OUTSIDE (and inside)!

Since spring has finally arrived, we spend a lot of time outside in the afternoons. (Don't worry, we lather him up with sunblock). And of course his favorite activities are playing in the leaf piles and dirt piles!

OUTSIDE (and inside)!

Another favorite activity for Kai is going down the slide that Gamma Darlene gave him for his birthday. And since our lawn in the backyard leaves much to be desired, whenever he'd roll off it, he'd end up with moss and dirt ALL over his back and hair. So, we decided to put in some sod (since grass seed hasn't worked the last two seasons in the back yard!). And not knowing how well it would take, we decided to just put in a few rolls of it. Hence, the patchy look. Both Cosmo and Kai don't seem to mind.

On the inside front, Kai has learned how to stack blocks! He's apparently does this best when no one's looking (in the video, RJ has a box over his head, waiting for Kai to "find" him). His "bark" is more of a grunt, but at least he gives it a try. And in this day of digital cameras, Kai knows he can see himself on the LCD screen, so that's what he keeps wanting to see.

And did you really think Kai would live in this house and not be addicted to technology? He LOVES his own keyboard and even insists that RJ doesn't type on it.

Dancing to show off my booty

Kai LOVES to dance. Any chance he gets, he'll dance. So when RJ strutted around the kitchen doing the Mick Jagger dance (you know the one, with hands on hips, jutting out your head), Kai went NUTS for it. He couldn't stop laughing. The first chance he got, he showed us his version of the Mick Jagger Dance. This kid's got rhythm!

Danceoffs and wagons

And Kai likes his little red wagon when he's in it and someone else is pushing. Although he has learned to push the wagon by himself. It's pretty cute.

I also FINALLY got all the "Who Loves Baby" books put together with pictures and labels. Kai really loves them and will meticulously look at each page, memorizing the faces of the people who love him. And we read them at bedtime.

16 is BIG!

Today I turn 16 months (happy 4th month birthday, Max!). And since I'm so big now, I've decided to do big boy things.

16 means BIG

First, I only wear big boy shoes. Until Mommy buys me some, Daddy's BIG shoes will have to do. (Editor's Note: Kai will try to put his foot into any shoe or slipper he sees, including his own!)

My friend, Sarah, gave me a BIG blue truck she didn't need anymore. So, I started to push it around like a BIG boy would do. (Editor's Note: If you listen closely to the video, you'll be able to hear Kai making noises as he moves the truck around. All's quiet, until the truck starts to move! We're not really sure where he got that from!)

Cosmo doesn't really like it when I'm hanging around him when he's eating, but since I'm a BIG boy, I can push him out of the way when I want. But most of the time he makes me laugh, and I love to pet him. Here we are posing together. (Editor's Note: Cosmo has really come a long way with Kai. He doesn't at all object to being poked and prodded and he'll even just sit when Kai "pets" him. We just have to keep working on making sure he's laying down when Kai comes close to his food.)

Mommy signed us up for a music and dance class. Most of the other kids were really BIG, but I wanted to fit in. So, I followed them around. They danced, I danced. They jumped and ran, I jumped and ran. But when the teacher brought out my pal, Elmo, I just couldn't follow the crowd. I had to have him for myself. (Editor's Note: As soon as we walked into the room where the music class was going to be, Kai didn't take another look at Mommy. In fact, she had to run several times to keep him from getting into things. This was in contrast to the other kids in the room, most of whom never left their mother's side. Kai's definitely not shy!)

Mommy finally let me have one of her chocolate chip cookies, WITH the chocolate chips! She usually wouldn't let me have the chocolate. But this time, she must have seen what a BIG boy I am and knew I could take it. Here I am with Christopher, proving that I can handle my chocolate chips! (Editor's Note: This was the first time Kai's taken a cookie and put it in his mouth on his own. In fact, he shoved the entire chunk of cookie in his mouth so I had to follow him to make sure he didn't choke. Usually, he'll just take a small nibble and be done with it.)

March means EGGS!

We can hardly believe March is over! Looking back at all the March photos, the theme seemed to be "eggs." Ninang Vickie gave Kai some eggs for Easter and I turned some of them into "shakers" for Kai to play with. He seemed to really like them. And then we had not one, but TWO egg hunts in March. Kai was busy picking up the little plastic things.

March means EGGS

March also found RJ and I taking Kai to a restaurant (only the second time with just the three of us at a restaurant!). Kai loved it, not only because he got to sit in a different chair and eat, but because there were two other boys his age who kept "talking" to him from other tables.

And we finally captured on video Kai saying "dog" (or more closely, "daaawwggh"). Other "tricks" he does is put his hands above his head when you say "weeee" (as in riding down a roller coaster weee, but also in Nintendo Wii :) ). He also has learned to give "high fives" and will pretty much clap when you ask him to. His repertoire is expanding.

Gamma Darlene and Ninong Alan came for a visit and spent time playing and getting cozy with Kai. Unbelievingly, he sat in both of their laps while they were here (I think both times it was close to nap time). All in all, March was a good month. Now, if only those teeth would FINALLY come in so he could sleep better at night!