Tooth #3 is here

Derek has had two teeth for several months now. His third tooth finally appeared yesterday. Mike discovered it while getting Derek ready for bed last night.

Derek is in a funk with naps. He is resisting them each time. After being fussy for a long time he will finally fall asleep.. and sleep for 40 minutes. This is not long enough which is evident by his crabbiness as bedtime approaches. Poor little guy. He tries so hard to be happy but is just so tired. He is quite funny to watch though. He is incredibly ticklish and laughs hysterically when he is tired. The flip side is that he cries too. Hopefully he will nap better soon.

That being said, Derek is usually very happy. He loves to chatter and make noises. He is quite funny when he is ready to touch something he knows he shouldn't.. like the mouse. As he crawls closer to the object he starts laugh and squeal. Not much for stealth but easy to find! And here he comes now...

Getting closer

Derek is getting closer to walking. Last night when Mike got home he walked behind Derek's walker to show him how to do it and told him to try it out. In previous tries he (Derek hah) has only taken two steps with it. Well last night he took off and went down the hallway by himself. Go Derek. He even figured out how to guide it away from the wall when he ran into it (he must get that from me... the running into the wall bit).

Well we voted.. by mail. Oregon is voting by mail only. As much as I like filling out the ballot in the comfort of my own living room, I miss the feeling of satisfaction when the machine beeps and says it has recorded your vote. Plus I really miss the sticker. On the plus side I did get my free coffee at Starbucks for voting. Too bad there is not a Krispy Kreme very close for the free donut. I am really really bummed that Kopps is 2000 miles away... I really would like a custard!

I realized the significance of the opportunity to vote when a friend of ours was over for lunch a few weeks ago. He is from Vietnam. You are required to vote in Vietnam- it is closely regulated. Unfortunately, your vote doesn't matter as they are a communist nation. So you must vote but the decision has already been made (and everyone knows it). Nice.

Looking Dapper

fun party

On Saturday we went to a great birthday party for our favorite twins, Alexa and Sienna, who turned one. We were also celebrating their mommy and daddy and an incredible first year. I have watched Angie love, nurture, and adore her little girls. What an amazing mom! All the kids loved playing at Gymboree. Derek loved the bubbles. Both Mike and I enjoyed playing with Derek. Derek also had his first little vanilla cupcake. He picked it up and was waving it around. What a fun time!

A family of penguins

Happy Halloween

Deek and the dogs are playing together!

Last night we had a first: Derek and the dogs were playing together! Lucky brought Mike a toy to throw for her but Derek went for it first. Lucky sat to wait for Derek to throw it. He didn't but she still sat patiently. Then Derek started waving it. Lucky thought it would be fun to play tug with Derek. Derek was giggling and so excited. Lucky was surprisingly gentle with him. Even Alex came over and played too! It was such a sweet interaction. We were both so mesmerized that we forgot to take pictures until a few minutes in. Mike went to get video of it but it was too late. I love the look of sheer joy and fun on Derek's face. I am so proud of our dogs and how they are doing adapting to Derek. Derek is just a fun-loving, social, and crazy little boy who think the dogs exist to make him laugh.

As a reward(hah hah she did some real treats) Lucky got a bath last night. Sorry Lucky but you now smell like a very clean little doggie. She of course had to go outside and rub some dirt and smell back into her.