Ain't he cute?

Last night Dad had me sitting on his lap playing the guitar and singing to me. That music was so relaxing I fell asleep with my head slumped right down on his guitar neck. Naturally Mom had to take a picture of it so she can embarass me later on. She doesn't have any pictures of me walking, no pictures of how good I sit up and eat, but she sure got that picture of me face down on Dad's guitar.

We all went to the pet store the other day so I could get my first look at all of the animals there. We have fishies at home so I knew just what they were, only lots more of them. There was a little black and white spotted puppy there and we had a lot of fun licking eachother's faces. I saw lots of noisy birds and kitties and even a baby bunny. Then the man brought a snake over for me to pet. I thought my mommy was going to drop me and run right out of the store. I didn't mind because I thought the snake was really cool.

FLASH --- UPDATE (August 13, 1998)
My Mommy and Daddy and I went to visit Grandma and Grandpa all the way up in Redding, California. It was really a long trip, but I think I must have slept most of the way because I hardly remember any of it. While we were there I got to see Grandpa's big cows and lots of chickens. It rained almost every day, but we had some fun anyway. It was a nice trip, but I was really glad when we got home and I got to sleep in my own bed again.

Then, not too long after our trip to Redding we had to go clear down to Los Angeles so my Daddy could go to the hospital. They operated on his leg and kept him there for a whole week. When he came home he had a big metal cage looking thing on his leg and had to stay in bed most of the time. I didn't like it very much because he couldn't get up and chase me around and play with me like he did before. He says he will be all better pretty soon so we can play again. I can't wait.

My Uncle Randy went on vacation to Georgia so Mommy and Daddy and I stayed at his house and took care of his animals. I got to play with his dog, Casey. I am almost a year old now. My birthday is on the 28th of August (it's still two weeks away). Daddy says I have just that long to learn how to walk. I can stand up and balance myself alright but I still haven't learned how to keep balanced while I take steps. I told my Daddy just be patient, I will walk very soon. Then watch out -- my Mommy and Daddy think I can get into stuff now, just wait until I can walk.

I sure am glad my Mommy and Daddy finally learned how to talk. Now when I say things to them they seem to know what I want most of the time. I thought they would never understand what I say to them. Of course I haven't asked that much of them. So far I only need for them to learn nightnight, daddy, mama, byebye, there (for when I finish doing something), numnum (for when I'm hungry) and I love you. I talk all of the time, but so far that's all they have learned.

FLASH --- UPDATE (April 7, 1999)

Here I am riding my very first cayuse.  He's a wild one, but no hill for a stepper.  You might say I'm a bare-back rider.  I went with Daddy and saw a whole herd of great big horses in a big field, and cows too.  I fed grass to a sheep and saw some baby goats.  Some day we will have all of those animals on our own place and I can see them whenever I want to.

I know even more words now.  I can say just about anything Mommy and Daddy can say.  Sometimes I just don't feel like talking though.  Especially when one of them puts the phone up to my ear.   They keep telling me to say "Hi" to Grandma and stuff like that, but I just don't see the point.  It's more fun for me if I can just unplug it from the wall and carry it around with me.  The other day I found this little tape thingie in the answering machine and pulled the pretty brown ribbon out to see it better.  Mommy said some loud sentences with all the words jammed together so I could hardly make out what she was saying.  Something about "cheese and crackers" I think.   I wonder what that had to do with the answering machine.