Mama = I want!

Well -- Erik has a new favorite word. Mama -- you would like I would find that flattering however he has decided to expand the meaning of the word from being just what he calls me to indicating that he wants or needs something. I guess we know who he thinks meets his needs most of the time! I am thankful to be the one able to do that but wish he would pick a different word when whining about what he wants. Enjoy the video below......

i've got a banana in my pocket

in this episode, our little monkey erik goes to a halloween party in the neighborhood.
the little monkey was quite taken with a little duckling (usually it's the other way around -- monkey has two three-year-old girls in the neighborhood who have crushes on him).

we even a caught a little interspecies handholding...



this is astronaut elsa, one of the three-year-olds.



at the party, monkey met up with a cullenosaurus. took his binky and ran away with it. something very oddly familiar with the scene...kind of like the old godzilla movies, except in miniature. there wasn't any fighting, but some of the sounds coming out sounded dubbed.


later, erik was eating a peeled apple.

Utensils are overrated!

We have been letting Erik practice eating with his own spoons and forks. He has a lot of fun with this even though it is a lot of work for him. He usually picks up a piece of food, puts it on the spoon,and then tries to eat it. Most of the time it doesn't make it in his mouth. He is a little more successful with forks and thinks that "stabbing" his food is lots of fun. Tonight I figured I would let him have fun with applesauce -- he did have a lot of fun but really didn't seem to utilize his utensil! Enjoy!

Trying the video again

Still not working -- sorry!

More fall fun

We have had a busy week. Erik was a little under the weather -- with the runs. Not fun for parents or child. He also cut two more teeth -- up to eight now. We spent Monday - Wednesday homebound due to his diarrhea but the last couple of days we have been busy.

Thursday afternoons we have a playgroup with a few friends. It is interesting to get the four boys together (ages 13 months - 18 months). Sometimes they play nicely together, sometimes they fight, and at times they are just crabs. Yesterday -- was a crabby day! First, we hung out at Leslie and Cullen's house and then went to a book sale at the local library -- that was crazy. People were jammed into small rooms practically climbing over eachother to get books. Not really my idea of fun but I did manage to find a number of great books for Erik at a great price.

Today we went on a walk, went to the gym, took Erik for his 7th haircut, bought Erik a new pair of shoes (he is now in 5 1/2's), went to a nursery to pick out pumpkins with Cullen and Leslie, made dinner, made a chocolate cake for a halloween party tomorrow. Phew -- Erik is now in bed and I am about to make lasagna (also for tomorrow).

Here are some photos from todays activities. Enjoy and have a great weekend!

The first video is of Erik looking at a truck book (one from the library sale) --- the first thing he does is point at and says truck. Good luck understanding him.

The two videos do also show pre- and post- haircuts!

Alexandria Fall Festival

Another fun activity this month was the Alexandria Fall Festival. It took place in a small city park but had lots of fun activities for kids.



Erik's favorite thing was the fire truck but he also had fun painting a pumpkin, riding a pony, and going on a hay wagon ride.

Brave baby boy riding a horse!

Facinated by the fire truck!

Playing peek-a-boo with Victor. Isn't he cute?

Cox Farm

Unlike my childhood in Wisconsin, when I rode along on calls to farms with my dad, farms are not frequented very often around here. Erik LOVES animals though so we thought he would enjoy a local farm festival.

We had a great time!

Erik tried to climb in with the cows....

Loved driving the tractors....

Going down the slides....

Climbing a mountain of hay bales....

Picking out pumpkins....

All of this tired the poor guy out though....

13 Months

Well -- this has been a great month for the Chens. We didn't move, go on vacation, have any big parties, etc. We really able to just enjoy a month together doing normal family things which was great. Victor and I have done so much in the three years that we have been married that it is rare to have a month where we are able to just spend time together. So -- it was nice.

The weather in northern Virginia has been spectacular. Most days are sunny, with low humidity, and a high of 75 degrees. So, Erik and I spend A LOT of time outside. Every morning we walk Victor to the bus stop and then go on a walk where we look for trucks, dogs, and sticks. We tend to see the same people out at 6:45 in the morning so we have become friendly with one particular dog name Brutus.

Our neighborhood continues to be a great place to live. We have met a lot of friends and especially spend a lot of time with the McCleary's. Cullen is 16 months old so he and Erik have a good time together. They like to play, and fight. Just like brothers.

We have also found a babysitter whom we completely trust. Susanna has been out here a number of times allowing Victor and I to go out to to dinner, swing dancing, and a regular bible study. We are so thankful to have found her.

Erik has gotten busier this month. He is into everything -- climbs onto anything he possibly can. He is also getting a little more opinionated. He is still very pleasant and easy going but if he wants something he makes that quite clear. Usually, his desires are expressed through yelling or arching his back. He also doesn't like to be told no and has started to say no, no, no back to us and shakes his finger at us. I am not sure where he learned to shake his finger but I must say it is cute. Naughty, but cute.





Erik had his 12 month check up a few weeks ago and was 21 pounds even (25 - 30%) and 31 inches (60-70%). He seems to have slimmed out a bit as he has become more active. He is an okay eater -- some days will eat everything offered other days only wants cheerios. Normal toddler behavior I would say. :)

We hope you are well and enjoy our new blog.

Love, The Chens

Playing with the strainer....

Climbing....

Introduction

Well -- after a year of monthly updates via e-mail I thought I would venture out and start a blog. I had kind of rebelled against that idea until being inspired by my old neighbor in Wisconsin who blogs everyday about her daughter Madelyn. So here goes. I can promise I won't be updating on a daily basis but hopefully more often than once a month.