My first snow storm

Last Wednesday morning everyone started talking about snow. My mama took me to school and we did our normal routine, singing most of the way and I clap when she's done! But to our surprise school was closed. The sign read "closed due to snow" But not a flake was to be seen. So mama took me to work and I got to go to a few meetings. Then daddy took me home and played with me. When I went to bed that night, still not a flake in the air. But when I woke up the next morning, our whole neighborhood was buried in snow!! This is me in my new coat sitting in the backyard. I wasnt really sure what to do in the snow. After these photos I cried. A little too unpredictable and very cold! We all took Charlie for a long walk. And now its 4 days later and its still snowing!! We have almost 12 inches of snow at our house. Charlie loves it. He chases snowballs. I wish I had a sled because now its too deep for my stroller. But we'll go out and play in it tomorrow. Its going to be a white Christmas! My mama says that we havent had snow like this here since she was little and it might be a long time before it happens again. So I'm gonna play lots in the snow and mama will take lots of pictures! Today I stayed inside to be warm and got to open an early present. Its a zebra that I can ride and bounce on. And I love my new Ugs from Gramma. I wear them all day long in the house!

Seeing Santa

Apparently I've met Santa before but I can't remember. Nothing fun about this guy. He's big and red and my parents think they can just leave me there on his lap. I got all dolled up for this?

The Day I Met Santa

On Monday, my mama is taking me to see Santa again. I dont know much about him but my parents played me this video of when I met him for the first time. He was big and snuggly. This year I might cry because he is kinda strange looking. Or, I might pull on his beard or try climbing over his shoulder. I'll post my Santa photo next week. In the meantime, check this out!

http://www.photoshow.com/members/Esteps/my_channel/Nt5KZ8Uz

Mr. Trouble

Last week I teased my mom by showing her I could walk. But since then I've decided crawling is much faster. Head down and I can move! I am a very smart boy. And, very mischievous. I like to laugh as I crawl, a boy on a mission and no one will stop me!

Yesterday I got to play at Nana & Bompa's house. It was fun pulling all the books of their shelves and trying to pull the lamps off the tables! Suddenly their house is full of fun new big people "toys"

New things I've discovered:

- the TV on/off button

- the volume to the stereo

- how to get on the couch

- the internet connection into the wall

- window shades

- that people put more stuff on top of desks and tables, now I see them AND reach them

- my sound machine, its fun to throw

- washing my hands is fun!

- how to kiss mama

- playing hide and seek games with little things in my daddy's closed hands

Letter from Gramma

Today was a fun day. I got to play all day with my cousins- Ryan, Nikki and Megan.  My mama let me skip my nap for a whole day of fun. But the best part was coming home to a letter from my Gramma. I'm posting it here, so I will always have it close. I hope Gramma doesn't mind!

Hello my darling Breck, Mommy and Daddy,

I was so happy to see a new addition to your blog and read about your new tricks.  Flushing the toilet takes muscles and dexterity.  That's a pretty good feat.  I love the sound the toilet makes, don't you?  I think my favorite pass-time is to empty drawers, too.  Sometimes I put everything on the floor but then I get to put it back in the drawer.  I like to do that too.  Sitting still is sometimes very hard to do, like when you're riding in the car.  But then soon you are at school or gramma's or back home and you can run and run and yell.  Yehhhh.  And walking is sooooo much fun.  So many new places to go and explore it just wears you out.  On nice days do you and Charlie go for a walk? When you come to visit, Leo and Max will take you for walks and play with you.  Max likes to bark a lot but Leo is gentle and loves to catch the ball when you throw it.   If you're by the beach I'd love to get another rock you choose for me. I think mom and dad have pretty much found enuff rocks for me so will you do it for me???? I will show you my collection of beautiful rocks and shells.  Some are shaped like a heart. 

 

Gramma is trying to learn new tricks on the computer so I can share all your fun.  Today I found I could make a silly face to make you smile and I hope you like my new "font" . This should reaallly impress mommy and daddy becuz they know I have so much to learn.

 

Today I am going to Auntie Julia's for supper.  Your grampa is fixing beef stew for us.  When you come to visit he'll make something very special just for you. Your counsin Paul got an award last week for being the most helpful student in his homeroom.  We are very proud of him for that.  He can't wait to see you.  I'm sure he will want to play ball with you.  And I think you will make him laugh lots and lots.

 

My friends are coming over soon so I have to get ready.  That takes a long time and sometimes you can't even tell but I always give 'em a big hug and a smile and maybe they don't notice. 

 

I love you verrrry much Breck David Estep.  Your news makes me so happy.  Can you kiss mommy and daddy for me?  Or just lick them---but no biting. 

 

xxxxxoooo

Gramma

Things I am working on...

1. walking: just about there. maybe by the end of the weekend
2. talking: i have all sorts of new words and phrases but no one seems to understand me
3. yelling for charlie: i am getting quite good at this
4. biting: although my mama does not think this is funny
5. emptying drawers as fast as possible: so far i have mastered one kitchen drawer and one bedroom drawer. it goes like this-- stand up, open drawer, dive in with both hands, toss over the shoulder as fast as possible, leave the room
6. using my front teeth to take little bites. teeth are fun! and now i have 2 molars!
7. clicking my tongue on the roof of my mouth
8. flushing the toilet. again, my mama does not think this is funny
9. arching my back to avoid getting into my car seat. again, my mama not so thrilled
10. drinking out of my new favorite thermos, a canteen from my auntie alicia.

My first shiner

I had a little fall today. I was really excited to crawl up the stairs when my arm got out from under me. I managed to land my head on the edge of the stair in the exact same spot where I hit the corner of the bed earlier today. Its been a rough 12 hours, but there are just too many things for me to explore and I am a very confident little boy who likes to move as fast as possible. I wont let my mama or daddy ice it, I think I will just tough this one out because I am not letting anyone near it! Good news, this has not set me back. I have even more energy than before. Pretty sure, nothins gonna slow me down!

Tricks and Treats

Halloween is fun!  Last year I was too tiny to appreciate it. But, today I got to wear 2 fun costumes all day. All morning I wore this cool one here- a dragon! Then my mama took me to her work for their costume contest and I wore this funny bumble bee. Everyone loved it! It was the same costume all of my cousins have worn too. I'll post those photos tomorrow.

This is me right before we went trick or treating tonight. My daddy carved this pumpkin as a surprise for me. We walked all over the neighborhood to visit the stores and there were kids everywhere.

By 6pm I was so tired, I was ready for bed. I wonder what I will be next year?

Woo hoo, I'm O-N-E!

Today was my big 1st birthday. Wow, birthdays sure are fun! I was so excited that I woke up at 1am and up for the day at 6:30! The festivities started right away with presents. I opened lots of presents from my Gramma Mary. And one big toy from my daddy and mama. We sang and danced and played all morning. Nana and Bompa called and sang to me. Then I had a surprise special visit from my Auntie Erin. She made me a monkey cake and brought me a birthday muffin! We laughed and played until I crashed. When I woke up, my mama took me shopping for this funny bib. Then Daddy surprised me and came home early. We went for a long walk in the cold sun and I slept most the way, birthday fun can be tiring. But the fun wasn't over yet. My buddy Jack came over with his mom and dad and their dog. We ate pizza, laughed and played more, opened a cool present (one that I was trying to take from Jack's house last month!) and then the big moment- cupcakes! Everyone sang and I wore this silly hat and I had candles. Mama made a wish for me and then they gave me my very own cupcake. I dove right in. YUMMY! As you can see, when the sugar high wore off, I was ready for a bath and bed. Just before I fell asleep, I got to talk to Grammy Mary on the phone- she sang too!

Everyone called, emailed or sent text messages for my birthday. What a great day. I sure love my birthday. Now, bring on the next party!

Birthday Eve

Tonight is the eve of my 1st birthday! Seems just like yesterday I was fighting coming out of my mom's belly!

Its been quite a year! I've learned to sleep all night, hold my bottle, roll over, eat big people food, hold my head up, sit, stand, play, wave, say "ball" and "dada" and "more" and "hi" and "bye" I learned to clap and the sign for "more"

I can hear my parents giggle in the other room, they're wrapping my present, unpacking my present from Gramma and making me cupcakes.

Tomorrow is my big day. My mama is staying home to play and dance and sing with me. And, Daddy gets to come home early. And, my Auntie Erin is coming to see me!! 

I'll have lots of photos and stories to tell tomorrow.

My new hat!

This is me sporting my new hat! My Nana made this for me and I love it. Today, I got to spend the morning at the park swinging. My mama and daddy bring me and Charlie here on Saturday mornings.  I love to swing!! Daddy pushes me really high. And today I practiced swinging and waving at the same time. I can't wait to go back to the park again soon.

Nana, thank you for my cool hat!

My Nah Nah

For a week now I've been saying "nah nah" over and over and over.  At first they all thought I was talking about my Nana, then today my mom gave me bananas. Crazy mama. But finally she got it! Nah Nah is my binky! Now I love to laugh and say Nah Nah whenever she gives it to me. At school, they don't let me have it in my new classroom, rule #1: No Nah Nahs in Toddler One. I even heard Ms Seretha tell my mama today, "now remember no binky until bedtime" Man, she's tough! My mom is a softy. Now where's my Nah Nah?

Wedding Crasher

This weekend I went to Leavenworth for a wedding. I was quite the charmer, and the perfect traveler. I slept in the car most the way there and home. And practiced my yell at the wedding ceremony and reception. I danced with my mom and dad until I fell asleep. I stayed at the party late in my dinosaur pj's and this nice lady named Tami held me so my mom and dad could have fun. I slept all night in our cabin and woke up bright and early. 

Wanna know what I can do?

I've been so busy growing and getting into things, that I've completely forgotten about my blog! I'm now just about 1 already. It seems just like yesterday I was coming home on a rainy cold Oct night, welcomed into my home by cupcakes, balloons, flowers and presents. Now I'm already standing, and trying to walk. 

Today was a fun day. My mama only had to work for a little bit. While she was on her work call, I yelled really loud and played with all my loud toys. Thats my new trick- yelling as loud as I can! And I can yell much louder than you think my little 25lb could. 

Then I took a nap for once. Its amazing how good I feel when I decide to take naps! Then I tried a new gymnastics class. I learned to do somersaults and did lots of them!  And I hung from the bar and laughed. Even the gymnastics teacher said to my mom I was happiest boy she'd had in her class! I yelled a lot there too, as loud as I could!

Then my mama took me shopping. I hate shopping. Why does she think "this time he'll be good". She always tries things on and says "good thing your dad isnt here" and then she never buys anything. I yelled loud in all of the shops. Only I thought it was funny.

When we got home, I showed daddy how loud I can be! I like to stand up and then yell as loud as possible and laugh when they think I am done.  And, I love my new toy from Bompa. It shoots balls in the air. I scream when they shoot up. I chase the balls. So does Charlie. I put my face in the air valve and laugh. And the moment the toy stops I turn it right back on. 

Daddy said there was no way I was going to bed tonight, way too hyper. I think its because I loved my gym class so much and got to spend a whole day with my mama!

This weekend I am crashing a wedding. Come back in a few days for the story.

Goodbye Colic, Hello Happiness!

This is me in Carmel. My first trip to the ocean. As you can see, I loved it!

A silly video my mom was in while I was in her belly!

Bath times

My 1st trip to the ocean!