September 2013

September was a great month.

We had a week long visit mid-month from the Georgia grandparents - see their (soon to arrive) blog below.  Aldo experienced his first cold at the end of the month, due to the rapid switch Tahoe experienced from summer to fall weather.  I witnessed Aldo's ability to quickly recover from several 'headers', although one sent him sleeping for 13 hours.  

This month has been all about stacking blocks (see below), pushing or pulling toys (3 trucks), and playing with anything that has wheels or is a ball.  Funny story, I went into the local kid store, Ruffles and Ruffnecks, and said I was in to buy Aldo a toy.  After hearing his age, the owner replied, 'then you'll want something that is stackable, or push-pull toys, wheels, balls, just things that move.'  Well, ok then.  We came home with a Brio stacking clown, on a standing rod.  He's already mastered the stacking though not in the proper order.  He still loves the toy truck / car carrier John and Heather bought him for his first birthday.  We've been reading a lot less this month.

I'm happy to say that we managed to get out for many rides to Alpine, and then for a play at Common's Beach.  Aldo still gets upset when it's time to leave but its manageable.  I moved him into his new car carrier (a gift from the Home Owner's Association members here at the Glen).  The new carrier is still rear facing, per the direction of Squaw Fire Chief Pete Bansen, who installed the carrier for us and let Aldo drive a fire truck.  We had a wonderful warm and heavy rain one afternoon and so Aldo discovered the fun of puddles.  I wish someone could have filmed us playing.  I was holding Aldo's hands with him facing forward in front of me, and I would give him a lift while he would pull his legs up and then STOMPED them down in the puddle with a loud, happy grunt, over and over again.

I bought him some new clothes this month, almost exclusively from Hanna Anderrson (wonderful!).  Up til now I've had so many hand me downs, and Grandma Pat purchases, that buying clothes for Aldo was never a concern, just a treat.  But with his increased mobility I need him to be as ready for the elements as I am.  Next month I'll be purchasing even more as he finally moves out of all 12 month outfits.

Finally, Aldo's eating has seen some modest changes.  The biggest change is that he's curious to try feeding himself with his spoon.  He puts the wrong end in the bowl or puts the proper end in the bowl but then fails to put it to his mouth.  But he's trying and he can only get better with practice.  Yogurt remains his mainstay.  

Aldo did this at the beginning of Sept

With Heather at TERC.

Blurry because he's on the move now and because he's back to holding a finger, although now the purpose is to make you do what he wants to do.

Tara gave Aldo this outfit a long time ago and he finally got to wear it.  So I took many pictures because it was his first and last time.  It will go to Finley next, in SF.

From the Georgia Grandparents:

It was great to leave behind Georgia’s heat and humidity in exchange for the crisp, cool air of Tahoe City. We were looking forward once again to spending time with Nikki and Aldo on their home turf. It was now September; we had last seen them in June.

What a difference three months can make. During our absence Aldo had his first birthday Now he was walking. And walking. He loves to walk! His favorite thing is to hold your finger with one hand and his push-toy with the other…. and take you for a walk. We walked around the room again and again. Then we walked outside to the deck and patio. Then we’d walk back into the condo. We took him in the stroller to Skylandia where he saw a man with a dog. Naturally, he wanted out of the stroller. He immediately grasped the strangers finger and towed him all the way to the beach! He had little interest in the dog. It was a delightful day. Aldo has a funny little habit of “scrunching” up his nose and mouth when he first sees you. His “scrunch” quickly becomes an infectious laugh… which makes us laugh in turn. It was a great week in Tahoe City with Aldo and Nikki. Although we miss them now that we are back in Georgia, we shall be returning soon. Meanwhile, we enjoy the weekly “Skypes”….and the welcome Fall weather. Below are a few photos from our visit.