Dear Nana,

I read on your blog today that you found a gecko in your sink!  I love geckos!  I wish I could have been there to see it.  I probably would have wanted to keep it for a pet...if Mom would let me, of course.

We had a pretty normal Sunday here as well.  We went to church.  I love going to church because I always get so much attention from the old ladies.  They just can't get enough of me.  Today, though, I was completely exhausted and slept through pretty much the whole thing.  Mom said I didn't miss out on too much.

So Mom thinks I grew inches overnight.  She got out all the 6-month clothes I have and some of them are already almost too small!  I definitely don't fit into 3-month clothes anymore. She says I'm growing like a little weed.  Mom took this picture this morning of me in my PJs.  They are 6-month size and this was the first time I ever wore them!  I'm so big, huh?

Dear Nana,

Today is my three month birthday!  Happy birthday to me!!  Guess what we did to celebrate?  We went to pick up the Yukon from a towing company.  I know, I know.  Remember when we rented the Swagger Wagon the other day?  Well, when we got home on Wednesday we picked up the parking pass from the Yukon at Enterprise and put it in the S.W. so we could park it in our lot for the night.  But then, after Daddy returned the S.W. and brought the Yukon home, we forgot to put the pass back in the Yukon, so they towed it!  Mom and Dad were annoyed that they forgot about the pass, but they just decided to get it taken care of and move on.  So we had to drive out there this afternoon to retrieve the Yukon and pay the fee.  But all is well now. 

I know you're curious about what I got for my three month birthday.  Well, I'll tell you -- extra smooches from Mom and Dad.  I love their smooches.  They make me feel so happy.  I think Mom smooched me even a few more times for you, Nana.  Can you believe it's been three months?  I can't.  I sure love being here.

Mom gave me a fohawk after my bath last night.  You can't see it very well in this picture, but I sure felt cool.

Dear Nana,

I've been really trying to speak my mind lately.  It's been three months and I've got a lot to say!  Mom tries to translate. 

Funny, huh?

Dear Nana,

I had a very exciting day today!  We went to Nana and Papa Spader's house!  We actually drove up their on Tuesday night after Daddy got home from work.  We didn't get there until really late, but I was (as usual) the perfect baby on the drive.  I slept the whole time.  I didn't mind sleeping -- it's a boring drive. 

Anyway, Daddy had to do a ride-along for one of the jobs he's interviewing for, but Mom and I got to hang out all day with Nana and Papa.  It was so much fun. And guess what...Nana even made me two new blankets!  I love them so much.  Mom loves them too.  She says they're the "perfect" size for swaddling me.

I also got to meet my cousin Parker.  I was smiling at him like crazy.  I really like Parker.  Sometimes, though, I feel like I just want to wrestle him.  I was trying to punch and push him today, but he didn't really fight back.  Maybe in a few years...

And guess what the best part of the trip was?  We got to drive a new Swagger Wagon!  I actually didn't care what we drove, but Mom was pretty happy.  Here I am cozying up to my new blanket in the S.W..

I still miss you Nana.  I have more things to write to you about tomorrow, but I'm just so tired now.  I love you.

Dear Nana,

Mom says I'm getting so big and so strong. I can pretty much hold my head up all by myself now for a very long time. I spend a little time in my Johnny Jump Up every day, so my legs are getting strong too. And I've discovered that I can see so much more when not lying down on my back. I like to be up and looking all around. When Mom lays me down I do (what she calls) baby crunches. I tighten my stomach and pull my head up so I can see what's going on. Today while I was busy doing crunches, Mom helped me sit up. It was so fun Nana! I loved being able to see everything. And I felt so proud of myself to be sitting. I could only last for a few seconds and then I started to tip one way or another. I still need lots of practice. But aren't you so proud, Nana?

Dear Nana,

I'm a good pooper.  You know this from experience.  The other day Mom read in a parenting book that it's totally normal for babies to go 2 or 3 days without pooping.  I'm not one of these babies.  I like to poop about 5 times a day...and usually very loudly.  I'm not ashamed, though.  It's natural.  Plus, I'm a man's man.  I do gross stuff like that without being embarrassed.  Anyway, today Mom finally realized that there are a few specific times that I really enjoy pooping.



1.  Right after she's already changed my diaper.
2.  As soon as she gets me out of the bath.
3.  Just seconds before we need to leave the house (especially if we are running late!).



I know this probably irritates Mom a little bit, but I can't help it -- when a man's gotta go, a man's gotta go.

Dear Nana,

Now don't be mad, but Mom thinks I'm going through another growth spurt.  She's probably right.  She usually is, after all.  I've just been sooo tired lately.  I want to stay awake and hang out with Mom and Dad, but I can barely keep my eyes open.  After a little nap I'll wake up hungry (of course), but after I eat I just feel so exhausted again.  As a result, I've been a little grumpy the past couple days.  I'm grumpy because I'm tired and I'm grumpy because I keep sleeping so much!  Mom keeps telling me I need to have an attitude adjustment -- whatever that is.  I think she just needs to chill out and realize that being a baby is hard.  Don't you agree, Nana?

Dear Nana,

I missed you yesterday.  Mom had me running errands all around town with her.  And then she forced me to go to a baby shower with her last night.  It was me and about 20 women!  I'd be lying if I said I didn't soak up all the attention, though.  Today we're having a lazy day.  I'm glad.  I love the days when I can just play with mom, eat, and sleep when I want to.

I tried my Johnny Jump Up today for the first time.  At first I was like, "whoa, what is this thing!?"  But after a while I got used to it.  It's so fun, Nana.  My legs aren't strong enough to actually jump, but I like spinning around in circles.  See, watch:

There are just so many cool things for me to discover.  I'm starting to reach for things a little bit, but I haven't figured out how to open my hand and grab them yet.  Sometimes I get so tired from all the learning I do that I just have to slow down and take a rest.  Do you sometimes feel the same way when you're in a new country like Thailand?  All the newness is just so exhausting. 

Dear Nana,

It is HOT here! It's been close to 100 degrees every day.  As a result, Mom has let me hang out it my nothin's for most of the day.  It's made me very happy.  I love being in my nothin's.

The only problem with the heat is that we can't sleep in the bedrooms because it's just too hot.  So we've been having family sleepovers in the living room (P.S. Thanks for the air conditioner....it's been a lifesaver).  I love having the sleepovers, but Mom keeps getting ticked because I won't stay asleep.  I can't, Nana, because Mom and Dad are still awake and doing things around the living room.  If I stayed asleep I would be missing out on all the fun they're having.  So I keep tricking Mom by falling asleep and then quietly waking up after about 5 or 10 minutes.  I've probably done this about 6 times already tonight. Isn't that funny?  Mom doesn't seem to think so, but I just can't stop smiling.

I hope you made it to Thailand safe and sound.  Tell Grandpa, Auntie Laura, and  Uncle John that I said hello.  And, if you would, please drool on them for me.  Thanks Nana!

Dear Nana,

You are leaving for Thailand today.  You will be gone for a very long time.  I have loved spending time with you during the first 11 weeks of my life.  You have really spoiled me!  I will miss you so much while you are gone, but I know that you will always be thinking of me.  I know you are worried that you're going to miss out on a lot while you are away from me.  Don't worry...Mom and I have found a simple solution.  I will write you letters regularly to keep you up-to-date on my little life.  Make sure to check often so you don't miss out on anything.  If you're lucky we will include lots of pictures and maybe a few videos (because we both know that Mom takes about 100 pictures a day...sheesh!).  Have fun in Thailand.  Do lots of fun things, and don't worry about me too much.  I've got a great mom and dad!  I love you!