Ever since we lived in our apartment we have bought a real Christmas tree. Most years we buy from the same tree lot (set up in the middle of a parking lot). This year when we pulled up there weren't any trees in sight. We were sort of at a loss for what to do. That's where we always go. We like it because rather than trees leaning over, they stand them on posts so you can view them from all angles. And the employees are really nice.

I remembered that there was a similar lot near the school I used to work at, so we drove there. Most of the trees were pretty tiny, but we did spot one perfect "Kimiss chi" to bring home to decorate.

We went out to Stribling Orchard on Columbus Day. Luckily, it wasn't too crowded and there were still plenty of apples on the trees. Charlie enjoyed riding in the carrier while holding a little apple as we filled our bags. Of course we had to have an apple cinnamon donut from the bakery before we left. 








Apple picking is tiring!

I was planning to take your picture every four months in the second year, but month sixteen slipped right by me. So here you are at seventeen months.


You are so, so fun right now. Well, except for the week when you were breaking all four molars AND had hand, foot, and mouth disease. That week you were not fun. But, luckily, that week is over and you are back to being your happy, lovable little self.

You are in love with all vehicles. Boats (boap), airplanes (airpane), trucks (cuck): dump trucks, fire trucks, and trash trucks are your favorites.

You also love all cleaning related items.

I've been taking you to the free children's music concerts on Wednesday mornings at Potomac Town Center. You enjoy sitting with momma, watching all the kids, eating snacks, and dancing a little. 


You still have 8 teeth. But you're working on six more. 

You LOVE to play outside. You still don't like your hands to get dirty. I made a little sandbox for some sensory play, but you only like to touch the sand with a shovel.



You invented your own sign where you cross your arms across your chest that you do every time you say please (peas) and it's oh.so.cute!

We went peach picking at Stribling Orchard again. It was a gorgeous August day (who knew August weather could be so pleasant?!).









We all enjoyed some fresh juicy peaches. Most of them ended up diced and frozen, but I did use some to make this delicious Blueberry Peach Coffee Cake. Mmmm!

Your vocabulary has exploded! You are our little parrot, repeating so many things we say. These are some of the words you often say:

Help (hep) - you've been using this word for quite a while now and it's great because often instead of getting frustrated about something, you just say, "hep."
Lovey (luh luh)
Golf club (guh guh)
Water (agua) - always in Spanish (from Ms. Carol at daycare) and almost always said twice in a row (agua agua)
Shoes
Hat
Daddy (da-ee)
Mama
Ball
Oh no (OHno)
Truck (cuck)
Boat (boap)
Trash (tash)
Charlie (Char-ee)
Up
More (sign language)
All done (sign language)

We went strawberry picking for the first time. Steve and I took the day off work on Friday and drove out to Hollin Farms. It was a beautiful morning to be outside. We were some of the first to arrive so it wasn't too busy which was nice. Charlie enjoyed running up and down the aisles (is that what they're called??) of the strawberry field. Steve gave him a few strawberries for his bucket that he decided to squish in his hands and smear all over his clothes. After that we picked a few strawberries that weren't quite ripe yet for Charlie to handle. The fresh strawberries were so deliciously juicy!









 

We celebrated Easter down at my grandparent's lake house this year. We drove down early and met at their church for the Easter service. Charlie sat through the whole service perfectly. He and his bow tie were a hit with all the church ladies. After church, we enjoyed the lovely weather and lunch at my grandparent's house.