Leo the charmer!

Leo is a funny charmer of a boy! Such a happy, silly kid who is sensitive, thoughtful, and empathetic. We are so proud of the person we already see him becoming! He has gone through massive changes in his life from potty training at 2, a new baby sister at 2 1/2, crib to bed soon after, a new preschool just before his 3rd birthday, and then most recently living through a crazy (and big) home addition project which has been stressful. He has taught us first hand how resilient kids are. We are so in love with Leo. He keeps so much happiness in our home and is an awesome big brother!!

A little country!

Since Leo spends most of his days in the city, he was amazed and thrilled to see live chickens, turkeys, goats, and a donkey at the Whistling Well farm near Afton, Minnesota. Although a little timid at first and needing Mama's and Dada's encouragement to mingle with the chickens, Leo took his job of plucking kernals from a corn husk and feeding them to the chickens very seriously. Leo kept quoting Lucy Cousin's book Maisy's Morning on the Farm by saying "here chickens, come and get your breakfast." Every once in awhile, one of the big roosters would call out "cock-a-doodle-doo!" and Leo would jump back and shout "WOOOO!" The little goat was so cute and to my surprise, Leo let the goat lick corn off his hand. After feeding the farm animals, Leo went down in a wagon to check out the pumpkin patch where he decided to take a ride on top of the big pumpkins. After all this cold weather, it was sure great to have a mild autumn day again!

So outdated, stay tuned!

Hi ya'll,

I'm embarrassed to see how outdated Leo's blog is and I promise to update some new pics and videos soon! Stay tuned! By the way, its Leo's 2nd birthday tomorrow, September 22nd!

Puzzles!

Parents are always proud of the new things we little people can do. Well, my mom and dad are especially proud of my new puzzle skills. I think my parent's pride is partially due to their own love for games! Aside from puzzles, mega-blocks, balls, and stackers, I love going outside with the 60 degree temps this week. There is a train park just a couple blocks away and the road we take to get there is non-motorized with lots of green space so I get to run the whole way. Walking and running on so many different kinds of surfaces like concrete, grass, puddles, wood chips, and melting snow is really fun for me. I especially love all the water that flows into the street drains. I stop and stare at the water draining for a long time before my mom tells me to keep on walking. Wow, I thought winter would never end, and now it seems like it has! By the way, I'll be 18 months in just a few days!

Cuddles,

Leo

Yes, I can charm the socks off you!!

Hi everyone! As you can see, my hair is really growing and my colics are creating hair chaos! I love to play all the time and since I am constantly on the move, I've lost all my baby chub. I'm in the 50% for height, and feelin' pretty healthy these days. I just spent the first weekend away from my parents in the care of my See Grandparents. Gram and Papa See said I did really well and was easy to care for. They also commented on what a good talker I am - my new favorite words now are A.J. (as in my cousin A.J.), Peter (as in Uncle Peter), Heyna (as in my best friend Henry), Beta (as in my blanket), Caw Caw like a Crow (I love the crows that roost every night in our trees!), and pillow. I can pretty much use words or sign language to get all my basic needs met. I can even sign for music when I want to listen to some. I LOVE to try on big people shoes and walk around in them, LOVE when people blow on my tummy, LOVE to be chased, LOVE to ride my trike, LOVE to dance, LOVE crackers, LOVE trains, and LOVE LOVE LOVE all my little friends and Grandparents! 

I want to send out a big big thank you and hug to my Nana B and Papa from Michigan for sending me a care package, which included a handmade scarf my Nana made (see picture), an Elmo Phone (that I absolutely can't get enough of), and a variety of crackers! Nana and Papa, I can't wait to see you again!

Cuddles if you can catch me, 

Leo Antoine

Hi! This pic is of me and my best friend Henry. We hang out together a lot every week. Our mama's are really good friends and they also swap turns taking care of us so they can both go to school. Lucky us! My mom was thinking about ending my blog, but she just told me she'll just keep it less updated.

So, bye bye for now. I'll keep practicing my climbing and the new words I have everyday (this week its baby). Love and kisses, Leo

I'm walking!

Here's me as a new walker!

I'm one!

I turned one year old on September 22nd and my parents had a small family birthday party for me! Uncle Pete, Uncle Brian, Aunt Gretchen, Grandma and Papa See, and my cousins Isaac, A.J., and Sammie came over to celebrate! I think turning one was a bigger deal for my parents than it was for me!

As some of you already know, I took my first 4 steps without help last Friday evening - my parents flipped out in utter surprise and joy! I made sure they were watching me because it was definitely one of my proudest moments to date! Although I've been taking a few steps daily, I still prefer to knee walk - yep, just like it sounds - it looks pretty funny put I'm a pro now so my knees don't even get red! I'm starting to say words too - car, ball, ba ba and mama and dada. I was trying to say tractor the other day but it was just too complicated for me! I like to practice scooting off the couch and I like to climb things, especially the stairs. I'm now starting to go through an even bigger mama stage! My favorite book right now is "Mr. Brown can MOO, can You" by Dr. Seuss. I just want to tell everyone that I really really really miss my Nana B and Papa Dave in Lansing and can't wait to be with them again soon!

Cuddles, Leo

Fun in the Bath!!

I'm almost a year old now, have 5 teeth, a "comb-over" hairstyle, less baby fat, am silly and pretty secure in myself! Now that my mommy is in school (school counseling program at U of M), and daddy's at work, I get to spend 2 half days with my friend Henry (12 months old). Henry and I are great buddies and like to play catch together, read books, and "pet" each other on the head. I love music, dancing, clapping, balls of all sizes, playing with toy vehicles (while going "brrrr-brrrr"), cats, books, my sippy cup, bike rides and walks. My favorite book right now is brown bear, brown bear, what do you see? by Eric Carle. The video is of me bathing - one of my favorite activities!

Cuddles, Leo

Swimming, tractors, FUN FUN!

This summer has been so much fun! My Mom and Dad and I just got back from the See cabin up north in Gordon. I can't believe how much fun it is up there - the cabin river is like bath water so I had no problem swimming and splashing in and around the sandy swimming hole! I can crawl so fast now, pulling myself up to a standing position, and walking around while holding furniture! I'm now clapping and when I'm asked where something is (ie Kramer, a ball, the fan, etc.) I look at it or go a get it! I'm a really good baby and like to be silly all the time!

Check out my new pictures to the right!

Cuddles, Leo