Little J and I

This was my first Christmas. I got some toys from Santa. But most of all I got lots of clothes from the relatives. That is a good thing because all I had to wear on Christmas Eve were these silly red shoes. I've been trying to walk but I fall down everytime I let go of my walker. I think I'll have it mastered before the New Year; then I'll give the walker to the poor boys. Don't tell anyone but Grandpa gave me an m&m at Christmas and Daddy gave me a Candy Cane. Grandma must have found out though because she made me brush all my eight teeth. But that wasn't so bad because the toothpaste tastes like apples and bananas.

I discovered potatoe chips and then I ate so many that I couldn't eat my dinner. My grandma thinks I'm big enough to help with the dishes but I don't think so.

Hey there, I got to go on an adventure with Grandma and Grandpa. First of all, they woke me up in the middle of my night and put me in this tiny room that rolled and jerked all night. I did enjoy looking out the window at all the lights. It was fun watching Grandpa try to climb up into the upper berth. I slept good and in the morning I got to check out the upper berth. We visited one of Grandma's best friends in Vancouver. I got to lounge around with the big bear. We visited FAO Schwarz in Seattle. I saw lots of big bears there. Maybe I'll get one for Christmas. I slept eleven hours during the trip home. It was quite an exhausting adventure and I got a bit of a cold but I am feeling better now. Tomorrow is my first Thanksgiving and I have my eye on a big turkey drumstick. I can handle it. Really.

My Great Grandpa was a preacher. One day he sent this brochure out to all his parishioners. Jason is my Dad.

Grandma thinks it's still Halloween. Don't you think I look like a jailbird in this gettup? Notice that I stand quite well. That's my own private basket of toys that stays at Grandmas.

Here's the latest. We have been having this hot weather. Here it is October when I understand it should be rainy and cold. But no, it's hot. I prefer to be naked. But Grandma got this big idea that I should dress up in these clothes. It didn't make me happy. Plus Halloween is still a few days a way. I think she just wanted to make sure you all saw this.

My hair has grown and turned color. Grandma and Grandpa think this is funny. I am not amused.

Before Grandma took off for her Red Hat Weekend, she had me overnight. She bought this silly hat, put it on my head, and started calling me Crazy Googenhand. Meanwhile I chewed on a couple of teething biscuits and out popped more teeth. I now have six of the and I can bite. Watch out.

There's no stopping me now. I have taken over Grandma's entire apartment. I crawl with the speed of lightning and the cats flee with newborn energy. I laugh to see them jump up high, out of my way. Just wait, I'll figure out how to get up there too. Grandma seems a little frantic. She keeps grabbing all the good stuff and setting it up high or packing it away from me. I tried to get into the cupboards but they were all sealed tight with those plastic jobbies. At least they could let me have the pots and pans. I'd be quiet with them. I promise. Hey I get to eat real food too. Last night I had the most scrumptious cup of Potato Cheese soup at Marie Callendars. I got lots of attention because the waitress brought a big yellow balloon - I am sure my screetches of glee didn't disturb anyone around me. They liked it too, didn't they?

About time I checked in. So much has happened this month. I got two teeth. I finally get to eat real food. Not just jars of baby food. I have my own grinder so I can eat anything. I especially like peaches. I'm trying hard to crawl but for some reason I only go backwards. When I stay at Grandma's I love to tease Rusty. He and I share the toys.

Grandma and Grandpa took me to Sorensens Resort. It was lots of fun. When we got there I sat on the big bed and prepared to write my blog... But the weather was so warm that Grandma and I decided to take a nap in the hammock... But the hammock had big holes in it and we almost fell through so we went and explored the quaking aspen, and birch trees that rustle in the wind. There were birds all over the branches and I noticed that some little birdies had a nest under the window in our cabin. I swung on the swings and dipped my toes in the creek. The water was very cold. Grandpa and I took a rest in the big swinging chair and watched kids bigger then me. They got to fish. Maybe we can come back here when I am old enough to do that. By the way, I got my first tooth and the second one is about ready too. Will be glad when this gets over with.

Yesterday, after we went to Grandma Brenda's memorial service, we went out to dinner at the Buttercup. All I got was a cold slice of cucumber. It tasted awful but felt good on my gums. I'm getting my first tooth and it makes me a little ornery.

My uncle taught me how to catfish. Rusty was so funny, I just couldn't stop laughing.

First of all, the sad news. My Grandma Brenda died on Friday. I am sorry that I didn't get to spend more time with her to get to know her better. My mommy says she was a great mom so I am sure she would have been even a better grandma. The good news is that I finally get to eat something. The rice cereal is a good start but I am looking forward to some variety soon.

Please read the Parade Magazine in your local newspaper today. It has a good article about people like me - see A New Generation is Leading The Way. If you would like more information, there is a lot of good stuff available at The Mavin Foundation . I know my life won't be easy but it is good to know that there are foundations out there to help me adjust. Please consider keeping an open mind. I really am trying to do my best. Hey, I didn't ask to be born this way.

Grandma and Grandpa took us to see fireworks in San Francisco. It was pretty spectacular and noisy but I got fell asleep before it was over. We stayed overnight at the Holiday Inn. It was my first time staying in a hotel and I kind of liked that. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." - Thomas Jefferson, U.S. President (from the United States Declaration of Independence)

I had my first illness this week. Something called Rotavirus. Fever, diarrhea, and a very sore butt. On top of that I had to go to the emergency room and spend five hours there with Mom and Grandma. Grandma took me there because she thought she caused my illness from taking me swimming. She's off the hook. It's just a germ I picked up somewhere... one of many yet to come while I build up my immunity. I'm finally feeling better and drinking formula again instead of that Pedialyte.

I went to visit Grandma and Grandpa. First of all I had a discussion with Uncle Keith about my situation. Then I had a little bath with Grandpa. Then Grandma and I sat in her comfy chair and read to each other. I kind of like that liberal magazine that Grandma reads. Auntie Marilyn came to visit too. And finally Grandma took me in the pool. It was quite a day and I really pooped after all that. Oops I mean I am really pooped after all that.

This is me lounging around in Grandma & Grandpa's big bed. I do enjoy a good book before I go to bed.

I'll be 4 months old this Saturday. Lately I've been entertaining everyone with lots of giggles. They discovered that I'm ticklish under my arms. I can roll over and scoot all around my bed. I get lots of exercise doing mini-pushups. Sunday we went to Bella Roma Pizzeria and I was fascinated by the lights and pipe organ. Daddy is teaching me to be an abecedarian.

I've been busy lately. Growing to 15 pounds and outgrowing my size six month clothes. I'm only 3 months old but I can be a handful. But, I sleep well at night. Last night I stayed with Grandma and Grandpa and I let them sleep for 10 hours. Mostly I just enjoy lots of attention, walks in the stroller and rides in the car.

Yesterday I visited with both grandmas. I spent the night with Grandma & Grandpa. We had a busy day today, strolling around town, shopping and taking Daddy to his doctors appointment. We had a picnic lunch too but I slept through it all. Daddy is taking care of me tonight because Mommy needed a break so it's gonna be a father/son evening.

I've been with Grandma and Grandpa again since last Tuesday night. It's been a busy week with funerals and everything. But, I did get a chance to play with my playyard and I learned how to punch the chicken and make it sing Old MacDonald. It flashes lights too. I had my 2 month doctors checkup and I'm doing great but he gave me four shots, two in each leg. I slept 9 hours after that. It really tired me out. Anyway, I'm going home to Mommy & Daddy today. I think they miss me.

I am 2 months old now. My health nurse visited me last week and I now weight 13.5 pounds. Mommy and I have been staying with Grandma & Grandpa for the last week. Daddy has Bronchitis and can't be around me right now. I got this real cool jeep to relax in. Grandma sits in her relax-the-back chair and I sit next to her. The Easter Bunny brought me a barnyard play thing with lots of hanging stuff to keep me entertained. The only problem is, Rusty likes it too and I must wait my turn.

I am very grateful that my Great Uncle Don collects beer can openers as well as corkscrews so if I ever get to visit him he will be able to open my cans of formula. In today's "Daily Screw" Uncle Don points out that on "April 2, 1935, New York, New York - American Can Company, a New Jersey corporation headquartered in New York, has been assigned a new "container opener" patent. Dewitt Sampson of Elmhurst, New York and John Hothersall of Brooklyn, New York teamed up to develop an opener to pierce a hole in the top of cans."

Here's my first picture. Grandma will put more on later when she has time.

I’ve been keeping a little journal and Grandma is going to post it on the internet. She hasn’t had a lot of time lately because she works full time and then when she’s not working, she takes good care of me. Here is what’s been happening. February 14, 2003 I arrived today weighing in at 9 lbs 12 oz. I gave mom a lot of trouble and the doctors had to do a C Section. I promise I’ll be worth it. Dad fed me my first bottle. Then Grandma & Grandpa came to visit. They held me and took lots of pictures before I was even two hours old. All I wanted to do is sleep but they kept waking me up to feed me and change my diapers. I like to have a couple of ounces of formula every couple of hours now. February 15, 2003 I met my Uncle C and his fiancée L today. I think they kind of like me and I might have a cousin some day. February 16, 2003 Dad and Mom decided to name me after Dad today so now I am a junior. February 17, 2003. I got all bundled up and put in a contraption