More Sneak Peeks!

Thanks to Michelle for sending us some more peeks!

Monkey came to visit Mrs. Z on campus today! He got to meet her new classmates and had a snack of vanilla ice cream and jalapeno chips (don't ask) and play in the cool spinning chairs. First trip to college = success!

15 months

Once again Michelle Craig has worked her magic with the Monkey. (Once again, Monkey rationed those dimples like they were... flu vaccine?) This is just a sneak peek from our family photo shoot, we're still waiting on the rest of the photos and can't wait to see them!

In other news, Brilliant Pediatrician has identified a low hormone level which may (or may not) explain Monkey's slow growing. We're headed back to Prestigious Children's Hospital for additional testing to see if this is really something 'clinically significant' or not. If it is, it can be fixed, albeit probably not simply. If it isn't, he is still bright and happy and beautiful. Win-win either way.

At his 15 month check up, he weighed 17 lbs, 12 oz (off the chart) and was 29" tall (5th percentile). His head is still in the 10th percentile and following a good growth curve. He was a total champ for his blood draw and did not make a sound until those mean ladies hit him with three different vaccinations. A visit to our favorite spot (the Halloween/Christmas area at Target) made it all better.

Adventures in Monkeyland

It's for Monkey!

Monkey is very important. You can tell from the high call volume we experience:

Goodbye, summer!

Back to school time has come to the Zoo, so things have been more than a little hectic. In honor of this new adventure, Monkey has decided to produce three new teeth and two new molars. Yes, that's right: a total of five new teeth in various states of presentation. However, it seems that Monkey is doing very well with his new routine and feels suspiciously heavier - we'll see if he's passed the golden 18 pound mark next week! Other recent exploits include: diving face first into a lake, giving hugs and kisses, trying to eat pennies, mastering the 'Head, shoulders' part of 'Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes', climbing on top of the piano and experimenting with words. Recently we've heard everything from 'uh oh' to 'yogurt' to 'ready to go!' He is very scornful of performing, however, so don't bother asking him to repeat any of these for you. He has much more important things to do, like sweep the kitchen floor and empty every cabinet. You, on the other hand, probably have nothing more important to do than read Barnyard Dance! Again. So, if you're done with that, you can check out a few photos of the end of summer.

One of the last swims of summer, and he so wants to do it all by himself.
He definitely gets the concept all right.

"Well, Aunt B, I think I'm pretty good at this swimming thing now. Next time I'm going to try it all by myself, okay? Don't tell the Zoo Keepers! I want it to be a big surprise."

Some shots from the State Fair (kindly provided by Auntie L):

If this is a haircut, I think I can wait.

Scramble with the little chicks - CHEEP CHEEP CHEEP!

Studies prove that 10 out of 10 Monkey scientists love pork tent dinner!

Second Cousins

We recently got to spend a little time with Monkey's second cousins and had a good time despite our poor photographic record of the afternoon:

New Friend

Monkey made a new friend last week, and it seems that he has finally found a job that requires just as much dedication, focus and perseverence as 'mowing the lawn':