Dean is 18 months!

Earlier this month Dean hit the big 18 months!
Here's what he's been up to:

Started Nursery! YAY! He cries at the beginning when we take him in, but warms up and has fun

This kid loves dancing. We turn on music and he goes to town. And for some reason, he especially loves dancing to the music during credits of shows

When we're in the bathroom or our bedroom, Dean loves saying bye and shutting the door behind him. Then he knocks, pokes his head in, then starts the game all over again.

He's finally off bottles and only using sippy cups! But still has his patient bear and bink.

He still hasn't tried to climb out of his crib.

If he's done something wrong he comes and gets us and says "uh-oh." It's really nice.. I hope he keeps that up ;)

Dean LOOOOOVES airplanes. (He must be a Drake) As soon as we pull him out of the car he looks to the sky to try and find airplanes. If he doesn't see one or if it's flying away he says (tries to say) "bye plane"
Looking for planes

Dean knows how to put a DVD in the Xbox. We use it as our DVD player so he sees how we take a DVD out of it's case, put it in the Xbox tray, and push the button to close it. So one night at a friend's house he took a DVD out of it's case (quite softly and gentle), held it on his pointer finger like we do, put it in the tray, and pushed the button.

He likes watching Sesame Street clips on Youtube


This morning while I was in the bathroom getting ready he kicked/dribbled the soccer ball down the hall towards me then back to the living room! Dad will be so proud!

Dean is soft, gentle, and meticulous (totally gets this from Dad). He's not a bam-bam boy who gets excited and hits thing or is rough. Majority of his actions look thoughtful and on purpose. (like the DVD and Xbox trick)


He tries to copy what we say more and more

He gives kisses when someone leaves (especially Dad in the mornings) and when he goes to sleep. He even freely gives them to guests who are here when he goes to bed, so come on over.

When he wakes up in the morning and I go in to get him, he immediately says "Da?" and points out of his room because he wants to go find Alex


When Alex gets home he bends down and asks Dean for a hug. Dean turns his back to him and backs into Alex to get the hug. Not sure why he does that but it's kinda funny

He LOVES "Do As I'm Doing" with the rolling hands action



Words he can say:
hi
bye
mom ("ma")
dad ("da")
Cheese ("teethe" a little lisp-ish)
juice ("doose" and puts his hand up to his mouth, the sign for drink)
uh-oh
bye Jane ("bye Jay" Jane is Dean's Friend)
Bite (sometimes says "bites-ees")
Down ("dah")
Off
Shoes ("sooz")
meow-meow (mee-a-mee)
nose ("nohs")
Dean show ("dee-da" meaning Monsters Inc or Toy Story and points to himself)
Keys
Dog ("dah")
Ice (for Otter Pops/Freeze Pops)
Kiss ("iss" or "niss" with lips puckered)
Ouch
Hot
Yuck


Things he's eating right now:
Otter Pops
Go-Gurts (could/does eat 2 a day)
Bananas (likes eating sliced and with a fork)
Apples
Cuties (Clementines)
Pizza
Mac N Cheese (Original and Kraft Homestyle Creamy Parmesan Alfredo)
Cinnamon Sugar Pop Tarts
Fruit by the Foot
Fruit Loops
Apple Sauce Squeezies
Granola Bars
Edamame
Graham Crackers
String Cheese

Playground Dismount Video:
When we were at the park, Dean would watch the older boys get off this toy by swinging off this bar and onto the ground. After watching a while Dean gave it a try. So cute.
(it's at the beginning)


"Uh-Oh" and Tongue trick


"Cheese" and "Juice"

Halloween Dean

We had a fun and busy Halloween here, and I can't believe it happened a whole 2 weeks ago! October was crazy and we didn't even get our decorations up OR have a "Week of Halloween Costume Parade" like last year (If you missed it, or saw it but want to see it again check it our HERE) BUT we did have a few costumes up our sleeves. Here they are:

Dean Monster
His favorite show at the time was "Monster's Inc." so we thought it was perfect

Dr. Dean Drake

This one made an appearance last year, but this year it actually fit like it should

Skele-dean

Thoughtfully and graciously given to us by a friend last year
Thanks Jan!

'Patient Dean'

Named after "Patient Bear," his favorite toy/comfort item (that grubby thing with the blue shirt in Dean's hand). This is also a repeat from last year

HAPPY BELATED HALLOWEEN
Stay tuned to see if Dean picks his OWN costume next year :)

Another crafty guest blog post

Oh yes I did. Check it out!

http://livelifefabulessly.blogspot.com/2011/11/let-there-be-lamps.html

I promise I'll get something about Dean up here soon!

My new white duvet post

Just in case you missed it on Facebook, check out THIS guest blog post I did about sewing my new white ruffled duvet!

One of my best friends Lauren "Lo" Hathaway started a blog with her sister that features crafts, decor, recipes, tip and tricks, all focused on being thrifty while still living life Fabulessly :) Head over and see some of the clever and fabulous things they've been up to AND stay tuned... I'll be there a couple times a month

Couldn't mention her without some of these gems ...
College crafting. It was fabuless and fun.
But I'd say we've come a long way, wouldn't you?

Talk about coming a long way....

And don't worry. We are much smarter and our projects are much more safe nowadays. And are still crafting with all ten fingers.

For Lo: In my pictures folder, that was titled "Happy Snappy"

Oh. And go Cougs!

The Cello Song

I could listen to this ALL day.



You're welcome.

New obsessions...

Oh were you thinking you'd be reading about a new obsession of Dean's?? Sorry. Just new music obsessions of mine. That's right, a new playlist of banjo-y, calm, a little blue-grass-ish, but I am loving this new music. A handful of them were on my old "new music list" but there were so many in this new style of mine that I moved them to their own list and added a few.

Ok, ok, now that you've pressed play on that, AND since you're here, scroll down a bit and see the 3 new posts that feature the Dean man.

:)

Grandpa Jim and Grandma Suzy visit

My dad had a work thing in NY last weekend and my mom got to tag along. They flew into NY Wednesday night, my mom took a train to Philly Thursday, dad joined Friday, and we played till Sunday afternoon when they took the train back to NY to catch a flight back to California. It was very fun and very quick (though, I'm sure 2 weeks would have even seemed quick).

Here's a rundown of everything we did ate (cuz lets face it, for me vacations are all about the food):
CPK, Panera, Mr. P's (got the 4 cheese, not the biggest fan), PF Chang's,
Rita's Water Ice, Fairlane Grill, Chubby's, Tasty Twisters, Outback, Rita's Water Ice again, Panera Breakfast (amazing), and City View Pizza on Broad St by the Med School.

Tasty Twisters
Which we called "the mafia pretzels" all weekend
Here's what happens at Tasty Twisters: You drive up this skinny hill and park at the back of this old brick building which is looking a little run down. You go in a door, turn a corner, and arrive at this desk. You ring a bell and this old man shuffles out (ok, it's not always the same guy). Without the man asking you what you want (because he just looks at you), you tell him what you'd like from the little menu they have. He disappears through a door, you wait for 5-10 minutes, and he emerges with your order. Hand over cash and he hands over the pretzels, then you're on your way.

Ok, so it's not as shady as it sounds. It's a factory where they make all the soft pretzels for street vendors and such. They are really good because they are warm and fresh, and a good price at $.40 a pretzel!

As for the non-food related: Walked Valley Green and went to church
Oh. And played with Dean, a lot.

My dad took these pictures with his phone. He looks so big huh?

Miss you guys! See you in 9 weeks and counting!

Big Haircut

From long baby hair

To short, styled, cute big boy hair.

Cheese.
The face. Not him.
Silly.

Ocean City

A few weeks ago, we were lucky enough to be invited to a friend's house in Ocean City, New Jersey. It was quite possibly one of THE FUNNEST things I have been able to do out here on the East Coast. The city was beautiful, the houses were full of character, and the streets were wide and clean!!! Such a change of scenery from Philadelphia. It even reminded me of parts of home (meaning California). Oh and the people! They were amazing :) Deano was sick that weekend, so he wasn't as fun or full of energy, but was still a trooper and loved exploring the house.

We played on the dock and in the water

Went out on the boat and saw the biggest, coolest houses I have ever seen. And seriously, let the record show, I WILL somehow, someday own a boat. I was in heaven (at least for the 10 minutes Dean let cooperated)

He wasn't a fan of the jacket, so our trip around the bay was cut short.

Yes, we got to spend the day at this beautiful place. It was perfect, inside and out. Love all the architecture throughout Ocean City.
We ate good food, enjoyed the boardwalk, I got a Nativity for my collection of traveling nativities. We love our friends and can't wait to see them again! Thanks for a grrreeeaaaat weekend!

Dean's 1, 2, 3! Video

6 new posts!

I was excited to find out our blog Dean has a bunch of fans! I'm sorry we've been slacking and disappointing those fans. But don't fret folks. We are back up and running! Be sure to scroll down and see older posts.
Enjoy :)

What Dean's Been Up To

Words:
Hi
Bye
Mama
Dad ("da")
Cheese ("teece")
All done ("ah" With both hands waving- baby signing time)
Trash ("ess" when something is gone and he wants to throw away the wrapper)
Bite ("deet" or "dit" when he wants something to eat)
Drink ("Ee" and puts his hand up to his mouth- baby signing time)

Tricks:
Throws trash away, until he figured out he'd rather walk around with it. But then mom takes it and throws it away. I don't know why he keeps trying.
Blows raspberries with his face above the seat of our metal folding chair, creating a puddle of drool which he then smears around with his finger. (I promise I'll wipe them down before you come over and sit on them)
His toddling and waddling is turning into a run. Really starting to pick up speed
Points to his head, ear, eyes, nose, feet, and his favorite...belly. He even lifts up his shirt to show you
LOVES playing with keys and trying to put them in keyholes of doors and mailboxes...
Growing molars. It'll be nice for him to have them...but getting there is tough for everyone
Pulling off pen caps. Guess I can't let him play with the Sharpies anymore...
Flips his binkie without using hands if you put it in upside down
If he wants cheese or a Gogurt he goes to the fridge.
If he wants an Otter Pop (freeze pop for you East Coast people) he goes to the counter next to the fridge and tries to pull himself up. Why? I don't know.
Hi fives sometimes with both hands if you're lucky
Pats and rubs your back
Will spin in circles on command. Sometimes. The problem is that he tries to watch you watch him so it makes turning around difficult

He is still a SUPER picky eater
Started taking up at night again when he started getting molars
At his 15 month Dr appointment he was 2ft 9in (97%) 26.5lbs (90%) and head is 19.76in (still off the charts)
His sense of humor is so cute. He loves laughing and making people laugh. We play a game where he says something and I throw my head back and laugh, then he says something else and we both throw our heads back and laugh, and it goes on and on

In June we were lucky enough to go to the zoo with some friends. It was really hot, but Dean did great! He just sat in the stroller, eating snacks, watching animals.

Can't tell if this picture makes the lion look big compared to Dean, or makes Dean look big compared to the lion
I love this one because it looks like he actually knows a lion is on the other side of the glass, and he shouldn't be that close to it, and can't figure out why I put him there.

I loved this family of giraffes. Mostly because there was a tall mom, a tall dad, and a tall baby. Maybe giraffes will be our new mascot :)

Action shots

Oh no. You know where this is headed...
..
..
...

Every kid should do this at least once.
He was LOVING it.

Dean striking a pose in California
Not really sure what he's doing

Utah Trip

Before we went to California, we got to spend time in Utah playing with family and friends. I wish we would have taken more pictures of course. Here are a few we do have.

Toys R Us with Grandma Lori
AND Dean's first bike ride. But his favorite part: playing in the big kid electric cars that were on display and then climbing from one to another.

Dean LOVED Grandpa Ken's sunglasses

Miss you all, you Utah people you.