¡Viva Mexico!

After a week of fun in the sun in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, we are back to cold reality. It was a nice escape, as we basked in sunny warm weather, played in the sand, and explored our natural-habitat resort.

This was our first trip with Felix, and despite apprehension about flying and traveling with him, everything went well. He did well on the way down, alternately playing and sleeping. We stayed at the Iberostar Tucán with the rest of the folks Grandma Maxine brought down with her. It was the best resort we've been to so far, in my opinion. I liked the "jungle" around the inner part of the complex, complete with trails and faux ruins. Our room overlooked the jungle, and we could see ripening bananas, geckos, and even spotted a monkey from our balcony.

Since we had Felix around, we didn't plan any excursions for ourselves, even though we had ready and willing watchers for him. We just weren't interested this time. Instead, we spent the majority of our time on the beach or near the pool. Felix really enjoyed it. He liked to play in the sand, smashing sandcastles, jumping, and (unfortunately) throwing sand. Much of it ended up in his mouth. We took him into the pools and into the waves on the beach. He learned so many new words, like peacock (even identifying them by their sound alone), wave, ocean, beach, sand, papaya, pool, and lizard among many others.

Felix provided us with much entertainment during the trip. He really liked all the airplanes that flew overhead, and when one passed and was out of earshot, he started asking for "more airplane". Sorry, buddy! He also started off calling boats buses or airplanes, but we got him to say boat by the end of the trip. He also liked the monkeys and "lilads" (lizards). And having the resort be all-inclusive was great, because Felix ate his fill (especially of exotic fruits like papaya and pineapple).

In all, we had a fabulous, relaxing trip. Thanks, Grandma!!

Felix: 20 mos

"I love you!"

Things have been cruising along at our house as we wait for winter to end and emerge from hibernation. Nick recently moved his office, and I took a stained glass workshop, which was awesome. But enough about us...

Felix has managed to grow about an inch and cut his last four front teeth. He's also developed several new interests:

• Climbing (especially into his high chair)
• Shoveling (I'd go so far as to say this is a minor obsession, not an interest)
• Identifying every semi and bus he sees while we're driving.
• Showing off his knowledge of body parts (in which he will randomly poke you in the nose and eyes, saying the name of each - beware). He knows most of his parts, including tough ones like elbows, wrists, back, hips, and chest.

He also is answering questions appropriately (we've added "yes" to his vocabulary) and he has definite opinions about what he wants to do/wear/eat. I just tried to count them up, and he can say well over 250 words. He's also starting to say phrases, including the subject of this post (last night, aw!). This morning, he said "Go Bucky", though to nothing in particular. This past weekend, I taught him how you can make an M into a W. Last night he stumped me, though. We were playing with blocks and he kept saying "idareck". I'd repeat it back to him, and he'd correct me if I didn't say it right. I had no idea what he was talking about until I was putting him to bed and he pointed at his I'm a T. Rex book. Aha! He was saying "I'm a T. Rex"! Why yes, yes you are a Fe-Rex. :o)

Felix: 19 mos