The rainy season has definitely started.  Between the rain and the cold, we’ve had to spend a lot more time inside.  David has still found many ways to have fun, such as …

We try to take advantage of any breaks in the rain by going outside.  We’ve been exploring many of our local parks, and David loves to go for walks around the neighborhood.   Here are a few pics from our recent outdoor adventures.

In other news, David finally figured out how to get to the stuff in his playpen.  We had been using it as a place to store all the stuff he shouldn’t have.  So, we took a trip to Ikea and bought a new bookcase/cabinet thing.  David loved riding around on the cart at Ikea and helping Chris put the bookcases together.  

David’s 15 month check up was today.  The doctor said that he’s doing very well.  He’s growing very quickly and really starting to communicate.  He signs ~30 words and speaks ~10 more.  He loves all forms of transportation: cars, planes, trains, and especially garbage trucks.  His favorite restaurant is our local taqueria where he enjoys eating pico de gallo and watching soccer.  He especially likes it when the announcer yells, “gooooooooooooal,” which David thinks is a gorilla sound.  He then excitedly says “lolilla,” and starts pounding on his chest.  Apparently, I’ve also inadvertently taught him that the proper response to any fart or burp or fart-like sound is to cover his mouth with his hand and giggle.  And, since no blog posting would be complete without pictures …

And as a bonus, here’s David the aviator

This weekend we celebrated both Halloween and Oktoberfest.  First, we took David down to Laurel Street for the Goblin Walk.  We had planned to dress David as a fireman in his heavy fireman raincoat and boots.  Unfortunately, it was unseasonably warm (80 degrees.)  We decided David would enjoy the evening more if he went as a jack-o-lantern (electrical tape on one of his t-shirts.)  He really enjoyed seeing the dogs and the firetruck.

On Saturday, we celebrated Oktoberfest by meeting some friends at Teske’s in San Jose.  We had a great time, and David LOVED the food.  We can’t believe how much he ate!  He also enjoyed all of the attention.

In addition to all of the celebrations, we’ve also been enjoying our neighborhood.  David loves to explore and play.  He especially enjoys watching the garbage trucks, airplanes, and trains.  He has also started to explore some of the big kid playground equipment.  

David has been enjoying his mobility.  He’ll bring me his pants and shoes, sign please, and then walk over to the door.  After we get him ready to go, we go for a walk.  Two days ago, he walked over 2/3 of a mile, which is pretty far for the little guy.  The first day we went on a walk, he discovered the post office.  The next day, he discovered the laundromat.  He loves watching the laundry go round and round in the washers and dryers.  Even more exciting – he discovered those big metal baskets.