Big Boy Monday

So I woke up this morning and decided to show Mommy and Daddy that I know how to clap.



I also fed myself a whole piece of toast.









I'm a big boy.

We're goin' to the zoo, zoo, zoo!

Today was a day full of adventures! Mommy, Daddy and I got in the car and drove out East. I was tired and fell asleep on the way, so instead of going straight to the Aquarium or the Game Farm, Mommy and Daddy decided to do some quick shopping at the outlets while I snoozed. Dave and Rachel met us there and we walked around for a while. I'm glad we did because my favorite pajama company is going out of business! Mommy got some good bargains for me there and bought $10,000 worth of pots at Le Creuset. Then we went to Applebee's for lunch. Here's where things get a little embarrassing. Mommy was feeding me (corn, turkey - which I didn't really care about, cheese and sweet potatoes, just in case you're interested) and she kept thinking she smelled throw up, but couldn't figure out where it was coming from. She thought maybe the carpet was old and stinky. Well, I didn't want to tell her, but I pooped ALL over the place. She found out soon enough. Everybody got up to leave and Mommy took the tray off of my chair and got very nervous because the poop was running down my leg and it was on my special seat AND the Applebee's seat. Uncle Dave took one look and said "I'll see you guys outside." Later he asked Daddy if I'll be mad when he brings this up to my friends when I'm 17. Anyway, Rachel helped Mommy a LOT in the bathroom with me, which was really nice because I hate those public changing stations and got very upset and covered myself in tons of poop. Mommy is also now calling the restaurant "Crapplebee's", but that's not so funny.

Anyway, after that, we went to the Long Island Game Farm! I'm glad it didn't rain. I got to see SO many cool animals - deer, sheep, goats, monkeys, a giraffe named Gerry, ostriches, alligators, lions, lemurs, ducks - so many I can't remember! Here are some of my favorite parts:
























I really loved that goat with the horns. I was slapping his ears silly and he didn't even get mad! And did you see Gerry the giraffe's crazy tongue??

So then we all came home and went to Cathy and Charles' for Cathy's birthday. I like Cathy - she's silly. Then I had a bath (I needed it after all that poop) and I went to bed. What a great day!

Mommy and Daddy did a really hard thing last night. It's kind of personal, but it's important. Mommy nursed me in my room like she usually does, but I was really restless and after a half an hour, she kissed me goodnight and put me in my crib. I didn't like that so much. I tried to tell them for almost 40 minutes, but Mommy and Daddy think it'll be better for all of us if I learn to go to sleep like a big boy in my own crib, so after a while, I decided to show them that I could do just that. Tonight I did it again, but I only cried for 2 minutes instead of 40. I hope that Mommy and Daddy know I'm okay because I know this is hard for them. I love them so much.

Up late!

I had shots today, so Mommy let me stay up late. I had a nice nap from 6-8:30pm anyway, so it's probably okay.

Here's what I look like in my PJs jumping and making silly faces.







Anyway, I was pretty brave about the shots. I think I cried more from being tired than the shots hurting. Shots are such a mean idea, but I guess they're important. I was really good at the doctor's office today, too; the last 2 times we were there, I was scared, but this time I smiled at everybody and was a really big boy.

Oh yeah, I weigh 23 pounds exactly and am 28 inches long. That's a big boy, right? Dr. Korn said that I can have a cup of milk if I want and eat eggs like a big boy, too. She even told Mommy that I could have some chocolate for my birthday. I wonder what chocolate tastes like.

The face

Mommy got the face on video. I do it much better in person and really hate performing, but she caught me off guard, I guess.

Where's the beef?!

I never had red meat until today and guess what! I love pastrami! Mommy and Daddy took me to Ben's for dinner. I love going to Ben's because I get to watch the fountain on the way in. Tonight it did a lot of fancy spouting. For dinner, I had about 1/3 of a matzoh ball, some pastrami, prunes and a sugar cookie. Then we watched the nerds at Barnes & Noble all dressed up to buy the last Harry Potter book. Daddy read my favorite book to me tonight (I Love You, Stinky Face) and another classic - The Monster at the End of this Book. Grover is so silly.

Oh yeah, I ate a big boy lunch today, too! I had a piece of turkey, a big bowl of rice and some peaches. Who needs baby food when you have 6 teeth?!

Tasty Delights!

It's all about food this week! But that's okay; I'm Italian and Jewish. I'm supposed to like food.

Rice is nice:






But I kvell for Carvel:








Mommy says to please ignore her googly eyes - she's just tired.

I don't care if her eyes are googly - I love my Mom so much that I love to watch her floss her teeth every night. Her teeth aren't even googly. Maybe she should floss her eyes, too.

My new face

I have a new face that I like to make when I eat. The sounds that go along with the face consist of a fast, heavy breathing/snort through my nose. Mommy thinks I'm a character.

Cousins are fun!

Today I had a lot of fun with Steven and Stephanie! I missed Dylan, but he's busy having fun at camp (lucky!). Anne invited Mommy and me over to swim and we had a great time. At first, the weather didn't look like it would cooperate, but it turned out to be a really nice day.

What a great day!

Today I did so many fun things. First, Mommy and Daddy surprised me with my very own sprinkle pool!







Truth be told, the spraying water was a little too much for me. When Daddy shut off the hose, I had a much better time.







After that, Mommy and I took a shower and then headed out to lunch with G.G. We went to her house after shopping for decorations for my birthday party. G.G. made Mommy an egg cream and gave me a cup and a straw to play with! She's so much fun.





I took a nap on the way home in the car and then we went to Granny and Grandpa's to BBQ. Check out all of the boys on the lawn!





I had fun jumping with Granny.



And after dinner, Granny and Grandpa made me laugh.

And the picture!

So what if I'm yelling and my face is covered in carrots? Mommy thinks I look great.

I'm 11 months old today!

Mommy wants to take my picture for my "My First Year" frame, but I'm not in the mood. Maybe I'll cooperate later, but for now:

I want to be nosy and see what Arlene is doing


And I'd rather practice standing for a while