MY NEW DO...
The time had come for me to get my 1st haircut. Just a trim! Mr. Alan said he thinks my hair will always have curl. He agreed with mom and dad that we should not cut it short. It's just to pretty. So, I think I will go with the trend and keep it a bit longer for now.
Mom tried to make it straight the other night after my bath. I took one look in the mirror and shook my head "no." She quickly fixed it back to curly and asked me if that was better. I said "uh-huh." Mom knew then that I liked my hair. She agrees with me that it is part of my personality; a bit silly, but so soft and sweet!
Mr. Alan thought I should leave the curl all over, but mom and dad prefer it to be styled on top and curly on the sides and in the back. Don't tell Mr. Alan, but I like the way mom fixes my hair better :)
Mom got a new do too. Her hair is still growing out so it will be awhile before she likes her haircuts. I still love it though. Long or short her hair is my "security blanket."

I like my new do and all the attention too!

THEY LOVE ME!...
It's just the 3 of us and they love me! There were lots of hugs and kisses to celebrate my 21 month birthday. They just can't get over what a big boy I am. Mom calls me her "big boy baby.

Everyone smile pretty. This is a day to remember!

MS. SERA's MUSIC...
I have been taking music with Ms. Sera since I was 6 months old. Now that I am starting school I won't be in her Thursday classes anymore. Mom and I had a blast celebrating our last class together. I have learned SO much about movement, pitches, rhythm, beats and dancing. I am a regular "music man." Gymbo and I had a last dance and then a hug goodbye. I'm sure we can visit on the weekend, but until then Julia and Landon will have to hold down the class.





















Rat-a-tat-tat!

MY NEW NAP MAT...
I start school on Monday, August 20th at Lakewood Montessori. We have been doing a lot of "test drives" around our house to prepare. Mom has searched the internet for all the cool toddler "must haves. " I have a new nap mat, backpack, lunchbox, labels for my clothes, toys and books, snack cups and more. Do you think she is forgetting anything? Mom wants me to feel secure with my new teacher and school so we have been visiting several times this week. The first day mom played with me but now I am a champ. I know where to put my things when I enter the room and I am ready to play. Today mom got me started, gave me a quick kiss and then left me to play for awhile. I did not know it, but she watched me play on the video monitors for 2.5 hours. I did great! I'm sure all the teachers think mom is a nut, but I know she loves me most and is just making sure I am happy in my new situation. Please pray for me and my transition...and for mom too. I know she is going to have a hard time going back to work full time. We have had so much fun together this summer!















A test drive!

INTO IT ALL...
I tried it all in Arizona. I had my hands on everything from candles to remotes. I turned on and off the misters, the fountains and the fans each time we went outside. In the pool I had even more buttons. I could control lights, jets, and bubbles too. Inside I had even more to see and explore. I used the mega remote to try all kinds of tricks. Luckily mom was able to find a few shows for me to watch here and there. I was better with the remote than her. This is a picture of me with my favorite "no-no." I liked to take the T-Lites out of the crystal bowls and smell them.

BUSTED!

PADDLE THIS BOAT!...
WHEW! What a work out! Mom thought her legs might fall off, but we made it. I guess Grandpa was a good encourager on the lake. I loved the water and even cried a bit when it was time to abandon the boat. We were HOT! It was time to take a dip in the pool.

Safe in the life vest

and squished between mom and Grandpa too.

LEAVING LUXURY...
We had a wonderful time in Arizona. It was great to relax and enjoy the outdoors. I loved being on the water, in the pool and just hanging out. I didn't mind being hot...110 degrees hot! I was too busy having fun and being such a good boy. I impressed everyone with my manners and all around good behavior. I'm looking forward to my next big trip.

Kisses and Hugs before going home to Houston

ARIZONA WILDLIFE ZOO...
Oh Wow! Grandpa looked and looked on the internet for the best place to take a little guy like me. He found it! The Wildlife Zoo is home to some amphibians and animals that mom and I had never seen in person before. We were impressed. It was not a fancy place (nothing like the Houston Zoo); dirt paths, lots of flies and HOT, HOT, HOT, but it was amazing none the less. Did you know that penguins live in Africa? These penguins have black feet and I guess they don't mind sweating like us. Mom laughed to see them in Arizona. We walked and talked and had a great time checking out all there was to see and read. We even saw a baby Spider Monkey clinging to it mother's side as she swung from rope to rope. Mom got that on video. It was an awesome sight. I liked the camels and the goats of course. The deer kept trying to eat our clothes though. Mom even had a goat nibble on her bracelet while taking a picture with me. Silly animals! By the end of the trip the temperature had climbed to 110 and I was beat. I slumped over in the teeny-tiny stroller and slept all the way home.

I love the outdoors!

99 RED BALLOONS!...
Mom wishes I would have had a few more. We struggled to keep my balloon in my hands. 2 flew away before lunch was complete. My face dropped and we had instant tears. This one made it home though and lasted 3 full days. It tried to get away a few times in the house, but Grandpa got a ladder and a broom and saved the day. Who knew that 1 little balloon could make 1 little guy so happy! We all know now. Sadly, this balloon popped during a diaper change. I tried to chew it. Mom warned me. Now when I see a picture of a balloon I say "POP!"

Balloons are the best!

ARIZONA TREES...
I call them tatus, but these "trees" are not what I am used to. THEY POKE!






















We stopped in a neighbor's front yard for this picture

POOL DAYS...
With days this hot you have to stay cool. I loved being in the pool. Mom and I went swimming each morning and usually later in the day or evening too. Grandpa bought me a floating buggy car that I zoomed around the pool in, but by the last day I traded it for a float. Big pool or little pool (hot tub) I was having fun in the sun and water.

Chillin' by the pool...tryin' to stay cool

UP, UP AND AWAY...
Mom will admit that she was a bit nervous about flying to Arizona with such a little, "big boy." She was not sure how I would react to lots of people, the pressures, the confined spaces and so on. We had talked about flying for days and pointed out airplanes in the air that we heard or saw along the way. I was feeling good and ready to go. Mom had my ears checked 2 days before the trip just to make sure that everything was in order. After the "all clear" from the doc she was excited too.
We packed our bags and off we went. Dad was left behind this time so he handled the bags at check in for us. After a few kisses and hugs mom and I made our way to security. OOOPPPSSS...mom had an expired license. We both had to be searched. That was interesting to say the least. No danger here though...only diapers, toys, books and snacks in this backpack. We were on our way again. Mom let me push the stroller so I could get all my wiggles out before we boarded the plane. I think it worked. I was an all-star flyer. Not a single scream only a few wiggles and lots of giggles. Everyone said I was fantastic! I am a very well behaved little man. Okay, I admit it! One of my wiggles ended up spilling a Sprite on the lady sitting next to us leg. She was a teacher though and very forgiving. Only too bad because not too long after a Diet Coke spilled on her other leg. Life lesson, don't sit in the middle seat.

I loved looking out the window and standing on mom's lap to see the other passengers.

TUMBLE...
I love making mom crazy. Not really, she just thinks I am silly. I climb on top of everything these days; tables, chairs, dad's desk, the beds and more. Hiding under the pillows is one of my favorite games. Peek-a-boo! I tell mom "I'm a mess!" We sing that song together often.
















he-he-he!

WESLEY IS 1!

My little cous is a big boy now! We celebrated his birthday with a pool party. We had lots of fun, great food and yummy cake too! I had a blast riding on this crab and eventually kicked Wesley out of his ride too. I can't wait until my party. Wesley got some great gifts!

2 big boys now!

PACKING LIGHT...
Dad was heading out of town again so I decided I would help him pack...me.
















You may need a bigger case dad!

Tee-Tee!
You would not believe what kind of fuss big people make over tee-tees from a pee-pees. WHOA! Mom and dad were getting ready for the day when I decided that I wanted to sit on the toilet. Mom kinda giggled because I was pointing and trying to pull of my diaper. Dad said put me on it so she did. I pushed for a minute and there it was. Tee-tees! Mom was so impressed! I even flushed the toilet. Whata little man! I guess mom will have to buy me a potty now. I guess I'm ready to try this game of toileting here and there. Yea for me!

SHADOWS...
I have one! It moves just like me. Dad and I discovered mine dancing on the garage wall last night and what do you know...it was waiting for me this morning on my bedroom wall when I woke up. I am all about new discoveries this week. I just might be a scientist!

NEW THIS WEEK...
Reagan has discovered sink and float. He was so impressed by his findings in the tub. His tub crayons sink, his shampoo and bath wash bottles float. He was anxious to try out all the toys.

Reagan is improving each day since his surgery. He refused food for over a week only wanting to eat fruit or cheese. These are still his favorites but he will now eat a few vegetables as well. He continues to refuse yogurt and all meats. His night terrors have ceased (thank the Lord,) but he is still waking 4-6 times a night looking for me. He still has a HUGE fear of nurses, doctors, medicine and anything that "messes with" him. He does not want anyone to touch his ears or look in his mouth. Please continue to pray that he will regain his security and lose his fears from the surgical and recovery process. I can only imagine what he must be feeling. Reagan has always been so laid back and just all around happy. It is hard for me to see these changes in him.

We visited the after hours clinic early this week to find that his right ear is still inflamed and red. Reagan keeps his fingers in his mouth a lot these days. I thought his throat may have been sore, but according to the doc it looked pretty good. He may be getting his 2 year molars in. I will continue to monitor his ears, mood and behaviors.

We will be flying out to Arizona to visit grandpa Malone on Wednesday. I am crossing my fingers that RGT is feeling well and that his ears are clear for the flight. This will be a huge first for both of us. This will be Reagan's first flight, first time out of the state and his first nights away from home.