My dad returned home from Montana! I missed him so much that I tackled him when he walked in the door, and then I pinned him to the ground with hugs and kisses! Too bad Mom had to leave for Chicago a few days later… I think they’re just trying to take advantage of my Miss-You-Then-I-Kiss-You policy.

I’ve been quite busy over the last couple weeks…
I got up on stage to make my debut at the ATP Open Mic Night!

Then I attended the IOPA social and got to hang with some of my favorite peeps!

However, in the midst of all this fun, I’ve forgotten how to lay on my back like a good little boy during diaper changes. Oops!

But, while I regress in some areas, I make progress in others. Check out my new dance skills in the video below… I can do the worm!

 I also got introduced to bubble gum and that stuff is FUN-ny!

The house feels a little empty right now because Dad’s not here. He traveled all the way to Montana in an attempt to put meat on our table this winter. (“A trip to the grocery store would have been quicker and cheaper, ” says mom with an eye roll, but I know Dad likes his adventures.)

 Oh no! He forgot to take his little hunting buddy along.
(See my concerned face below.)

Well, there’s one good thing about being left behind… I’ve moved into the master bedroom with mom! Dad thinks I’m just keeping his spot warm until he returns, so he’ll probably be a little shocked to find that all of his belongings have been transferred to my nursery. You snooze, you lose!

Bring more than meat back, Dad! You’re going to need a pillow or something because my crib is not this comfortable!

I got beat up at daycare. I was just sitting nicely, waiting for my lunch to be prepared when one of my classmates decided to come over and scratch my face. Ouch! Then, I tackled him to the ground and taught him a lesson. Just kidding…. violence is not the answer. Instead, I cried for a minute, returned to smiles, and then chowed down my lunch. ‘Cause I’m tough like that. And hungry. I’m not going to let a little scratch sour my sweet potatoes!

Halloween was sweet… literally! I got lots of candy. All I had to do was roam around UW-L’s residence halls and smile at the college students. Mom knocked on the doors and yelled “trick or treat” and then I pretended to be Scooby Doo. Then, when the students opened the door, they would hold out a bowl full of candy. After they got done adoring me, they would encourage me to take one piece of candy. But since I don’t know how to count and because I’m still learning how to move my fingers, I would often times grab a handful of candy. Score!

I turned 6 months old today! Yahooo! At just halfway through my first year of life, I am living large. These days…

• I like to bite my mom’s face when I get excited.
• I’m getting close to learning how to crawl, but my best attempts cause me to go backwards.
• I love to grab my toes and I’m learning how to intentionally move each finger.
• Mom and I chit-chat a lot on the ride home, usually trying to solve the world’s problems.
• I’m making friends at daycare… mostly with the teachers. They can’t get enough of me!
• I’m constantly loved.

Dear Fun:

It was so nice to see you this weekend. It’s been a while since we’ve hung out. Things have been so hectic for mom and dad lately; I’ve missed you! Please tell work to leave my parents alone. Life is much better when you’re around.

Love,
Jae Jae

Aunt Jessie & Little T came to visit me!

Me, dad and Teagan went for a 4-wheeler ride!

And then we went for a hike.

And another 4 wheeler ride.

And then I was pooped!

We decided to take my friends to Ferguson’s Orchard to go pumpkin hunting.

Me and my new friend.

Teagan couldn’t get enough of me.

That’s either one big apple or one little Teagan.

Oops! I fell asleep searching for my pumpkin.

Warning: Don’t hike and sleep. Your head slumps over and then everyone can tell that the apple orchard kicked your butt.

Pumpkins everywhere!

Teagan survived the haunted house by clinging onto my mom’s leg the whole time.

It’s fun getting lost in a corn maze!

We ran into mom and dad’s college friend, Eric Perl!

How do we get out of here?

Hayride at Maggie’s house.

Yikes! This hayride is dark!

Oh… that’s better.

The tournament of champions.

I found someone my size!

Brrr…Winter is coming.

Yay for milk and cookies at the end of the night! Wait… I didn’t get any cookies!?

Campfire!!

A night under the stars 🙂

I visited my first apple orchard yesterday. It was so neat! Besides apples everywhere, I saw huge sunflowers, bright orange pumpkins, and a bunch of silly farm animals. There was also a corn maze, a slighty scary haunted house and fun hayrides! Mom and dad enjoyed apple pie cookies, caramel apples, apple cider and a variety of sweet and delicious apples right from the tree! I can’t wait to get more teeth!!

After we filled up on everything apples, we traveled to La Crosse for the Hmong New Year celebration, where we perused vendors, watched volleyball and soccer matches, and visited with friends. We walked by all the food stands and took in many delicious smells before Mom and dad decided to indulge in a refreshing mango bubble tea and crisp, sizzling egg rolls. Teeth: where are you already?! What a perfect day! Next time we do this, I’m bringing some teeth so I can fully participate in all festivities instead of returning home to mushy, tasteless sweet peas. Yuck!

This past weekend we traveled to the east coast (of Wisconsin) to get some Grandpa Florence love! Driving across the state was much easier this time. I basically shut my eyes and when I woke up, we were there! It’s been a while since we’ve been able to go visit him, so I wasn’t sure if he’d remember me, but then I saw that he has a display of my framed pictures to look at for the days when we’re apart. That’s cute, grandpa!

We also got to visit Aunt Donna and met the Swanson family. The littlest Swanson is almost the same age as me! It was nice to hang out with someone who speaks my language. Thanks for hosting a yummy dinner, Aunt Donna!

Just before we left today, we had a surprise visit from Great Grandma Garcia and Aunt Josephine. They gave me lots of hugs and taught me some songs in Spanish. It was mucho fun.

Now we’re back home and the weekend is over already. Whoever invented weekends should be fired; they’re just not long enough. Until next time, east coast friends….

Here I am, attending a couple of UW-L’s welcome socials, sponsored by Multicultural Student Services and the Pride Center. I got passed from person to person, welcoming as many people as I could. Turns out, it’s hard work greeting everyone and so I accidentally fell asleep between a couple hand-offs. Oops! Luckily, I’ve got skills and I know how to make people smile even with my eyes closed. I should probably be the president of the welcoming committee, just sayin’.

Last weekend I made my return to Jellystone with my cute bear outfit. I mean, somebody needed to give Yogi a little competition. Who’s the cutest bear now!?

I’m not sure what happened to summer… it was there last time we camped at Jellystone. But, I kind of liked the chill in the air because shivers encourage more snuggling, and I like snuggles! We had a great time celebrating my cousin Ashlee’s 11th birthday. The weekend was full of campfires, outdoor movies, birthday cake, pizza, and giggly/chatty 5th grade girls. Whoa… if that’s what 5th grade looks like, it’s going to be loud! But, sign me up anyway. Those girls were totally into me and spoiled me with attention… I think I can handle that!