Hello out there:)

Well, I guess you're all wondering how and where baby Dane has been?! Again, apologies for the last 4 months of nothing! Once dad came home we've been quite busy and not with internet access some of the time. We spent our last weeks in San Diego living in Solana Beach and having a great time. We very much miss our friends and hope to see them again soon!

After leaving SD mom and dad and I flew to Virginia to see Yai and Granddaddy! We went to the beach down in Kill Devil Hills, NC along with Auntie Joni, Uncle Ronnie and Jonah and Maren. We had so much fun!! I got to play in the sand and the water and hang out with my cousins! At the end of the week we packed up the car and drove all the way down to Alabama to see Grammy and Paw Paw! We've been here for a few weeks now and I love it here too! I swim in the pool at least once a day, weather permitting, and get to see all my family down here! Last week when Mommy and Daddy went on their cruise I stayed here with Grammy and Paw Paw... and I was an ANGEL! Grammy says she'll keep me anytime! Of course, when Mommy and Daddy got home I had to cry a lot to show them just how much I missed them:)

Today Daddy left for flight school:( He'll be in Kansas for a few weeks:( But it's okay, I've got Mommy and Grammy and Paw Paw and soon I'm going back to Virginia to see Yai and Granddaddy before we meet up with Daddy in Seattle. Oh yeah, August 26th we are flying out to Japan! We'll be moving to Okinawa for a few years, but don't worry! We'll be back to visit and hopefully by then I'll be speaking Japanese! Also, I hear they have internet also, so maybe Mom will get a little better about the blog updates! Pictures soon to come! Love you all!

My 15 month check up!

Well, I saw Dr Marotta on Monday and everything went great! Even though I've been a little fussy for Mom lately, I was near angelic for the doctor. He said he wished he could video our visit to show other children how to behave and cooperate at the doctor's office! Mom was a little surprised since I've been less than cooperative at home the prior week and then Dr Marotta explained why! Mom thought my molars were already in, but they're taking their time coming all the way in. Dr Marotta informed Mom that all my molars and all my canine teeth are on their way in right now, so that makes 8 new teeth at one time! And she wonders why I've been difficult! Once these are in I don't have anymore until my 6 year molars pop through! So 16 teeth! Phew, that's a lot of work! As for everything else, the doc says I'm perfect! I'm just right for my height and weight even though mom doesn't think I eat enough to stay alive, much less grow! I am 32 inches tall and 24 pounds, that's about the 50th-75th for height and 50th percentile for weight. Mom's convinced I'd be a giant if only I ate! I'm getting into everything around the house and that keeps Mom busy, but it's good for her:) I LOVE playing in my sandbox so I can't wait for the beach when we get back to San Diego next week! I'm talking more too, but only when I want to. I'm no show pony! I can't wait to see Daddy in a few weeks! I'll be talking up a storm then! I have lots to share with him! I try to tell him over the phone, but I just don't think he understands me sometimes! Love you Daddy!! I'll see you soon!

Dane goes to college... kind of:)

Yes, it's true! I went to college last weekend. University of Virginia to be precise. Mommy took me for a walk there and we met up with Jonah and Mimi! I think I like being a college man. It suits me. I look very much at home in front of the Rotunda! Also, there's me in front of the famed UVA chapel. The Roaming Gnome has nothing on me! With my trusty Jeep stroller (and mom to
push me,) I can go anywhere!

Tomorrow I go for my 15 month check up! I'll let y'all know how it goes! And yes, the South has gotten to me and we say "y'all"! I hope Liam and the twins don't make fun of me when I get back to San Diego! We're heading back pretty soon, we leave a week from Wednesday, tax day! It feels like our time here has gone so quickly. I'm going to miss my Virginia family so much! As sad as I am to go, I am so very excited that Daddy's coming home! Well, not exactly home home. Since Mommy and Daddy put all our stuff in storage, we'll be living in a vacation rental near the beach and very close to Liam and his mommy and daddy! It should be a very fun summer in San Diego, especially since Daddy will be there! I can't wait to see you Daddy! I love you so much!




Mom thought after Samari I should try Pirate! Arrrgg!


Just 'cause you can't get enough of my handsome face:)

Grammy & Paw Paw came to see me!!!

Yes, Mommy's been a slacker... again! She (ummm, I) lost the cord to upload photos from the camera (again). But we found it today and now we have some great photos from the last month! Grandaddy just had his 60th birthday and Grammy and Paw Paw stopped by! So Happy Birthday Grandaddy! I had so much fun with ALL my grandparents this past weekend! I can't wait for Grammy and Paw Paw to come back again! Maybe they'll come and see me out in San Diego!

I'm growing up so fast! Mommy can hardly believe that I'm 15 months old today! I have so many teeth now too! My first set of molars are all in and I have 2 of my canine teeth coming in right now too! I also enjoy using my teeth:) I like to bite. Grammy and Paw Paw say that Daddy was my age when he used to bite people too. Daddy claims it's because people spoke to him in English and Spanish and he was frustrated, but I think he just enjoyed biting people like I do:) I go back for my check up with Dr. Marotta in 2 weeks, so I'll update you on all my stats then:)

Mom and I will be heading back in San Diego in a month! I'm sad to be leaving all my family out here, but I can't wait to see my Daddy again!!! I love you Daddy! I'm such a big boy now! I can't wait for you to see me!


Me and Paw Paw


I think we were singing to Daddy:)


Mom really wishes I didn't have a binky in my mouth:)


Having fun with Grammy


Just me looking cute:)

Paw Paw came to see me!

Yesterday was great! Paw Paw visited me! And Jonah and Maren came over too! I had lots of visitors:) I wish Grammy could've made it... I miss you Grammy! We had lots of fun and played outside in the nice weather. I love you Paw Paw and Grammy! Mommy and ! wish that you would move to Virginia! That way Daddy can't argue and will have to settle down there close to all the grandparents!

Saturday I spent the day with Jonah and we played outside in the mud! Mom didn't want me to get dirty at first, but I think she saw that there was no hope of keeping us clean. She was pretty cool about it, but she still stripped me down outside and threw me right into the tub when we were done. I had a pretty busy weekend!

I woke up the other night saying "Daddy"! I really miss him and I can't wait for Daddy to come home!! I love you Daddy!


Don't judge me, mom said it would make me look like a samari... it does right?


I can be sweet and quiet... when I want to:)

I got mud on my face:)

And on my hands and legs and feet and bum...

Teeth, glorious teeth!

Hello everyone! Well, I have more teeth! Lots of new teeth! I just got 3 of my molars and another bottom tooth in the front is almost all the way in. So now I'm up to 11! Think there are only 20 baby teeth all together, so only 9 more to go! I've been keeping mom extra busy now that I'm mobile:) I've started jumping off of the couch too, Mimi taught me that one! I'm getting taller and really heavy! Mom has her wrist all bandaged up because I'm too heavy for her to carry anymore. Hope she feels better. Daddy's had his fair share of injuries (self-inflicted) out in Iraq; he dislocated his shoulder (hanging upside down doing ab exercises), turned his ankle (walking... the day after he ran 10K), and is usually battered black and blue from training to get his black belt. I know he's enjoying himself out there, but I can't wait for him to come home! I love you Daddy and me and Mommy miss you SO much!


"I'm pretty good at this:)"


"I am so amused."

Long overdue update!

Hello everyone! Mommy has made her New Year's resolution a little late. She's going to update the blog more often! Starting now!

So much has happened! Auntie Joni's birthday, Great Aunt Pam's wedding (congrats!), Chrirstmas, New Years, the Blejski twins' birthday! So much in just a month! On top of all that, I had the stomach flu, which I passed to everyone including Jonah and Maren, and I got 2 more teeth! I have 8 now and one of them is a molar! The other molars are on the way and I've been a little upset about it, but I'm doing okay. I had my 1 year check up and Dr. Marotta, my first male doctor, says I'm doing great! I'm 30 inches tall and I weigh 23 pounds, so I'm right in the middle, not too big, not too small, I'm just right:) And I've been walking everywhere! It took me a little bit to get my confidence up after those first days, but now I love walking all over the place! My new favorite food is pomegranates! I love them! Mommy tries to make me take my time, but I prefer to shovel handfuls in at a time, tastes better that way. My new favorite movie is The Incredibles although Surf's Up is still up there. But my most favorite thing to do is play in the water!!! I love bathtime and anytime someone will let me climb into a sink! I LOVE IT! Mommy has a really hard time getting me out of there. And of course, I miss my daddy and I love him very much! I still sleep with my daddy doll every night. I can't wait to see him soon!!! I love you daddy!


I love the sink:)


This is the "Eeeee" face that I've become famous for!


Bathtime!!!


Me and Mommy walking in the leaves

Happy Birthday to Me!

That's right! I turned 1 yesterday! Sorry no update, but we've all been suffering from the stomach flu:( It's been really bad! We even had to postpone my party so we wouldn't get everyone else sick. I feel so loved, I've been sent so many nice things from so many people! Thank you all for wishing me a happy 1st birthday! I'm sure there are better ways to spend it than with the stomach flu, but I'll have lots more to have fun with! In the interest of sending photos to daddy in Iraq, mommy threw me an early "fake" 1st birthday party with Jonah and Maren, so here are some photos from that!

I'm so excited for Christmas! There's just so many presents this time of year! Mommy and I finally took a Christmas card photo, so here you go! We forgot to put daddy's doll in the photo:( Sorry dad! Speaking of daddy, he's doing well but we wish he were here for the holidays! Mommy and I can't wait to see him again! We love you daddy! And we miss you a whole bunch!

Just to update everyone, I'm walking too! My main mode of transportation is still crawling, but I'm getting better and better at walking everyday! I can clap my hands, which I do a lot if I like something or just to the rhythm of a song and almost always at the end of a movie or show. I make my silly face on command now and make popping sounds with my lips, which mommy loves! I love sharing my food, even if I've already tried it! Mommy says I'm growing into quite the little man and how much I'm like my daddy! I have my 1 year check up after New Year's so I'll have another good update for everyone then:)

Oh, Congrats to my great aunt Pamela on getting married today! And Happy Birthday to Auntie Joni on Tuesday!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! This was my first and I had no idea there would be so much food! My favorite was the cornbread and then the turkey soup that Yai made that night. Mom tried to get me to eat turkey, but I wasn't too interested, maybe next year. Jonah and Maren came over and Great Aunt Sissy and her family so there were lots of kids and lots of fun! It was a great day.

I have 6 teeth now! 4 up top and 2 on the bottom. My molars are coming in too and they're still hurting a little, but I'm doing okay. I've been clapping a lot and talking too! Yesterday I repeated after mommy and counted to 3, and then we clapped (that's my favorite part)! I've been repeating a lot of what I hear. I've said baby, light, fish, and I do, but I only say it once and for some reason mom keeps trying to get me to say it again. Silly mommy:) I also learned "no" and I use it on occasion. It works really well too! Grandaddy was holding me yesterday and mom asked if I wanted to come to her and I said, "no". I'm not sure why, but she didn't like that! Also, I talked to my daddy and he's doing well. I miss him SO much! I love you daddy!

I miss all my friends and family that are so far away, but I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! Maybe I'll get to share a holiday with you soon! And now the countdown to my birthday is on! Only 19 more days to go!

Hi strangers!

Mommy has been keeping me away from the computer ever since I ripped the shift key off of the keyboard. I guess she could've updated the blog herself, but I've been keeping her pretty busy, without the computer to occupy my time:)

So here's the update:

Oct 27: Grammy and Paw Paw came by for a visit! I LOVE getting to see them! Maybe they'll want to spend Christmas in Virginia!

Oct 28: Mommy got Lasik and can now see! Finally she's not coming in to check on me in the middle of the night and sticking her finger in my eye:)

Oct 31: Halloween, I was the Addam's Family baby, but daddy thinks I just looked like a greasy Italian.


Nov 3: Maren's birthday!! I picked out some really cute shoes for her and we had a sleep over:)

Nov 9: Mimi's 1st birthday party! It was really loud and there were A LOT of people here, so I hung out a little, had some cake and took a nap:)


Nov 18: I saw my very first snow! There wasn't very much, but it was very cool! I can't wait until there's lots and I can go and play!


Nov 20: I turned 11 months! Can you believe it!? I'm almost a year old already!


I have 5 teeth now!! And another 3 on the way, including my molars. Mom hasn't been too thrilled about this since I've been pretty fussy and clinging, but I'm in pain! What does she expect!? I'm also very close to walking. I can do it if I'm holding on to something with one hand, but I'm still not ready to let go! I'm getting there though:) I've tried several times to call daddy, but when I say his name in the phone he doesn't pick up, I guess he must be busy. We got to see daddy on the webcam a week ago and he looks just like I remember:) I even gave him a kiss:) I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving and trying some real turkey! The stuff that comes in the jar just isn't that good! I wish I could spend Thanksgiving with more of you, but I"ll be thinking of you when I have my turkey and take my after turkey dinner nap:) Love you all and have a great Thanksgiving!

Congrats daddy!

Sorry for the delay with the updates! We've been busy! Last week Yai and Grandaddy went on a cruise so mommy and I spent most of the time at Auntie Joni's with Jonah and "Mimi":) We had a great time there, but we forgot to bring our camera! There was a big bummer last week though; Grammy and Paw Paw were on there way up here but had a little car trouble and I didn't get to see them:( But hopefully i'll get to see Grammy next month before she has to go to work!

Daddy just had his change of command ceremony over in Iraq, so now he's in charge! I'm so proud of my daddy! He told mommy that he's never had a job more rewarding than the work that he's doing over there right now. (I'm a blessing, not a job, so that doesn't count!) We're so glad that he enjoying his work! Love you daddy! Congrats!

Well, I've been running mommy ragged! Now I can get off of the couch all by myself and climb up there too! She still keeps a close eye on me to make sure I don't fall on my head, but I'm getting pretty good at getting where I want to be. I'm being kind to her and holding off on the walking for now. So for now I'm sticking to throwing the tennis ball, left handed, and pulling everything out of Yai's cupboards! They love it!


"I know it's in there... must be in the back..."


Mommy's wearing glasses until she gets Lasik next week:)
She also got a haircut, but this is NOT a good picture of it!

"Daddy!"

I've been saying daddy for a couple weeks now, but today was the first time that my daddy got to hear me say "daddy"! He was pretty excited! I'm growing pretty fast now that I'm not moving from house to house anymore! That was a little stressful for mommy and me! But now we're nicely settled in at Yai & Grandaddy's house. I have my 2 front teeth and another top tooth on the way! Mom says as soon as I have the balance to stand on my own, I'll be running everywhere! I stood the other day for a second or two, but that was it. I'm getting there though! Well, I love you all! I especially love you, DADDY! Haha! Said it again!

Just a another beautiful day in Virginia:)

Mommy hasn't taken too many pictures since we got here, so yesterday she made up for it! She took so many pictures of me I didn't know what to do! So I just played my piano and climbed on my car and chewed on lots of stuff since my other top tooth is coming in. Mom also says I'm getting really heavy! It must be all this good southern/Thai food! I love bread and pancakes and last night I ate linguini and it was delicious! Mom says I'm a carb baby:) I can't fit any of the clothes mom brought in my suitcase, so we had to go shopping the other day. I'm gonna be a big boy when daddy comes home! I love you daddy! See you soon:)

Oh yeah, mom and Yai gave me my first haircut the other day... sorry dad! But don't I look handsome!


"I'm so tall!'


"This is my piano, pretty cool, huh!"


"If only mom knew what i was thinking...."

A visit from Paw Paw!

My Paw Paw stopped by yesterday to see me for a while! Too bad Grammy couldn't make it:( She's got a cold, so Grammy, I hope you're all better soon so you can come to see me! I'm hoping Grammy and Paw Paw will move up here and then I can see them all the time! I love you Grammy and Paw Paw! Thanks for coming to see me Paw Paw!

Jonah and Maren stopped by yesterday too! We've had lots of fun together! Since mommy and I have been here I've grown a lot! I can give kisses now and point at things and people that I want and before too long I'll be walking! Also since we've been here mommy and I have both missed daddy a bunch, but we pray for him every night and can't wait till he comes home! I love you daddy!


Me and Maren:)


Wow, Jonah's pretty tall!


I take baths will all my buddies:)


Surprise!

San Diego Recap

Hi San Diego. I miss you guys! It's a lot of fun here in Virginia.. I'd love some visitors! Here's a look at some of the fun we had before leaving California.


"My daddy's bigger than your daddy"


Dane doing laundry with daddy


Dane & Auntie Tab


Dane & Uncle Pterodactyl on the Coronado Bay