blog... the highlights are:
1) I am growing tall tall tall
2) I hardly get sick at all these days
3) I have a gorgeous sweet smile
4) I love to laugh and have a great sense of humor, even after bumping heads with Mommy or Daddy
5) I love playdough, putting together the alphabet puzzle, playing with the girls across the street, calling cats, and calling Daddy Bobert!
6) I also like to make trains out of cans and anything else I can line up!
7) I can make a variety of animal sounds on command (gorilla, lion, tiger, duck, pig, cow) and I can mock alligators and elephants.
8) I also am throwing balls at/into targets now which is great fun!

Here I am!!! Me, Myself, and I and all my joy!

Circus Act

I went to the circus on February 8th with my good friend, Melena Rosa! We had a fabulous time together, but both had minor meltdowns during the clown act. When the animals returned to the arena, it got fun again and as we were leaving, we performed a little circus act of our own with parents keeping a close eye on us! After the circus, Mommy noticed whenever a picture of a horse or elephant appeared in a book, I would point to it and declare, "That was fun!!!" speaking of course, with reference to the circus! If you look at the flash 2:53 into the video, you'll see the shot (flash) featured in my 2009 Valentine! What fun!