WILDLIFE RANCH--OUCH!
MawMaws is always up for an adventure. Her sisters say she has always been that way; if there is an opportunity to go and do Mawmaws is ready! I think that is where I get it from. I love trying out new things and San Antonio was one adventure after another! It all began on Friday morning with a long drive to Wildlife Ranch. Mom remembers when she was last here as a tween. It was a good trip then too, Uncle Dot was just a wee one and he was the one crying then. A giraffe tried to put its head into the mini-van window and Dot freaked! He was used to looking at the griaffes knees and when he realized how tall the giraffe really was he backed up from one side of the van to the other with tears in his eyes. Everyone laughed till they cried then and now they were laughing at me. Mom had not laughed that hard in ages. The expression on my face was absoutely priceless; she only wishes she could have captured it all on video. MawMaws purchased 2 bags of animal feed so we would not run out...we took 2 drives through the park and man were we in the right place at the right time. We saw some amazing animals. Mom was so excited to see the zebras up close; TOO CLOSE! They were whole face in the car with us from both side windows. One of the zebras took a bite of MawMaws arm and nipped my finger too. I screamed and cried and tried to get away. That was the end of them. Not too far down the road we met the ostriches. They were hungry too. We learned a good lesson here; Never feed an ostrich from the palm of your hand. THEY PECK! OUCH! MawMaws had no luck. Her hand was part of the snack. I decided that the ostriches were scary and that I would rather look at them from behind the window. Mom started to worry that she might have left me traumatized, but never fear I recovered quickly with lots of stories to retell. I even fed a few deer, donkeys and bongos before we left the ranch. It was a great day with the matriarchs of the family and all the animals on the ranch. I GOT TO DRIVE while mom gagged at the stink left behind in the car from the longhorn. IT WAS TERRIBLE and it was all over moms hand! YUCK! I fed from afar. Throwing the food leaves you with less mess and more enjoyment and after seeing Mawmaws and mom with disgusting fingers and injuries I think I had the best idea for a little guy.

DAD SAID NO!...MOM SAID OKAY!...
How did dad think I could resist? I wanted to air my own podcast. I think I would have a captive audience so I tried it out. Dad said "no, don't touch" and more. But, after dad left the room mom said "Okay! SHHHHHH! We have to be quiet..." I typed away on both of my keyboards, spoke into the mic and wore my headphones like a champ. I am ready to host and mom can be my co-host!
I am the dramatic play man these days. I love to copy what I see in everyday life, phrases I hear will be repeated so watch your mouth and set a good example. I am role playing and really looking for my place. I am studying how people and groups are working and playing together and mom can see me watching before I jump in. One of my favorite conversation starters is "BOO!" I like to make people laugh and get there attention. Mom says the way I play is a stage and that I am really mastering it well. I am dictating how play is completed. I find people to interact with me (even strangers,) take them by the hand and then I tell them what role they are to play and what they should do to fulfill it. It may be as simple as where to sit, or what to wear but mostly I let you know what role you are to play or when it is your turn. I'm having lots of fun and meeting lots of new people, but finding out that not everyone cooperates with my plan.













So cute! I just wanted to be like dad

MOMMY HAS A NEW NAME!...
Mom is having an internal struggle. I used to call her muma, then mama and now for the longest it has been mommy. She liked her name and she loved the way I said it, but now that has all changed. Now I just call, "MOM!" It started in the night and it has just carried over. Mom as I call her is trying to convince me to revert back to Mommy...we'll see. I'll keep you posted!

SIDEWALK FAMILY...
This was a whole new experience! Mom traced me and I got to choose how I wanted to look. I wanted pink hair, then orange hair, then yellow hair. I wanted blue pants and an orange and purple shirt. I made myself a silly smile and mom helped me with my purple eyes. It was hot out, really hot! We had fun designing our sidewalk family...dad even helped trace mom skinny :) When the rains came the next day our sidewalk people washed away until the next time. I'm sure I will be even bigger then.

AGHHHH! ENOUGH SAID!...
This hat brought out my silly side. The lady at Papasito's let me pick 3 of my favorite colors...notice they are all the bright ones! This hat fits my personality just right...super silly!

SUNKIST SMILES AND MORE...
Mom is getting more than she asks for these days. If she wants picture she literally gets a series of expressions. I did not mind so much today though...I had a soda to enjoy. Oh the joys of spending time with the fam. I get away with so much more :)

**UPDATE--Mom just found out that there is caffeine in Sunkist....AGHHHH! Dad knew all along but apparently did not see a problem with a 2 year old drinking it. That might be due to the fact that he is a HUGE Starbucks fan. Mom on the other hand is having issues with the idea that her baby was drinking and really enjoying the caffeine filled beverage instead of just eatting it like her. WE LOVE CHOCOLATE! Note to family...NO MORE SUNKIST SMILES until I am of age :)**

THE FORTH ON THE FARM...
We finally made it out to the farm! MawMaws has told mom for weeks that we needed to make the trip to see all the little animals...mom waited too long! I was so excited! I saw the teething piglets and not so little white chicks, the lambs now as big as the rams and the calves that are looking more like big cows now. I was a real rancher for the weekend. I fed all the animals and watered them too. I shucked corn, picked tomatoes and fished for goldfish with a net. I drove the ranch roads in the Kubota and tractors both small and large chanting faster, faster! I thought it was great, but mom was holding on tight saying, SLOW DOWN! She has fears. Grandpa Malone once flipped the 3 wheeler after driving it up a tree. And she must admit that when she was in Mexico with Aunt Meme they wrecked the 4 wheeler 2 times in one day. They thought they were going to have to buy it. Mom should probably stay off these things, but Grandpa...for real...I drive better than you :) I must have burned a tank and a half of gas...sorry Tim! Mawmaws preped a great lunch and I ate my first deer and pig hamburger--mom passed but she did not know what she was missin'. Here was the real treat though; Mom and dad left me at the farm! Can you believe it? They headed back to Houston for a Monte Montgomery concert and everyone enjoyed the evening. MawMaws took extra good care of me and I didn't even want to come home. Everyone had prepared themselves for a midnight run, but it was not needed. Mom came back to Bellville early the next morning to find me driving the Kubota smile still in tact. I even tried out Tim's runny eggs. I say Yum, but Mawmaws says YUCK! What a weekend! The forth must be my favorite!

CHILDREN'S MUSEUM "MAKE-UP"...
Mom and I headed out to Sugarland and I discovered some of the best crayons ever! Whew! I colored every inch of my face and studied myself in the mirror very intently while I was working. I was a masterpiece! Mom was just thankful that some clean up wipes cleaned me up! That would have been a messy ride home.

COOKIE KING!...
Mom and I have made ourselves useful in the kitchen this summer. We have baked cookies, muffins and more and of course I am the star helper. I can read the back of the packages and get out the ingredients and spoons. Mom has to get the bowls. I know all about subsituting vanilla for 1/2 the butter too. I make sure we get it all mixed up and safely into the oven. If it spills I get the hand vac and clean up. Mom found that out when she stepped out of the room and left me to stir. A blob of dough fell on the floor and I quickly vaced it up. Oh, mom had fun with that one. Here is my secret...strawberry icing and sprinkles make EVERYTHING taste better!

CT. IS JUST TOO FAR AWAY!...
Each time the Cumagun clan visits we try our best to convince them to stay...CT is just too far away. I had a blast with Dylon and made sure that he knew that all the toys he was chewing on were mine. He understood! It did not take me anytime at all to jump right into the arms of Uncle D and Aunt T. I did call her Meme once though. She looks like Aunt Meme to me :)
Mom and dad hope that someday we can take a trip to visit them, but until then we are thrilled to have them in Houston...even if it is only for a few days.

31 MONTHS...ONLY 10 MONTHS BEHIND IN POSTS...
Mom is ashamed of herself. She has let 10 months go by without posting my most wonderful accomplishments and stats. So, she decided that now is just a good as time as ever to pick up and start again.
Mom says I am amazing; all 39 inches, 38 pounds and size 10 feet of me! She is absolutely blown away each day as I reveal more and more of what I have learned from this world and all of its teachers. This morning I helped her recite the months of the year. Mom had no idea that I knew them. We sing songs and such at home, but I think I have to give credit to LMS for this one. We practice the calendar every morning at school.
I can count to 20 or higher independently and to 10 in Spanish if you count along with me. I know all of my colors of course...I have since I was 18 months old, but we are still battling the red and green issue. Mom still thinks that I may be color blind with those 2. She has asked the eye doc, but he can't test me until I recognize all my numerals 1-10 without mistake. He usually tests children in kindergarten...so until then, green is green and red is either or. I have learned to do so many things independently. I turn on and off lights, open cabinets or the fridge to get what I need and if I can't reach it then I just climb on top of my stool and reach. Mom realizes that this is a huge accomplishment in planning and resourcefulness, but she wants me to be VERY CAREFUL too! I am enjoying taking showers these days too. I like to squeege all the shower glass while mom soaps me up. I still scream a bit when it is time to rinse my hair, but whew! as long as the water is cold I am good to go. I do not like warm water! I am taking gymnastics and swimming lessons this summer and having a blast. I prefer gymnastics, but I am doing great in swimming too. My first day of lessons this summer is the first time I have ever put my ears in the water. I have always had infections or tubes and would not wear plugs so swim lessons are working for me. My teacher is Ms. Jennifer and she lays the law of the pool while really giving me the positive support I need. I am learning to reach and pull with my strokes, jump in and go under independently, walk the wall of the pool with my hands and feet and climb out, put my face in and go under, blow bubbles and take breaths and of course float on my back. Mom is amazed, but I still prefer gymnastics. I love to show off my flips around the house. When I first began I was galloping rather than jumping with 2 feet. I would always lead with my left foot. But, TA-DA! I can jump with my feet together now after my 5th lesson I got the hang of it. I even tried making big circles with my arms as I jump and I did it! Now I am practicing feet together and apart while jumping on the tramp. Again, I am told to be careful. I keep trying to flip on the bed and the couch and such. My favorite place to jump is of course on my bed. Dad keeps imaging me flying off, but I'm an expert these days...I have had 6 lessons now. I can front roll, back roll, log roll, put my legs in the straddle and pike positions, walk, roll and jump on the beam and flip on the bars and rings too. I absolutely love jumping off of the tramp into the foam pit. Mom tried it just the other day and thought she would never get out of there. Use your muscles mom! She had to dive for her sock too. Beginners! My favorite books are still those about animals, snakes and insects. I like to read stories, but I prefer informational books with real world pictures. Dad has plenty of Biology and Herpatology books to keep me busy. I have started pointing to the words while we read and I even tell the story or caption as we read. I have a great memory. I know that bats use echolocation to navigate and mimic their sounds while we read and I know that baby birds open their mouths for their moms to drop in worms and bugs to eat. My creative play is still surprising mom. I love to cook it up in my play kitchen and save everyone from illness as I am the best doc in town. I think it is great to go on a bear hunt around the house too. Mom tells me time and again that when I am in the bed we are safe. She wants to make sure that any fears or worked up anxiety from creative play is left behind at bed time. Not a bad idea. We get lanterns and flashlights and run away from the bear. We hide in the closet and look under the covers and under the bed too. I mainly just love screaming and running through the house only to jump under the covers and say "we're safe." Dad likes to kick it up a notch and turn into a monster, but even he knows that the bed is a safe place. I belly laugh the whole time and tell dad to do the jumps and voices again and again. Mom is usually saying "enough, enough" to that guy...she does not like scary stuff. Even on the playground I find ways to use creative play to entertain myself; of course I enjoy playing with someone most. I really use my "thinking brain" as mom calls it. Mom and dad asked me a question at the breakfast table the other day. I sat and stared for awhile then rested my chin on my hand and said, "hummmmm," then I ticked my finger up and down on my lip and said, "let me see...." I have lots of other phrases too like, "do you hear me?", "will you play with me?", "open your eyes, the sun is out...", "1,2,3... "(I learned that from Les and Emma), "Say Bye-Bye" that is everytime that mom is talking on the phone, "I'm sorry Mommy" and the famous toddler question, "WHY???" That one comes in 3's or more for each statement made. "Why, why mommy?, why....", "Help me please; this is hard to do," and "wait, not yet" or "not today okay, alright?" The toughest one to deal with is of course..."NO SCHOOL, NOT TODAY, I STAY HOME MOMMY! ALRIGHT? NO SCHOOL!" Needless to say I was signed up to attend 2 days a week at LMS this summer to preserve routine yet have spent most of my days in the arms of Mommy. I don't know what will happen come August, but I am happy for now spending my time with the woman who loves me the mostest!

TOKEN MALE!...
Mom and Mawmaws had a weekend away with the Alpha Chi sisters and their moms too. I got to join in the fun and excitement as a token male (the only other boy was just 2 months old.) WHEW! I kept mom busy too. I filled the swimming pool with water, water Emma's head--she did not much like that--and poured water in buckets and on others as requested. Emma was not so sure about me holding the hose. I think she knew I was plotting to soak her. I was very careful with Baby Charlie though. I made sure all the sprinkles steared clear of him. I would pause to pet his head or rub his back whenever he was near. I loved to walk down by the boat house and play outside, but inside is where all the goods were kept. Chex mix, juice boxes galore and toys I have never seen before. Emma has My Little Pony's, babies, a stroller and doll house and more. I had a hard time understanding that I had to share my boy stuff if she was going to share all the girly things with me. I wanted "all of them." Mom learned 2 important lessons on this trip. Girl time is great! And, one night get aways are better than 2 when the little snuggle bug is with you.

STICKER FACE!...
Mom and dad often call me stinker, but now I guess they will call me sticker face! I have a contagious silliness about me. I just love to laugh. If I think I can rope you into laughing along with me I will spare no expense. I have mom and dad rollin' even when they want to keep a straight face! So much for discipline. I learned from dad that if you keep them smiling or even better laughing you can get away with just about anything!

LUCKY JERSEY...
Everyone needs a lucky jersey and this is mine. I didn't care that it was 95 degrees and felt like 110. I wanted to wear my yellow jacket complete with hood. Mom had tried to hide it away in the closet a few times this summer, but I always catch a glimpse of it and pull it back out. I tell her "so cold, brrrrr...." What can she say? I love wearing my jacket.

BUBBLE BOY HEADS FOR THE SPRINKLER...
I am an expert bubble blower. I love to watch them fly overhead, chase them down, catch and pop them, but today was even more fun! After we decorated the driveway with chalk we got out the wiggly caterpillar sprinkler. I was pumped I couldn't wait to wear my goggles and dance around the front yard, but I wanted a partner. Mom was ready...IN PAJAMAS!...and ran right in with me. I'm sure our neighbors thought she had lost her mind dancing through the water, running in circles and screaming with me. I didn't even mind getting my hair wet. I would put my goggles down over my eyes run through, jump out, push up the goggles to take a look around and start all over again. It was the perfect summer morning with mom.



























Mom loves my "moo-stache." It is bright orange today...I drank Fanta, Fanta...don't ya want a Fanta, Fanta!

BAGEL HALO...
Mom always knew that I was her angel so this picture is the perfect representation of that. However, I quickly switched gears and put the bagel to my eye and exclaimed "I'm a pirate! RRRRRRR!" Boys will be boys!

GYMNASTICS!...
All my "no fear" moments led mom to believe that I would really enjoy gymnastics. I needed a place I could bounce and run and flip and flop with safety and structure. She was right! I love it! I have attended 4 lessons now and I am steadily becoming an expert. I love to volunteer to demonstrate how to walk the beam, or complete a forward roll. I love to hang from the rings, flip over my them and jump on the tramp. I am building confidence and learning new skills each lesson. This is something we will continue for months to come. Mommy and me classes will soon turn into toddler classes all on my own. Will mom be ready for the transition?

MY 3rd HAIRCUT!...
Mom finally got dad to give in...or maybe she just did not ask, but I needed a haircut. Summer is here and I was SOOOO HOT with all my curls. I had to get a trim. Except my trim turned into a major ordeal. I shed 3/4 of my locks and dad was in for a huge surprise. I am handsome as ever and enjoying the breeze through my hair these days. Mom is enjoying an ease in styling my curls and washing them too. Whew...why did we wait so long to tame the beautiful fro?



















Straight from the tub my curls are ready to roll!

JUST LIKE TO GOOD 'OL DAYS...
Summer is here! We have so much scheduled including play dates with my good friends and there mommy's too. Landon and I have the same birthday and Julia was born just 3 days after. I moms love to see how we are growing and changing and compare notes too. Landon is the first to have a sibling and so we have been playing at his house this month. Trying out all his toys has been loads of fun. I love his BBQ grill and pretend to cook up hotdogs for my friends. Okay, I admit it. I did chase Julia and pretend to throw hotdogs at her, but she ran away with my tongs so I think she deserved it! To say the least, the 3 of us have kept our moms very busy and oh so proud!

GOGGLES ARE GOOD!
I have been fighting mom for some extended time now about washing my hair in the tub. I have so much of it to begin with, but I DO NOT LIKE WATER IN MY EYES! Whew! It took mom awhile to figure that one out. She thought for the longest that I was worried about my ears, but now I have the words to explain it to her. Problem solved! Mom bought me goggles. We were successful! I didn't have to cry because the water ran right off. Now I can get over the anxiety and back to enjoying my bath. I love to scrub to dub and play in the tub. I practice swimming in there too. I can blow bubbles, make splashes and now wash my hair too. Mom allows me to rinse my hair now. I am in control of the water bucket. I pour it on my own head to rinse the suds. What a compromise! This Taylor Tot is happy!



















I tried out all my swimmy moves with the goggles. Mom had to remind me that big splashes are for the big pool.

I AM 2! DOT IS 20!...
Dot has reached his second decade. WHOA! We celebrated at Road House. I ate a bowl of tomatoes and a side of mashed potatoes. That is basically how my meals go these days. Odd and odder.
I sure do love my uncles. I pretend to call them on the phone often. I always ask them to come play with me. It is good to have someone so cool (ie not mom and dad) to look up to. "HABE BIRBAY DOT! LUD DU"

AND THE VERY NEXT DAY...
We celebrated Memorial day pool side. I was so hungry from my chex mix diet I ate a whole hamburger and could have consumed a whole cantelope too. The sun was out and we enjoyed every second of the cool water, rafts and pool toys. I showed off my swimming skills and jumped with NO FEAR! from the edge of the pool. I kicked my legs and walked the steps as I waited for the next ball or float (not always with a smile.) We were tired and Wes and I had just a bit of trouble sharing the balls and rings. I thought "Mine" was easy to understand, but I guess sharing is required! Mom and Aunt Carley think that Wes and I will appreciate these matching pictures when we get grown, but I'm not so sure. At least we both look handsome!

































Guess how many pictures we took to get just one? I tired all my poses to make mom smile too.