Two weekends ago, I got a very special treat. I got to spend the whole weekend in Elk Grove with Grammie & Grandpa. Mama & Daddy celebrated their 8th wedding anniversary - and though they say they love me - apparently they really wanted me to be gone! Grammie & Grandpa were happy to oblige. Though they tell Mama & Daddy that I missed them, in reality I had a great time...they just don't want Mama and Daddy to think that I prefer my grandparents to them, so we have to fib a little bit.
Mama's Pinky bear (received the day she was born) was waiting for me at Grammie & Grandpa's house
I carried Pinky everywhere!
I was my silly self hanging out with Great-Grammie too
Pools never cease to amaze me...when do I get my own in Napa?
Checking out Great-Grammies home where Mama enjoyed so many days growing up
Visiting the house that Great-Great-Grandpa Orton was born in, in Elk Grove
Ready for pool time!
After feeling the jacuzzi, you will never convince me to go in the cold pool again!
Mama & Daddy celebrated their Eighth (Bronze) anniversary. Mama got new bronze fixtures for the bathroom
Daddy got a new bronze watch
Though I was sad to leave my wonderful weekend home with my grandparents, it was short-lived when I realized that we were on our way up to Tahoe! We spent 8 glorious days in our mountain home. The first 4 by ourselves, and then the last 4 with Grammie, Grandpa, Auntie Aubree & Uncle Ben. Actually Miss Heather was with us for the beginning so Mama could work in the mornings and Daddy could go out and exercise. In the afternoons, my family of 3 explored many hiking trails, and I'm learning to tolerate my backpack...though I'd much rather be walking like the big people. We found a very cool meadow with a lovely stream for me to play in without Mama and Daddy worrying about me falling off a granite cliff or into a really deep lake! We ate at hole-in-the-wall sandwich shops and taco stands. I got to watch boats dock and leave, and Daddy let me pretend to be white trash by allowing me to play in the fountain by the shops in my diaper. I did have fun picking the pennies off the bottom of the fountain!
I particularly had fun in our jacuzzi/spa/hot tub/big bath...every afternoon I got to go for a swim in the above ground thing with water in it. No wonder I can't get all my words straight since everyone keeps calling the same thing by different names! Get it straight people!
Overlooking Emerald Bay
Family Hike to Eagle Lake
At Eagle Lake with Daddy - I loved feeding the duckies!
Washoe Meadows State Park
Brr...snow melt!
Bouncy bouncy on a dead branch!
Mama and her little dude
Watching the ships come and go...and finding shells
Daddy trying to unsuccessfully relax in the hammock
Awesome sandwich shop
My white trash self picking up coins in the bottom of the fountain...
One of my favorite times was on Saturday, when Mama & Daddy took me to the beach near Camp Richardson. When I got down to the water I recognized Miss Alyssa was there with her family. Alyssa was one of my favorite NICU nurses...she took care of me several days a week for my 3 month stay in the hospital, and we have a bond that will last forever since she's washed all my parts and seen me when I looked like a baby squirrel. I played on the beach with her kids. My favorite game, though, was called "throw all the sand into the water". Daddy challenged me to throw all the sand on the beach into the Lake. I kept at it for about an hour, before I realized it was an evil trick! Bad Daddy! Someday I'm sure he'll tell me something completely crazy like "dig a hole all the way to China!" I'm onto him now though.
Miss Alyssa on the beach
Playing with the big boys
Learning to fill my own bucket with water and sand
Mama, Alyssa and "Heavy D"
My other favorite time was that Uncle Ben & Aunt Aubree surprised us by renting a boat on Sunday for the afternoon. I screamed "Wow Wow Wow!" when Uncle Ben hit the gas and sent us skipping across the beautiful lake. We had lunch on the boat in Emerald Bay, which was awesome. Mama and Daddy now say that feeding me on a boat isn't the cleanest situation after seeing so many seagulls hovering over our watercraft, just waiting to pick the chips and hummus out of my hair. I'm sure I looked like a 24 pound piece of tasty food since I was covered in it from head to toe! Thankfully I cleaned off decently with wipes, cause that lake looked cold! I eventually passed out for the most relaxing nap ever. Cars have nothing on boats when it comes to lulling me to sleep.
Mama with Auntie Aubree & Grammie
Everyone but Uncle Ben taking the picture
Here's me with Uncle Ben
Daddy wants me to tell you that he's not really posing, this is actually what he looks like driving a boat...
Auntie Aubree - it was colder than the sunshine would have you believe
Uncle Ben finding ways to stay warm
Mama and I took shelter under a canvas tarp
Grandpa and Uncle Ben
After a wonderful vacation, it was time to return home to reality...which isn't bad when you live in Napa.
Oh - and Entropy is learning to behave thanks to Great Aunt Mimi in Iowa...I get to bring her home in a month. But, I'm getting ready for her arrival. At a lovely boutique in Tahoe I picked out some toys and a white leather collar with pink spikes!
She is NOT Daddy's Mama...but she IS my Mama, and I needed some help to get her a present for her special day. So, I convinced Daddy to drive me to the store to get some beautiful tulips. I even signed the card myself.
I helped Daddy make her a special breakfast of eggs, bacon & cinnamon rolls. Now that I'm eating without my feeding tube, I'm devouring everything in sight. SO...Mama only got a little bit of the food that I made her! Whoops!
Pretty flowers for Mama
Then, we headed off to the beach to meet a whole bunch of friends. What a special treat for this Water Baby! I rolled in the sand and surf and snacked until I couldn't move any longer.
Special treat! Mike and Libby are back for a visit from DC!
Check out my cute French swim shorts!
Fun in the surf with Mama
Instead of bikinis and "hold up your drinks" for the photo...the only skin visible was for breast feeding, and everyone held up their babies instead of their drinks!!!
Loving my big boy beach chair! I had to fight of several babies to secure my spot
Our friends on the beach
Friends on the beach
Beautiful friend of Jesse, and my first girlfriend...Finley!
Mama & Chris
Even before actual Mama's Day on Sunday, we had a great weekend. We went out on our friends' boat (Alex & Heather, both anesthesiologists at Mama's hospital). My good buddy, Levi, and I proceeded to run around the deck like two chickens with our heads cut off...so there aren't many photos. Mama and Heather had to hold onto our leashes, but we had a blast.
Enjoying the boat ride with Daddy
Levi "crowning" me with his Mickey Mouse helmet
I then pass the crown onto Tashi, Levi's doggie
Levi & Declan pointing out boats on the water and helicopters in the sky
We also went to a Mexican Restaurant by the river for lunch on Saturday
The food was good, but their fountain was even better!
I am experiencing my first "mobile" Spring in Napa.
The vines have sprouted and the Valley is so beautiful. Mama and Daddy are already educating me about the process of grape-growing and wine-making...perhaps I'll be a master sommalier someday?
Mama and Daddy are really trying to direct me into professions that they can directly benefit from - wine maker, chef, shoe designer... :-)
This blog post is mainly pictures & videos of my activities over the past month or so.
I go to the many parks in Napa & Yountville several times a week with whomever I can convince to take me...Mama, Dada, Miss Heather, Grammie or Grandpa!
Dandelions! My favorite!
Special time with Grandpa
What's that Grammie?
Monkey-ing around with Mama
Playing in the sand at Playground Fantastico
Enjoying the park, especially after Spring Showers
Mama had to dress me up for Easter, even though we didn't do too much. My Easter basket was courtesy of Grammie & Grandpa and I've been carrying it around (mostly on my head) ever since! The real eggs were great (and yummy), but the plastic ones freaked me out! (see video)
Fancy overalls and my froggy Easter basket
My Easter Egg broke in Half!
At 24 pounds and 37 inches tall, I FINALLY convinced Mama to install my new big boy carseat. I hooted and hollered for the first week anytime we went anywhere! It was my first time seeing where we were going in stead of where we had been. And, I love looking at my pretty Mama chauffeuring me everywhere!
My new big-boy car seat!
Only 14 years to go before I can borrow Mama's car...
I have also enjoyed TWO trips up-valley in the past month. One with Mama & Daddy and one with Grammie & Grandpa. I live in such a beautiful place! I got to experience some Napa Valley classics...Dean & Deluca, Prager Port Works, Taylor's Refresher! Mama & Daddy are really trying to get me adequately cultured before I'm old enough to make my own decisions...
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Daddy & me at Prager Port Works
Hanging out at Prager
I went to Prager again with Grammie & Grandpa
Taylor's Refresher - the best burgers EVER! (though I prefer the mini corn dogs!)
Picking out the perfect wine at Dean & Deluca
Playing the fountains at Dean & Deluca with Grandpa
Spring has also allowed me to stay out later since the sun stays around longer. Daddy has been teaching me all about the sun and moon and our planet...and why the different seasons exist. It's also been really really hot lately, so I've discovered the HOSE! Holy cow that thing is cool...especially when I try to spray Mama! You should see the look on her face when I spray her work clothes...whoops! I even have my very own swimming pool. Mostly I enjoy splashing the water out of the pool, but it is definitely my favorite way of spending an afternoon (and Mama doesn't mind as long as she has her glass of wine in the nearby lounge chair!).
My favorite pre-bedtime activity - staring out the windows!
A beautiful Spring evening - and I stuck my hands in Mama's exhaust pipe...whoops!
My favorite way to ride...
I brought a whole hose into my pool!
Watering the fake grass
I've also continued to do well with my eating. It's been 3 weeks since I said goodbye to my tubie, and I still point to where it used to be sometimes. It was part of me for so long, but I really don't miss it too much. My tummy is so flat now! I just have to work on my abs!
I love hummus!
I said 32 words before MAMA! (Including peephole, globe, clock, rock, cracker, yogurt, banana, and the sounds of at least 10 animals). And Dada was a good 5 months before Mama...but I FINALLY graced Mama by saying her name out loud. She just doesn't always like how I saw it!
What happens when you let a curly haired boy brush his own hair
Gratuitous video of me making special sound effects while climbing the stairs. Unfortunately for my parents, I make these sound effects EVERY time I climb the stairs!
Gratuitous video of me dancing with Grammie & Grandpa
Oh...and the best news of all from this Spring! Mama & Daddy just showed me a picture of our new puppy! She won't come home for a few months, but we're getting the yard ready for her and I'm picking out a nice pink leash for my new sister and best friend...Introducing ENTROPY!
