Monday, September 17, 2012

September Smiles

September started with my parents heading up to Gainesville for the opening Gator Football Game, while Safta Mildred and Uncle Alex came to town (all during Labor Day weekend):

Kathy, Mommy, Daddy, and Steve representing the old members of the Philly Gator Club!

Thanks Kathy and Steve for the GREAT time and fun gator victory!

In all kinds of weather, we'll all stick together....

Now that's gator spirit, Kathy!

Game ON!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch  Grandma and Papa's house, I was posing watching tv:

 
 But, once Mommy and Daddy and Uncle Alex returned from Gainesville, I couldn't get enough time with Uncle Alex.
I'm one of the few that can wake up Uncle Alex and keep a smile on his face!

I love swimming with Uncle Alex.

Mostly because he tosses me way up high...but also because I get to swim naked!

Safta got me some new books.  Here she is reading Clifford the Big Red Dog to me.
I have been in Mommy and Me with my friend, Lila, since we were about 9 months old. 

Hello?  Yes, Lila...I'll be at your party, no problem!
My first time at "My Gym"

Plotting my path...



"Jumping" around!

Slam dunk!

Even Elmo was there!

And there were LOTS of bubbles...my fave!

Lila's Grandma even helped me check out her new baby brother, Jackson!  Shhhhhh, he's sleeping!

Of course, the Elmo cake was delicious!

But, I really enjoyed rolling on the big tumble tube...

...and walking across the balance beam!

But, this is still my fave!!!

The following week, Mommy took Bubby and Zaide and headed to California to celebrate the marriage of Cousin Ethan and his bride Michaela!!!  I heard it was an amazing weekend!  I was home with Daddy (not feeling great).

Mommy says this shot makes her think of Uncle Brian when he was little.
 So, when Mommy first got to California, she ate at Roscoe's (they're famous for Fried Chicken and Waffles --- yes, at the same time, on the same plate).  Personally, she thinks everyone in that restaurant must be pregnant.  But, after "tasting" she and Bub and Zaid agree...yummy!
Bubby was good.  She ordered a salad!

Here goes nothing!

Santa Monica Pier.

Just before the wedding with Bubbie Z and Zaide Shermie
Mommy actually doesn't have too many camera shots from the wedding...since it was SO fun.  But, Vanessa snapped this cute one of all the girls!  Yay cousins!  Let's do it again soon!!!!

Even with Mommy away, I had a lot of fun at home.  Daddy took me swimming and I played with Grandma and Papa, too!
"Read Little Engine that Could, please."

I really love my books.

I also enjoy my fair share of technology.
 On a sidenote, I went to bed one night and Mommy found this huge frog on the window.  He was really neat, but I didn't get to see him in person.
 My Godfathers, Aaron and Eric, got me these amazing slippers.  Every time you take a step, the pump in the heal causes the mouth to "chomp."  SO COOL!



So, not only did I reach the 23 month mark, but Mommy reached her 30th week:


In other news, I've had lots of time spent with Grandma and Papa.  And, because the holidays have arrived, Safta and Uncle Alex are back in South Florida!
Grandma got me these really neat straws.  They're perfect for my chocolate milk!

I also got this cool new Lego set.  It's like a tool bench!

I may not have made it to the pool, but I had a blast with this water faucet!

Grandma helps me out with Bubbles.

Here, Safta, let me show you how it's done!  :)

Nothing like a pre-holiday Turkey feast...and a Gator Victory!
 Which brings us to today!  I hope everyone that celebrates has a happy, healthy, and peaceful new year. 

Mommy made me wear a suit!  I barely let her get the shirt on to begin...I kept yelling, "No Shirt, No Shirt!"

She struggled through my tears, even as I tried ripping off my clothes and screamed, "Take Jacket Off!"


But, in the end, I looked goooooooood.

A quick shot before services.  We tried to get a better one after, but forgot!
 
Here I am sitting with the boys, at Grandma and Papa's annual open house.

Don't worry, I put in a call to "The Big Guy" and asked for peace, happiness, and health for all my family and friends.
L'SHANA TOVA!!!!

L'shana Tova!


Hello?  Is this thing on?!  Derek, here, just wanting to wish you and your family a very happy, healthy, and joyous New Year.  May 5773 bring you much HEALTH, HAPPINESS, and PEACE!


Love from me and the Barbag Family!

Sunday, September 2, 2012

A lot of firsts...

I know it's been another couple of weeks since my last post, but I've been a busy boy!  Let me think back to a couple of weeks ago...

I've been to Tot Shabbot at our own temple before, but I went to my FIRST trip to Bubby and Zaide's "Tot" service.....called....."Munchkin Minyan."
I loved listening to the "Clown Sisters" perform.

But, I had to make sure Bubby was still around, too.

I was asked to find the "surprise" in the box!

I got to meet them up close.

Dancing to the music.

Waving my pom pom's around!


Listening very closely to the week's lesson.
























































Tickling Zaide!!!!  Hehehehehe.

Bubbles....in temple?!

I LOVE the Cantor's voice.
 


Hot dogs and tatter tots

Deeeelicious!

Enjoying some juice with Bubby.


Where'd Derek go?

Here I am!






















Gotta help Zaide with his work before going to bed.
The next night we had Stephen and Rachel come for a visit (they're college friends of Mommy and Daddy's).  They stayed with us for a quick visit, but it was a lot of fun!

Stephen read me great bed time stories!

He even got the tongue twisters right...I was amazed.

Of course, I had to have him read The Giving Tree.



Of course, there's lots of time spent with Grandma and Papa, too!  Not only do I have "sleepovers," but I also get to go swimming with Grandma!!!

"I was splishing and a splashing...."

Grandma even got me a purple ball for the pool!

I still enjoy floating.

And when Papa came outside, I wanted to hang out with him, too!
 I really enjoy JUMPING IN!


But, all that swimming sure takes it out of me.
 Before I go on with "my firsts," let me jump back to a few random shots:

Look at the size of this avocado!  WOAH!

Still love walking in Daddy's shoes!





















Ok, now for a "first" my parents wish never happened:  My first trip to the ER.

I was in the pool with Mom and Dad.  Afterwards, I was crawling around in the shower, and my hands slipped out from under me and I cut my chin on the corner of the step.  Papa helped steri strip me good as new....but, after an hour or so, it kept bleeding.  I think we ended up at the ER mostly because nobody wanted to remove the steri strips!  Unfortunately, the ER Doc made my Mom remove the strips!  She also wanted to give me stitches (this was the evaluation before the strips were even removed)!  We opted for Dermabond and more strips (and, now that it's a week later, the strips are off and it's healing well)!!!
Papa fixed me up...or so we thought!

I was good as new...but then my cut opened up again :(

So we went to the ER.

And waited patiently.

I was tired and just wanted my "big boy bed."

But, there was lots of things to look at in the ER.

The doctor gave me a new little teddy bear.

But, she still made me cry.
It wouldn't have been that bad...but she decided to answer a call right before treating me, but also right after she had a big nurse holding me down as I was papoosed.  It took even longer...and I was NOT happy about it!

But, she finally finished, and I was discharged to go home.

Chin fixed, cuddly seal and blanket in hand...put me to bed!

Gooooooood night!
 I spent the next few days, telling everyone about my boo boo and pointing at my chin.  But, when asked if it hurt, I simply said, "nope!"  Mommy and Daddy are very glad this "first" is over!

 All of this ER stuff happened Friday, but by Sunday I was ready to help my friend Madison celebrate her second birthday party!  There was a bounce house inside! (This was because TS Isaac was beginning to arrive outside)!

Gotta love birthday parties!

Especially ones with Minnie Mouse!






















But, they certainly wear me out!
 
Grandma has also begun working on an "Alef Bet" book to go along with my "A,B,C's" book.  Of course, we needed to invite Seth and Shlomit over to help with the Hebrew.  Since Shlomit is due two weeks before Mommy, we had to take a picture of their growing bellies!

Third Trimester!  Week 27

These two boys will certainly be good friends!


So, within a weekend of my ER visit, it was time for my (and Mommy's) first day of school!  Actually, because of Hurricane Isaac my first day was cancelled, so I had a little bit more healing time.  But, then it was off to school:

Cherry helped me to my first day (I think my backpack weighed more than I)!
But, I handled it like a champ!


And, didn't look back.


How could I not like school...they have trucks and cars all over the place!!

And circle time, too!






























I got to drive my new classmates around in a firetruck...

Introduce an alligator to everyone....

...and even play the cymbals!!!

Check out the new band!

All in all, it's been a memorable last couple of weeks.