Long Hike

After a very restful day and night yesterday, we got up this morning ready for some fun. We all went on a long hike in Leelanau State Park. It was really fun! There was so much to look at - the leaves, the water, the pretty blue sky, the sunlight reflecting on everything. Dakota ran all over the place and explored, and then he went swimming. It was neat to be in the carrier; I could look around and see everything. Daddy carried me first and then mommy took over. I took a little nap, too. We had a good time. After our hike, we went back to the cottage for lunch and Dakota and I both took a good, long nap. That was nice, too. After our naps, we were planning on having some more fun. More about that later....

So tired....

Yesterday, after mommy and daddy got home from work, we all got packed up and drove up to Northport to the cottage. It's a long family weekend, and we're all really excited! I was really good in the car, but I only took a short nap. There were just so many things to look at and talk about. And Dakota was keeping me entertained from the back. We stopped at the grocery store in Traverse City, and that was exciting too. By the time I went to bed at the cottage, it was almost midnight! That is very late for me. Today, I've been catching up. The cool air and the sound of the water make it very easy to sleep up here....aaahhhhh.

Three Months!

Yesterday was my three month birthday! Mommy can't believe how old I am getting. Wow! It's been a very busy week, and mommy and daddy have both been on call this weekend. On Friday night, mommy didn't get to come home at all, so she didn't see me for 24 whole hours. She missed me a lot! I had fun with daddy though. We played games and read books and talked to mommy on the phone. On Saturday, mommy came home from the hospital early in the morning, and we spent the whole day together. Today mommy was on call again, but she got to come home for a really long time during the day, so we had nice family time. I was practicing my tummy time on mommy's and daddy's bed, and daddy took some pictures. I rolled over all by myself while we were playing.

This week, I decided that my feet are fascinating. Daddy puts them against his cheeks and I laugh! Mommy tickles them and I laugh! I like to stare at them, and I'm really trying to figure out a way to get them into my mouth. I still love chewing on my hands, too. Today I watched Dakota while I was playing on the floor. He's so big! Then he licked my face. I was a little bit surprised, but then I thought it was funny.

Tomorrow morning, when I go to Mona's, I go to her new house. Her family moved this weekend. It's very exciting. My crib is going to be in a little sunroom. I'm looking forward to seeing her new house and to taking a nap in my crib. Later this week, mommy, daddy, dakota, and I are going up to the cottage in Northport for a long weekend. We're all really excited, because we will be able to spend lots of time together, playing and taking long walks and cuddling on the couch. And dakota will go swimming! Yay!

Family

This was a great week for family. On Tuesday, we had dinner at my Great Grandma Parker's house. She is going back to Texas for the winter, so we had one last get-together with the whole family. I felt like a big boy, because the newest member of the family, Ashlee, is only 3 weeks old.

Yesterday was really exciting! Mommy's cousin, Paul, his wife, Dana, and their 15 month old, Ryan, were visiting from Germany. Uncle Paul is an Air Force pilot. We were really excited to see them. They came over to our house in the afternoon, and we all sat on the front porch, and Ryan played in the yard. He is one year and four days older than I am. Daddy and mommy were talking about what I'm going to be like next summer and fall. We went out to dinner at a pizza place, and I took a nap on the booth seat. Ryan was a good little boy in his high chair, but then he got bored, and his mommy took him over to watch the video games. He sat on her lap and played with the steering wheel on the driving game. It looked like fun!

Today we're watching the Michigan game and just hanging out. Weekends are nice!

First Night of Call

Tonight is mommy's first night of call since returning to work. That means that she has to spend the night at the hospital, instead of with me and daddy. I will miss her, but it's going to be fun to have boys' night with daddy and dakota. And after tonight, it's the weekend. Yay!! It's supposed to be a really nice weekend, so we'll go for some walks and just spend time together.

The week has gone well. I like spending time at Mona's house. She's very nice and likes to cuddle me and play with me. Our neighbor, Evelyn, is 11 months old, and she stays at Mona's too. She has started to say "jack".

Exciting news - the Alley baby was born yesterday. I'm looking forward to meeting my new friend, George Pittman Bunn Alley. Congratulations to Pim and Brayton!

Ann Arbor, MI

On Saturday, we went to Ann Arbor for the Michigan vs. Notre Dame game. We tail-gated in the parking lot, and then daddy went to the game while mommy and I walked around campus and took naps. It was really fun until Michigan lost. Daddy was upset! There were so many people in the Big House. And there were lots of funny people to watch in the parking lot. I think I was the youngest there. Lots of people stopped to say hi to me. I took a nap in the back of the car. It was pretty comfy.

Sunday, we walked around campus and daddy showed me all his favorite spots. I got a new U of M outfit to wear during the games. It was a fun weekend. We had nice family time!

First Week Back at Work

Tuesday was mommy's first day back at work. On Monday night, she was very sad, but I smiled at her and did funny things with my tongue while she was rocking me, so she had to laugh. On Tuesday morning, she packed everything up and got ready to go, and then she woke me up. I was a little shocked at being woken, but then I smiled! We drove to Mona's house - she's my new babysitter. I was going to go to a big daycare center, but just last week, mommy and daddy found a really nice lady for me to visit instead. Our neighbors take their daughters to her, and when we all went to meet her, she was great! When we got to Mona's, she and mommy talked for a long time while I sat on mommy's lap. When it was time for her to leave, mommy got sad. :( I had a great time at Mona's though. We played and I napped and ate, and Mona showed me all around their house. I think I'm going to be just fine. Mommy called to check on me, and Mona said that she couldn't believe what a good baby I am - I hadn't cried at all, and I had been really smiley and content. Then daddy came to pick me up, and I got to go home with him and hang out. When mommy got home, she took me from daddy right away and gave me lots of cuddles and kisses. That was nice! It was so good to see her. Mommy told me that she had a pretty good time at work but that she missed me LOTS!!
Today was my third day, and things are good. We're all figuring out a routine, and it's getting easier every day. Last night, I even slept through the whole night and never woke up until mommy picked me up from my crib this morning. I had a very big breakfast. Yum!

Tonight I took a shower with daddy and then we had some laughs!

Football Saturday

Yippee! College football season has arrived. Daddy has been waiting for this day since the New Year's bowl games. He's extra excited because Michigan is playing today, and mommy is happy because Colorado is playing Colorado State.

Today is my first Michigan game ever, and daddy is really happy to be watching it with me. I'm going to sit on his lap the whole time, and these pictures prove how excited I am! It's a really nice day outside, too, so mommy says we have to go for a walk after the game and enjoy the sunshine. It all sounds good to me.