OMG – it’s been over a MONTH since I’ve posted. Terrible … terrible … terrible mommy! I don’t EVEN know where to start. I mean the last time I posted it was HALLOWEEN! Ugh!
OK here goes (warning this may be long …and disjointed)
Marshall is now over 16 months old! He’s been walking for more than 3 months – and RUNNING now (with decent skill) for about a month. He literally runs everywhere. Sometimes – when you want to go the 10 feet from the living room to the kitchen – you gotta get there in a hurry – I get it – I do. He’s super cute about it too – he runs on his toes and a little outta control.
At this point in life — it seems like everyday he learns something new (presently daddy has taught him to blow zerbers – and he’s mastered it in the last 15 minutes since they started it in the bath!). But I was going to try to catch up on the last month!
It’s hard to think back beyond this week – so I guess I’ll just start there. Marshall is really getting the hang of calling Mama and Dada by our names – and gets who we are and calls for us. I have to admit that the other morning (when he woke at 5 am – which is the usual around here) calling out “Mama – Mama – Mama” – my heart melted a little and I ran to his room more quickly than usual. I do have friends who’s kids have been overusing “Mama” for months – but since he’s just starting I’m more than willing to be extra super responsive. This week he combined the signs for “more” and “please” when asking for more orange at lunch. I almost fainted! I mean – we’ve been working on this stuff for months! “Say please” – “Say thank you” – sometimes I feel like a broken record, but moments like that really make it all worthwhile! It seems thats starting to happen more and more everyday. All the stuff we work at and repeat over and over and over – one day it clicks and he says it back. It’s such an amazing feeling knowing you taught your kiddo something. It really is.
Ah …
So a few weeks ago – our lovely nanny, Natalie, had a weight bearing strain on her knee and was out of commission for almost 3 weeks! We sorta panicked – BUT luckily (for us) a good friend, Corrie, had recently gotten laid off and was available to step in and help out. She was AMAZING!! Turns out she has a degree in early childhood education – and Marshall LOVED her!! They did crafts, and drew pictures. She got him into painting and coloring with crayons (something Mama hadn’t yet ventured into). They went for walks and had playdates. Needless to say – disaster averted. Which was good, because I’ve been super busy at work closing down our office. But that’s a whole other story.
If you know me – you know I absolutely despise traveling around the holidays. That said – we have a kiddo now – and we’re learning how important it is to spend holidays with family. This year – we opted to make the short drive up to Seattle to spend Thanksgiving with my Uncle and Cousins. We drove up in drizzly conditions to spend Thanksgiving dinner with my Cousin Ramsey, his lovely wife Kelley, their amazing daughter Claire and Ramsey’s Grandpa Bob. It was our first meeting of Claire (who’s a little over 2) – and boy was it long overdue! The two of them were so cute playing together. They shared like champs and there was even some hugs and cuddles given (without prompting). They kind of have similar (mellow) temperaments and got along great. It was so fun to watch. On Friday – we ventured out to explore all Seattle had to offer. We went to the Macy’s Parade downtown with Uncle Ted – and Marshall was mezmerized by the floats, and people in costumes – and then SANTA! After a nap – we headed to the Pacific Science Center (which was like OMSI on steriods). They had a great area for the tots to play in with music and cars – water and lots and lots of buttons to push. They also had animatronic dinosaurs – which Marshall was pretty fascinated with. The highlight by far was the butterfly exhibit. Live butterflies that fly all over. Once landed on Marshall’s hand when we walked in – and he freaked out a little and flicked his hand to get it off. The rest of the time in that room he was fascinated – though confused as to why we wouldn’t let him touch them. They were BEAUTIFUL … it was most incredible!! Our Uncle had given us his pass to go to the EMP – so we checked that out a little. It’s super cool – but not much for little ones. Luckily Marshall sad quietly in his stroller checking it all out since we’d worn him ragged at the Science Center!
The next day we ventured to the Zoo – which was also AMAZING. We actually covered very little ground before they closed – cuz we got a little lost. But we got to see a recently born gorilla cuddled up with it’s mommy and a Cheetah up close and personal. I truly love going to the zoo when the weather is crappy … because there’s no one there and it totally rocks.
That night my Uncle and his wife Jeanne had their annual Saturday Thanksgiving dinner. It was wonderful! The food was incredible – but the company was even better. Not only were Ramsey, Kelley and Claire there – but I got so spend some seriously QT with my newest little cousin Tori – my cousin Annie and her hubby Ed’s daughter born in early November. I admit – I kind of miss the time where they just cozy up and crash on your chest – so small and amazing. Awwww.
A great trip – and we’ll definitely be planning more for the future. Next time – tho – I think we’ll take the train 
Let’s see … I have to look at pictures to know what we’ve done and what I’m missing. Around Halloween we did the great “pumpkin tour” of Portland. Marshall and I went to Sauvie Island in the pouring rain (not the best idea I’ve ever had – but there was no traffic). We also went to the Roloff Farm – but I think I covered that in the last post. We hit one other farm with Daddy and that was the best fun (of course). As Christmas fast approaches – I’m planning a Santa tour for Marshall. My goal is to take him to see a few Santa’s – I mean – why not? It’s indoors and at the mall. Entertaining and I may be able to check some gifts off our list. Mostly – I’d like to get him used to seeing and hangin with Santa. I don’t want him to be afraid so I figure I’ll start him early and make it like Santa’s his buddy! Like a playdate. Ha ha ha. OK that sounds cuckoo to even me!
We have been going to Oaks Park for their preschool skate – which he loves. Basically – free to run around on the huge roller rink, chase balls and meet “Chipper” their costumed chipmunk (which he’s not afraid of – he likes to run up to him and give him high 5 then run off). And in case you’re wondering – I think we’re gonna start him on skates after he turns 18 months. They’re basically shoes with wheels that don’t roll until they get used to the idea – so no rolling and flying all over for awhile! But you know this roller derby mama can’t wait to get her boy on skates!! Whee!!!
We’ve been to see Zoo Lights twice this year – and are looking forward to taking Daddy so he can share in the awe and wonder that is the Oregon Zoo all lit up at night! Marshall loves it – even all tucked up in coat, hat, gloves and blanket in the stroller. He just looks and looks — and identifies animals. It’s very fun!!
In talking news – Marshall is a big fan of animal identification. He’s still using sign language – and has added the fun ability to make animal noises. Moo, baa baa, neigh neigh, tweet tweet, roar, (cocka)doodle doo and my favorite the grunt of the pig (to name a few). He also says choo choo and beep beep (comes out more like teet teet) – and is quite the expert at identifying buses, trucks and cars on the road. Yes – he’s all boy!!
As we anxiously try not to catch the swine flu until the vaccine is available (any day now!) – we have been relatively homebound for the last couple weeks. Part of this is because I’ve been sick with a terrible cold and don’t want to spread any germs to kiddos in the world (oh and I should mention that since I’m still breastfeeding I can’t take ANYTHING to help me feel better – UGH!). The other part is because I don’t want Marshall to get any other kids germs. Paranoid? Yes. But who cares. We do what we can to protect our kid. That’s all we can do.
We totally love our pediatrician … she’s amazing and we’re so lucky that she was the doc to come and check on us when Marshall was born. One of the biggest reasons we love our doctor – is that she tells us how great out kiddo is – how great is that? She always reassures our worries and doubts as normal, she tells us how “advanced” he is – and though he’s right in the middle for most of his growth curves – she gives us no indication that we have anything all all to worry about.
The only other thing I can remember right now from the last few weeks is last Thursday when Daddy took the afternoon and worked from home. When I got home – Marshall ran out to the car and climbed into my lap in the front seat, took the wheel, turned on the blinker and adjusted the radio … he’s an observant dude! 
He’s still walking (well running more at this point) and talking all the time – but I covered most of that in my last post … not much new. He is learning more animal noises (pig is my current favorite) and loves to say airplane (with his hand and the sound) and train (choo choo). We’re looking forward to Fall and perhaps a little pumpkin carving … and of course Halloween!