Talk, talk, talk...

When I talk, Mommy and Baba usually listen. They may not understand what I'm saying (which is a little frustrating from my perspective), but they will smirk, respond or pick me up. I'm trying, I really am. I feel like occasionally I break through with something that Mommy and Baba understand. Those occasions are increasing for sure. I have found that the best situation for me is when I'm on the phone (as you can see in the video below). Whoever is on the other side clearly understand everything I'm saying.

UAlbany Homecoming

This past weekend was Homecoming and Family weekend at UAlbany. We had had almost ten days of continuous rain (Baba kept on referring to it as "monsoon season"). But the rain finally broke and the forecast gave way to beautiful blue skies and seasonable fall temperatures. Saturday was the "fall festival" on campus. Mommy, Baba, Aunt Meghan and I all went. Grandma and Papa Eddie met us there. It was lots of fun.

Apple picking...really apple picking.

As those of you who have been following my blog since last year know, I went apple picking last year (I believe it was October). Truthfully, last year I didn't do much "picking" of the apples, I largely watched Mommy and Baba pick the apples. Furthermore, while I was able to enjoy the apples in the form of applesauce thanks to Mommy's efforts, I wasn't able to fully enjoy the apple-eating experience (you know, the crunch, the juice, etc.). Fast-forward 12-months, I've got teethe (for eating the actual apples), can walk (for strolling through the orchard), and have largely mastered hand-eye coordination (for the most part) for picking the apples. So, suffice it to say that this year's apple-picking experience was far different that last years. I was able to actually pick apples and, in between picking, eat apples that I had just picked. What a deal! We went apple picking last weekend on a beautiful, cool (but sunny) morning. We picked a half bushel (I picked the smaller, lower-hanging apples), we had cider and cider donuts - YUMMY! Can't wait to pick pumpkins in a couple of weeks.

Greece 2010!

Ah, what a time we had in Greece! We haven't been back quite a week, but I've been missing the sandy beaches, the blue water, the delicious food, and all of those great animals (you'll see what I mean, I uploaded a bunch of pics at the link below).

The flights to and from were ok. Mommy and Baba didn't really get as much rest as they would have liked. They're pinning that on me.

It was so great finally meeting Baba's Yia Yia (my Great Yia Yia, I guess). She's really sweet and was always giving me cookies and candy. I was also able to meet Theo Yianni and Thea Katina (Baba's aunt and uncle), as well as Baba's Godmother. Everyone was so kind.

We spent 12 days at the beach. Not the whole days, mind you, but a good couple of hours in the morning or early afternoon. I loved getting in the water (except when it was a little wavey - it was hard for me to stand up straight). I brought home some shells that I gathered up while walking the coast with Yia Yia and Papou.

Now, for those pictures I promised, click here.

I can't wait to go back!

It's GO Time!

We leave for Greece tomorrow. My first transcontiental trip! I'm excited. Not sure what to expect. Mommy and Baba have been promising beaches (yum, SAND), lots of sunshine, and wide-open spaces (which is AWESOME, 'cause I love running around). It's a bit of a haul out there (like 10 hours!), but once we're there we'll stay for a little over two weeks. I plan to have lots of pictures and video when I get back. Special shout-out to all of my blog readers - thanks for following me on-line!

Eating fruit...WHOLE!

I've been eating various fruits for some time now. I enjoy blueberries, bananas and watermelon in particular. Apples, pears, peaches and plums are tasty but up until recently needed to be cut up into little pieces for me. Now, however, I have literally been handed the opportunity to hold the yummy fruits on my own. It's certainly been an experience. I included a quick video of my attempt to munch on a peach while Theo Strat was here last weekend. Slippery little stinker that peach! Thanks for your help, Theo Strat.

Bills Camp!

Late summer signals the start to NFL training camps across the country. For us in the Christakis household, we're less concerned with the other 31 NFL teams and more concerned with one team in particular: the Buffalo Bills! Last year, at just three months of age, I attended my first Bills training camp. A year later, I went back again (I didn't truthfully remember much from last year). It was a beautiful day and I was able to run all over the place (as evidenced by the video below). Baba bought me a new Bills t-shirt that I wore to practice. I overheard Baba and Theo Strat say that this is going to be a "rebuilding year" for us. I hope they rebuild fast. I have yet to witness a winning Bills season (though I've been told they once went to the Super Bowl four times in a row).