Today was mommy and daddy’s tenth wedding anniversary. Instead of running off and doing something without you, we just couldn’t resist taking you to do something fun. So we went to the SeaLife Aquarium at the Mall of America. You love fish, so this was a huge feast for the eyes. Jellyfish, seahorses and a MASSIVE tank (1.5 million gallons, we were told) where sharks, rays and sea turtles swam over our heads.
Included here are some pictures of you while we were there and a short video of some of the things you saw.
You’ve been in a pretty good mood this week. Perhaps it’s your new found mobility.
You started the middle of the week playing the “peek-a-boo” game with mommy on your dressing table. You initiated it by pulling your own blanket over your face and gleefully reveal yourself when she says “where’s Campbell?” However, it’s been nearly impossible to catch you on video doing it, because as soon as you hear the camera bleep to life, your attention is firmly fixed on the lens.
I did happen to catch you standing in your crib and you thought it was pretty funny. But for some reason, not half as funny as mommy counting quickly to you.
We had our trial run yesterday, but today was the day! And since we knew very few people in our neighborhood, tonight mommy and I decided to both dress up and take you to the Mall of America’s “America’s Largest Indoor Trick or Treat” event. HUNDREDS of kids and we still got lots of compliments on you. In fact, we only saw one OTHER parrot dressed like you and one other set of pirate/parrot kids.
We walked around, Trick or Treated at many stores, watched a magic show and saw some fun costumes. After you ate, you decided that sitting in your stroller really wasn’t for you, so you wiggled, fussed and generally made yourself tired going back and forth between mom and dad’s tired arms. We came home with lots of candy (that you’re too young to eat, so looks like mommy get’s to steal your loot this year) and you fell asleep soon after.
It was a pretty boring weekend for you. We didn’t do much little guy stuff this weekend. Instead, mommy and I took you to a dinner party at our friend, John Sullivan’s house. There were a lot of other little guys there, but the youngest was 3, so it might have been a bit rough to release you among them.
Then on Sunday, we just did some shopping and met our neighbors for coffee. Later in the night, we put you in your new skeleton jammies (they glow in the dark) that Mimi got you, but you were a bit too squirmy to take a decent picture.
"Is all this food for me?"If we thought you looked skinny before...
You have started eating a lot more than just baby food; tiny kale puffs, lumpy veggies mixed with pasta & even using a sippy cup for water. You’re mom and I usually read to you after dinner. You love books. You could almost say you sink your teeth into almost anything we read; literally.
Books are good
Tonight you were wearing your new shirt I bought you that says “Silly (cartoon Monkey picture)”. You sure are our silly monkey, since you make the best faces. Here’s one that’s less happy and more surprised.
We spent a lot of today cleaning house. You and I spent time together while mommy did laundry. You helped me shop. When we got home, you were immensely vocal however it was hard to catch you in that right moment on video.
Right before your bath, we played around on the bed. You were putting your feet into your mouth, but again, I was too late on the camera. When I DID finally get a camera into your face, you decided to bring it in close and then gave us a little thoughtful moment.
Today you had a couple of firsts. It was your first official swimming lesson (You’ve been in a pool a few times and like it, but with all this water around, we want you to have some “formal” training). Unfortunately the YMCA wouldn’t let me take pictures, but I was able to sneak in a video or two before they shut us down. However, you’re now officially a “SEA TURTLE” according to the Y.
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We celebrated your swimming success by breakfast at the Bryant Lake Bowl. You quietly ate little Cheerio like things. You were doing so well, Mommy decided to try something new: Apple juice! You weren’t entirely sure what do to with the cold, sweet stuff, but once you got a solid taste of it, you gulped it down.
I couldn’t help myself but take this picture of you tonight. You were immensely funny as you played in the tub with your bath toys (one of which is missing and we believe may have been absconded by the cat). And the washcloth hat you were wearing was too much. You continue to have immense fun in the tub, and as it gets cooler and darker, those bath times come earlier and earlier. Hopefully, I can leave work in time to see them.
Daddy was a little busy this week, so it was hard to get the time to post all the things you’ve done; you’ve tried to crawl, you’ve started making some pretty funny noises (we call it the “Christopher Walken”, where say something like “oh wowowow”), you took your first front facing stroller ride (and loved it) and you’ve really struggled through your teething like a champ.
Here are some videos to catch up the grandmothers and give a little taste of the funny, funny guy you’re becoming:
Today we were making fun of Puddy ignoring a squirrel JUST outside the window. You just ignored both of them and played with your rattle. Well, that and made some adorable squeaking noises.
You’ve also started holding your own bottle, but for some reason, you’ve decided that shoving it as far into your mouth as possible is the best solution to getting the milk into your mouth. (This angle looks like you’re drinking air, but it’s just the camera angle, I assure you).
And as requested, here you are playing on the computer. Yes, at 8 months old, you’re enamored with a site called Kneebouncers. It requires very little from you in the way of input (you simply need to hit any key), but you have figured out the “smash = reward” ratio and get quite excited when we play on that site. Your favorite activity (documented here) is the one with the loud vehicles. Chalk it up to being a city baby, I guess. Funniest part to me? When you start to imitate the noises you’re hearing.
It's Campbell Time! 