Signs that Joseph is getting to be a “big boy:”

• He gives the most amazing kisses and hugs. This is probably Brad and my favorite new game. We all hug and kiss away. He even says, “mmmmmmaaaauuhhh!” while he gives you a big wet kiss right on the lips.
• He has his own little desk area set up. It is so adorable!
• His favorite activity at his desk is to draw with crayons. He loves it. He also brings his artwork directly to the fridge because he knows that is where it goes.
• He is also really into puzzles! I recently got him some more puzzles and these are probably his favorite toy right now.
• He has used the potty a couple times! I’m trying not to get too excited about this . . .
• Probably one of cutest and clearest things he says is baseball. In fact, he sometimes starts chanting, “baseball, baseball, baseball.” He has a t-ball set and baseball books that he adores.
• He pretty much will repeat anything you say, though who knows how much he actually understands. It is also still quite hard to understand and I tend to have to translate for people. His first phrase was, “up in the air” which he learned from Grandfather Bob (in September—this is a bit tardy).
• He still is a super dancer. A couple friends have watched him for me recently when daycare was closed and everyone comments on his dancing abilities! Just like Mommy J.
• Also, like mommy, he loves his books. I have been meaning to write a whole post about how much he loves “reading.” This makes me very, very happy.
• He has very definite opinions and ideas about things. And he lets you know. Sometimes instead of just screaming he actually screams no. The other day in the car he yelled, “no, no, no” over and over again and when he wakes in the crib this is what we hear on the monitor. When he wants to go outside he goes and gets his shoes and jacket. He knows exactly where the snack cabinet is.
• Speaking of which, he still loves to eat. He does tend to spit out the green veggies though and he likes it best when dad cooks, because it is either pizza or spaghetti.

Contentment

each night I lay down
thinking of you in snuggled slumber
and am happy

New Goats!

About two weeks ago we found some more free goats in the newspaper that happened to be in Shoreham. So George (the baby) now has two pygmy goat friends, Buck and Little Buck. They are much more skittish then George so it was hard to get pictures of them. However, they are getting used to us and ate out of my hand for the first time tonight. We have lots of fun with all the goats and take George out to play almost every day!

You might notice in these pictures that they are actually all out of their pasture. The pygmies are very good at escaping and sometimes when we take George out to play they have to join in. However, as soon as we put George back in the barn they follow right along!

Minnesota Visit!! Yay!

I am such a slacker; I never posted pictures from my wonderful amazing fantastic Minnesota visit with Jenn, Sophia, Travis, and lots of Travis' family. It was such a treat and privilege to meet my best friend's daughter Sophia at just one month old. And even though Joseph can't yet appreciate the gravity of the situation, he also had a wonderful time (well, as usual except for sleeping: that didn't work out too well for either of us.) I so appreciate all that Jenn and her new family did for us and seeing her as a mom was AMAZING! I remember her dreaming up plans for our visit while she was pregnant and I figured she was crazy and with a newborn we would just hang out on the couch all day (which would have been fine). But, no, somehow she has more energy and calmness (it takes lots of both even though that sounds strange) then any new mom I could imagine. Were able to do all sorts of great stuff. Sophia is one lucky gal! So here they are, a bit dated, but still a great reminder of the wonderful time we had.