Okay, they’re rolling off my tongue now… so many words!

• Nicities: “Good Morning,” “Please,” and “Thank you.”
• Nature’s surprises: “Flower,” “Squirrel,” “Bird,” “Puppy,” “Pumpkin,” and “Tree.”
• Toys: “Duck,” “Book,” “Truck,” and “Train.”
• Foods: “Oatmeal,” “Cheese,” and “Peaches.”
• Demands: “I did it,” “I want it,” “Let’s see,” and “Mine.”
• Mommy’s favorites: “Happy” and “Mermaid.”

The best time of day is morning. I’m so talkative.. in fact, mommy phones at 8am when she arrives at work, and we chat for a while.

I loved walking around downtown Santa Cruz on my puppy-leash for Halloween, dressed like Tigger-the-Tiger, with Daddy as The Rhinestone Cowboy.

Grandma, Ruth, and Don visited for a few days. They brought me a John Deer truck and a giant bag of blocks. Daddy said, “Take this beer to Grandma.” He was so pleased when I marched right to her. Of course I know who she is! They looked after me so momma and daddy could go party with their friends for Halloween.

I’ve never been so proud as I was when I took Maggie for walks. She is the prettiest puppy, with her pink leash and matching harness. I puffed up my chest with pride, and held my chin up high. I am an expert dog-walker because I’ve been practicing with the wooden wiener dog mommy brought back from Sweden.

I’m affectionate now… a big Love Bunny. Daddy kisses me on the mouth every day. I kiss mommy’s legs. I hug real tight. I love spooning. And when mommy sits cross-legged on the floor, I back into her, saying “beep, beep, beep” until plopping down on her lap.

I like dancing to Motown during morning coffee. In the evenings, it’s electronic. Sometimes I’m so happy I spin in circles.

We sleep on the boat 1 night during the weekend, and then have champagne for breakfast.

After that, we walk to Harbor café for greyhounds and coloring.

On the walk home, Daddy likes to cover me in leaves.

In the backyard, we play with the blower.

It’s like a Ralph Lauren photo, hey? I’m very handsome from a distance. Up close though… I am definitely not GQ material. I have the grubbiest nails. I like to chew on nail files and suck on nail clippers, but those weapons don’t get anywhere near my fingers and toes!

I’m also tinky-winky sometimes… Molars on all 4 sides!

I’m sleeping with my very own blanket now. I love it so much that I drag it around the house, and sometimes lay on it cheek-down to feel its softness.

At the Toddler Care Center, I learn all kinds of things I’m not allowed to do. Then at home, I do them! For example, I climb the dining room chairs, up onto the table.

My new favorite food is raisons, especially yogurt-covered. I get fruit for dessert every night… my favorites are peaches and berries. Grandma makes excellent rice pudding and bran muffins.

Grandpa is such fun to play with… He used his teeny-tiny screwdrivers and his great, big fingers to replace all the batteries in my toys. Now we’re playing with my remote controlled car, and my wooden train set. He also makes toys from scratch. He puts me in a box filled with empty water bottles and drags me around in it. He cuts the bottom off water bottles, dips them in soapy water, and lets me blow through the spout to make huge bubbles!