I'm 16 months old now. This is my last week of summer vacation. Mom goes back to work on Monday, and I get to go to my new school.

Mom and Dad bought me this thing they are calling a "potty." I don't know what it is for, but they keep talking about how I should be getting comfortable with it.

I like the water slide at Uncle Trent's and Aunt Ginette's.

Mom and Dad made me wear a bunch of ridiculous stuff to go on a boat ride.

Uncle Trent drove fast, but Lexi and Olivia stayed on the tube. I held on tight to Daddy's neck. Lyla buried her face in the seat.

I can see a lot more riding up front.

So tired from swimming... boating... trampolining...

Not... going... to... sleep...

We got a special table just for me, and it sits in the most prime spot in the house. I get to look out the front windows and color AND keep an eye on what's happening in the kitchen.

My table looks nice and new in this picture, but you should see it now. I've decorated it very nicely. Who needs paper?

Brody likes to cool off behind the garage on hot afternoons.

Here, Brody, eat this stick.

Mom and Dad do not like it when I eat the foliage. Doesn't seem fair to me. Brody gets to do it.

Dad is teaching me how to kick. He says my best shot at going pro is going to be either in soccer or golf. I'll show you my golf clubs later.

I help Brody get his ball.

Thanks, Dad! I love my new reading chair.

"Millions of fingers. Millions of drums. Millions of monkeys drumming on drums. Dum ditty dum ditty dum dum dum."

Ready to take on the backyard!

"Eat this, Bubby." Let me tell you, Brody has had a hard time adjusting to our new place (not like me). He seems to really like the backyard, but he's not too sure about our house. First of all, it's old, so the floors creak. His food and water are in the basement now, and I'm not sure he always remembers that it's down there. He can't figure out where to sleep because Mom and Dad's closet is just not the same as in our place in Chicago, plus it's pretty warm upstairs most of the time. Then there's the mailman, who actually comes right up onto our porch to deliver the mail. Mom and Dad were happy because Brody slept through the night for the first time last night since moving here (ha, amateur), so we're hoping that he's starting to feel more comfortable. Maybe he's finally realized that this is where we live and we're not just on vacation.

Climbing on top of my sandbox can be just as much fun as playing in it. I stood up too, but you don't get to see that because Mom was busy catching me.

Different house, different drawer, same love for Tupperware.

Action shot. Check me out, Dad!

16-month-old videos

Exploring my new potty.

Playing in Union Lake with my cousins.

Learning how to jump on the trampoline.

Greetings from Michigan!

Apologies to those of you who wanted to see more pictures of our new house. Mom says that you'll just have to come visit, and I'm with her on that one.

... and lend a helping hand.

... and trade...

Cousins are supposed to share...

This is a great finish to our picnic in the grass. Mom and Dad had fun too, but they're pretty excited for our new patio furniture to be delivered.

My cousins came over for dinner. We got popsicles for dessert!

Mama was shucking corn. I was eating it.

Now I'm ready to come out.

Here's the other half. My room is all mine now. I don't have to share it with guests or the office. The best part? I have a ceiling fan!!! You have no idea how happy that makes me.

Here's half of my room. Mama painted my bookshelf this week. She said, "That's what garages are good for."

I am very happy that my bed came to the new house. I love it so much that I didn't want to get out right away after my nap.

Ha! That's better.

Towel please.

Moving on to my new sandbox. I don't like to get in the sand. I just play from the sides.

I can't quite figure out the motion on this thing so once in a while I move to the wrong spot and get sprayed in the face. It's the price of fun. At least it tastes good.

Yeah, that's right. Living the good life.

I have my very own sprinkler now!

Hello to all my friends and relatives! We've finally made the big move to Michigan and I have to say that I've been enjoying myself so far. Mom and Dad seem to be really busy and tired most of the time, but they still make sure to get some fun time in for Brody and me. I have decided that I do not like to "run errands." Also, I do not care much for stroller or shopping cart rides anymore, because I'd much rather walk myself. I LOVE that there are two sets of stairs in our new house, and the best part is that they're carpeted so I can do a shimmy-slide backwards and get down in no time. Brody and I love our new yard. He likes to wander and I like to climb up and down the stairs on the deck. I miss my friends in Chicago, but there's a nice boy who lives next door and he already shared his tricycle with me. Can't complain about that!

Last videos from the Windy City

I have learned how to stand up without any assistance. It's harder on sand.

Brody likes it when I play with him.

I'm trying to teach Mom that I am really quite coordinated and she doesn't have to follow me around with her arms out.

My last post from Chicago

And one for Amy.

One for Lauren.

A kiss for Ava.

Big hug.

Enough posing. Back to the food.

Ava and I were enjoying our fairwell dinner. We got to sit at our very own kids' table. I pounded my pizza.

This is how I like my boxes. Empty. Mom puts stuff in. I take it out.

Being dangerous is so much fun!

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

We gave each other lots of hugs and kisses to say goodbye.

I'm going to miss you, Molly. You've been a great buddy!

Mom, seriously. I had a very long day at the park and I'd just like to watch my video in peace.

This is even better than the bath tub!

I was thirsty, so Hank made good use of his shovel.

You mean, I get to go in the water?

Christie loves taking me to fun places.

Taking a little break.

I like sand. I like trucks. But especially the sand.

15 months and lots of developments

I spent this week doing two things: being sick (cough, cough) and amazing Mom and Dad with my many talents. My walking is getting much better, and I'm starting to actually choose this form of locomotor activity on my own. I can generally make it across a room - unless I get distracted or Brody knocks me over. But the most exciting thing is my blossoming language development. In addition to my signs, I can now say Dad (Dah!...Dah!), Mom (Mah - and not nearly as frequently as Dad), milk (Me?! - with a very high pitched upturn), up (Up-ah!), Christie (some variation of Keest), baby (Bay-bee!), Brody (Bah - and then panting noises), and yes (Yesh). If I want something but don't know how to say it, I fall back on shouting and signing for milk. Mom and Dad just aren't getting it, but at least I get lots of milk!

Walking and asking to be picked up.

Climbing on Mom to get the camera because no one is allowed to use any form of technology in this house without my participation.

Playing in Daddy's shoes.

Sorry for the delay...

So, I think most people already know, but we've had a really busy spring made even busier by the fact that Mom and Dad have decided it's time for our family to move. By the end of the month, we will all be Michiganders. Dad will have a new job, renters will move into our condo, and we think we have a house to live in in Royal Oak (near Detroit for those of you not familiar with Michigan). Mom is working on a job too, and she's been pretty stressed about the whole thing. Mom stressed is not a good thing for anyone, but we're all trying our best to get through it. Brody and I have been pretty disoriented lately with trips all over and sometimes being left behind with relative and friends, but we are excited too because we think this means we will get a yard to play in. I will try to keep my blog updated, but I blame Mom for being too busy to keep the camera rolling. I guess I'll forgive her, at least until we move. ;-)

Sadie is a good girl.

Jon really likes newspapers, so I'm reading to him.

Look at my audience!

Here I am at Jon and Laura's house. Mom and Dad left me again for another wedding. I don't know why I can't go, but I can't complain either. Brody and I really enjoyed ourselves.

I'm a good climber.

I crawled all over and had fun on the little hills. It's a little hard on the knees. Maybe I need to get better at this walking thing.

I like swinging, but this time I had to focus on not dropping my pretty flower.

We went to Detroit for the first part of Memorial Day weekend to try to find a place to live. I got to play with my cousins, Aunt Ginette, and Uncle Trent. But we came back to spend Monday in Chicago and enjoy the nice weather.

Grandma and Grandpa came to stay with me while Mom and Dad went to California for the weekend. We had a great time, but G&G couldn't figure out how to get Mom's camera off of video mode. The zoo was fun, though!