Ian gets a big boy bed!

Today we converted Ian's crib into a "big boy bed". He was so excited to be able to get in and out all by himself. He really likes the difference, he was laughing and jumping in the bed! I was a little concerned about bedtime tonight, but he's been in bed for 20 minutes so far and I don't hear any stirring about! I'm curious to see what he'll do in the morning since he can't turn the doorknob on the door yet...I also posted some pics of our weekend at the coast where we flew a kite on the beach and visited an aquarium.

Ian helps daddy fly a kite The aquarium Ian was too busy socializing to notice the seal go by! Big boy bed!! Playing in his new bed!

Almost 2 years old

Our boy will be 2 next month, I can't believe it. Even harder to believe is his flowering vocabulary; he seems to come up with new things to say each day. He put 2 words together a couple weeks ago, "big truck!" he said as one drove by us. He can say, toothpaste, washcloth and fruit bar, also. He now asks for "more" food or drink instead of whining(thank goodness!) And he asks for "juice" when he's thirsty, although the 1st time he asked, Dave and I thought he was saying "shoes"! He must think we're idiots, ha! He has a pile of plastic animal and dinosaur figures our neighbor gave him that he LOVES. There must be 50 animals and he picks thru them, finding his favorites for the day. He also likes to help me water the petunas in pots on the porch. I found a new game he is good at, he can hit a balloon with his little baseball bat! He also likes to bonk us on the head with balloons, he thinks thats so funny! Here's some pics of him at another local museum.

With a flashlight to inspect the bear cave!

Pucker up, daddy!

The fish tank!

While we don't have all the fish in the tank, we picked up the 1st 2 today. To keep the fish and tank healthy you must let it "cycle", so we will add more fish in a couple weeks. Here's Ian helping with the set-up and enjoying the new fish.

adding some water

wiping up the spilled water! so helpful!

lets put this plant in there for the fishes!

checking out his new friends!

Ian at the Museum

There is a wonderfull Children's Museum 15 min away in Portland that Ian just loves! We have an annual membership there so he can explore anytime! Here's some footage of him having fun...

Learning everyday

I guess we just never know how much our kids know. Ian has surprised me with new words this week that we had not taught him! He said, "clock", "sky", "washcloth" and "crying". He will often point to the sky and say "plane" when he hears one overhead, but today he said "sky", too! While we were at the store the other day another child was bawling in the next isle and Ian pointed that way and said, "crying". I couldn't believe it! He says that one a lot, when he sees someone sad on TV or in a book. His new favorite character is Cookie Monster. He has a set of Seasame Street books (thanks Pat!) with the characters face on the cover. He handed me the Cookie Monster book and I said, Is that Cookie Monster? and he put his hands to his mouth and said "yum, yum, yum, yum" like Cookie Monster gobbling up cookies! I laughed so hard! We didn't teach him that, either! So we bought him a Cookie Monster doll at Target today. He's getting more and more into books. We can point out objects in the story and he can tell us what they are. Last night I pointed out kids eating ice cream and he leaned over and licked the page! Haha!

He's getting really good at climbing the equipment at the parks. He used to need a hand, but not anymore!! He likes to grab our hand and guide us where he wants us to go explore. We visited a new play-place this week called Play Boutique, walking didtance from our house. It's a 5000 sq ft indoor play space for kids 0-5 with anything a kid could want to play with. Ian liked the mini ambulance you could scoot around in with a siren. He kept looking at the roof where the lights were, but alas, they didn't light up. The were several playhouses to play house in and Ian cooked me a meal and washed his hands afterward! He pushed around a toy lawnmower and liked the toy cars on a wooden track. It was awesome to just let him run wild and find what was interesting to him. We are preparing his little 10 gallon fish tank for some fish; the water is almost cycled and ready. The light on top makes and excellent night light and he jsut loves fish. We will pick some out in a few days! Stay tuned for pics of that.

Being cheesy!

Loving some pankcakes!

"Driving" at the park

I see you, Ian boy!

The best handy man in town (and a lefty too! Just like his Grandpa John! :D)