September 16 to 29

And I'm all caught up! We already appreciate this blog--Mat and I each find ourselves looking at past blog posts and marveling (always) at how big Pete has gotten. I've said this before, but parenthood has turned us into a giant cliche. Time flies! He grows so fast! I also write in a 5-year diary, all about Pete (here), and though I haven't reached the year point yet (I started keeping it when he was just under a year old) it is astonishing to look back over the past months' entries. I don't think I've ever experienced so much constant change in my entire life. Except when I was Pete's age, and I don't remember that. Each month--each week!--is entirely new.

This month, Lulu came, and we did not get one single picture with her! Then she left, and we all got sick. Pete is getting a lot of colds these days, because of preschool. And then Nana and Papa came (next post)...

Lulu and Pete and I made the trek to Birmingham to shop. Mat says that when Pete is older he will be Pete's soccer buddy, I will be his horse buddy, Poppy (my dad) will be his golf buddy, Nana (his mom) will be his dog buddy, Papa (his dad) will be his ham radio buddy, and Lulu (my mom) will be his shopping buddy.

Actually, this is a photo of Lulu! Kind of

We forgot his stroller but he had the best time of his life running around the empty department store

Loved this purse. Was sad to leave it.

Mat ordered this book to counteract the fact that we live in Alabama...

Pete really likes hanging out on the top of the Bum Shelter

With my plants, which he likes to destroy

Putting water in the dog bowl, which is one of his hobbies. Feenie is very hydrated these days.

At school, watching Elmo while we wait for dad to finish his meeting

He was sick, and not eating anything, so we gave him some Nutella. He ate that.

He's very into cars these days.

At Mellow Mushroom

Did not let these go the entire shopping trip

Watching videos of himself (seriously). He's a little narcissist.

What happens when Daddy is in charge of the bedtime routine...

I was giving a reading