Almost Two

Tommy turned 23 months and is acting more and more like a 2 year old everyday - that is, having fake crying fits when he doesn't get what he wants instantly, throwing down toys in anger when someone doesn't play with him, etc....all just normal toddler milestones!

Last week we had a few cool days and we got out the winter pajamas - they still fit from a year ago.....and then he found his sunglasses, which he refused to wear all summer.


Pulling his Cars wheely backpack - he hadn't seen it in awhile so it was like a new toy. He had his sunglasses, two pacifiers, his "burpy" (burp cloth that he uses like a blanket), and some cars.

I was trying to have him put two pacifiers in his mouth at once, but he wouldn't - but he does look pretty cool in those Diego shades and duck jammies.

And more food pictures - it seems like I always have pictures of Tommy eating.....note the empty cob of corn on his tray!

Weekend at Grandma's

Tommy and I spent four days with my Mom last weekend - he had a blast! He brought along his Arthur doll, and he can now say Arthur as clear as day, and was feeding him breakfast.

After two days of being stuck in the house while it poured buckets of rain, we escaped to TJ Maxx and found some cool Cars Mega Blocks toys - here he is making my mom race cars around the coffee table - and laughing. He was in love with "gaga" and was sad to leave all of her fun toys and treats!

The Zoo

Friday was a gorgeous day, and Doug is using up some vacation time, so we went to the zoo! Note that there are no pictures of the animals - there was no time for that - we were too busy keeping up with Tommy. The highlight of the day for Tommy was watching the crazy nesting geese who were attacking picnickers - we had to move 3 times before we found a goose-free zone. Yuck.

Fine Dining

Friday night we took Tommy to our favorite local restaurant - Francesca's on the River - the place where we got engaged and where we went to celebrate Tommy's referral, along with birthdays, anniversaries, etc....we went early to avoid crowds, and he was a perfect dining companion! He usually does fine in restaurants, but this time he did really, really well. Maybe it was the new trucks he brought along (I bought a few new ones at a garage sale that morning for 25 cents apiece, you can see the truck with crayons sticking out of the windows!) or the large bowl of buttery and cheesy pasta that he devoured...and then of course the scoop of vanilla gelato that he was kind enough to share with Daddy.

Thomas in Real Life

Thomas the Train, that is......live and in person......we visited the traveling Thomas the Train at the Illinois Railway Museum a few weeks ago. Tommy was kind of interested -- he wanted to climb up on the REAL trains that they have there.

The ride on the Thomas is pretty uneventful, but the boys did love to see him driving by.

Tommy is looking down - cousin Henry on the right and Henry's friend Carter on the left

Now Tommy is looking back - getting a shot of them was nearly impossible.

Here's the main attraction -- note: you do not ride inside of the Thomas train - a lot of the kids seemed troubled by that!










Tommy leading Henry and Carter in the line.

Not great, but at least they are all looking at the camera!

It's all about the Food

Tommy has always been a great eater and is always willing to try something new that he sees on our plates. This summer he has been in heaven with all of the fresh fruits and veggies from the farmer's markets we go to, as well as tomatoes from our own garden.

Here he is enjoying some corn on the cob - he knows just how to eat it and loves it!

Devouring a juicy peach - he eats them right down to the pit!

And lastly, a tomato from our garden. He helps me to pick the tomatoes by putting them in his bucket and carrying them in to the house. Last week we were picking tomatoes and I turned around to hand him one, and he was eating a tomato just like an apple -- I think he may be the reincarnation of my Dad!

Sporting his new froggy rain boots - they are a bit too big, but he insisted on wearing them and splashing in the puddles outside.

More cool weather gear - the summer heat and humidity has finally subsided and we can wear jeans and turn off the air conditioner.

Watching for the school bus......