Recent Accomplishments

Here is an update of some of Preston's latest skills:
Counting to 4!!! (up until today the highest he got for me was 2, and then at lunch, out of nowhere, he busted out with three and four while counting his apple slices.)
Saying please. Often instead of saying yes, he will just say please. It's quite endearing. Me: "Preston, would you like some more apple?" Pman: "Please."
2-3 word sentences (mostly 2, but sometimes I get an "up please, mom.")
Pointing to, or grabbing his butt and saying "poop" when he has to go.
Using "poop" to avoid things he doesn't like. Now every night before his bath he tells me he has to poop in order to delay the bathing as long as possible.
Still signing everytime he says "more."

And now, Thanksgiving weekend pics:

The Feast.

Pman with Great-Grandpa R.

The feast, round 2.

Football with Grandpa E.

Wrestling with Grandpa E.

Tickle-time with Grandpa E.

That was exhausting.

Saying "cheese" now involves sticking out his tongue while smiling.

Mad Name-that-object Skillz, yo!

So, this morning, I grabbed an old book out of the monster pile of books Preston has accumulating in the living room. I think it's called "My First Words," or something to that effect, just a bunch of simple pictures with the word of the object written below. I don't think we've read through it for atleast 6 months or so. And I watched in amazement as Preston shouted out the right word to pretty much every picture in the book! So, I set up a candid camera and did a second go-around: (actually, it was the third...he had such a good time the first time through he insisted on doing in again immediately, which explains why in this taping, he starts to lose interest toward the end...) Also, I apologize for the lousy camera angle, it was a blind set-up job. It did, however, capture his super-excited reaction to the cat quite well.

November pics

One day last week when it was 40 degrees.

One day this week when it was 70 degrees.

Preston refused to use the toddler-sized yard tools I bought him.

He was very helpful in sweeping up all the pine needles. Not.

Headed back to the shed after a hard days work.

Entranced by the television. That's right folks, we have officially caved in to the most reliable babysitter of all time, the TV.

He actually just said "cheese" for me, but without looking away from the TV.

Happy Halloween!

This was Preston's 1st year trick-or-treating, and he very much enjoyed it. We only went down the street and back, mostly to show him off in costume to all the people in our neighborhood who love him, but also to procure a modest candy stash for myself. It was also a first for eating candy bars (I think they've given him M&M's at the Y...) They were a huge hit, obviously. Diabetes, here we come! Today I had to hide the candy stash after our first temper trantrum of the morning, (after telling him he could not eat candy for breakfast.)

Mom is officially a pro at Spidey face paint!



Venturing out into the night for sugary loot!



Evaluating the stash.

Giving mom the stash.

Closest thing to a smile I could get.

Telling dad all about his trick-or-treating experience.