One click makes me larger!

My Picture Portfolio

My Diary

Jump to Most Recent Entries

Just the Stats, Ma'am

Preface

1997

1998

1999

Introduction

Hi! Thanks for stopping by my home page. I've now had 26610 visitors! My name is Elisha (pronounced Eh-lee-shah) Maxine Herring and I'm Sandy & Liz's daughter. I was born on November 11, 1997 at 15:24:45 PST, which means that I'm now ten years old. My daddy and mommy put together a really cute birth announcement that I know you'd enjoy reading. My daddy has also scanned some of the photographs he, Gram Pris and my Uncle Mitch have taken of me. Would you like to see them? Of course you would! Just follow the links above to My Picture Portfolio. Daddy is, like, waaaay behind in putting up new pictures - I keep him pretty busy. You can also sign my Guest Book. I promise to read it and might even send you a reply!

What's in a name?

I'm named after my daddy's father, whose name was Elmer. I'm very sad that I arrived too late to meet either of my grandfathers, but thankful for the two grandmothers who I know will tell me all about them!

My middle name is in honor of my Great-Grandmother, Maxine Fisher who passed away June 24th, 1997. My mommy and daddy hope that I inherit her kind and selfless heart, as well as the wisdom and intellect which my grandfathers Elmer and Bill possessed.

Mommy and daddy have been calling me some strange names. While I was "in utero" (wherever that is), they called me...

lil' E
little boo girl
wiggleworm
Emacs (daddy, not mommy - it has something to do with computers)

little boo girl (still)
little beedleboo (their favorite)
little poo girl (when I fill my diaper)
little hedgehog (when they try to burp me & I curl up into a ball)
little scrunchbug (ditto)
snookums
skookums
Miss Thing (mommy, when I'm being coy)
The Archer (when I'm asleep - it looks like I'm shooting an arrow)
the minor child (daddy, when he's thinking about his Uncle Sam)
the double-fisted knuckle sucker (is that some kind of bird?)

Two Wise Ladies

My Grandma Priscilla was here when I was born and stayed for two weeks to help out by cooking and cleaning. My Grandma Ada came to visit a week after Grandma Priscilla left. She spent a lot of time in the kitchen cooking up a storm. It sure smelled good. I wish I had some teeth so that I could have some of the great meals she made for my mommy and daddy! She came over to feel my pulkas whenever she took a break. I think that's my thighs - but I don't know too much Yiddish yet. She kept talking about wanting me to have more creases. Is that a good thing for a girl to have in her legs? Whenever I cried and my mommy and daddy couldn't figure out how to get me to stop, Grandma Ada would calm me with her "Grandmom magic" - something only grandmoms have. Mommy and daddy wanted her to give them some, but they'll have to wait until I'm a mommy before they get any (they said, "No hurry, we'll wait"). Grandma Ada has gone back to Florida and took all her magic with her. But Grandma Priscilla came back to spend Christmas and New Years with us and brought her own brand of magic. We all celebrated Christmas and Hanukkah together, but I don't really understand what that's all about yet. My mommy and daddy will explain it to me, I'm sure. Right now, all I care about is being loved, warm and fed! Maybe that's not too far off from the meaning of the holidays :-)

Grandmom Ada bought mommy and daddy a videocam so that they can take motion pictures of me and send them to relatives and friends who haven't seen me yet. Daddy caught me doing my "wake up Katas" on tape. He says that's a "training form" done in Martial Arts. He and my mommy know a lot of stuff. I know they'll be fun to learn from.

November, 1997

Tuesday, 11th

Dear Diary,

This is the first entry in my diary, and the first day of my life! It was a lot of work getting here, so I'll make this short. I was three days late getting here (there must have been a lot of traffic) and mommy and I worked very hard to give me my start on life. Daddy was there to greet me and cut my cord. Then mommy fed me my first real meal. After the nurses got done inspecting, detecting and disinfecting me I got to hang out with mommy, daddy and Gram Pris for a while before I took a loooong nap. Gram Pris came on the day I was supposed to get here, but I just wasn't ready yet - so I made them wait.

p.s. I just got here and already they're giving me a test. I don't know anything about APGARs and didn't have a chance to study, but I still got two 9's! Pretty good, huh?

Wednesday, 12th

Mommy gets to stay an extra day in the hospital. I got a stuffy nose, which worried mommy when she heard me having trouble breathing. The nice nurses checked me out and let mommy and daddy know it was nothing to worry about. Looks like a stopped up schnoz is part of my heritage :-(

Thursday, 13th

We get to go home... yay!

I'm basically just your average baby blob, spending my days eating and peeing and sleeping and eating and pooping and eating and sleeping.

Friday, 14th

We went to see Dr. Schwenniger today about my stuffy nose. Mommy's gonna use saline drops... YECH! I DON'T LIKE THAT!!

Mommy also took me to see the nice ladies at the breast feeding clinic to learn more about how to feed me.

Tuesday, 18th

My belly button stump fell off today... YAY! I have a real belly button :-) And now maybe mommy and daddy will leave it alone *sheesh*.

Tuesday, 25th

Gram Pris went back home today. She was very sad to leave. :-( But she'll be coming back for Christmas.

Thursday, 27th

Mommy and daddy celebrated something called Thanksgiving today, and had turkey for dinner. All I got was breast milk. That's all I ever get, but that's hokay fine with me!

Saturday, 29th

I've been very cranky for the past two nights. Mommy and daddy made sure I was changed, fed and burped - but none of that helped. They think it's something called "colic", which is a fancy word for crying for no good reason. They took me for long rides in the car to get me to go to sleep. This wasn't any more fun for me than it was for them :-(

Sunday, 30th

I was in a much better mood today. I even gave mommy my first smile! She was across the room, but she noticed. I was feeling so good I didn't even have that colic thing happen tonight. Mommy and daddy got a little more sleep!

December, 1997

Monday, 1st

I did my first "coo". Daddy was the one to hear it. I guess that's only fair since mommy got the first smile.

Thursday, 4th

I found out today that I have TWO grandmoms... Grandmom Ada (my daddy's mommy) arrived today. Boy was she ever happy to see me - and my pulkas (which is Yiddish for "thighs" - isn't having just one language confusing enough?)

Friday, 5th

I have a toy cow named "Emma". She's white and black with a little red. I like her a lot. Today I "tracked" her when mommy moved her around in front of me - and I reached out for her, too.

Thursday, 11th

I'm one month old today!

Friday, 12th

I spent this last week doing my normal routine: sleep, cry, eat. But I also practiced my cooing alot. And I found out I can make lots of other sounds. I also found my VOLUME control - now I really know how to get everyone's attention.

Grandmom Ada spent the week cooking up a storm. It sure smelled good, but I only get to taste it second hand. Today I got fed from a bottle for the first time. Both daddy and Grandmom Ada gave me one. Even though it was mommy's milk they gave me, I still like it better when it comes straight from mommy :-)

Monday, 15th

Grandmom Ada went back home today :-( She was also very sad to leave. But daddy and mommy will be taking me to see her and lots of other family members when we go to Florida next year.

Tuesday, 16th

I've had a skin condition called "cradle cap" and it's gotten pretty awful. I've also had some really bad diaper rash. So mommy and daddy took me to the doctor today. She didn't seem very worried about it and told mommy to give me oatmeal baths (I thought you ate that stuff) and told her what to smear on my scalp to make it better.

Saturday, 20th

I've been smiling and cooing more and more this past week. I think we've got that colic licked!

Monday, 22nd

Gram Pris is back! She cried when she saw me - I think she kinda missed me :-)

Tuesday, 23rd

My first Hannukah! Daddy is Jewish and mommy is Methodist, so I get to celebrate Hannukah AND Christmas - whee! Daddy lit the first candle tonight and read some stories.

Thursday, 25th

My first Christmas! There were lots and lots of presents under the huge tree that mommy and daddy brought inside and decorated. We spent all morning opening them up. I was more interested in the wrapping paper than anything inside.

Monday, 29th

I've been smiling and cooing more and more. Some of my coos are more like talking now. And the past two days I didn't cry as soon as I woke up - I coo'd and yelled. I've got a lot to be happy about!

January, 1998

Thursday, 1st

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Friday, 2nd

Gram Pris went back home today. She was very sad to leave, but I know she'll be back again soon.

Sunday, 11th

Today is my two month birthday!

Saturday, 17th

Mommy and daddy figured out that the way to have a meal without me complaining is to seat me near the table where I can keep an eye on them.

My diaper rash is nearly gone... hooray!! Mommy found a really cool cream called "Little Forest Therapeutic Diaper Rash Ointment". Boy, that's a mouthful. They could have just called it "Magic Forest".

Tuesday, 20th

I didn't realize daddy has a job. He went back to work today :-( What a bummer! But mommy took real good care of me. I was glad to see him come home.

Wednesday, 21st

I slept six hours straight last night - a new record. Boy were mommy and daddy happy!!

Thursday, 22nd

I beat my record and slept seven hours! I also figured out how to press my feet together on the changing table to make changing my diaper a little more challenging for mommy and daddy :-)

Friday, 23rd

Another new record - EIGHT hours!! Mommy and daddy are starting to resemble human beings <grin>. But I loved them even when they were zombies. I've been discovering my hands and fingers. It's fun to grab things and not let go!

Wednesday, 28th

After nearly a week of not sleeping throught the night, I slept for eight hours straight. This really surprised mommy and daddy.

I've noticed my eyes get wet now when I'm unhappy. This makes my mommy cry, too :-(

February

Monday, 2nd

Mommy really cried today. I found out she has a job, too. She went back to work today. It was my first day of daycare. But I had fun with Miss Sheila and all the children, so I don't know what the fuss was all about.

Wednesday, 11th

Today I turned three months old! Mommy got me a really cool new toy. It's an interactive play and lite gym. It didn't take me too long to figure out that if I bap the hanging dweedles it plays songs and flashes lights. Neato!

Wednesday, 18th

I made my first attempt at a laugh today :-)

I've been sucking my knuckles and drooling for about a week now - and trying to eat my whole hand. This made mommy notice that I have tooth buds starting to form. Does this mean flowers will bloom in my mouth in the spring?

Saturday, 21st

Mommy and daddy left me with a babysitter for the first time. They went out to a rest runt and let someone else cook for them. They were celebrating Valentine's Day (and the 4th anniversary of their engagement) a week late since they couldn't get a sitter on the 14th. Dara and I had fun before I went to bed.

Saturday, 28th

I got my first booboo today while daddy and mommy were clipping my nails. I think it hurt them more than it hurt me. (Is that how that expression got started?) I cried for a while, but not for too long. After that I was very chatty.

March, 1998

Sunday, 1st

Mommy and daddy took me shopping for the first time. We went to Nordstrom. Mommy was excited, but I liked the Imaginarium better.

Wednesday, 11th

This is my four month birthday!

I can't say I liked the way daddy and mommy chose to celebrate it, though - they took me in to see the doctor for what they call a checkup. I'd call it being a pincushion :-(. I got three shots - DTP/HIB, Polio and Haemophilus - sounds like something I'd say! They're supposed to be good for me, but I didn't see daddy and mommy get what's good for them!

My vocabulary has gotten past "ahgoo" and I have a comment on almost everything (mommy says the technical term is "vocal play"). Mommy and daddy listen intently to everything I say, even though I can tell they just don't get it! I even tried to spell it out for them, but they just don't understand *sigh*.

I've progressed beyond the knuckle-sucking stage now that I've made an incredible discovery - thumbs! I can even give myself two thumbs up :-). I've also begun to reach out and grasp objects. It's especially fun to grab ahold of daddy's sleeve when he's trying to get a diaper on me. There is virtually nothing that escapes my notice now. I am constantly fascinated by everything I see, hear, smell and touch. Life is a lot of fun!

Saturday, 14th

I showed mommy and daddy my first true laugh today.

Friday, 20th

Today is my daddy's birthday... Happy Birthday, Daddy! I love you!!

Gram Pris arrived for another visit today. She was really happy to see me and how much I've grown.

Saturday, 21st

Tonight Gram Pris took mommy and daddy out to a fancy restaurant for dinner to celebrate and left me with Joe and Leah, our next door neighbors. They're really nice people and we had so much fun together that I laughed in my sleep.

Monday, 23st

Today was a real milestone for me. I discovered raspberries! Mommy and daddy like them, too. We exchange them all the time now. Tonight for the first time mommy and daddy put me to sleep in a new place - they call it a crib. It's really big compared to the bassinet I was in before. And it's in my very own room - although mommy misses me a lot. But I'm right next door, and they have some sort of radio thing they use to spy on me.

Tuesday, 24th

I managed to wake up facing the other direction. I don't know how that happened - and neither do mommy and daddy. Maybe the Boojum did it!

Wednesday, 25th

Daddy signed me up for a trip to Mars!! Well, actually, he filled out a form to get my name on a CD which will be aboard the Mars Polar Lander. I'm number 330,996 of only a million kids whose name will be included! I guess you could say I'm one in a million :-)

Saturday, 28th

I've been making raspberries all week. I especially like returning them when mommy and daddy do it first. I've also been laughing and smiling a lot. Life is sure a lot of fun!!

Monday, 30th

Gram Pris left again. Where does she go?

I had a lot of fun with her during the week she was here. She got me some cute outfits for me to spit up on, too :-)

April, 1998

Wednesday, 8th

I took my first plane ride! (at least, the first one since I was inside of mommy) We all went to Florida to visit daddy's family for Passover. Mommy and daddy were very worried about how the ride would go, but I did fine.

In Florida, I saw Grandmom Ada again - and also got to meet lots of relatives for the first time... Uncle Mitch & Aunt Shelly, cousin Eric, Great Uncles Morty and Jules & Great Aunts Charlotte and Perla, and cousins Peter, Jeff, John, Dara & David. Whew!. Everyone was so happy to see me, it really made me feel good :-)

Saturday, 11th

I'm five months old today!

I turned from my back to my tummy for the very first time. It happened while I was trying to go to sleep. Mommy and daddy were very excited by this, but it just made me angry 'cause I got stuck :-(

Sunday, 12th

We flew back from Florida today. After we got home, daddy was crinkling a bag of potato chips to entertain me. This is the funniest thing I ever saw! I just shrieked and laughed with all my might for a long time!

Saturday, 18th

Mommy and daddy went shopping today and got me a highchair!! This is very cool, 'cause now I can really watch mommy and daddy eat. But they had another surprise for me - they gave me rice cereal for the first time. I ate it, but I'm not real sure about it. I made a face everytime they give me a spoonful, but I kept coming back for more.

Sunday, 19th

Daddy offered me a pacifier for the first time in a long while. I always spit it out before, but today I liked it. Daddy also fed me from a bottle, but I showed him that I could hold the bottle all by myself!

Tuesday, 21st

I started to really use my new skill of turning from back to tummy.

Thursday, 23rd

I actually slept on my tummy. Mommy and daddy were a little freaked when they found me on my tummy this morning. They're worried about someone named "Sid" for some reason. But I was just fine.

Friday, 24th

I allowed mommy to give me rice cereal again (I had refused a few times earlier this week). I made faces, but I liked it enough to eat most of it.

She's been reading to me, but after she fed me she sat me in her lap and read me a book I really liked. I looked back and forth from the book to her while she read. It was a lot of fun for both of us.

Saturday, 25th

I woke up on my tummy several times, but couldn't turn to my back.

Mommy and daddy took me shopping at the mall. Lots of strangers stopped to look at me. I had a really good time. Now I know why mommy likes to shop so much :-)

Sunday, 26th

Today was very special. I finally figured out how to turn from my tummy to my back. I did it THREE times - and daddy even got me doing it on video!!

May, 1998

Sunday, 10th

Gram Pris came in yesterday for Mother's Day to help mommy celebrate her very first one as a mommy. Daddy took them out to dinner last night and Joe and Leah came over to take care of me. Today I squealed and giggled and we all had lots of fun while daddy cooked mommy and Gram Pris a special Mother's Day breakfast.

Monday, 11th

Wow - I'm a half a year old already!! Can you believe it? Neither can mommy or daddy.

Tuesday, 12th

I had my six month checkup at the doctor's office. I cried when I saw the doctor (my mommy called it "stranger anxiety"), even though she's really a nice lady. She said I'm doing just fine. Well, then why did they have to stick me with needles again? OUCH!

Sunday, 17th

Mommy gave me a new food - sweet potatoes. I ate it, but wasn't real excited about it.

Monday, 18th

Mommy has been helping me to practice sitting up by myself and today I actually managed to do it for around five seconds before I fell over. It's hard, you know? But I'm working on it! My new thing is knocking in a clapping motion. Kinda like horizontal Patty Cake :-) I knock on my bottle, on toys, and on faces, too.

Friday, 22nd

I discovered a new sound - gurgling. Isn't it amazing how many ways there are to say stuff before you even know how?

Saturday, 23rd

Today marked a lot of firsts. Let's see, I had oatmeal for the first time... that I liked! I sat up - kind of (mommy calls it a "tripod") - for almost half a minute while I was watching myself on the VCR. Daddy has been taping me and he gave me a preview. I also transferred my favorite toy from one hand to the other. And I tried to crawl a little... the rear wheels were engaged, but the front brakes were on - so I didn't make any progress. Wait'll I figure that one out!!

Sunday, 24th

This was NOT a good day. I got my first cold and ear infection. But mommy and daddy took me to see a doctor right away and got me some pink goop to help me get better.

Monday, 25th (Memorial Day)

Mommy had to work, so daddy and I got to have fun all day. And we did! Mommy missed it, but I grabbed my foot with both hands for the first time. I'm getting the hang of clapping and making noise while doing it. Now if I could just get my hands on some pots and pans!

Friday, 29th

A while back mommy got a Tigger hand puppet, which I really like to play with while I'm on the changing table. Today I looked at Tigger and softly said "Ma" for the first time. Too bad daddy missed it :-(

I also had carrots for the first time. I really liked them - but boy did I make a big mess (but nothing like the mess that was to come tomorrow :-)

June, 1998

Thursday, 4th

Daddy has been giving me rides on his shoulders. That's always fun and makes me smile. Today he gave me a ride and it was so much fun I spit up all over his head. I'm sure glad he's such a good sport - he thought it was funny, too :-)

Friday, 5th

Mommy was in a REAL good mood today. She was able to get into her favorite jeans again. Yay mommy... you go girl! (I mean, you go mommy ;-)

Saturday, 6th

Mommy fed me squash for the first time. Yum!

I've started to practice skydiving. I lay on the floor on my tummy, lift my legs up, and put my arms straight back and up. Wheeee!

Thursday, 11th

Today is my 7 month birthday... lucky me! I celebrated it this morning by grabbing both of my feet at once for the first time. Then I "iced the cake" by sticking one foot in my mouth. Shannon Miller, look out!

Thursday, 18th

About the only thing new I've done this past week is to start working on my consonants with "words" like 'bwaa' and 'ihdah'. You know what those mean, don't you?

Saturday, 20th

Guess what I did today?! I got up on my hands and knees all by my self!! I rocked back and forth a few times before collapsing - that was hard work... whew!

Guess what else? Aw c'mon... go ahead and guess! I'm getting my third tooth - OUCH!. It's my top left front tooth. Mommy and daddy better really look out now when I bite.

You know what else happened today? Mommy gave me oatmeal for breakfast. It's the first time I've had "solid" food earlier than dinner.

Sunday, 21st

This is daddy's very first Father's Day. We had a lot of fun playing together - so much that I didn't even take my morning nap. But now I'm pretty tired, so I think I'll go take a nap now...

That nap felt good. I played airplane and pushups with daddy afterwards. Then he fed me some carrots. I ate the WHOLE jar - mmmm <smack>!

Friday, 26th

Guess what I learned today? It's something very important... something everyone is expected to know. My NAME! You should see how happy daddy and mommy are when I look at them after they call "Elisha" :-)

I added a new word to my vocabulary... "ahboo". Making up words is a cool hobby!

Daddy put me in my Johnny-jump-up for the first time this morning, but I wasn't quite sure what to do there. Then, just before daddy got home tonight I finally figured out that my excersaucer goes bouncy, bouncy. Things are really starting to fall in place.

Another thing I've discovered is that if I put both of my arms out, mommy or daddy will pick me up.

Saturday, 27th

Daddy put me in my Johnny-jump-up again this morning and adjusted the height a little... and now I CAN DO IT! What a fun toy!! We're going to go for a walk and use the jogger/stroller that mommy got, so I have to go get ready. I'll write more later.

Sunday, 28th

I did it... I really did it. I said "da". And daddy heard it, too. I was lying on the bed next to mommy looking at the ceiling, but even though I wasn't looking at daddy when I said it, he was really, REALLY happy :-)

I also discovered a new way to make raspberries - finger assisted. They're MUCH better that way. I practiced my new skill for almost a half hour this morning while mommy and daddy had breakfast.

Tuesday, 30th

While mommy and I played on the carpet this afternoon I managed to get up on all fours (and hold my head up) several times. I rocked back and forth and even scooted backwards a little! Too bad daddy missed it - he hadn't come home from work yet :-(

July, 1998

Friday, 3rd

For the past three days I've been getting up on all fours and rocking a lot. That's what I do now... rock & roll! Mick Jagger, look out!

Saturday, 4th

I celebrated the 4th of July by cutting my fourth tooth! Whew, that was really hard work. Maybe now it'll stop bugging me so much!

I discovered a new letter today - "B". I spent all day practicing... awababa, bababa, aba, etc.

Mommy and daddy took me outside and lit some sparklers and blew lots of bubbles. I thought that was VERY cool.

Sunday, 5th

I've been doing a lot better at sitting on my own. Today I managed to stay upright without any help for around 30 seconds. I also have learned the meaning of the word "up" in the past few days. Now I know to extend my arms when mommy or daddy says "up". They think I'm very smart. Who am I to disagree? ;-)

Thursday, 9th

Mommy and I have been really practicing sitting up these past few days. I can now manage to stay upright for several minutes - or until I get distracted (whichever comes first). I've also been adding new sounds to my vocabulary. I spent most of last Tuesday saying "ya ya da da da". Mommy and daddy don't understand me, but I'll teach them! :-)

Today I was noticing all the cool stuff on the coffee table, but it was out of reach. So mommy stood me up next to it. For the first time, I locked my knees and held on!! She helped me a little with a hand on my butt, but I stayed standing for a minute. Long enough to knock several items to the floor - whee!!

I've been getting up on my hands and knees more often, too. And now I can scootch around on my tummy to face a different direction. Better batten down the hatches - this gal's gonna be mobile soon!

Saturday, 19th

It's been a while since I've written in my diary because I've been working hard on perfecting the new skills I've learned. Today, mommy and I played a game that was a lot of fun. I was in my exersaucer and mommy was doing stuff in the kitchen. She hid behind the center island and then surprised me by jumping up and yelling "Peek-a-boo!" We've played peek-a-boo lots of times, but this was a new way. I got so excited that I nearly jumped out of my exersaucer. Every time she popped up, I jumped up and down a few times, too!

Sunday, 20th

Today I really and truly said "mama" for the first time!!!

Monday, 27th

It was HOT today! And I'm going to be home with mommy all week because there's no day care - Miss Sheila's on vacation. At least she has air conditioning... we don't :-( So mommy took me to the mall. You shoulda seen all the other mommies and babies at Nordy's - most with navy blue strollers, just like mine! I guess their mommies had the same idea.

Friday, 31st

It's been really hot all week. Mommy and I did a lot of cruisin' the malls! We had lotsa fun while daddy worked. Today we leave for California for a week's vacation. It should be cooler there since we'll be near the ocean.

August, 1998

Saturday, 1st

Mommy was worried that the plane ride would be hard on me. It was harder on them than me - I didn't have to carry anything. Tonight we're going to a big birthday bash for the son of a friend of my daddy and mommy. Jonathan Denney is three years old today - boy is *that* old!

Sunday, 2nd

The party last night was a blast! Mommy was worried that I'd freak out around so many people - she worries way too much :-)

I had fun meeting all the people. I really liked daddy's friend, Joan. We had some private talks - I won't tell you what we discussed. Daddy and a bunch of his friends (they call themselves "The Friday Night Band") played and sang songs until way late. Daddy played fife. I really enjoyed listening to them all.

Today we went over to Larry & Holly's house for a barbeque. They have two little girls, Sarah and Kristen, who are just over 5 months old. They have the same birthday - how could that be? We had fun looking at each other and made our own 3-ring circus in our exersaucers. Some of mommy and daddy's other friends were there, too. I guess vacations are spent going to parties!

Sunday, 9th

We're going back home to Portland today. We had LOTS of fun this past week with Gram Pris and mommy & daddy's friends. Like when mommy, daddy, Gram Pris and I went to the Sawdust Festival. There were so many people and other interesting things to see. This is where daddy took mommy on their very first date. Mommy says that was before I was even a twinkle in her eye. Is that where babies come from? How do they get there?

I learned a new skill during our week in California - drinking from a sippy cup. I can kinda do it myself, but I like it better when someone else holds the cup for me. And I still prefer the old fashioned way (no cup or bottle ;-).

Monday, 10th

We got home okay, but I fussed a bit - and wouldn't take a bottle. Mommy and Daddy couldn't figure out why, but I know! I go back to daycare today. I'll bet Miss Sheila missed me!

Tuesday, 11th

I'm 9 months old today... YAY! I had a doctor's appointment, but NO shots... YIPPEE!!

Friday, 14th

I finished my first week back at daycare. Miss Sheila really had to struggle to get me to take a bottle, but she was very patient. She and mommy finally figured out why I didn't want one - I hadn't had one during the two weeks Miss Sheila was on vacation and daycare was closed. Some adults just take a while to catch on, y'know?

Monday, 17th

I had Oatios (kinda like Cheerios) today for the first time. I liked playing with them, but gagged when I tried to eat them. Mommy got really worried, but she let me keep on trying.

Thursday, 20th

I'm doing a lot better with the Oatios, though I still gag a little sometimes. But I like them!

Friday, 21st

Today isn't a birthday of any sort, but it is a milestone. I've been outside of mommy as long as I was inside her :-) I think I prefer it outside. There's more room and more to see and do!

Sunday, 23rd

I hab my firs code in da doze. *sniffle* *ACHOO!*

Monday, 24th

Mommy stayed home with me and took me to the doctor. I just have a runny nose - no fever or ear infection. *whew*

Friday, 28th

*UNH*, *OOOHHR*... I am, like, so close to being able to crawl! And I've got the red spots on my knees to prove it. I just can't figure out what to do yet with my hands (daddy calls'm my "brakes"). I did manage to lift one this morning - but just as I feared, it made me do a face plant *sigh*. And although it's slowly getting better, I still *sniffle, snorgle* have my cold *double-sigh*. I hate having my nose and face wiped!! :-(

September, 1998

Wednesday, 2nd

As I'm sure you've guessed, my daddy has been doing the typing for me. But today, I typed this entry myself...

b./. b.bb ; b bl l / /C_ bv .// .. //hj,kkkkkkkkkkkk,,,,,,,,,,,mv v b
bl. /b..//.///////////////////////////////////l 6gtg] ./ xvv ,,,,,,,,,
,.l,. .,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb.
/l.;.;.l;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;.
llllllllllll.............................cpp0[p[;,l;;pl;;;..............
.llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllb b/b
bvbt/'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''';;;;;;;
tgb yhhju b b n . / b./ ./ b n b . b
bvvvvbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb 6 ./ ,b ,b.bb 6 66
''''''''''''''''''''''''' b?;/ b c'cvv c 

Thursday, 3rd

I added a new letter to my vocabulary today, "S"! I also starting teaching mommy and daddy to play "go fetch". I was in my high chair with a bunch of toys and I threw them all on the floor - just for fun :-)

Sunday, 6th

Mommy found me the coolest toy! It's a Disney pop-up thingy. I figured out right away that when you press certain parts of it, Pluto or Goofy or Minnie pop up. It made me laugh so hard I could barely catch my breath. I even figured out how to close the pop-up lids - but I get my thumb in the way a lot.

Monday, 7th

I'm no longer a veg'tarian - I had MEAT for the first time today. Mommy fed me a stage 3 turkey, rice & veggies.... YUMMM!!

Thursday, 10th

I'm still not crawling, but I'm working really hard on it. I get up on all fours all the time - and today I managed to lift up one arm at the same time.

Friday, 11th

This is a double-digit day for me - I'm 10 months old now!

Sunday, 13th

Mommy and daddy took me down to the river for the first time today. I saw ducks! I laughed 'cuz they make odd sounds and walk weird and they're so funny looking. I also saw a horse, but he was boring - all he did was to just stand there. Oh, oh... and there was this great big fountain with lots of big water jets and people playing in it. I hope when I get bigger I'll be allowed to play in it, too!

Tuesday, 15th

I think I may have started to figure out this crawling thing. Twice this morning I managed to move both my arms and legs from a four point position. I've also started holding my own bottle in day care. Growing up is sure hard work - you gotta do a lot more things for yourself. But it's FUN, too!

Wednesday, 16th

I DID IT! I actually crawled a few paces before flopping *grunt* *pant*. I even "walked" 4 steps (okay, so mommy was holding my hands).

Sunday, 20th

I've been practicing my crawling and can put together 4 to 6 "steps" now. I think I like it better than rolling. I also figured out (with mommy's help, of course) how to pick up my sippy cup and tilt it up to get a drink of juice all by myself. But it's still fun to tilt it upside down or bang it on the highchair :-)

Friday, 25th

I'm getting a lot better at crawling. I've been practicing all week. When I spy something I really want, then get outta my way, man! I've also started "cruising" the coffee table rather than just standing in one place. Now I can reach a lot more things to throw off of it!

Sunday, 27th

I've turned the corner - on the coffee table. I've been struggling to get around it all week and today I did it! But since I move to the left better than to the right, I haven't gotten back yet (it's a long way to go all the way around *huff* *puff*).

Wednesday, 30th

In the past few days I started playing by myself a game mommy and daddy play with me - PEEKABOO!

October, 1998

Friday, 2nd

I've really begun to explore my surroundings. I crawl further and further each day. I think I know how Columbus must have felt!

Saturday, 3rd

*** NEWS FLASH *** I managed to (gracefully, no less) go from a sitting position to a crawl today!

Thursday, 8th

Wow, did we get up EARLY today - like 3 a.m. And it wasn't my idea - no way! Then this man came to pick us up and mommy and daddy had lots of luggage. We went far, far, away - to New York (what happened to the old one?). Daddy said we were going to a Bar Mitzvah for one of his cousins. It was a long, long day and it wasn't very much fun :-(

Friday, 9th

*** NEWS FLASH II *** Now I can go from a crawl to a sit!

Sunday, 11th

I'm eleven months old today!! We spent my whole birthday getting back home from NYC. I pulled an old rabbit out of the hat on the plane trip home - and took mommy and daddy completely by surprise. They decided to change my diaper at 37,000 feet. Well, after they got the old diaper off, and before they could get the new one on, I peed! It was a big UH-OH! I got my clothes wet - and they hadn't packed a change :-( But mommy's a quick thinker and had daddy use his pocket knife to cut holes in a receiving blanket and turn it into a poncho. I think I made a fashion statement! I sure hope mommy and daddy find a better way for me to spend my next birthday - 'cause that'll be a real special ONE!

Tuesday, 13th

It's sure good to be back home. Today and yesterday I've been exploring it, crawling all over the place and starting to pull myself up for a better look.

Thursday, 15th

I've been saying "mama" for almost three months now, but I think I just figured out what it really means! When mommy leaves the room, I go crawling after her saying, "mamamamamama" 'cause that's who she is! And I've known what "up" means for just as long. But now I can say it - well, kind of. It comes out "mup" or "bup" - but mommy and daddy know what I mean.

I also started figuring out another way to express myself - body language! I've been shaking my head to myself, which makes mommy and daddy laugh.

Friday, 16th

Mommy thought she heard me say, "mom up" today. But you know how parents can hallucinate sometimes ;-)

Saturday, 17th

Wow, every day lately I figure out something new. Today, for the first time, I pulled myself to a standing position in my crib. This freaked out mommy and daddy - so they made the mattress lower :-( Spoil sports!

I also stood on my own without holding onto anything for around 10 wobbly seconds.

Tuesday, 20th

I made more progress with body language today. I discovered in the middle of eating dinner that I can flirt by tilting my head until it touches my right shoulder.

Wednesday, 21st

I stood and balanced all by myself today for what must have been 20 seconds. I also started a head shaking contest, and when mommy chimed in I laughed and laughed.

Thursday, 22nd

I "walked" (if you can call it that) from the coffee table to my exersaucer. A whole foot - the start of the longest journey! :-)

Saturday, 24th

Mommy went to a wetting (or something like that) today, so daddy and I had fun just the two of us. And y'know what? For the first time I figured out what the activity walker is for... walking (DUH!) It's not pretty yet, but I pushed it along and caught up to it by dragging my feet. I'm travelin' now, man!!

Monday, 26th

I got 'nudder code in by does :-( *sniffle* *cough* Mommy tayed home wid be today.

Tuesday, 27th

Still home sick wid mommy. Daddy's sick, too, but he went to work.

Wednesday, 28th

Daddy tayed home from work an' took me to da' doctor. I don' hab a feber, but my ears are defective. Daddy got some pink goop to get rid of my ear defection.

Thursday, 29th

Daddy and I are still home sick. Daddy sounds like Barry White!

Grandma Pris came from Callyforya today to visit us. Hope she doesn't catch our cold!

Friday, 30th

I'm getting better slowly, but mommy kept me home again today. She and Gram Pris spent the whole day talking! I talked, too - I said, "uh-oh!" for the first time. Cool, huh? Mommy thought so!

I'm making progress with the activity walker. I push it around saying, "up, bup". I've been carrying on a nearly constant running commentary (the only kind of running I can do yet). My speech is filled with all sorts of new sounds - which I'm obviously the only one smart enought to be able to understand!

Saturday, 31st

Trick or treat!! My very first Halloween. I was a bunny rabbit, but didn't go out. Lotsa strange people came to our house and ate up all of our candy.

November, 1998

Sunday, 1st

I finally managed to pull myself up on the coffee table without any help at all. Arnold Schwarzenegger's got nothing on me!

Friday, 6th

I've gotten really good at cruising the coffee table and anything else I manage to climb. I've been practicing my interior decimating. Mommy gets like every catalog printed and tries to keep them on the coffee table. It's my job to keep the coffee table clear. Guess who wins!? :-)

Sunday, 8th

Daddy and mommy took me to see the Papa Rotisserie. We all had our pictures taken yesterday and again today. First for Chanukah cards, and then for Christmas cards! I see spots!!

My cold is all better - yay!! I've been in a really good mood. I've been pulling up on everything - my crib, mommy & daddy's bed, my light gymboree, even on mommy and daddy's legs. Upright is outta sight!

Monday, 9th

Whenever daddy or mommy drops me off at day care they blow me a kiss goodbye. I blew them a kiss at dinner tonight. Judging from their response, I'd say my aim was pretty good ;-)

Wednesday, 11th

The BIG day has arrived. I'm a whole year old today!!!! You should see what daddy and mommy signed in my guestbook! (You may want to get a hankie first).

After dinner they turned down the light, sang me "Happy Birthday" and brought me a cake - but it was on fire! But daddy and mommy blew out the fire and saved my life. Then we all ate cake and ice cream. It was the first time I had cake - or chocolate, for that matter. Daddy gave me a really small taste of ice cream once before, but I had a lot more this time. I like chocolate and ice cream!! Then mommy and daddy gave me some wrapping paper and boxes. There was stuff inside, but the paper and boxes were much more fun :-)

Thursday, 12th

Now I know why mommy and daddy were so nice to me yesterday. Today we went to the doctor's office. Since my last visit three months ago, I've gained two pounds and grown one inch. I'm sweet & petite! :-) I didn't mind getting weighed or having a flashlight poked into my ears and mouth so much. But just when I thought it was over the nurse came in with FOUR big needles. Ow, OW, OW, OUCH! I never cried so hard in all my life. Mommy cried, too. Oh, and to make matters worse, I'm cutting molars. Why do things have to hurt so much? *sigh*

Thursday, 19th

Every day when I when get dropped off at daycare, Sheila holds me by the window and daddy or mommy waves good-bye. Today, mommy was holding me up to the mirror (which I like a lot), and I waved to our reflections.

Saturday, 21st

Mommy and I were watching UCLA play football today and she got excited, saying "Go, go!" I like to watch football, too - and I wanna be just like mommy, so I also said, "Go, go, go!"

Sunday, 22nd

Today was a bang-up day - and I don't mean that in a good way. I pulled myself up on one of the wooden chairs in the kitchen nook, and decided to bend down to get a toy from the floor. I couldn't decide whether to squat or kneel, and I stumbled and fell forward into the chair. I got a boo-boo on my head :-( I cried really loud, but mommy and daddy held me and calmed me down. I got a little bruise, but I guess it really wasn't such a big deal after all.

Later on mommy and I watched the S.F. 49ers. That's mommy's favorite team. They did something good and mommy raised both her arms over her head and hollered touchdown! That looked like fun, so I raised both my hands up, too! Now everytime I do that, mommy and daddy holler touchdown! I really know how to score with them ;-)

Monday, 23rd

I've been practicing my waving (maybe I'll be in the Tournament of Roses someday). While mommy peeked from behind, I waved at daddy and my reflection in the bathroom mirror - and at the light.

Thursday, 26th

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, everyone!! Tonight mommy and daddy gave me exactly what they had for dinner (except for wine). We had turkey, garlic mashed potatoes and peas with little onions. Mmmmm... grownup food is great!

I've been talking up a storm all week. Too bad mommy and daddy don't speak the same language. Mommy calls my language 'Jargon'. I wonder what country it comes from.

Friday, 27th

My major project for quite some time has been redecorating the house. I clear the tables and empty any containers to give our home that "lived in" look. That's getting kind of old, so I figured out a new trick today. I put some of my toys back into the toychest and put a book which had been on the floor on the coffee table. Mommy and daddy applauded :-)

Y'know, some people say I don't know squat. But today I proved them wrong. I've been squatting a lot. It's great exercise and will help me to walk when I decide to try it.

I must be getting taller because today daddy lowered my crib mattress another notch. Oh well, so much for the great escape I was planning.

Saturday, 28th

Today I continued figuring out how to put things back together after I get them apart. I took one of the colored donut-shaped rings and put it back onto the ring-toss spindle. <more applause :-)>

I also figured out another use for fingers - one of them, anyway. Pointing!

Sunday, 29th

Boy did I ever do something cool today! I've been standing up at the bottom stair for a few days and today I figured out how to climb up it. I made it up four steps (with mommy right behind me). *pant, pant* That's hard work! I also ate eggs for the first time. They come from chickens... or is it the other way around?

December, 1998

Friday, 4th

Talk, talk, talk. Been doin' lots of that.

Thursday, 10th

When I got home from daycare today daddy was already home. Yay!! He and mommy had planted this big tree in the living room. I thought they belonged outside - but it sure smells good.

Saturday, 12th

I was looking at the thing with red lights in mommy and daddy's bedroom so mommy told me it's the clock - and I looked at her and said "clock" (or pretty close, anyway). They thought that was a big deal. But I've been trying to tell them stuff for weeks. It's about time they started to understand me!

Sunday, 13th

Daddy lit the first Hannukah candle tonight and said some blessings in Hebrew. The Festival of Lights goes on for eight days, and we get to light more candles each night.

Friday, 18th

This past week daddy has been getting up and giving me breakfast downstairs. No more breakfast in bed with mommy :-( But she still nurses me at night :-)

Sunday, 20th

When I got up from my nap I discovered that daddy and mommy had put lots of tiny lights on the tree in the living room. Then I played with daddy while mommy put lots of balls and ribbons on the tree. Now I get it - it's a Christmas tree!

Daddy lit the last candle of Hannukah tonight. I got a toy or book every night. What a cool holiday! I also got some "gelt", but I'm not allowed to do anything with it yet. That's okay, I don't know what to do with it, anyway.

Monday, 21st

All that practice pulling myself up on everything is paying off. When mommy or daddy put me down on the floor now, I land on my feet and stand for a while without holding onto anything!

Tuesday, 22nd

Gram Pris is back. She's not as scary as she used to be.

Thursday, 24th

I've been letting go when I cruise from one piece of furniture to another (like my highchair to a grownup chair in the kitchen). Mommy calls it a "hands-free transfer". I call it, "look, Ma, no hands!" I've added a new expression to my vocabulary - 'Tah-Dah!'.

Friday, 25th

Today something REALLY scary happened. I was in my highchair eating some cheese (my favorite food). But I shoved a piece too far back and couldn't get it out or swallow it. I tried to let mommy and daddy know, but I couldn't talk, either. Mommy and daddy got me out of the highchair and slapped my back pretty hard and the cheese came flying out. I cried for a while, but I was okay. Mommy and daddy and Gram Pris were all pretty freaked out - it took them longer to recover than it took me. But we all had a fun Christmas, anyway. I got the most gifts! I had a lot of fun playing with the Noah's Ark that Gram Pris got me and the activity table I got from mommy. New toys, woowoo!!

Wednesday, 30th

Gram Pris left today. And just when I was starting to warm up to her - smiling at her and letting her hold me. She was very sad when we said goodbye :-(

I'm getting really good at standing without holding onto anything. And I can walk real fast using my activity walker. At least until I crash into a wall. That sucker's hard to steer!

I figured out today how to put on the bunny ears mommy got me to wear for Halloween. Until today, I always took them right off when mommy tried to put them on me. Sometimes she's put them on herself and I'd laugh and pull them off of her, too. But today I decided putting them on is fun. I laughed and squealed when I looked at myself in my mirror.

Thursday, 31st

I figured out how to open mommy's dresser drawers a couple of weeks ago (for some reason, only one of the cabinets in the kitchroom will open for me - but it's got lots of fun containers). It's fun to pull out her socks and other stuff. But that's not what I wanted to tell you about. I found something even more fun than bunny ears in mommy's drawers - a golden crown (mommy calls it a headband, but I know it's my sovereign destiny - why else would mommy and daddy call me "princess"?)! I love to put it on and admire myself in the mirror - or just crawl around wearing it. Daddy says he'll get some pictures and put them here for you to see. But he's been so busy he hasn't put any of my pictures here for a long time. :-(

Anyway, Happy New Year! See ya next year...

January, 1999

Friday, 1st

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Boy, next year got here fast :-) This is only my second New Year's Day.

I've added a new bit of body English to my repertoire - shoulder shrugs. Why? I dunno! *shrug*

Saturday, 2nd

I added yet another physical trait - smiling so hard I smile with my eyes.

But daddy did something today that didn't make me smile. He was watching a TV show he had taped. When a commercial came on, he made everyone move really fast. It was scary, so I made him stop so we could see all of the commercials. Daddy and mommy didn't like that too much. But everytime they tried it again, I got scared, so they finally gave in. I win!

Thursday, 7th

I tried out a new way of getting around today. While mommy held one of my hands, I took 3 whole steps!!! One small step for mommy, three BIG steps for "E"-kind!

Saturday, 9th

At breakfast today daddy was blowing me kisses - so I did an "air kiss" in return. He tried to get me to kiss him on the cheek, but I'm not ready for that yet.

***BIG NEWS*** I climbed the entire flight of stairs today - all by myself! Nobody helped me (but mommy and daddy were right behind me). Movin' on up, YEAH!

Mommy and daddy had lays on ya' (lasagna?) for dinner tonight and gave me some. Wow! It sure beats all that mushy stuff outta jars.

Saturday, 16th

***MORE BIG NEWS!!*** I took my first steps today. Just a couple, into mommy's waiting arms. She was so proud of me :-)

Sunday, 17th

I took more steps, just like yesterday. I think I may be on to something here.

Thursday, 21st

*hack* *wheez* I was up from half past midnight until 3am. So was daddy. At least he's not all congested like me!

Mommy took me to the doctor and she said I have another ear infection :-( Time for more pink goop!

Sunday, 24th

My name should be Susan today. I was sitting in front of the coffee table and fell forward. I got a black eye when I smacked my face on it! I tell ya', it's not a pretty sight. Mommy and daddy are really bummed. I'm not real happy 'bout it, either :-(

Monday, 25th

I still have my shiner, but I feel a lot better today. I've been practicing standing - look Ma, no hands!

Tuesday, 26th

All that standing 'round yesterday has paid off. I took 4 or 5 steps in the kitchen today, and repeated that three times during the day. Woo woo!

Wednesday, 27th

I took 4-5 steps again today, this time in the living room so that I could get to mommy.

Thursday, 28th

I have a book called "Baby Angels" that I like a lot. I carried over it to mommy today and gave it to her 'cause I wanted her to read it to me. She was so proud and happy that she cried. I only cry when I'm unhappy. Adults sure can be strange.

February, 1999

Monday, 1st

I've decided to stop pushing mommy and daddy away so much. It's more fun for us all when I show them how much I love them. Today I gave mommy lots of hugs and tucked my head under her chin and against her chest. She sure liked that a lot.

Tuesday, 2nd (Ground Hog Day!)

For the first time I gave daddy a kiss on the lips today. He liked that as much as the hugs I gave mommy yesterday :-)

Wednesday, 3rd

I needed to go from the coffee table to my exersaucer today, and it was only 3 or 4 steps, so I walked rather than crawl.

Daddy left this morning to go to San Francisco for some kind of trade show. :~-( I don't want to trade daddys!!

Friday, 5th

Mommy took my hand today and led me on a walk from the coffee table all the way to the bathroom - and back! She let go of my hand once we got back to the coffee table, but I wasn't ready to stop yet - so we walked around some more. Wheee!!

I starting to come down with another cold - NOT wheee :~-(

Saturday, 6th

I depinitely hab a code :-( :-(

I took some more long walks holding mommy's hand - and some short ones ALL BY MYSELF!!!

Sunday, 7th

My cold is a lot worse :-( Mommy said she's going to take me to the doctor's tomorrow. At least Daddy's coming home late tonight!!

Monday, 8th

I woke up this morning and guess who was there? DADDY! YAY!! But I still feel lousy. Daddy stayed home with me this morning and mommy took me to the doctor in the afternoon. I have a bad ear infection - it looks like the last one I had never completely went away. So they gave me even stronger medicine and drops to numb my ears and some decontestant stuff. I HATE the ear drops, but they do make me feel better.

Tuesday, 9th

I didn't sleep too good last night. Neither did mommy or daddy. Mommy and daddy each spent part of the day with me since I was too sick to go to Miss Sheila's. I was pretty fussy most of the day, but took two long naps. I got fussy again after dinner. I just don't feel good!

Wednesday, 10th

I slept much better last night. So did mommy and daddy :-) But I got more and more fussy all day today. I don't feel like eating or drinking much of anything. So mommy took me back to the doctors and they stuck me with a needle! It was something called "ATB" that's supposed to make me better quicker. I sure hope so.

Thursday, 11th

Hey! That shot's working! I'm starting to feel better. Just in time for my 15 month birthday!! I've been practicing walking around - all by myself! I like to carry one of my toys around while I practice walking.

Friday, 12th

I went back to day care today. Miss Sheila was sure happy to see me. When I got home, I showed mommy that I can put stuff back together rather than just take everything apart. I put one of my round blocks in mommy's hand and then stacked some more on top of it. And I have a drawer in the kitchen where mommy keeps my wooden spoons (okay, I let her use them, too). I love taking them out and dumping them on the floor. Today I found out it's also fun to put them back _into_ the drawer.

Sunday, 14th (Valentine's Day)

I've been walking and walking and walking - all over the place. Today and yesterday, I wore my denim hat everywhere I went. I love that hat.

Daddy surprised mommy today with a balloon and some flowers and some chocolate and a card that made her cry. But I think she was happy even though she cried. Grownups can be very strange.

Monday, 15th

I'm feeling a LOT better today. Hallelujah!

Thursday, 18th

I think I've got this walking thing down pat. It's a great way to rearrange the house. It's hard to carry anything when I crawl. But I always have something in my hand - a rattle or book or shoe - when I walk.

Sunday, 21st

Daddy was talking to mommy today and mentioned that I hadn't tried to climb the stairs in a long time. Heh heh. He thinks I don't understand what he says jus' 'cause he doesn't understand what I say. Well, I showed him! Right after he said that, I climbed the stairs. Not once, but THREE times!!!

Tuesday, 23rd

Mommy's been real worried that I don't drink enough milk. I like it a lot better when the milk comes from mommy than a cow. But lately, cows have more milk than mommy does. So today I drank a lot from my sippy cup. That made mommy really, really happy. I still like her better than some cow, though.

Wednesday, 24th

I've started to figure out there's an even better way to get around than walking... RUNNING! Mommy and daddy were both sitting on the floor in my playroom (they call it the "living" room for some reason). I did a fast walk/run from mommy to daddy and back and forth, giving them cuddles and nuzzles.

Mommy took me back to the doctors and they said I'm ALL better!!

Thursday, 25th

I've found its fun to share my toys with mommy and daddy. Today mommy was sitting down and I wanted to share Tigger with her, so I lifted her hand off her knee and put Tigger in it. She gave me a big THANKYOU :-)

March, 1999

Friday, 5th

I've given up on crawling altogether... walking is where it's at! This past week I've been walking all the time - go, go, GO girl! Mommy and daddy are plum tuckered out trying to keep up with me. :-)

Saturday, 6th

I've found an even better way to do raspberries - on the back of my hand. Boy is that loud! I also figured out how to kiss for real, and gave some to daddy. That made him real happy!

Ya know that "Got Milk" picture daddy took of me? I think I'm ready to make one of their commercials. Now when I take a big slug of milk from my sippy cup, I say, "Ahhh".

Monday, 8th

Today I kissed mommy. I didn't want her to be jealous since I kissed daddy yesterday.

Thursday, 18th

Mommy got sick yesterday. :-( I wish I could do something to make her feel better.

Friday, 19th

I have some toys that fit inside each other. I've been having fun knocking down the stacks that mommy and daddy make with them. But yesterday I figured out how to stack things myself! I've been practicing that today, too.

Sunday, 21st

Mommy's feeling a little better, but now daddy's sick! Fooey!

Monday, 22nd

Mommy and daddy both feel all better now... YAY!

I have a Noah's Ark toy that has six pairs of animals. Each animal pair snaps together. Now that I've started stacking stuff, I've also begun to put the animals back *into* the ark rather than just pull them out. I can also break the pairs apart by biting them.

Wednesday, 24th

I'm now the self-appointed gatekeeper. When mommy or daddy leave a door open, I close it - like the closet, or pantry or mommy's dresser drawers. The only problem with the closet and pantry is that I haven't figured out how to open the door after I close it.

Thursday, 25th

You know what? Fingers can be used for things other than grasping. I've started pointing at stuff. Like today, I pointed at Elmo. He's my favorite character on Sez Me Street.

Tuesday, 30th

You know what new word I know and can say now? Oh, c'mon guess! Okay, I'll give you a hint... they go on your feet. No, it's not shoes - it's SOCKS! I've been walking around saying "socks" - and also "uh-oh" (I learned that from Teletubbies, my favorite TV show), and "EIEIO", too (but I never quite get to the "O").

April, 1999

Sunday, 4th

Today we got back from the "Vacation from Hades". I got REAL sick. I'll let daddy tell you about it in his Postcard from Portland. I'm still throwing up. Daddy's going to take me to the doctor tomorrow.

Monday, 5th

The doctor says I have Rotavirus and that it takes around a week before it goes away and there's nothing anyone can do but wait. Jeesh! I'm tired of Pedialyte! And really tired of throwing up. It just freaks me out, and I scream bloody murder.

Thursday, 8th

I haven't wanted any food, and have been turning down Pedialyte, too. All I want to do is nurse and sleep, like when I was an infant. Mommy and daddy have been real worried, so mommy took me back to the doctor today. It turns out that now I have a fever and an ear infection, too. As if that's not bad enough, the mean nurse gave me a needle! (Oh, okay, she's not really mean, but I HATE needles and everytime I see her, that's what happens). Mommy tells me the ATB shot will make me feel better. Well, getting the shot sure didn't. I like the Zithromax better 'cause it tastes like cherries.

Saturday, 10th

The doctor said I could start having a normal diet again, so daddy gave me oatmeal made with milk for breakfast (instead of rice cereal made with Pedialyte). As soon as I finished with it I gave it back to him. It wasn't pretty. Everyone was pretty miserable this morning. But this afternoon I started to perk up. I walked around and played with my toys instead of wanting to be held all the time.

Sunday, 11th

Today is my 15 month birthday and I feel MUCH better. I've been walking and smiling and pointing and laughing. And the sun is out! That makes us all feel good.

Saturday, 17th

Although I felt really good all this past week, today was not a good day :~-(. I woke up at 1:00 this morning and cried like I've never cried before - kinda a hoarse wail. I may have had a nightmare and been scared. Mommy and daddy did their best to comfort me. And then later today when it was time for my nap, I threw my first real tantrum. That got mommy and daddy's attention!

Sunday, 18th

I almost had another rough night. I got up at 2:00am and cried like last night. But I was able to fall right back to sleep without mommy or daddy coming in to get me.

May, 1999

Saturday, 1st

Last month mommy and daddy got gates put up at the top and the bottom of the stairs. They say it's 'cause they don't want me to hurt myself, but I know it's so they can eat dinner without having to check on what I'm up to when I leave the room. Anyway, the gates are fun. As soon as mommy or daddy carry me downstairs, I twist and lean forward to force them to put me down so that I can close the gate myself :-). I know how to be cute, huh?

Monday, 3rd

Mommy got some plastic shelves for all of the books she's gotten me. They were scattered all over the place downstairs. Now that they have their own place, I've been putting them back there when I finish with one. Miss Sheila taught me that at daycare.

Friday, 7th

Gram Pris is here! I haven't seen her since February... where was she?

Saturday, 8th

Now I know why daddy and mommy are always telling me not to pick my nose. My sheets had a lot of blood on them when I woke up from my nap 'cause I got a nose bleed. *yuck*

Monday, 10th

I have this really cool puzzle and today I figured out how to work it. It's a bunch of circles that kinda look like coasters. But they have cutouts with differents shapes. Each one is a different color and has a number from 1 to 10. All by myself I figured out how to match the cutout to the coaster and fit it back together.

Tuesday, 11th

I'M A YEAR AND A HALF OLD TODAY!!! So how did I get to celebrate? By going to the doctors and getting stuck with needles! If that's what birthdays are all about, you can have'm!! You can see my weight and height in this chart. I'm still in the 30 percent range. So I'm petite, okay? You got a problem with that? I may be small, but I'm tough!

Wednesday, 12th

Daddy used to carry me to the door when he drops me off at Miss Sheila's every morning. But I'm walking so good that now he just puts me down and holds my hand and we walk from the car to the door. Today I even managed to step over the transom (I think that's what daddy called it).

Friday, 14th

I've been having fun destroying anything mommy or daddy build with my oversized Legos. Today, however, for the first time I've started putting the pieces together myself.

Sunday, 16th

I walked up to mommy today and gave her a kiss right on the lips *smack*! She was floored :-)

I also had a lot of fun dancing to some jazz that daddy and mommy played. Grandma Pris went home today... boo hoo :-(.

Tuesday, 18th

I surprised mommy with a new thing I learned... I waved bye-bye to her. She thought that was really cute and waved bye-bye back to me for a looong time.

Wednesday, 19th

Daddy's turn... when he dropped me off this morning at Miss Sheila's I not only waved, but said "ba ba da da". He sure was impressed.

Thursday, 20th

Last Christmas Grandma Pris got me my very own chair. It's my size and looks like a doggie's head. I've been having fun with it all along, but up until today I hadn't been able to figure out how to sit in it without some help. Well, now I don't need help. Just put'er in reverse and back up! *beep* *beep* That's all there is too it :-)

I was even cuter than usual today... I gave mommy lots & lots of kisses. Have you ever seen a grownup melt? I have now :-)

Friday, 21st

I danced a lot today. Then I played with daddy's hair, and squealed with joy the whole time. *wheee*

Saturday, 22nd

I have a plastic water bottle that I like to play with. Today I "bottle-fed" daddy (just playing, of course). I also danced alot and figured out a new step... turning in circles. Ohhh, that makes me dizzy!

We all went on a car ride today - down to Cooley's Gardens. They have lots of Irises. That's what mommy and daddy liked the best. But I liked playing in the grass the best. I also liked the doggy that lives there, but he didn't want to play with me :-(

Tuesday, 25th

I've got another head cold $#@!. Mommy has been using a nose spray instead of drops this time. I like that better cause it doesn't drip into my eyes. I took the bottle and tried to use it on mommy :-).

Wednesday, 26th

I've been trying to do a lot of things myself. Today I tried putting on my own socks. But I still need mommy's and daddy's help. Little did I know that daddy was taking me to the doctor after I put on my socks. I have another ear infection *grumble*. The doctor called it "moderate", so at least I didn't have to get shots. But I did get to play at home all day with daddy!

Thursday, 27th

Today mommy stayed home with me and we had a really good time. We even went shopping!

Friday, 28th

I got to go back to daycare today. Boy, was Miss Sheila glad to see me!

Sunday, 30th

It's Memorial Day! Does that mean people try to 'member stuff? Anyway, mommy and I went shopping today...whee! It was fun (isn't shopping always fun?). I waved and said "Hi" to everyone. And I said "bye bye" and "thank-you" to the nice clerk that helped mommy.

June, 1999

Tuesday, 1st

I declared today "hug day" and gave lots and lots of them to mommy and daddy. I think everybody should spend more time hugging, don't you?

Friday, 4th

I rediscovered my big ball, and spent a long time playing with it while I shouted, "ball!".

Monday, 7th

I've been having a "ball" for the past four days! And still hugging alot, too. Mommy and daddy were both sitting on the floor playing ball! with me, rolling it back and forth. I went up and gave mommy a kiss, then ran to daddy and gave him a kiss, then back to mommy and kissed her... and back and forth and back and forth for a looong time. I sure love them a lot, and I know they love me, too :-)

Friday, 11th

I'm nineteen months old today!

Tuesday, 15th

I pressed daddy's hands together today and said, "clap!" - which is what I wanted him to do. So he did. Daddy's are easy :-). I've started to add some more words to my vocabulary since mommy and daddy just don't "get it" otherwise.

Sunday, 20th

Today is father's day. Thanks, daddy, for being one - otherwise I wouldn't be able to thank you. I love you!

I'm trying to add a new word to my vocabulary. It's a very important one - "video". I really like my Teletubbies videos alot. And my Elmo and Big Bear in the Blue House ones, too. I've been watching mommy say video and today I said "hih-WOHW'". Hey, it's a start!

Monday, 21st

HEY, MAN! This is supposed to be the first day of summer - but it's cloudy and misty and cool :-(

But I'm havin' fun playing inside, anyway. I managed to climb up on the living room sofa all by myself!

Wednesday, 23rd

I know another new word... socks!

Saturday, 26th

*hack*
I got up at 1:30am with a really sore throat and a dry cough. Daddy found an all night farm-a-sea and got me something to make me feel better (Naldecon). Mommy and daddy took me to see the doctor after she got up (she doesn't work all night) and she said I have `pharyngitis'. Whatever. Just make it go away... I don't want it!

Sunday, 27th

I'm feeling a little better today. Mommy took me to the Burlington Coat Factory and we had fun shopping. After we came out of the building, I decided to get some exercise - mommy and I walked all the way around the store... twice!! I wanted to walk around the parking lot, too - but mommy wouldn't let me :-(

Tuesday, 29th

More new words... "sigh" (outside) and "bath". I used both of them in context (and no, I don't take baths outside).

Wednesday, 30th

I've gotten better at saying video... now it's "dee-OH'" (usually as a question 'cause that's what I want). And I can say "cheese", too. It's my favorite food.

I'm so confident when I walk now that I turn my head and look elsewhere while I amble forward. I extend my arms, just in case <g>

July, 1999

Thursday, 1st

This pharyngitis thing is gettin' REALLY old. Mommy took me back to see Dr. Schwenninger today. She said I have a "wheezy" virus. Swell. She gave me a 'skripshun for "Albuterol". Maybe that'll help *sigh* *wheeze*.`

Friday, 2nd

Daddy likes to get a rise out of me by blowing in my face. Today I blew back at him (and no, it wasn't a wheeze - it was a breeze). I also figured out how to feed the Furby ("yumm!") daddy got me. His name is Toh-Loo. He's pretty funny. Sometimes mommy and daddy think Toh-Loo and I speak the same language.

Mommy and I went for a walk and visited Leah and Joe. They're our neighbors. They're really nice people. I ran around their house and opened their drawers, even though mommy told me not to. Guess I'm getting closer to being 2 :-) Leah gave me some cheese, anyway. I told her, "thank you". Mommy liked that.

I'm starting to point at things when mommy asks me to. Like today I pointed at the white flower in a picture for mommy. It was an iris, and it was painted by someone who goes around in a van.

Saturday, 3rd

This morning, rather than wait for daddy to turn on the TV for me, I just went over and turned it on myself. It was no accident - I really know how, heh heh.

I plum tuckered myself out this morning. Mommy was changing my diaper before putting me down for my nap - and I fell asleep on the changing table!

Sunday, 4th

Happy Independence Day, everyone! Mommy dressed me up in red, white and blue. But the weather is yucky, so we didn't go out :-(

Thursday, 8th

I made daddy melt today. All I had to do was say, "hi, dada" :-)

Friday, 9th

Mommy and daddy gave me a nadamee test today, and I passed with flying colors. They asked me to point to my ears, nose, cheeks, hair and mouth - and I got them all correct! I think they're starting to figure out just how much I understand.

Saturday, 10th

I blew my nose today for the first time! I like that a LOT better than the blue meanie. Mommy gave me a squirt of saline 'cause my nose was stuffy, and then held a kleenex to my nose and told me, "blow". Boy was she surprised when I did. I figured Elmo's nose must be stuffy, too - so I put the saline bottle up his nose. Then I got out some of my books and "read" them out loud. I wonder how long it'll be before mommy and daddy can understand what I say.

Sunday, 11th

I'm twenty months old today!

Mommy and daddy took me to Karen's house this afternoon and left me to go to the Lilith Faire. I had a lot of fun playing with Emily and Julia - who I know 'cause they're in daycare with me. I was asleep by the time mommy and daddy picked me up. They were gone a long time and were worried about me - but I was fine. They gotta learn to lighten up!

Monday, 12th

Mommy taught me to say three new words today... "puppy" (while we looked at a picture of one), "pink" and "blue". Those are my favorite colors.

Tuesday, 13th

I learned to say "cat" today. Mommy was proud that I pronounced the "t" so clearly.

Wednesday, 14th

I've started to find new ways to play with my toys. Today I fed Big Bird and then gave him a kiss.

I also said "splash" while daddy was giving me a bath. Guess what I was doing when I said that :-)

Thursday, 15th

I had fun today carrying my stuffed toys from my bedroom to mommy and daddy's bed. I tucked each one in and kissed it goodnight. I think they like mommy and daddy's bed :-)

Friday, 16th

Oh! Oh! I almost forget to tell you. Two days ago I started walking up the stairs. I have to hold on to mommy or daddy's hands while they walk behind me, but I can get all the way up without crawling. I've been practicing a lot and I'm getting good at it. Too bad I can't reach the bannystear yet.

Saturday, 17th

Daddy was reading me a book today and it has a picture of a bunny and says, "do you want to pat the bunny?" So I said, "pat pat pat" and patted myself on the legs. Boy was daddy surprised. And then, later on, I was watching a commercial on TV that had people dancing... so I decided to join them. I said, "dance" and turned around in circles... wheee!!

Sunday, 18th

I've been starting to count. So far, 2 is my favorite number. And I helped mommy make her bed today.

Thursday, 22nd

Today is mommy's birthday. Happy Birthday, Mommy! I LOVE YOU!!

I figured out what mommy has on her wrist, so I told her "clock". She calls it a "watch", but I know that's what you do with TV.

Saturday, 24th

I had fun putting all my animals to sleep in mommy and daddy's bed again. I said "ni ni" to each one as I put it on the edge of the bed.

Mommy was putting away her laundry, so I helped her. I took one of her light-colored T-shirts and put in the the drawer for light-colored T-shirts. But it was daddy's dresser... oops.

Sunday, 25th

I haven't gotten milk right from mommy for almost two weeks. I think I'm through getting milk that way.

Monday, 26th

When daddy dropped me off at Miss Sheila's this morning I blew him a kiss. Really... I kissed my hand and blew the kiss off of it to him!

One of my favorite snacks are little crunchy fish that come from some farm on pepper ridge. Today mommy taught me to ask for them by saying "cracker." But that's a real hard word to say. I say, "crah-cow."

Wednesday, 28th

When mommy or daddy drops me off at Miss Sheila's, I always say goodbye from the window. This morning, instead of blowing mommy a kiss, I sent her a hug by putting my hands over my elbows and turning from side to side. I think I saw a tear in her eye as she sent me a hug in return.

Guess what?! Oh, okay, I'll tell you. When I got home today, Grandma Pris was there! And she brought with some other lady whose name is "Ant Suzanne", but she doesn't look anything like an ant. Mommy calls her "Ant", too. So I guess she must be.

We had lots of people for dinner. A nice lady named Chris came over to join us. She's a friend of daddy's who lives in California. She brought me a vest to wear that's way cool... and way big, too. Mommy's gonna save it for me until I get big.

Friday, 30th

A long time ago I got my first laptop 'puter from our neighbors (Joe and Leah). It plays music and speaks (numbers and animal names and sounds). Today I was playing with it and when it played "Oh Susannah", I said "dance", and starting turning around in circles.

Saturday, 31st

Mommy, Gram Pris and I went shopping today for food. But they had floating balloons there, too. Gram Pris got me a really pretty one. It's a butterfly. I call it "Fly!"

I said "daddy" today... not, "da" or "dada", but "daddy"! He sure was happy, but it made mommy feel a little left out I think.

August, 1999

Sunday, 1st

Mommy and daddy and Gram Pris and Suzanne the "Ant" lady took me with them and we all went for a drive. We went to the river and had dinner at a table that was outside. Boy is that fun! There was a boy at the next table who was blowing bubbles, and there were boats and ducks and lots of people walking by.

Monday, 2nd

Gram Pris and "Ant" Suzanne went back home today :-(

I've been counting with mommy and daddy when we climb the stairs... Two, tree, fi, e-teen. Maybe I'm missing a few numbers, but I don't miss any stairs. That's the most important part.

Mommy and I were outside on our deck today. I like to play there alot, so much I said "outside" to mommy. I also said "hi" and "bye" and blew kisses to all our neighbors (Brian and Leah).

Wednesday, 4th

Now, when I want mommy or daddy to read me a book, I just ask them, "bouht?", and select the one I want. I have a new job, now, too. Aside from making sure doors are closed, I notice which lights aren't on and point and declare "off!".

Friday, 6th

Daddy picked me up today from daycare 'cause mommy had to work late. We had lots of fun playing with "fly". I like to hold it up to my face and look through it. Everything turns different colors!

Saturday, 7th

This morning when I woke up, daddy took me downstairs and we looked out the windows (nothing new there) and he told me it was dark outside. So I pointed and declared "off"!

I've been saying "hi" to almost everyone I see. Most people smile and say "hi", too. But not everyone. Fooey on them!

Wednesday, 11th

Happy birthday to me... I'm twenty-one months old today! whee!!

Saturday, 14th

Mommy left me today! :-( :-( She went to Californy to visit highschool friends... something about a reyoonion. Well, daddy and I had fun though. He took me to Gavin and Jake's birthday party, two of my friends from daycare. It was really neat. There were lots of cool toys and cake & ice cream. Yummm!

Sunday, 15th

When I got up from my nap today I was all sweaty. Daddy took my tempture and it was 103, so he called the doctor. :-( She said since I wasn't throwing up or anything to just give my Tylenol and come in on Monday if it wasn't better.

Monday, 16th

Daddy stayed home with me today since mommy isn't back from her trip yet. My fever is down, so he didn't take me to the doctor - but I'm not well enough to go to daycare. But I like playing with daddy - we had lots of fun at home.

Tuesday, 17th

Mommy must have come home late last night after I went to bed, cause she's here this morning. YAY!!! I sure missed her. My tempture is back up again, so mommy took me to the doctor. I have another #%@&! ear infection :-(

I have a new word... "bubbles". Mommy and I were making them (well, mommy made them) outside. They're a lot of fun, but don't stay still or last long.

Thursday, 19th

My fever's gone, so I went to daycare today. But I got sent home early 'cuz I have a rash all over my back and chest. Sheez, if it's not one thing it's something else :-( Mommy picked me up and took me back to the doctor. I have Roseola *sigh*. There's nothing the doctor or mommy can do about it but let it go away by itself. So I kept mommy busy playing video tapes for me. I asked for Tellytubbies ("tee tee, LaLa, Po") a lot. I don't think mommy's too keen on them, but she put them on 'cuz she loves me :-)

Friday, 20th

The word of the day is "shute", but don't ask me what it means. That's what mommy says when she's upset 'bout something. My other new word is "couch". I'm getting real good at climbing up on it (and getting off, too).

Sunday, 22nd

I'm getting real good at repeating new words I learn from mommy and daddy. There are just too many to write about!

Monday, 23rd

I went back to daycare today 'cuz I'm all better!

Wednesday, 25th

I did my first somersault today!!! It surprised me as much as mommy & daddy. I wish I could figure out how I did it so I could do it again.

Thursday, 26th

On Sesame Street they teach me about letters and numbers. Today when it was on they had the letter "i" on the screen and I named it without any help or anyone asking me to! I'm smart, huh?

Friday, 27th

The word of the day is "house". That's where I live! Up until today, when mommy or daddy asked me where my nose/cheek/ear/etc. were, I'd just point to it to remind them (guess they forget easy). Now I've been naming body parts instead of just pointing.

Sunday, 29th

The number of the day is "3". Daddy pulled out a toy I forgot I had. It has numbers on it. All by myself I pointed at the "3" and said "three"!

Tuesday, 31st

Boy, am I gettin' good at this balance/coordination stuff. Today I did "no hands" mount AND dismount from my Ready Steady Ride-On - while holding onto my ball!

September, 1999

Wednesday, 1st

I've figured out an easy way to find mommy and daddy when they disappear. I just shout, "Where did you go?" and they magically appear.

Friday, 3rd

I found another way to summon mommy... "Where are you?" I also figured out how to get food. I just go over to my highchair and say, "snack".

I tried putting on my own shorts today. It was hard. Mommy wanted to help but I'm stubborn sometimes and wouldn't let her. I did manage to get one leg in before she showed me who really wears the pants around here :-)

Monday, 6th

Why do they call today "Labor Day" if they don't work? Anyway, Miss Sheila is closed, but mommy had to work (some holiday!), so daddy and I got to play all day. Wanna know something funny? Okay, maybe not funny... weird. A few hours after mommy left for work, I missed her and asked for her... "Mommy?" And guess who called right then? Yup, it was mommy! She could work for 1-900-PSYCHIC!

When mommy got home I pretended to blow bubbles in the house. But pretending isn't as much fun as real bubble.

Wednesday, 8th

I was watching the Baby Mozart video today and showed mommy how much I've learned from it. I identified the "apple", "peach" and "banana" - even though I still refuse to eat them.

Friday, 10th

I took my fruit recognition a little further, adding that the banana was "yellow" and the apple was "green". I've also been pointing to objects in books when mommy or daddy ask me to and completing sentences from the books when they read aloud to me.

Saturday, 11th

I really didn't want to take a nap today, but daddy insisted. I cried and cried, but he wouldn't come in. So I said, "daddy, please!" - but he still didn't come and get me, so I went to sleep. I heard him telling mommy about it later and he was very sad.

Sunday, 12th

It was nice out today, so we all took a drive down to the river. There were people taking showers in the fountain, and people skating everywhere and just lots and lots of things going on. On the way home daddy was playing music and I really surprised him and mommy. When "Drive My Car" came on (Beatles), I sang along with it - especially the "Beep beep'm beep beep yeah"! They still haven't figured out how I know the song... tee hee.

Tuesday, 14th

Today I took one of my diapers and carried it into the bathroom and stood by the toilet. Mommy figured I was trying to let her know something. She went and got me something I didn't know we had - my very own potty! I carried it around and had fun sitting on it. But I'm not ready to use it... yet.

Friday, 17th

Daddy has this big callus on his foot, and he sands it down with an emory board (daddies can be pretty gross). Today when he did that I pretended to do the same. Mommy thought that was pretty funny. I think it embarassed daddy a little.

Saturday, 18th

Today daddy and I did something that was SO cool!!! We went to a GymRunners class at Gymboree. Tina, the instructor, wanted us to crawl through tunnels and rings. I just wanted to run around. But I had a lot of fun chasing after the bubbles she made. I've never seen so many tiny bubbles. And the parachute was way cool, too. We sat on top while it went around and around (kinda like a merry-go-round) and we stood under it while it opened and collapsed.

Saturday, 25th

Mommy and daddy tell me "I love you" all the time. Today, after daddy told me that, I stopped him right in his tracks - I told him, "luh-you". It brought tears to his eyes and a big smile to his face.

Sunday, 26th

Daddy's been making me an egg for breakfast a few times each week. And he makes it all fancy - an omelette with garlic and smoked Gouda cheese. Today I managed to eat the WHOLE thing!

Monday, 27th

I'm starting to think about walking the stairs without having to hold onto mommy or daddy's hand. Today I tried reaching up to the rail, but I'm not quite tall enough yet.

Thursday, 30th

Today I laid my stuffed animals down on the bed one-by-one and kissed each of them goodnight - Mmwah!

October, 1999

Friday, 1st

I've been exercising my pipes :-) I love to sing along with the La-La song from Sesame Street as well as Elmo's song. I get so into it that I put a lot of emphasis on the last word in each sentence - like, "La la la la LAH!"

I have a video called So Smart that I really like. It has helped me to start learning the alphabet. I now know and repeat a lot of the letters it displays.

Saturday, 2nd

Daddy thinks I'm cute. Today I let him know I agree by repeating, "cute." :-)

Monday, 4th

Daycare was closed today, so mommy stayed home with me. And Emily's mom brought her over for the day! So we had our own mini-daycare, just mommy, Emily and me. Mostly we watched videos and rough-housed. Emily is a month older than I am, but outweighs me by at least ten pounds - so I really got a lot of exercise.

I made up my own song after dinner. It's really simple. Would you like to sing it with me? The words are, "Happy to you, happy to you." Neat, huh?

Tuesday, 5th

Daycare was closed again today. Mommy took me over to Karen's house. She's Emily's mom. So Emily and I got to play together again. I had fun chasing their cats and eating ice cream.

Wednesday, 6th

I've added a new sing-along song to my repea-twar... "Bring back my bonny to me."

Monday, 11th

My favorite new word is "Okay!" - which I usually pronounce, "O-kigh" (with emphasis on the first syllable and then dropping the pitch an octave and gradually increasing it while prolonging the second syllable). This word is very handy for queries like, "Do you want a cookie?" -or- "Do you want to go upstairs and watch a video?" :-)

Wednesday, 13th

Today we played a really neat game that daddy and I made up. It goes like this... I chase daddy around the dining room table and then he stops unexpectedly, makes a space between his legs and says, "through!", and I crawl through his legs. Then he chases me. We did this for a long time until I tuckered him out!

Mommy asked me if I wanted to take my shoes off, so I repeated, "take my shoes off." She thought that was pretty clever.

Mommy got me some stickers today - and I figured out how to use them. Now I see why mommy likes those yellow stickers she puts on the door and everywhere.

Friday, 15th

I've been struggling to put on my own shoes for weeks. Today I finally managed to do it... YAY! I applauded myself until mommy pointed out that I put them on the wrong feet - oh well.

At daycare today I asked Miss Sheila for a hug. She didn't mind that one bit. I was a good girl. I put my toys away five times!

Sunday, 17th

I got a good workout today. I danced 'round and 'round mommy for a long time.

Monday, 18th

Last night was not good. I coughed all night long. This morning daddy took me to see the doctor. She looked in my ears and found another infection. :-( Daddy stayed home with me and gave me Albuterol and Augmentin.

Tuesday, 19th

Daddy stayed home with me again today. I'm feeling lots better. We played and watched videos.

Wednesday, 20th

I went back to daycare today.

Thursday, 28th

Today at daycare Miss Sheila put me down for my nap on a cot instead of in the Pack N Play! She and mommy and daddy were all proud of me for adjusting to the change so well.

Saturday, 30th

Daddy has this really cool program in his computer that he got for me. It's called BusyBaby and it displays letters and numbers and shapes and colors and stuff and says out loud what it's doing every time I press a key. Well, today, it said all that stuff in mommy and daddy's voices! How did they do that?

Saturday, 30th

Today we all went to get our pictures taken. They expected me to stay still! RIIIGHT! I think the photographer was happy to see us leave.

November, 1999

Friday, 5th

A good friend of mommy's came to visit today. Kelly and mommy went to school together a loooong time ago. I like Kelly... she's nice. I see why she and mommy are friends.

Saturday, 6th

I had my birthday party today... even though my birthday is 5 days away. Mommy and daddy took me to Gymboree for the party and a bunch of my friends and their mommys and daddys came. We had a lot of fun playing on the equipment and under the parachute and chasing bubbles the teacher blew and... I get tired just trying to describe all the stuff we did.

Then we went into an adjoining room for cake and ice cream. I tried to grab the candles on the cake 'cause they looked so cool... but mommy wouldn't let me - she said they were hot. Maybe that's why she blew on them. I got lots of neat gifts, like a Barney guitar that Joe and Leah got for me, and a Barney Schoolhouse, and my first cassette tape player, and a Sesame Street cash register with automatic scanner and groceries to put on the scanner, and, and, and... lots of stuff!

Sunday, 7th

Today was absolutely no fun. In fact, it's probably one of the worst days I've had. I got up at 3:30am coughing and wheezing :-( Mommy and daddy were real worried 'cause my breathing was shallow and fast. They called the doctor around 7 and he said to take me to the hospital. We got to Emmanuel (the best children's hospital in Portland) around 8 and then had to wait almost an hour to see the doctor. He gave me some Prednisone and then the Respiratory Therapist gave me two treatments of Albuterol using the nebulizer. I was feeling much better by the time we left - half past noon! That sure shot the day to heck.

Thursday, 11th

Lookout world! I'm TWO today!!

I colored today with chalk and crayons for the first time. Boy, was THAT fun!! Mommy and I both made drawings and shared the crayons.

Later we were watching TV and all of a sudden it went black. I asked, "what happened"? Mommy was amazed at how smart I am. But neither of us were so smart that we knew the answer - it just came back on by itself.

Tonight we had a small party to celebrate my birthday again - just me and mommy and daddy. They got a way cool toy that I love... a programmable electronic keyboard that has all kinds of different sounds, including percussion. And the part I like best are the "demo" (pre-recorded) tunes that come with it. I put them on and then dance and dance and dance. One of them is a ballerina kinda song. Daddy taught me to put my hands over my head and spin in place while it plays. When he does it, I can just imagine him wearing tightses (tee hee).

Thursday, 18th

I have a new game I play... run away, run away! I laugh and play hard-to-get whenver mommy or daddy try to give me my puffer treatment or try to get my shoes and coat on. Nyah, nyah, I'm TWO!

Sunday, 21st

I went shopping with mommy today. I like to shop almost as much as she does. She was looking at dresses and having a hard time making up her mind. I could tell 'cause she kept on saying, "hmmm". So I tried to help her by reaching out and pulling on dresses and saying "hmmm", too. Then she tried to find out which Christmas dress I wanted. Every time she showed me one, I said, "No!" Hey man, I'm TWO!

Thursday, 25th

Daddy always waits for me to wake up by myself, then we play for a while and then I have breakfast. But today mommy and daddy woke me up early and a man came to give us a ride soon afterwards. I had a breakfast bar in the car. We went to the airport where we got on an airplane and before you knew it... *whoosh* we were in the air and everything on the ground got real small. I had a window seat, so I could watch it all happen. We flew above the clouds - higher than the birdies. When we came down, we weren't home any more. Mommy and daddy called the place "San Francisco". Daddy picked up another car there and we all went to the Seal Rockin, but I didn't see any seals playin' Rock & Roll there. I had lunch and a nap and then mommy got me all dressed up and we went to see Cindy and John. They're mommy's cousins, so they're my cousins, too. Grandma Pris and my Great Aunt Suzanne were there, too. So was another one of mommy's cousins - Thomas. We all had a really big dinner 'cuz it was Thanksgiving. I was thankful for all the really cool toys John and Cindy had. And they didn't get them for me - they like to play with them! John and CIndy did get two for me - ducks that go quack when you walk them on their string, and a Cookie Monster bowl and spoon. When you press on Cookie Monster's head he says, "That was delicious!" :-)

Friday, 26th

I was playing with daddy this morning in the hotel room and got so tired that I fell asleep next to him, and when I woke up he was still there. One of mommy's best friends, Jan, came with her husband (Cliff) to visit us. We all drove across the Golden Gate Bridge and parked. Then we walked half-way across it. Wow, it is like so big! We could see the whole city of San Francisco from there and boats and birds and islands and everything. I like San Francisco! But mommy and daddy say it would cost a fortune to live there. I have a piggy bank with a penny in it - would that help? Anyway, then we came back and drove by the Cliff House - boy, Jan's husband must be really rich to live in a place like that!

That night mommy and daddy and I went out with Gram Pris, Aunt Suzanne and her cousins (including a new one, David) to a seafood restaurant. I had a lot of fun making drawings with crayons the nice waitress gave me. I didn't get any seafood, though. I got chicken fingers, which I really liked a lot. Then some man at the next table gave me a toy bear! He said I reminded him of his son when he was young 'cause of my curly hair and all. So mommy and daddy named the bear Ian, which is the name of the man's son. Some people can be really nice. Why isn't everyone that way?

Saturday, 27th

Today we went over to Aunt Suzanne's place and hung out there all day. She got me some flash cards, and I was able to identify most of the pictures without cheating by looking at the word on the back. Oh, okay, the words wouldn't really have helped me - yet. She also had lots of books and other toys. I liked the wooden blocks best - but I couldn't play with them unless mommy and daddy were right there since they had small pieces.

For dinner they went out and brought back pizza! Yummmm. It was really good.

Sunday, 28th

We got on another airplane today and flew back home today. I slept for most of the trip, so there's not much I can tell you about it. It's good to be home where I have all my toys and my own crib, though.

Tuesday, 30th

After mommy and daddy put me to bed tonight, I told them, "Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight" as they left my room and went down the stairs.

My Vital Statistics

guestbook

my daddy

Home, Sweet Home What's New Top of page My Mommy's Home Page

If you are harvesting email addresses, I know shnorrer.09/Jul/2008:05:09:04/elisha.html@herring.org and the gummint would be delighted to hear from you.