Diego & Auntie Erica
Diego has just exploded with words this month! He will try to say just about anything and recognizes people, places and things. He is really into "cycles", which are motorcycles, bicycles and trucks. Not sure how the trucks fit in there, but to him they are in the same category. I'm excited to get him some sort of bicycle to try out sometime soon, I think he will really enjoy it, even if he has to be pushed for a while.
Recently I opened the book "I love you as Much" to read to him, which we often read at bedtime and naptime and just happened to ask him what one of the animals was, and he said "goat" and he was right! So, I went back to the first page of the book and he named every animal in the book. I was so proud! He is recognizing so many animals these days! He gets a little confused between the horse and the bear, but its all wonderful to me! He also loves the book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and can name the first 5 fruits and even some of the foods from the day the caterpillar pigs out! He really enjoys playing with keys and cell phones and will reach out to anyone who has them, even strangers! He also really loves goldfish crackers, or as he calls them "shishies" and even grabbed a handful from cousin Carson's plate without asking. Carson actually thought Diego was leaning towards him for a hug and he dug right into his plate, it was hilarious!
I realized its now been 18 months since I've had a day job and wouldn't go back for anything. Staying home with Diego is the best thing our family could have decided on. Sure, some days, ok weeks, are hard, but every second is worth it. I told my friend Sarah once, after she told me about some trouble she was having at work, that I would take poopy diapers and sleepless nights over work drama, any day! And I meant it!!
"I Play" is the first thing this boy says the minute he wakes up in the morning. It sounds a little more like "I pay" but its just the cutest thing I've ever heard. He is non-stop on the go all day, everyday and just so much fun! He is really enjoying testing his limits with Mom and Dad these days. He stands on chairs and shakes them while looking at us with a big smile. He tries to climb over the back of the couch. He tries to climb on just about anything he can.
I made a few batches of fresh berry jam this month and Diego LOVES it! Each morning he asks for "min bears" (vitamin bears) and "bam" (jam). He actually asks for vitamins all day, and I have to remind him we have vitamins at breakfast. So cute! He will even ask for a "baba" and "kiki" (binky) when he's tired. 
Diego has become a pro at opening doors in the house and if we're not careful to lock the door, he's out in the garage in a split second! Opening the doors is not my favorite of his new "tricks" I must say, especially since he likes to leave the bathroom while I'm in the shower. I've since put a child lock on the door, but it still was no fun!
Today we said goodbye to our old house. Even though we moved over two months ago and I'm in love with our new house, I'm a little sad to leave the old one behind. We're saying goodbye to the first house Eddie and I bought together, to the house Eddie proposed to me in and the house we brought our first born child home to. We bought our little house 6 1/2 years ago and were so proud to be the owner's. We spent some really happy years there and most importantly, we made it a home. We made some great friends with our neighbors there and hope to continue those friendships for years to come. Goodbye old house, we'll miss you.
We were quickly outgrowing our little house when we stumbled upon a great house coming up for sale, how convenient for us that it was The Kofoid family's house! A house we had spent a lot of time in and knew we really loved. We moved in two months ago, after our first offer on the old house died and the day after we moved in, we got our second and final offer on the old house. Two months and many, many frustrating hours later we finally signed loan docs today and we celebrated with dinner and fun at our house with the Kofoid's. All of us will sleep a little sounder tonight knowing we can finally move forward. 
Diego has recently begun climbing on EVERYTHING! He started with the couch, which completely freaked Eddie and I out at first and we insisted on sitting right next to him each time he climbed up there...until we realized he can safely get back off the couch without help. So, now we're not quite as paranoid. Now he can also climb up onto the dining room chairs, and as I watched him a few days ago, he climbed right on to the table after Daddy's cell phone. At first I wasn't sure if I should let him climb on these chairs or not, but then decided its not such a big deal. So, Rachel suggested just turning the chairs around so he could still get up on them, just not onto the table, and that is working, so far. 
We took a day trip to the coast today, and were pleasantly surprised with the weather! Not super sunny, but some blue sky, only a little wind and not too cold. 
At 15 months, Diego got his 3rd haircut! He just got his second about 6 weeks ago and it was already out of control! I had been wanting to just drop into a barber shop or quick haircut shop, but just hadn't done it. I was also a little afraid to go somewhere other than my usual hair salon, but just didn't want to make an appointment, have to wait until the appointment and drive all the way to Silverton. We went to Keizer Station Target this morning and then stopped in at Great clips. It worked out well, there was no line and we got right in. He cried the whole time, just like he did when he got his 2nd haircut. But this time I really can't blame him, the stylist really had no patience for my sweet little man and was fairly unfriendly. She even tried to use the electric clippers, even though my sensitive boy was PETRIFIED of them! She did a good job on the cut though, and I'm pleased with the results! 
