Happy, Happy! (Happy Halloween in Drake talk)

The Halloween Festivities began when we headed to the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival. Drake was intrigued by the parade and the fact that they "throw candy" of which some hit Drake in the head as he was on his dad's shoulders. He has talked about it several times since. We ate all things pumpkin and headed to this pumpkin patch. Again, Drake can't stopping talking about "pumpkin patch".

The night before Halloween we went to the ward party. Sam dressed up as something that resembled Charles Manson, I dressed up as a scarecrow and Drake made his debut in his dragon costume. We trick or treated around the church and Drake got his first "taste" of what Halloween is all about! Unfortunately we forgot our camera so no pics.

Halloween day we had Sam's family over for dinner which consisted of brains, fingers, and worms. We then made the trek around the neighborhood. Drake loved getting candy! He would take his dragon hood off after every house but I easily coaxed him into putting it back on in order to get candy. We had a blast. He didn't say "trick or treat" but when asked what the dragon said he let out a big roar!

The only post halloween problem is his incessant request for candy. When he wanted candy for dinner we pretty much had to nip that in the bud. He is now getting over that somewhat but sure has a sweet tooth like his mama.

It's Potty Time!

At Drake's 18 month appt with the pediatrician she suggested I buy a potty for Drake as some kids become interested in potty training around his age. I bought it and for the most part it has just sat in our bathroom collecting dust except for when Drake puts it on his head and wears it as a hat. Recently though, we have been putting him on the potty before bath time every night and sometimes randomly through out the day if he shows interest. He has never actually done more than just sit there and point out his body parts using the anatomically correct terms (except the belly button is called beebo) and wipe his back with toilet paper. Tonight was a different story. He actually peed in his potty! We were so excited! I am not sure if he is ready for the full out potty training (or if we are ready either) but I think we had a good start today. Yay!

On another note, due to Drake's monkey ways and climbing out of his crib while we are trying to put him to bed we installed a toddler rail on his convertible crib. Tonight was his first night sleeping in it. We have also had to take the nob off his door handle to prevent him from getting out of his room. (I know it sounds cruel locking him in his room but he has just been so difficult to get to bed lately and I worry about him getting up and wandering around the house, ok?) Tonight he cried when I left him in his room to go to sleep and cried at the door. I went back into his room after 5 minutes, stayed there for a little while and left again. Again he cried at the door for 10 minutes. I again went back in and put him in bed stayed for a few minutes and left. He again got up and cried at the door. This time I was going to leave him for 15 minutes but heard no crying after a few minutes. A little while later I went to check on him and sure enough he had fallen asleep on the floor by the door. What a crazy kid! I put him in bed and hopes he will stay there and sleep well. After it taking almost a year to get him to sleep completely through the night we have been so spoiled to have a great sleeper for the past nine months or so. This has rocked our world but as all the parents out there know that every time you get into a routine with your child you know that it is sure to change!

My baby is growing up way too fast. Slow down, love!

My little monkey

Sunday morning I woke up to a start when I heard one of the doors in our house open. I jumped out of bed and opened our bedroom door only to find Drake's bedroom door open and him standing in the middle of his room with this blankets. He had been able to climb out of his pack n play for a month or so but this was his first time climbing out of his crib. At first I was panicked thinking he was going to fall and that I needed to hurry and run out and buy the toddler rail for his crib. Sunday afternoon Sam saw him gracefullly and carefully climb out of his crib and he has done it every morning ever since (and even one night while trying to put him to sleep). I am a little sad that I have no place to "trap" him for awhile (is that bad?) and that he is growing up too fast. He is no longer my baby anymore he is my little boy.

Trip to UT

Last weekend we went to UT for the first time since Drake was born for the Fowler Family Reunion.
My dad grew up in the small town of Lehi, UT and we went to the Lehi town celebration, The Lehi Round up, Rodeo. Drake loved the Horses, "Nay, nay" he would say, the motorcycle show and especially the snow cone.

Drake and dad, as usual.
Horses and cowboy hats, Yee Haw!

Snow cones!

That night my dad, sister and nephew arrived into town. The next day we went to the park for the Fowler family reunion and enjoyed reunited with family. Drake played in the water, grass, play ground and had a blast. I didn't get any pictures of this but thankfully we had a lot of family who did! That night we went to the Lehi parade. Drake enjoyed the music, candy and again another snow cone. They don't make snow cones anywhere like they do in UT (except maybe in Hawaii).

Dad and Drake watching the parade together.

My sister and nephew, Gideon

My handsome dad

Grampy and Drake eating candy in the street.

Grampy with his grandsons. He is in heaven!

After the parade we went to Cafe Rio (Yum!) and then went swimming at the Lehi city pool. Drake had a good time until Sam took him down the waterslide. I thought it would be a mild waterslide being as we were at a small town pool. Not the case. I went on the slide myself after Sam and Drake went and I cannot believe they let Sam take him on it. It was fast! No wonder the kid was traumatized! Oh well.

The next morning my dad and I ran the Lehi 5K. He did well but I stunk it up as I had a bad cold and my lungs were just burning the whole time. We then went to IHOP where a nice lady made the boys balloon animals. We then went to more Fowler Family Reunion activities at the park. This time it was not just my dad's immediate family it was his extended family. Wow! Quite the crew. That night we had shakes and fries and hung out with my grandma and grandpa and the Chadwick crew. Sam and I were supposed to head up to Salt Lake that night to go see my friends preemie baby but alas I was sick and could not visit :( I am still bummed about this. Hopefully I can make another trip soon to see her.

The next day we went to my cousin's homecoming on the Chadwick side and hung out with that side of the family.

It was a busy weekend full of family time, dry weather and UT heat. It was fun but we were happy to head back home to the moderate climate of the bay area.

Fathers Day 2010

Father's day this year got off to a bit of a rocky start. We had spent the whole weekend with Sam's family and due to all the hustle and bustle I completely spaced it the morning of Fathers Day. I hurriedly was getting ready for church when my mother in law said to Sam, "Happy Father's Day, sweetie." I felt horrible. I hadn't made him breakfast, got his gift ready or even wished him a Happy day. It was terrible. I am still trying to make it up to him. We went to church that morning and spent the afternoon at Sam's aunt and uncle's house with his family. That evening I gave him his card (which I had previously bought proving that I didn't completely forget about the day) and promised him a whole day in which he could choose to do anything he wanted for the day. This could be with Drake and I or with out. Whatever he wanted. Despite my forgetfulness, I really do appreciate all my husband does as a father and am grateful for his role in our family and in the life our son. He is a better dad than I could have imagined!

The guys.

Uncle Eddy

Gigi rocking it.

Keely

Uncle Neb lookin' sexy as usual

Connor showing of his skills.

The man of the hour

Drake watches with awe.

Drake wants to play. He is so grown up!

The best dad ever. #1!

Santa Cruz with the fam

Drake like his dad already. Listening to tunes on the way to Santa Cruz on the Ipod.

The whole Fam.

Drake with Gigi

Drake and dad. Hand in hand on the beach. Picture perfect!

Mom cheesing it up as usual.

The boys (and Stella)

Drake loves the beach.

Drake loves the dogs.


Sexy Beasts! Brrr. That water was cold!

Love it!

I just loved this pic and had to share. Isn't he just the cutest?

Swim Class

Drake took a five week swim class that involved singing songs, kicking, jumping and blowing bubbles. He loved the kicking part and getting to play with the water toys (especially the balls) at the end of the class. So Fun!

1,2,3 Jump!

Point Reyes

Memorial Day at Point Reyes

Light house

Drake loves his dad!

Foggy but beautiful!