They Say It's My Birthday...na na na na nah!

On Tuesday, July 28th, I turned 1 year old at 9:11 p.m. I woke up in my usual fashion at 5:30 a.m., screaming for a bottle, but was quickly silenced by two crazy people coming into my room singing the birthday song. If you don't recall, I LOVE the birthday song. Ever since Jake Grouser's 30th surprise party, I have been waiting for someone to sing Happy Birthday. Well today was the day, and it continued all day long!!



I headed to school to be greeted with birthday bubbles and the happy birthday song! For my snack I got birthday cake and for dessert after dinner, I was treated to some birthday cake ice cream at Baskin Robbins.



We returned home to Skype with Grandma and Grandpa Kappenman, and then opened gifts with Todd, Barb & Anna over Skype. My cousin Anna got me some awesome outfits and a band that has lots of noisy instruments. Lori, Mike, Danny & Bryce got me a cool push truck that I love to push around.




I also got this neat birthday card that sings happy birthday to me. Overall, it was a great day but I just couldn't keep my eyes open until 9:11. Regardless, I went to bed with dreams of eating sugar and the happy birthday song being sung to me everyday! If only everyday was like today!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

For my 1st birthday, my parents took me to a Major League Baseball game, the St. Louis Cardinals vs. the Philadelphia Phillies. It was a hot summer day with temps near 90 degrees and very humid. The first inning I did pretty well, eating Goldfish and sipping on water. The second inning, not so much, I wanted to play on the stairs and walk around. Thereafter, each inning mommy and daddy would switch out like pitchers playing with me in the concession area. I even met a sugar momma my age, Riley. Her dad was part of the Phillies as an executive with a GIGANTIC World Series ring. It was the size of my head, not kidding you! Riley was a cutie too with blond hair and blue eyes, we would really make a pair.

As for the game, after fighting back from a three-run deficit to take the lead on a solo homer by Rick Ankiel in the top of the sixth, the Cards gave the edge back to the Phillies in the bottom half of the inning as Jimmy Rollins hit a grand slam and the Phils continued to pile on the runs after that. The final score was 14-6. Although we lost the game, I had a great time watching the game, people watching, climbing stairs, and wondering why the Phillies play Christmas music in July!

One is the Loneliest Number

Another visit to Picture People for my 1 year old pictures, yielded some great shots of me! Mommy made me a special cake, a great big cupcake! I didn't really understand what I was supposed to do with it, so I played with the icing and attempted to eat my candle. Then daddy broke it up for me, and I really dug in. It was so yummy! Mommy and daddy were both surprised how clean I stayed!

Sitting Up in My Room

Ever since the day I was born my mommy has held me to go to sleep. At times she has held me until I wake up. Other times, she'll lay me down when i'm already sleeping. Very rarely, will she just leave me in my crib to let me fall asleep on my own.

Well times are a changing! Not sure you've gotten the idea yet...but I do not like change one bit. Regardless if it is good for me!

So the mean people that shall remain nameless, got this brillant idea that I need to learn to sleep on my own. First they take away the binky. Next, is my bottle. And now this! What is the world coming to? They just leave me sitting up in my room, crying away!

The first night I just cried and cried forever (like 10 minutes). The next night I was exhausted so I only cried a little (approximately 1 minute). The third night I let them have it (16 minutes with some breaks). By the fourth night I was winding down, the fifth night was less rough, and by the end of the week, I really only cry when they put me down and shut my door.

Overall, I have decided that my sleep style is much like Obama's first 120 days in office. Change isn't such a bad thing. Things are going to be rough at first, but in the end we wake up rested and happy! It just takes some time to get used to!

The picture above is the first time I "cried it out" and destroyed my crib.

Express Yourself!

I have a confession to make. I have been extremely vocal lately, especially when it comes to getting my way. I have always been a "whiner" but I have taken it to the next level. Anytime my parents are around I will whine to get whatever I want or feel I need. My mommy pretty much ignores me and sings this song "Express Yourself" by Madonna. She sings to me that I should "Express yourself, you've got to make it, express yourself, hey hey hey hey (funny voice here). If you want it right now, baby show me how, express what you got, baby ready or not. Express yourself." With that invitation how can I deny her the pleasure of doing so!

My newest past time is staring at pictures of myself; infatuation at its best. Of course there are tons of pictures all around the house of me, but the ones I enjoy the most are on the mantle which requires that I be picked up so I can point and giggle to myself, and turn the picture around and wonder where the back of me went to. The other obsession I have right now is being outside. Every morning I wake up and demand a bottle. Then daddy goes and gets ready for work. Next thing I know he is heading out the door, leaving me behind to point and say "uh uh uh." Of course it's only 6:30 a.m. but the whining has just begun. I continue on until I can become distracted or leave with mommy to go to school. Upon returning home with daddy in tow, I point at the mantle wanting to see my pictures for a good five minutes. Afterwards, I begin pointing at the "uh uh uh" until we go outside for a walk. This usually satisfies me until I see mommy walk through the "uh uh uh." But its too late as I have to have my dinner and a bath.

I did forget to mention one thing about "uh uh uh." On July 3rd, I decided that my mommy was not moving fast enough for me. So I took the liberty of showing myself out of door...literally. Mommy came downstairs calling my name and not finding me, she headed out the front door to find me with my other love...the stairs! Yes, I have decided that I am old enough to play outside on my own. Needless to say, my parentals strongly disagree with this assessment and are buying new screen/storm doors. They tell me that these will be installed within the next week. Next entry...the great escape!

I Scream, We Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!

Today we traveled to Toms River for the New Jersey Ice Cream Festival. We met Aunt Casey, Uncle Scott and Bodey! It was a great day for ice cream as temps sored into the 90's. We paid a general admission fee of $6 per person and received a spoon and several tasting tickets. We started with Gibsons, went on to Baskin Robbins, tried some Applegate Farms, and the rest I can't remember. But I do know that I LOVE ice cream!


I'm so glad that Bodey came along; I love that puppy and he loves me. Not too sure about getting kisses all the time, but i'm adjusting. Now if I could only get Bodey to teach Kacie to show me some love...but that's not likely to happen!

Don't mind sign behind me...purely a coincidence!

Breaking up is hard to do!

Back in April I started using a straw cup. My parents and everyone around me cheered this acomplishment. Next thing I know they are putting my milk in the straw cup expecting me t0 drink it. Well that was May, and I began boycotting the straw cup. So thinking I wasn't ready for it, they gave up.





Now they're up to their tricks again but this time they're playing hard ball. I started out doing pretty good, but then realized that they were not going to give back the bottle. So I am now boycotting whatever comes out of the straw cup, whether it be milk, water or juice. I want my bottle, and I want it now! I don't understand the necessity to give up my bottle. If it serves the same purpose, why can't I have the bottle?

They Tried to Make Me Go to "Binky" Rehab!

I said No, No, No! In an attempt to kick the binky habit, my parents are forcing me to go to binky rehab. My 30 days started the Wednesday before the 4th of July, however I had a relapse.

It all started with Ms. Afsa saying that I was addicted. My parents were enablers to my addiction as it was so easy just to give me a binky and let me suck my way to sleep. The day I woke up with three binky's, one in my mouth and one each hand, my parents realized I was addicted and dependent upon the little green monster and decided it was time for an intervention.

I was doing really well, but then I got sick. Without my binky it was like World War III. Thus, the parents gave in but swore they would help me kick the habit once I got better.

Well, I'm back and better than ever, ready to kick the habit. So I'm back on the wagon, two days sober and going for my seven day binky chip!

Singing a Song as I go along!

Get Up, Stand Up!

In the famous words of Bob Marley,
I can now "Get Up, Stand Up, Stand up for my rights!"


Ever since I started crawling, one of my favorite things to do is play on the step. Although my
parentals were a bit afraid at first, I mastered this in no time. I love to sit on this step and bounce my legs up and down, tapping my feet on the ground.

If it were not for this stoop I'm not sure I would have begun walking like a pro.Mommy and daddy spent several nights sitting on the floor coaching me with toys to get me to get up from a sitting position and walk on over. Each night they would move a little further away; each night I would make it a little further, praised every time I reached them!

Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls!

Today I met up with my friend, Josh Platko, to go to Splash Gardens in Dorbrook Park. As a refresher for you all, Josh and I became reacquainted at the Redbank Kaboom Fireworks last weekend. Our parents were talking and they shared a little secret about this awesome place called Splash Gardens that is FREE!

We started the morning with breakfast at a nearby Perkins where Josh discovered a love for raisins (I shared mine with him) and blueberries. Or should I say, he likes to wear blueberries. His white shirt was covered! We then headed to this water park that I kept hearing about all week. As my Great Uncle Roger advises, I applied massive amounts of sunscreen and headed on in. There it stood with all it's glory - fountains and water tables and buckets - oh my! They have an area for little ones just like me and big guys I aspire to be. Although Josh and I took swimming lessons together, he's a couple of months older than I am and much more familiar with the water than me. He loves to stick his mouth over the water fountain and I just laughed at him. Plus, Josh is walking all over the place so he lead us over to the big kids area where we played with the water table. Being the nice kid Josh is he filled me in on a little tip - stay away from the waterfalls! On the big kids side of the park there is a feature where big buckets fill up with water and get so heavy they tip over. If you are not paying attention, us little guys can get washed away. Josh has experience with this as he got caught in a tsunami a few weeks ago. I believe the saying goes, "live and learn, and pass it on." Josh is proving to be a good friend and vital asset at water parks.

We ended the day on the lawn taking in the beautiful Sunday afternoon. Both Josh and I were exhausted to only head home and sleep for several hours. I can't wait until next weekend to play at Spray Gardens with Josh!

Boom Boom Pow!

I'm not too fond of loud noises, such as power saws and blenders, but I do like fireworks! My first 4th of July was spent gazing into the sky. My first set of fireworks were right down the street. I was awoken by loud bangs and booms. Startling me, I began crying. But the minute I stepped out the front door, I was amazed by the beautiful colors in the sky. Although tired, I stayed awake for the entire show.

On July 3rd, we headed to Long Branch for some beach bathing but were rained out within two hours. However, the day was not a complete wash-out. We headed to Red Bank for the big Kaboom fireworks on the Navesink River. We sat up on the hill next to a little boy that was just about my age. I headed over right away to catch up on old times. We were playing away and before you know it our parents realized that we knew each other. You see, Joshua and I were in the same swim class. The night ended up be so much fun that me and Joshua stayed awake until the fireworks started going off; then we were both fast asleep. It was a great night.

On the 4th, we headed to Casey and Scott's pool for some swimming and ice cream, followed by a BBQ. I was not in the best of moods as I was pretty sick with a cough and cold. But overall, the weekend was great and I love fireworks!