Wow! I guess I took the summer off without meaning to. Well, I'm still here and enjoying my 19th month. The early part of the summer was very pleasant: warm, but not oppressive. These last few weeks have been wretchedly hot, so much so that I actually come indoors on my own sometimes! From what the weatherman says we're not the only ones roasting, though. I guess it will cool down in a couple months.

So, I've made it my business to learn lots of words as well as letters, colors, numbers & shapes. It's really cool because they are everywhere: in books, on cereal boxes, on signs outside...so I can practice wherever I am. We just took a trip to the Smoky Mountains and you might say it was a bit if a working vacation for me because I added to my repertoire of knowledge: I only have a handful of letters yet to learn, I know 5 different shapes, a few colors, and the numbers 1-9! I know lots of new words too, the only trouble is that mommy can't remember what they all mean: try-tul means triangle, not turtle! We'll work on annunciation next ;o).

But enough about business, I've been having a really great summer. I mostly like to be outside still. I hit golf balls with some of daddy's old clubs. I also love to ride my tricycle (altho I still don't use the pedals). I also like to find weird things in the yard and bring them to mommy: leaves, bugs, dirt etc. We had a bumper crop of figs last month and I really enjoyed helping with the harvest. Our yard is covered with muskadines this week and somehow I've resisted eating them even tho they look exactly like purple grapes. Mom & I also take walks a lot; I love to point out all the flags, trash cans, dogs and squirrels, but the best part is when we play at the park after the walks. I've also been saying hi to everyone in the store lately, and not just once, I say it over and over because most people think it's funny, even cute ;o).

I've also been experimenting a little with using the potty. Mommy thinks it's a little early so we're taking it slow, but who knows maybe I can get that out of the way before I have big brother duties. Oh! Did I forget to mention that before? Well, I guess it's out there now: I'm going to have a little brother or sister soon! His/her ETA is late January, but I'm hoping for early February so I don't have to share my birthday month :o). Either way, we are all excited about another little one on the way.

Well, this is far from a complete update, but it will have to do for now. I hope all of you are doing well; we think of you often. I'm attaching some pictures, but it's hard to top the ones from last time ;o). Let me hear from you!
Gav