I’m learning about some new ways to travel from point A to point B!

First, I learned how to crawl. (Thanks to my friend Ellie for showing me how it’s done!)

After I mastered crawling (easy-schmeesy), Dad thought it was time for me to learn how to ride a bike. Nailed it! (…with some assistance from my training wheels, my dad, and my way-too-dramatic mother who would have dressed me in a bubble-wrap suit if we owned one.)

And instead of being satisfied with those two tricks, now my parents want me to learn how to fly…

…so they got me a Passport! Mom and Dad are thinking about taking me to Mexico, to the place where they got married. Count me in! I’ll pack my sippy cup in preparation for the self-serve Piña Coladas that I’ve heard so much about. I can’t wait!!

Today isn’t just Christmas Eve, it’s also my parent’s anniversary. Look at how young happy they look in these pictures!

Ten years later, they’re still smiling. I hate to take all the credit, as I only showed up 8 months ago, but life is pretty good with me around! I think I bring out the best in my parents and I surely add joy to their world. Happy Anniversary to my fabulous parents and Merry Christmas Eve to all who celebrate. Cheers to several more decades of happiness!

This past weekend I didn’t feel so hot, but we had big plans to visit with friends and I wasn’t going to let a little sniffle rain on my parade. Besides, mom says friends can be the best medicine (so long as I keep my germs to myself).

Below are some snapshots from my Babies’ First Holiday Party, where I got to hang with William, Hope, Sonia and Abram! We opened gifts, played with puzzles, slid down a mattress, enjoyed a fireside chat, snuck in a nap, and had a mini photo shoot! (Thanks for the memories!)

Next, me and the parents went to visit Marcia and Junior! (Thanks for the laughs. And for letting us hang out in your fancy shower for a bit!)

We ended the night by visiting Stef, Mike and Graham! (Thanks for the pizza. And the grand tour of your beautiful new house!)

The following day, we invited my friend Ellie and her parents over for a Packer party! (Thanks for the crawling lessons, Ellie!)

Mom was right… friends are like chicken soup for the soul. And quite frankly, who wouldn’t feel better after seeing all of those lovely faces in just one weekend?!

It was a busy-bee kind of weekend! I had all sorts of places to go and loved ones to see. First stop was in Mauston to visit the Wisconsin Badgers Headquarters. And guess who we saw there?! …Peter & Mary!

Here I am, showing off my new standing pose!

Is that the Santa guy I’ve been hearing about?

Then, we traveled to Madison for lunch with Carrie and Matt. They may have moved away, but thanks to Mom’s good detective work (a phone call to Carrie), we found them!

Reunited and it feels so good!

Me & Aunt Carrie

Uncle Matt… I’ve missed you!

Kisses from Carrie!

Finally, we made our way to Mukwonago to see if Papa Florence remembered me. (He did!) But he says I grew lots of hair and chubby cheeks since we last saw each other. We had a good time together! I taught Papa how to clap, showed off my fascinating fingers, helped him celebrate his birthday and watched some football. It was a pretty sad Packer game… mostly because they didn’t play too well, but also because Papa (their head coach) kept making me cry when he would yell at the television. I don’t know if the players could hear Papa’s “motivational” pep talks, but I sure could. Yikes!

Papa: take both of your hands and go like this.

move them together real fast…

until they touch and make a loud noise!

And that’s how you clap.

Papa… here’s my neat-o fingers I’ve been telling you about.

Papa and his furry baby!

Here we are watching the Packer game.

Go Pack, go!

I love you, Papa

Happy Birthday, Papa Florence! I’ll help you open that.

Before we headed back home, Donna and her funny sweater stopped by to visit me. Love her!

Oh, Aunt Donna…

you make me smile.

It’s a wonderful life… traveling from one zip code to another for free smiles and hugs!

Last night we had a family meeting and decided it was time for me to move out of the office and into my very own bedroom. Mom was worried about how I would adjust to living on a completely different floor. She asked if I needed a little pep talk to ease the transition, to make the separation from their bedroom feel a little closer. She says some people experience difficulty accepting change. And so, as my parents took me downstairs, mom squeezed me a little tighter and showered me with an unnecessary amount of kisses, before gently placing me in my bed. Then, as they took a step back and waited for my reaction, they found….

…some of us actually embrace change. We are the fearless. The adventurous. The thrill-seekers. And we say, “bring it on!”

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go prepare a pep talk for my mom. Some people experience difficulty accepting change.

Look who learned how to feed himself….

That’s right…this guy! (me)

Therefore, I would like to request a do-over for Thanksgiving. If no one wants to pass me the turkey and stuffing, I’ll do it myself, thank-you-very-much!

I love this time of year! Yesterday we went to a Christmas Tree farm, where I enjoyed a free sleigh ride, compliments of my reindeer cousins. It seems like such a magical time of year… even though it was cold outside, I felt so warm on the inside. (Does anyone else feel that way, or did I have an accident in my snowsuit?!)

We searched high and low, looking for the perfect tree to bring home. Once we found it, I supervised Dad and Grandpa while they planted it in our living room. Then we spent the rest of the evening making it look fancy-schmancy!

Here’s the best part though: This morning, as I went to check on our Christmas tree, I saw real reindeer out the window (not my cousins)! I couldn’t believe it… Christmas really is magical!!

I’ve discovered my fingers and they’re fascinating! Now that I know they’re there, I count them everyday. One, two…

three, four…

five…

OH NO!!!!!

I’ve lost them!

Where did they go?!

My first Thanksgiving was a feast to remember (even though I was only allowed to try the applesauce). Grandma & Grandpa Goodenough hosted us and it was DE-licious! Some of my favorite moments were giving Aunt Mary a high five, eating solving puzzles with Cortney & Aunt Ellen, taking a snooze with Aunt Julie, playing peek-a-boo with Ashlee & Cortney, and getting in some quality time on Grandpa Goodenough’s lap. Holidays are all about loved ones, and although I missed my family and friends who had to spend the day elsewhere, I still felt their love. There is much to be thankful for!

My first parent-teacher conference was a success! Today we learned that I’m not flunking daycare. In fact, the teachers said I am their favorite kiddo and by far the smartest and cutest they’ve ever seen in all of the land. (Well, that’s how my mom translated the teacher’s comment of “We really enjoy having Jaeger here!”) For real though, I excel in all of my subjects, particularly art class! Check out my masterpiece below!