October was a very fun month for me! Oh the places we went! Of course, Mommy and I kept our busy weekly schedule, with lunch dates, movies, dinner dates and house projects. We also read books (my favorites include Brown Bear, Brown Bear; Where Does Maisy Live and The Very Hungry Caterpillar), went to physical therapy at least one time each week, and hung out with Daddy every night and on the weekends. I started grabbing and holding toys, holding my hands in a “praying” position, smiled more and started giggling. I also now take my bath in a new bathtub that Kim and Jay gave me. I love it, I kick and kick in the water, it is so much fun!

Aunt Michele (Shell) celebrated her 40th birthday in style, with a visit to the Buckeye state to see us all! We had a fun-filled weekend, starting on Thursday night with my adventure to the airport with Nana (just ask her about the diaper bag and bottle incident). Friday we (Me, Mommy, Aunt Shell, Uncle Ken, Nana, Uncle Mike, Aunt Jackie, Grandma Mary, Kreath, Leah and Logan) went to Young’s Dairy farm, a place where Nana and Papaw used to take Mom, Aunt Shell, Uncle Rob, and Uncle David on the way to Pennsylvania. We picked out a pumpkin and enjoyed this unique place. We then met back at Nana’s where Uncle David, Uncle Rob, Aunt Jeannie and Great-Grandmother met us for a dinner together. I handle being the center of attention quite well and entertained the family with my coos and smiles (and jack-o-lantern costume!). Saturday was the big event with Aunt Shell’s party where more friends visited her (and me!). This time Daddy came with us too, so I got to spend some time in the Baby Bjorn (cool “front pack”) with him. The weekend was a success and we are looking forward to Christmas when Aunt Shell and Uncle Ken come back.

Mommy and Daddy have a goal of going with me to every state in the United States by the time I start college (in 18 years, we figure). I have a good start already, as we went with Grandma, Grandpa and Nana to Hilton Head, South Carolina for my first beach vacation. Oh what a fun time! I really enjoyed the five-to-one (admirers to baby) ratio, and I traveled through five states (Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia). A pretty good start for a four month old if you ask me. I am such a good traveler too! On the way to the beach we stopped for the night in Greenville SC and visited our friends Lisa and Joey. It was great to meet them and enjoy a fine dinner and exciting breakfast at the Waffle House. Then we were on our way to a fun-filled week at the beach. Every day, Daddy, Mommy and I walked on the beach. I was quite a hit with my pink hat, matching pink sunglasses and pink “Salty Dog” t-shirt. Daddy or Mommy carried me in the baby Bjorn (front pack), oh how I loved it! Sometimes we sat at the pool with Grandpa, Grandma and Nana too. Mommy and I also learned the Shag (the official dance of South Carolina). The weather was nice and the company was even better. I had my “special” bedroom in the hallway because my pack-n-play did not fit in the room, but each morning I hung out with Mom, Daddy and Nana (who all shared a room) as we got up and got ready. We went to Savannah one day and enjoyed a walk through the historic and fascinating city. We visited the home of Juliette Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts. Mom and Nana were especially excited to visit this house, as they were both Girl Scouts and are excited for me to be big enough to join as well. We also took a day trip to Beaufort, South Carolina, a small town just north of Hilton Head. We had a fun lunch on the water, walked the one main street, tasted a bit of wine from a local winery and found a great chocolate shop! A pretty good day if you ask me. I love watching TV too and Mom and Daddy figured out how to get me to do my stretches without crying (as I usually do) by letting me watch TV looking over my right shoulder. I knew what they were doing but went along with it since I like TV so much.
I am so glad that Mommy decided to extend her leave until January. We are having such a good time and she loves being with me all of the time.

I was a jack-o-latern for my first Halloween, you should have seen how cute I was! Since there are not many kids in my neighborhood, Mommy, Daddy and I hung out with our neighbors on one of their driveways and mainly traded with each others’ candy. Mommy, Daddy and I did walk to some of the neighbors we have not met yet and introduced ourselves. Since there are not many kids in the neighborhood, I think I will get lots of candy in coming years without having to walk very far!

November has started going to be a busy month too! We saw another movie, went to Patrick’s 3rd birthday party, went to Toledo to visit Grandma, Grandpa and to meet Uncle Terry and Aunt Suzi (Grandpa’s brother and sister-in-law who live in Arizona). Aunt Cindy (Cin-Day – you must ask her about this joke), Anna, Chloe and Christian also came over to visit, they are so neat and fun!