Trick or Treat

Phoenix is just shy of two years now, and he can comprehend a lot more about the world around him. We've been trying to teach him the concept of Halloween. Last year we dressed him up as a bear, but he wasn't exactly sure what was going on. This year we were unable to take him out trick-or-treating because we were too busy moving into our new house.

Now, our new neighborhood has a LOT of kids. Phoenix and his brother Fox will certainly have several kids to play with over the years. So, while we were working around the new house last night, the doorbell started ringing. We took Phoenix to the door and showed him all the kids who were dressed up for Halloween. Then we showed him how we place a piece of candy in every kid's bag, After the first couple of trick-or-treaters came and went, Phoenix was really excited to help pass out candy. He sat in the hallway and pointed at the door, waiting for the next group to show up. When the doorbell would ring, he would get so excited and immediately run to the front door. I would give him the candy and he would drop it into each kid's bag. Then, as they left the porch he would stand there and yell, "BYE!!"

And when he woke up this morning he went to the front door and pointed, waiting for more trick-or-treaters. I guess now he thinks that passing out candy to costumed kids is a regular occurrence at our new neighborhood.

An Apple a Day Doesn't Keep the Contractions Away

Wendy had a rough couple of nights last week. It seems that Fox has hit a growth spurt and that is causing all kinds of discomfort, including contractions. For at least three nights last week, Wendy didn't get much sleep. One night (around 9:30) Wendy's contractions were so bad that they were overlapping each other.

She called the on-call doctor who told us to come in to labor & delivery. We drove up to Brookwood so they could monitor her and check on the baby.

We were there until about 11:30. Thankfully the contractions weren't serious. And the nurse told us that Fox was doing extremely well.

Wendy went in to see her doctor yesterday for a regular check up. Fox is developing as he should and thankfully the doctor didn't have to put her on bed rest. I am really looking forward to meeting my second son. He looks beautiful on the ultrasound.



-- Posted from my iPhone

All Work And No Play

Wendy and I are incredibly fortunate that we have family living in town that can keep Phoenix while we have to work.

Today he stayed with my mom. He loves playing outside, but it was raining when I dropped him off. Fortunately the weather cleared and when I stopped by for lunch later in the day he was out in the driveway. But he wasn't playing with a toy or kicking a ball. He was wiping down my mom's car with a small towel.

There are two things you need to know about Phoenix - he is extremely observant, and he is extremely meticulous. He HAS to have everything in it's place and everything needs to be nice and neat. So, when he noticed all the raindrops on my mom's car, he was compelled to wipe them off. He was hard at work when I arrived and I had to admire his diligence.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Let Him Have His Cake

Tonight we started making a list of people we would like to invite to Phoenix's 2nd birthday party. I can't believe it, but we are only two months away.

Unfortunately, Wendy, Phoenix, and I might be the only ones at his party, because when we asked him if he wanted to invite "so-and-so" he said "no." And he said "no" to everyone we mentioned. Oh well, more cake for me.


-- Posted from my iPhone

Cel-e-brate Good Times, Come On!

It was another milestone day for Phoenix. Wendy and I took him to his first birthday party (let me clarify - the first birthday party for a non-relative).

We weren't sure what to expect. Phoenix is a wonderful boy, but like any child his age, he's still trying to learn the concept of "sharing." Plus, the party was at a house to which Phoenix had never been.

He fussed a little when we first walked in, but he soon found several things to play with. He fussed even more though when he couldn't play with the toy he wanted.

I sat him down and explained that we needed to take turns. He didn't like it too much, but soon he calmed down and found other things to keep his mind occupied. I was really proud of him for playing so well with the other children.

When it was time to sere cake and ice cream, Phoenix rushed into the kitchen, eagerly looking for his bowl. One good way to get his attention is to ask, "Phoenix, do you want some ice cream?" He will drop everything and yell out, "UH HUH!"



Cousin Isabelle was also at the party and she went straight for the cupcakes.





We stayed for about 2 hours and had a great time. Phoenix was very well behaved and did a great job of playing with the other kids. Yep, he's a pretty big deal.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Pack Man

We're very thankful and excited that we were able to sell our home and purchase a new house that will accomodate our growing family. Everything is running smoothly and we are scheduled to close on October 30. Now the packing begins.

Phoenix has already proven to be a big help in the packing department. When you give him a task he's very diligent at carrying it out.

Just the other day I was packing up my winter clothes and Phoenix was standing beside me. I placed a large box on the floor and asked him if he would help by placing the clothes in the box. As I stacked my clothes on the floor Phoenix would take each item and throw it in the box. It was fun to watch.

When it came to packing up my hats, he came across my wide-brimmed outdoorsman hat. He loved it. He immediately had to try it on and walk around with it. It looks better on him than it does on me.

Favorite Words

Phoenix has become much more vocal over the past few weeks. He seems to discover new words on a daily basis. Here are his favorites:

"Uh oh." He says this a lot. He even says it when someone changes the channel on a show that he was interested in. He also says it when something isn't in its rightful place.

"No." To date, this isn't a defiant, disobedient "no." he says it to let us know when he doesn't like something, like a particular song from one of his CDs.

"Ball," or more specifically "Baw."

"Ma-ma." Of course, when he's trying to get Wendys attention, he simply yells, "Maaaa!"

"Da-da" or "Da-dee."

"I do." This one sounds more like "Ah do." he seems to use this one to let us know that he is about to do something. For example, if he is running over to grab one of his cars in order to play with it, he might say, "I do, I do, I do," over and over.

"Water." He said this one for the first time today while watching one of his Clifford the Big Red Dig videos.


-- Posted from my iPhone