Mangiare

As my late Grandmom Theresa would say "manja, manja" - eat, eat - little LT loves to do just that! Up until about 12 months, LT would eat just about anything and everything we offered him. The past few months have been a bit of a struggle as we've been trying to get him to eat more solid food and phase out the baby food.  It has been tough for LT to eat solids since he didn't get his first tooth until he was 14 months old.  Now he has 7 teeth and he's making great strides towards eating big boy food, and D and I are thrilled!  Today he ate 2+ strawberries and some watermelon.  I was so excited because he can eat baby food fruit all day long but he always spits out any "real" fruit, but the past few days he's been trying it and I have been doing a dance of joy in front of him - literally!  I am sooo excited.  Recently he even ate some real carrots, peas, green beans, mashed potatoes, baked apples, and even a little chicken.  It might not sound like much, but D and I are sooo excited.  We have been running out of creative, healthy options for food choices he would eat.  It looks like our persistence is paying off and we just hope he continues to eat more and more solids! yay!  I don't even care how messy he gets and how many times he runs his fingers full of sticky fruit and yogurt through his hair!

Start Your Engines ...

Today an ordinary trip to the local grocery store became EXTRA fun.  On a whim, I decided to let LT try sitting in those carts with the car attached to the front of the cart.  I see children in them all the time and they look cute.  LT loves grocery shopping with me, but on our past few outings, he has been turning his little body around so he can face forward.  Sooooo ... I found a cart and strapped him in, not knowing if he'd be too little or want to get out 5 seconds later, BUT, he LOVED IT!  Oh my gosh, it was sooo cute.  Luckily our cart had 2 workings horns and wheels.  We were even able to strap in his cat and sippy cup.  I only wish I had thought to bring my camera to the grocery store, but who knew?!  LT had a blast the whole time and I was able to get everything on our list.  He waved and smiled for everyone and I think we caught the whole store's attention.  I had so much fun grocery shopping, as my "engine" and "screeching tire" sound effects were in full effect - LT thought my sounds were particularly hilarious.  He received a lot of compliments on his cuteness today and I felt especially lucky that I have such a wonderful, adorable son!

Playing, Playing, Playing

LT seems to have more energy than ever these days and he is keeping me extra busy. We have been visiting a lot of new playgrounds so we can get some outside time and play with other kids. LT has been loving it! Daddy went to the Eagles game on Sunday and LT and I spent the day playing outside.  He loves to play with other children, especially the "big kids", boys or girls! He invited himself to join in on a game of football last night with some older boys, who were soooo sweet with him. They kept calling him buddy and giving LT the football to run with, which was nearly as big as him! Even though he is starting to get shy around "strangers," he has no problem joining in on the fun with any other kids.

Playing with the Big Boys

Get it!

We also went on a "hunt" for bunnies and squirrels.  The bunny narrowly escaped us a few times but kept coming back for more fun. LT loves to run around Mom-Mom and Pop's yard! It is just right for him and has so many fun things. He loves to use Mom-Mom's watering can and "water" just about anything.

I found the bunny again

Mommy look!!!

 

These need some watering ...



Mom-Mom's tickle torture



Sooo Sleepy



Pumpkinland

 

Pumpkinland is such fun! We had a nice playdate this morning with our dear friends CW and K. The boys seemed to really enjoy the fall decorations, pumpkins, scarecrows, hay bales, and of course the playground area and animals!  K and I were loving the delicious smell of baked goods and we each picked out some nice pumpkins and treats for our homes. LT and I sampled the zucchini nut bread after lunch - delic!  CW gave LT a little kiss on the cheek this morning because LT was crying after he went down a slide too fast. CW is so sweet, I'm glad the boys are friends. What a beautiful fall day!

Monday Night = Family Night

Every Monday night is "Family Night" in the K & P Families.  LT and I head over to Mom-Mom and Pop's house after naptime and daddy meets us there after work. Pop always cooks up a special and delicious dinner! Last night was a particularly good night because I was actually feeling a bit drained from a long morning, but I knew that once I got to my parents house I would get my mind off that and feel better, which turned out to be right!  It always melts our hearts to watch LT's pure joy spending time with his grandparents! As usual, he had a wonderful time.

LT had a hot dog for the first time! Mmmmmm. Eating has been a bit tricky lately, but he seemed to like a hot dog, a little roll, and even a bit of ketchup! Who knew?! Pop was very excited to share a special, surprise treat he got for LT, which was a small vanilla Haagen Das ice-cream! LT just loved it. He kept signing "more" and "please" and that was making us all laugh.

Uncle Mike even made a cameo appearance last night as he cruised in for dinner and some fam time. Always a character - funny T-shirt Mike ;-)

Once it hits your lips ....



I'll love you forever Pop



Full Tummy

A Day at the Park with Great Grandmom

 LT enjoyed a special day playing at the park with his Great Grandmother! We had so much fun! Grandmom pushed LT on the swings, dug in the sandpit with him, and they even went down a slide together! Grandmom said it was too fast for her and she wasn't doing that again :-)

LT is such an outdoors-man! He loves to be outside and run around. The park had lots of mulch to pick up, little rocks, sticks, and sand to touch. We were able to play with some new friends at the park and he even shared his sand tools with another little girl. I thought that was a pretty smooth move.

We all had a nice day being outside in the sunshine and the cool breeze. Afterwards we had lunch at grandmom's house and LT made music playing on her organ. He fell sound asleep in the car ride home after a fantastic day! 

Cold Weather Cooking

After 2 long, rainy and chilly days, I am really feeling like autumn has arrived! LT wore his new rain slicker for the first time today. I don't think he appreciated the squeaky sounds it made when he moved his arms, but it did keep him warm and dry when we went out for groceries.

I was feeling particularly motived to prepare a nice dinner for D because he's been working very hard lately and has an important work week ahead of him. I also wanted to make a treat for LT, so I decided to bake banana bread during LT's nap. This is something we can all enjoy! For dinner I made Sliced Steak with Horseradish Gravy and Potato and Watercress Hash - it turned out very well. LT did not like any of it, but D and I ate it up.