Pumpkin = fun

Hey Graham Fans! I have been wanting to share some of the fun I have been having and finally sat down to share.

A few weeks ago it was Halloween. I am not sure this is right, but it went on for DAYS! Daddy and I carved our pumpkins. I helped clean out the 'goop' from inside. We also roasted the seeds - all good stuff. The next night Daddy, Mommy, Caroline, and I went to Living History Farms. They had trick or treating on the main street, popcorn, wagon rides (we skipped that), marshmellow roasting, and a story teller (it wasn't a story I was interested in). Two thumbs up from this monkey. The next day I got to go to work with Daddy. He had to deliver donuts to his team members. When Daddy got the dounts, I said "ippee! work!". I know why Daddy goes to work all the time - they eat donuts everyday! After dinner, I had to put the Monkey suit back on and walk around. I wasn't that excited to put it on, but I liked getting the candy. Caroline went along to a few houses, then she and Mommy went home to hand out our treats. When Daddy and I got home, I handed out the treats - that was as much fun as getting the treats! The next day we went to Grandma's while Daddy was hunting. Once again Mommy put those costumes back on us and we went to town (a new concept to me 'going to town' and I kept talking about it). We visited the Shettlers. Mrs. Shettler took our pictures so we have proof we were there. Believe it or not, once again, the next day we put those costumes back on - this time at Grammy's house so she could see how cute we were. I have to say I think Mommy got her money out of those costumes!

So I mentioned we went to Grandma's. Uncle Greg was there when we got there. Guess what, he gave me my first ride on Grandpa Dennis' old tractor. I had sat on it before, but never actually ridden on it.

I watched what Uncle Greg did so when I sat on it after he left, I pulled the choke too - guess that is what you do to get it to start. I need to practice so someday I can drive for real. Grandma took me on her tractor too. She needs me to help her steer so while I know I am helpful, it is fun too.I played with Grandma's toys, one of my favorites of course is a tractor. Caroline got her hands on it for awhile. She better not be thinking she can play with it everytime we go to Grandma's - that is for ME!Grandma and I made cupcakes! I love to cook and you know Grandma is always needing my help for one thing or another. It just happened that I LOVE cupcakes so I was happy to help!

Mommy and Daddy celebrated an anniverary a couple weeks ago. We all got to go out for sushi a couple of nights later to 'celebrate'. I like sushi. I also got to eat edamame - I love me some edamame!!!! They can take us out for sushi again - anniversary or not. I think they need to have 'birday cake' for their anniversary however.

Nanny came to visit a week or so ago. We played and played. We did stickers, played with my train set (she put it all together), read books. She always has pictures in her purse that I like to look at. We got donuts too! I was surprised Daddy wanted donuts since he has to eat them everyday at work.

If you know me well, you know I am not the best sleeper. I crawled out of my crib before my birthday and would not stay in after that. I have been sleeping in the guest bed, but Mommy and I went shopping and picked out a bed just for me. I call it my baseball bed, though it has other balls on it as well. Daddy and Mommy hope that someday I will sleep all night in it. I could, but I think they would get lonely in their room without me. Mommy tells me that big boys sleep in their own bed and that I can still come in in the morning to snuggle. Maybe someday, but they would miss me too much right now. It is fun to snuggle in their room. If Baby Sister is up, she might come in so she can snuggle in the morning.

I am sure you will hear from Caroline soon...

Two teeth

Hello - Can you believe I am 6 months old? I am SO old! I have experienced so much. Gosh, I thought entering the world was an experience (well, I still think), but there are a lot of things out there I need to conquer. I know in my last update I talked about how I sit up. Well now I can sit up for 30-45 minutes and play with my toys. We went to the Y the other week and I sat on the carpet playing with toys the entire time.

I have started eating. Rice cereal is still my main food, but I also eat oatmeal and have started on veggies. I watch Mommy and Daddy eat, but they don't seem to want to share the good stuff with me. Graham doesn't even always eat his food, but he doesn't share it with me either. What a waste!

I now play in my jumperoo. THAT is a fun toy! It is addicting too! I find myself trying to jump sitting on Mommy's lap or sitting in my exersaucer. Perhaps I am part frog!I do still like my exersaucer. I do like to just sit on the floor or in my pack and play and pick up toys. I chew on everything now. I guess that is because I am getting teeth in. Mommy said one tooth came in one day and the second came in the following day. She says I really wasn't too bothered by them. I have had a brother beating on me for the last, er, all my 6 months so I have to be tough!

I might be too little to do a lot of the things that Graham does, but I like to go along. I went along to the pumpkin patch. It was fun to get out and go along, but hey I am really just along for the ride whether it is fun or not.

As you can see I was a bee for Halloween. I don't really get why I went along. I didn't get candy - it was really for Mommy and Daddy's amusement. I smiled and Graham took the candy how does that work???

Gosh what else do I like to do? Oh yeah, I love to giggle! The funniest person at our house is Graham. He loves to make me laugh - he says it 'waugh'. Mommy and Daddy make me laugh too. My biggest laughs though are for Graham. He likes to kiss me and hug me, help give me baths, feed me. He still waps me on occasion - give me time, I am sure I will get my waps in as well!

We all went to the doctor the other day, but for some reason I was the only one that got any attention. I was so good. Those shots however just break my heart and hurt! How could the nurses make me hurt like that after I was such a good patient?!? Mommy says I need to share with you my stats: height - 26 1/4 (70th percentile), weight - 17 lbs 1 oz (75th percentile), and my head was in the 75th percentile. One thing the doctor said made me self-conscious. She said 'my rolls were even'. Do I need to start working out already???

Signing off for now!

Hey Graham Fans! Long time since I updated you on my activities. I am trying to think back to what we did last. Caroline shared with you that we spent the day at Grandma's awhile back. Mommy and Daddy went to an Iowa football game. I had a good time and was a good boy. Grandma let me play with Grandpa Dennis' Amana semi-truck. Good thing Mommy wasn't there - she gets nervous that I will break things that Grandpa collected.

The next weekend Mommy and Daddy went to the Ankeny-Dowling game. Caroline and I visited Miss Judy. She has LOTS of nieces and nephews so she has some good toys at her house. I had fun. I keep asking Mommy if we are going to 'Dudy's house', but we haven't made it back yet.

We went to Ankeny again - the following weekend. This time one of Mommy's cousins hosted a party for all the Peiffer ladies in the area. I was the only male there. It didn't bother me. I managed to keep myself and the ladies entertained. It was a busy weekend because we went to the 'punkin patch' the next day. That was a good time! I saw some animals, played in a corn box, rode some pedal tractors (boy are those things heavy!), rode some goofy thing, picked out my punkin, sat on an old tractor, and sat on a horse.

I think I have mentioned we joined the Y? I like it, though we don't go wimmy enough. I did just start Tiny Tumblers so that kind of makes up for it. It is really fun - they have a trampoline my size, a balance beam, a bar to swing from, and a mat for somersaults. Like everything else I go to, there are a couple of songs. Fun, fun stuff!
The other weekend we all went downtown for the ALS walk. There were so many people there. It made Mommy really happy to see so many people there to raise money for such an awful disease. Grandma and Greg were there. It was a nice day. Grandma took me to get a balloon. We had to wait in line. I was so patient.

Then Grandma came to our house, Mommy and Daddy got all dressed up, and they left. Caroline and I hung out with Grandma. I guess one of Mommy's friends got married. The next night we had dinner at Uncle Greg's. I had a good time chasing his cat and playing with his toys. Caroline took a bath in the sink while we were there! The next day Grandma came over and Mommy left. She said she had errands to run. I don't know why she didn't want to take us along....

Grandpa and Susan were just here too. I did my best to show them 'my stuff'. Daddy's football team played in the championship. (Editor's note: Chris was the 'line' coach for one of St. Francis' 6th grade teams). Grandpa and I watched the game.

We played outside. Grandpa threw pitches to me and I hit them with my big bat. I really think he and Susan were impressed with my skills. I don't have pictures of that, but I do have one showing my batting stance when we were still playing inside (a flute CAN serve as a bat).
The weather has been pretty nice so I still get to play outside. Sometimes it is too cool for Caroline so she stays protected in the garage. The picture below shows one of my new skills.

I think my tennis shoes give me the extra length to reach the pedals. My steering needs some work. Mommy will have to let me ride in the basement this winter so I can perfect my skill.

Have a Happy Halloween!

Time flies!

Hello! Time for Caroline to check in! Can you believe I am almost five months old?!? It has been awhile since my last update so a lot has changed. I started sitting in the bumbo. It was okay for awhile. I could watch things easier so that I liked. It makes me feel stuck so I would try to arch out of it. I rarely sit in it now and only for short periods. Mommy got out the exersaucer. I really liked that. At first Mommy would put a towel behind my back, but before long she didn't have to support me. I can stand in it and there are all kinds of toys to keep me occupied. I still like it. Sometimes though I need a change. A girl can only be entertained by lights and music and spinning toys for so long!

Mommy caught me sucking my thumb. I do like it but really haven't gotten hooked on it. I chew on my fingers, but when it is time to sleep I usually take some pulls on my paci. We will see if I go to the thumb more regularly.
Graham mentioned in his blog that we went to Ames and Kansas City to see Daddy while he was in a couple bbq contests. I really couldn't do much. I sat in my carseat, Mommy held me, Uncle Greg held me in Ames, Nanny held me in KC, and that is about it.

In the afternoons, a lot of times we go to the cul de sac to play. I ride in the stroller. A couple of weeks ago, Mommy noticed I was mostly sitting up. The neighbors noticed too. Aunt Deb and family were here that weekend and as you can see I showed them that I could sit up. I am still wobbly but I have been doing it for like a week and a half, almost two weeks!I am growing like a weed! I had my four month appointment the other week. I weighed 14 lbs 15 oz putting me in the 75th percentile. I was 24 3/4 inches long putting me again at the 75th percentile. My head was at the 50th percentile. I did really well at the doctor but when they stuck those needles in my legs it hurt my feelings (and my legs)! Oh my goodness was that not fun! Speaking of growing, my hair is getting thicker! Yes I have been told that Graham had his first haircut at 3 1/2 months. My hair is getting thicker and before long no one will remember that my hair wasn't the mop that Graham was born with!

The weather has been great on many days. After lunch, we either sit out in the garage as Graham rummages around or somedays we sit on the deck. We all like it! Dakota gets to go out too and doesn't bark incessantly like she does when we are in the front yard.

Next time I check in who knows what new tricks I will have learned.

Graham has updated you on a lot of our events.

As the summer wanes

Hey Graham Fans! From what I here, summer is almost over. [Mommy came up with the title on my post - what does wane mean????] All I care is that I get to go outside, ride my tractor, ride the neighbors' toys, and rummage around in the garage. Mommy says we will have things to keep us busy. We started back at music class two weeks ago and Brighter Beginnings class begins last week. Both involve snacks which is a good thing.

So what have we been up to? Well last time I didn't get the chance to post about our trip to the State Fair. It was so much fun! We saw some baby animals - ducks, pigs, lambs. Daddy and I went through this garden where he and I pretended to plant and harvest a garden. Daddy really enjoyed that. I ate my first corn dog! YUMMY! We found some play equipment so I got to play for awhile, then the real fun of the day - tractors! Big tractors. I got to sit in some of the big ones. I actually really liked sitting on the ones I could get on by myself. It was a fun day!

Mommy, Caroline and I went to visit Grandma. I got to ride on her tractor. I am always up for a tractor ride! Grandma has this fun stool that rolls around. I spent a far amount of time hanging out in the garage riding around on that stool. I also like to wander around the yard. Grandma has lots to look at. I even let Grandma read me my bedtime books!

Daddy has participated in a couple of barbeque contests lately. Mommy, Caroline, Uncle Greg, and I went to Ames to visit Daddy. I liked wandering around. Uncle Greg and/or Daddy kept their eyes on me. Mommy, Caroline, and I went to Kansas City to see Daddy the next weekend. For the first time ever, I stayed in a hotel. It meant I got to go WIMMY (swimming)! Nanny came to the hotel and watched me wimmy with Mommy. The next morning we went to Daddy's barbeque contest. There were lots of teams and one made a smoker out of an airplane, while another had a cow smoker. I was a big fan of the cow. The people who owned thought it was funny when I said 'moo'! Nanny brought this car along so I filled it with stuff from Daddy's 'pit'.

I just went to the doctor for my 2 year appointment. Caroline had her 4 month appointment the same day so we didn't have to make two trips to the doctor. I weighed 28 1/2 pounds (60th percentile and was 34 3/4 inches tall (50th percentile). My head is still big - 95th percentile.

Aunt Deb, Uncle Tim, Sam and Kayla were here this past weekend. Daddy took Sam and Tim to the farm so Sam could hunt for deer. I played a lot with Aunt Deb and Kayla. Sam did go to the mall with us where I got my umpteenth haircut. I still cried, but Mommy thought I did better since I didn't thrash as much. Uncle Greg even came over for dinner.

As you know I am two so I don't always eat that well if the mood doesn't strike me but I am a fan of milk, juice, cookies, bownies (Uncle Greg brought some over), muffies (Aunt Deb brought those), candy (I always try to grab some in the checkout lane), pasta or asian noodles, sandwiches, Daddy's bbq, cole slaw, cottage cheese, peas, different fruits (particularly with yogurt), chips, crackers, corn bread, ice cream, chicken. The list goes on. I am not really a picky eater, I just don't always want to eat...

I think that covers it! Adios as Dora would say!

Woo! I am two!

Hey Graham fans! What a summer! At the beginning it looked like Caroline was going to spoil all of my fun this summer, but fortunately I have still gotten to do some fun things! I don't get to update the blog as much with all the summer fun and being a big brother. I will try to catch you up on my activities.

Not sure if I mentioned earlier that Mommy and I went to story time at the library. It is fun because after the stories, there are a bunch of toys to play with. That was our only scheduled activity. I have discovered this really great show - it is Dora the Explorer. There is this monkey on there called Boots - he is so fun to watch. I don't think he gets enough coverage on the show. If you haven't seen it, you should watch it. I still like Elmo and Sesame Street, but Dora has more plot to it.

Let's see what else has been going on... Well Nanny visited. We played and I did my best to entertain her. I think it must have worked. She had to oohh and aahh over Caroline too. I guess sister is kind of cute so that is understandable. Daddy and I took her to a park so I could show her how agile I am. She was definitely impressed.

Caroline I think mentioned that we went to Grandma's while Daddy went to a wedding without us. We definitely had a good time at Grandma's. She has a mowie (translation from Mom - mower/lawn tractor). She took me for several rides and let me steer. Grandma has a really big yard so she really needed my help. I bet she hasn't gotten it all mowed since I was there. Aunt Deb and family came to visit also. Sam and Kayla played with me, chased me around. It was a good time. Grandma must be really religious. She has all these little water holders around the yard like at church. I thought I was supposed to bless myself with all of them. Boy was I holy when I left! (Translation from Mom - Grandma has a couple of bird baths.)

I like Grandma's deer. They are just my size to ride!

We got our pictures taken a few weeks back. I had no interest in smiling. They tricked me into playing catch with the football, but I still didn't smile too much. When Mommy can take such cute pictures like the one below, I don't know why some stranger needs to do it!

Daddy and I went to the I Cubs again with Jeff and Andrew Johannsen. We had a good time. I ate a hot dog and chased Cubby Bear all over!
Well the biggest event of the summer has been my birthday! Daddy took the day off. We went to a park with a wading pool in the morning and then for dinner we went to Incredible's Pizza Company. It was really the games I liked versus the pizza - who cares about food when there is fun to be had! Uncle Brad, Aunt Lisa, and Benjamin came over later. Benjamin and I played - I had to show him how to drive my tractor. On Saturday, Grandma showed up, then Grandpa, and Uncle Brad, Aunt Lisa, and Benjamin were back. Nanny and Nan were next and finally Uncle Greg. My first gift came in a big box and it took Grandpa and Daddy awhile to put it together. I helped supervise.

We had lunch or should I say everyone else had lunch. After they all ate, we had CAKE!! Big Bird and Elmo were on my cake to go with my Elmo themed party. We had ice cream too!
Then we opened my presents!

I really like my presents and have been playing with them all. I like to play with my new tractors on my new table and on the dining room table. I really like to sit in my new chair and watch my new DVD's. I think Mommy posted a picture of me holding Bebe while I was sitting in my new chair. It was a really good birthday!

That is all for now. I already have more to post, but not enough time to tell you about it!