New shoes

On Friday, mommy got me about six pairs of shoes at a consignment sale. Nice gift. Only problem is, I don't wear shoes.

At least I haven't worn them in a while. I had some from when I was smaller, but I grew out of them and simply haven't put any on in a while. Socks don't stay on, either. Especially when I crawl.

So on Saturday before mommy and I went out for a spin around town, she put on my socks (no big deal) and then a pair of New Balance shoes. Uh, what? I don't have beef with New Balance. But the shoes were the most annoying thing I've ever seen. I immediately started crying and trying to get them off, all while mommy and papa just laughed at me (it wasn't funny).

I crawled away from mommy -- because she obviously wasn't going to take off my shoes -- and I took them off myself. The shoes didn't hurt; they were just constricting.

Anyway, the weekend was my nine-month birthday. We didn't really celebrate. But I have been making great strides in the balance department.

That showed on Sunday morning when mommy and papa were getting ready for church. I wanted a bath, so I went to check out my tub. Mommy made me wait a bit, but I did need cleaning. But I wonder why mommy and papa don't use my bath?

Anyway, another milestone happened Sunday: I learned to clap. Everybody had been doing that for a while, but I just never put it together. One hand hits the other and it makes a sound. Amazing.

On a side note, Monday morning mommy put my shoes on again. And again, I was annoyed. Once I got to daycare, though, I was cool because I saw my friend Tyler. It was a great day. But by the time I got home, it was time to kick my shoes off. For that, I'll clap.

Hudson W. Pate

Pain and parties

Let's talk rollercoasters because Friday was one dip down to the lowest of lows and one big climb back up to the top.

Friday was doctor day and mommy and papa sprung it on me. No forewarning. It was my nine-month checkup so that meant no shots. At least I thought so. Weight was good (20.5 pounds). Length was good (can't remember exact digits). Head was right on target. Only problem was Miss Linda, the nurse, thought I was a girl ... until she took off my diaper! :) Then ... THEN came the talks of drawing blood. And for what?

I knew something was up when mommy took me into this room with two different scrub-wearing women and they told mommy to hold me tight. Huh? I was not happy, and I let mommy know. And papa. And the two women. And the rest of the people down the hall. And the people in the waiting room. They finally got the blood they needed and I got my clothes back on. Still not happy. And on top of that, I had to wear this big bulky Band-Aid.

But things got much better.

I went to daycare for the rest of the day until mommy and papa picked me up and we went to Ms. Leila's house to celebrate Amy's birthday. What a great time.

Everybody was swimming, but I just got my feet wet -- didn't want to hog the pool. I had a great time sitting in the grass with Mr. Mike and when James and Christy made faces and sounded like Elmo to me. Amy fed me some bread. Marlene rocked me back and forth. And Amy's friends went on and on about how cute I was. What can I say? I'm a hit with the ladies.

The bad part was everybody kept asking about my ugly Band-Aid -- but it did prove how tough I was. The cool part about it all was I got to stay up a little late. I can get the hang of this.

So although the day started with some difficulties, it ended with some smiles. And that I can live with.

Hudson W. Pate