Time To Catch Up

If I still have anyone reading out there...

I have been so behind in blogging, it's ridiculous. Work has me beat everyday to where I don't want to even get out of bed. I absolutely hate it because I miss Liam all the time, but don't really have the energy to play or see him. I try, I really do but it's so hard. I normally work 4pm-1am and when I get home around 1:15am-1:25am, I am suddenly awake. Therefore I don't go to bed until 2-3am. I try to wake up around 9am but I just can't. I end up falling right back asleep and wake up around noon. By then, I have to eat, shower and get my 'lunch' for work done. That leaves me maybe 2 hours to see Liam. It's the worst thing ever. I'm hoping things get better so I can quit that job soon. As much as I'll hate the thought of quitting and feeling like a failure. I want my life back, I want to see my son. Plus, I want one of us to watch him, not family or a stranger. I only have the job because I HAVE to at this moment. Speaking of which, it is SO HARD. I didn't think it would be too bad, but I have to talk myself out of staying home daily. I get there around 3:40pm, relax and do whatever I need to before clocking in at 3:55pm-4pm. Then I go check my tasks for the day, which the first is ALWAYS unloading trucks. Usually it is just one though, but sometimes two. We have to get that done within an hour or so, but it just wears on your body. There is a reason why there are only a couple girls doing it. Then I usually do picks, which are basically pulling out random items needed to take to the floor OR I will take pallets out to the floor. Pretty much the stuff we just took off the truck and stacked. Then sometimes we have to unload the grocery truck (which is only a couple of pallets - those wood planks if you know what I mean) and that takes maybe 15 minutes. The rest of the night is either more picks or cleaning and such. It's a pretty boring routine, but so exhausting. I did six days in a row and almost backed out by day 4. I didn't even care by then and everything was irritating. Not to mention we have certain timelines to go by and if we are too slow, we get lectured and yelled at. It's horrible. If I didn't work with fantastic, funny people, I would have quit the first week.

Other than that, Liam has been getting bigger every day. It is making me extremely sad because I am not home much and I miss times when he was a baby. My friend is pregnant and sometimes I miss how happy I was and how much I enjoyed the experience. Don't get me wrong, there is a whole new level of happiness with the stage he is at. He is now 13 months... 13!! I can't believe it. He doesn't say too many words yet, but babbles constantly. He says 'mama' and 'dada.' Rarely he will say 'no' or 'buh-bye' or 'kitty' but those only happened a couple of times. He waves goodbye and hello, plus he knows what I am saying. If I say his name or point and tell him to get the kitty, he will. He is such a smart little boy. He has started putting his straw cup in the holder on his high chair and loves to run around. He kicks when we tell him to kick in the swimming pool and he knows how to turn the comcast box off and on (although that is not good haha). I think he is going through a growth spurt because he is eating a LOT. He loves fruits and
veggies, especially bananas and peas. I found some dried fruit for him to snack on that he would eat the whole bag of if we let him. He also loves beans and kix cereal. I haven't found anything he doesn't like. He drinks a soft spout for milk and a straw cup for water or juice. I just love watching him grow each day. He has a crazy personality too. When he's mad, he screams and yells and tries to bite you. He's getting better about biting, but boy don't make him mad ha.



Nothing else has been going on in my life. Well, I have been losing weight slowly. My job is my workout and we have still been doing Paleo. I hate not being able to try new recipes since I haven't been home much, but we are making it work. So far, I have lost 8.8lbs in the last two weeks or so. It's always been hard for me so this is amazing. I have a long way to go, but this is definitely a start.

I hope you are all doing well. I have been slowly catching up on blogs, but haven't been commenting much so I am sorry! I feel like no one reads this anymore haha. Oh well, a good way for me to vent and get over some things.

Currently...

  Got this from lovely Kiranda from Mommyhood; check her out!

 

what i'm listening to >> Greg Fitzsimmons (Comedian) on Comedy Central - I don't know, the husband is watching it.

what i'm watching >> Same thing ha.

thinking about >>  Mostly the fact that I don't want to go to work. I think about this a lot haha. I'm also thinking about some other more personal things that I don't want to mention...

loving >> The fact that since being on paleo and starting this job (about 2 or 2.5 weeks-ish), I have lost about 7lbs. That is AMAZING for me.

anticipating >> What the future will hold and when I will ever get my new phone (old phone was dumb so I sent it in and should get a gift card for a new one).

feeling thankful for >>  Having Liam in my life; he's quite an amazing little boy.

working on >> Trying to be more positive in life.

eating lots of >> Healthy paleo foods! You should look it up; google it!

wishing >> Things were easier at the moment.

 

What is your life currently like? I need to head to work (did I mention I am working SIX days in a row this week?), but I may fill you all in on that tomorrow. That is, if you care to hear about all that ha. For now, I leave you with this short thought for the day. Hope you are all doing well! I need to catch up on blogs ASAP!

The 4-1-1!

I have been a bad blogger lately. As if I don't have many of you lovely followers anymore I am sure ;), but I have been SUPER busy lately with my new job. I never do a late post, but I have to stay up late to get used to my new hours (4pm-1am, but I have inventory 6pm-3am tomorrow today); more on that later. Anyway, I found this awesome blog hop thanks to the lovely Ashley! This was from Tuesday, but I haven't had a chance to blog this week!

1. How long have you been blogging? And what got you started on blogging? Has your blog changed? I started back in 2010 to help document my pregnancy and my son's life; a baby book as you would say. It has definitely changed. I changed the name and it developed into not only a blog about my son, but a blog about me, my marriage, my son, my friends, recipes, couponing, and everything else that goes through my head.
 
2. Did you go to college? If so where, and what did you study?
I went to South Puget Sound Community College here in Olympia. I got my generaly AA degree, so I studied everything. Mostly arts and psychology it seemed like ha; those were my favorite classes.

3. Where have you traveled?
I haven't had the chance to travel anywhere yet. I have only been to a couple different states and Vancouver, BC once on a band trip in high school. I am determined to visit Europe one day!



4. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy?
I would buy a house and a different car; probably a crossover (as much as I love my car). I would also probably give some to my dad!

5. What are your 3 biggest pet peeves?

• Loud chewing; food or gum, it's all annoying to me. Learn some manners!
• Uneven numbers on the radio or tv; more OCD haha.
• People who butt into others conversations when they have no idea.

6. What is your favorite movie?
That is a very hard choice. One of the newest would be 21 Jump Street. I need to buy that eventually, but I haven't laughed that hard in a while! I also love Superbad; never gets old!

7. What is your drink of choice; wine, beer, or liquor. Or Water, Soda, Tea?
I love water and tea, so one of those for sure. I love wine and all that, but only on occasion. 

8. What is something you enjoy to do when you have me time?
Just sit and relax; especially lately. It seems like I am always going, going, going. To just sit there and watch tv or go on the computer is plenty for me. I love to read, but I am the type who reads a good book and has to finish it right then and there. Having Liam, it's hard to do that so I haven't even read lately; sad day!

9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be?
Clothes wise, Maurices! It's my new favorite store for sure. It's not new, but it's new in our mall and I love all their clothes.

 
10. Share with us an embarrassing moment of your past? Or present.
 I honestly have no idea. Moments like that happen to me constantly though.

11. What day would you love to relive again?
That is an obvious answer; Liam's birth! I was so happy and just glad he was there. I would give anything to relive that moment. 

12. If your life was turned into a movie... what actor would play you?
Zooey Deschanel. I absolutely love her as an actor. She's quirky, funny, serious, and dorky. I love her rolls and I think she would be perfect.  

13. What are the jobs you had in high school/college/the early years?
I actually haven't worked much at all. Aside from now, I had a job working seasonal at Lane Bryant until that store closed while I was in collage. 

14. Show us a picture from high school or college.

 This was on of my favorite moments from high school. It was our senior year and we were taking pictures for something in digital photography. It shows one of the many random funny moments my friend, Faith and I had. I miss those days!


15. If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go?
Europe, no doubt! Now, where in Europe I have no idea. I'd love to go to France, England, Spain, Ireland... all over! 

16. Show us the most current picture of you or you, or your family, or anything of meaning to you. 

These two definitely are meaningful! This was just a couple weeks ago! One of my favorite pictures of them.


17. Where do you see your life 5 years from now?
Happy as ever. Maybe Liam will have a little brother or sister by then, we shall see! I hope to see us happily as a family in a house. Who knows what the future will hold.

Paleo Mini Meatloaf

Mini Meatloaf Wrapped in Bacon. That is all that needs to be said. It's AMAZING. I think they are cute too, but that's just me. Perfect to take to work; that's what I did. YUM. You must try this if you like meatloaf.

Quantity: 8-9 single-servings
Time:  10-15 prep time + 50 minutes cooking time

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef
  
• 1lb. ground pork
  
• 1/2 yellow or white onion, minced
• Handful of mushrooms, minced
• 2/3 cup almond flour
• 2 pastured eggs
• 2/3 cup of tomato sauce (ours was homemade)
• Salt and pepper (and any other herbs/spices - I added garlic)
• 7-8 slices of  bacon (regular would be better, but our turkey bacon was good too)

NOTE: If not doing Paleo, you can always use your favorite meatloaf recipe, mold them into a mini loaf and continue with numbers 5-7.

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and place your oven rack in the middle of the oven.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  It’s VERY important to use a baking sheet with sides (at least 1/2″).
   Your meatloafs are going to release a lot of juice/fat in the cooking process, and I guarantee you don’t want it all over the bottom of your oven.
3. Create your tomato sauce by placing the fire-roasted tomatoes (with liquid), garlic, salt and pepper in your food processor and blending until smooth.
4. In a large bowl, get your hands dirty and combine your ground meats, eggs, veggies, almond flour, tomato sauce, salt, and pepper.
5. Separate your mixture into 7-8 portions and form into mini loafs, placing them on your lined baking sheet.
6. For each loaf, cut a piece of thick-cut bacon in half, lay parallel across loaf, and tuck ends under.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. At 40 minutes, turn on your broiler and cook for another 10 minutes to crisp the bacon.

Enjoy!

Zucchini Lasagna

So the other night I knew I would be starting orientation for MY NEW JOB. I made a note about that in yesterday's post. Anyway, so I wanted something with leftovers. Lasagna came to mind. Instead of pasta, you use zucchini. If you like lasagna and zucchini, you will love this!

PREP: 15-20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total: 55 – 60 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 2 lbs grass fed ground beef
• 1lb mild Italian sausage (we used Italian sausage rope)
• 5 - 6 zucchinis (I used a knife to cut rounds- you can slice long ways if you want)
• 1 onion diced
• 4 cloves crushed garlic
• 2 tbsp dried oregano
• 2 tbsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 tbsp coconut oil (or olive oil)
• 1 can (28 oz) of diced tomatoes draine
• 1 small can (6 oz) of tomato paste
• 1 can black olives sliced (optional - I left these out)

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat
 oven
 to 
350
 degrees 
• Ina large pan, sauté the onions and garlic in the oil for about 3 minutes
• Add the ground beef and sausage until brown
• Season the meat mixture with all of the dry ingredients,add the drained diced tomatoes and tomato paste,and mix well
• In a 9 x 11 glass baking dish, place a layer of sliced zucchini, making sure to overlap
• Next, ladle on a thick layer of the meat mixture, and top with the sliced black olives
• Top meat and olive layer with another layer of sliced zucchini and top with a final layer of the remaining meat mixture
• Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes
• Let the lasagna sit for 10 minutes before slicing and serving

 Enjoy!!

Not So Wordless Wednesday

....and everything just got real haha. It's now called IMS, but close enough. Anyway, I went to orientation today for my new job. Not sure if I talked about it before. I got hired at Walmart, obviously. It's at least until the husband goes to college in the fall, if not longer. Hopefully I'll like it when I really start. It's not too bad. Most people wont like my shift because it's 4pm-1am, but that gives me all day with my son. I think that is fantastic. Orientation was from 9am-4pm today and I could never be away from Liam that long. I have orientation tomorrow and Friday from 8:30am-12:30pm and then I am done. I start next week with some computer and training stuff with odd work days Sunday-Tuesday. After that though, we have inventory and then I finally start normal work hours. Oh joy of inventory - 6pm-3am. =/ Guess this is a step in a new direction after being a SAHM for the past year. Bring it on.

Maple Walnut Sweet Potato Loaf

I usually don't post more than once a day but since people are asking about this, I thought I would share. We absolutely loved it. Even Liam ate some of it. It is sweet and tastes kind of like pumpkin bread (there are sweet notes and nutmeg notes in it). There is also some hint of a maple bar because of the topping. I am definitely making this again, but a double batch for left overs since we demolished all of it. This is perfect for all of you people trying out the Paleo diet. We had it for breakfast but it would probably be great if you used a small piece for a snack or even dessert! I found it over at PaleOMG. Lots of good recipes on there and also on google. I found tons of blogs and websites with recipes on great food.

Maple Walnut Sweet Potato Loaf

Prep time: 30 mins

Cook time: 15 mins

Total time: 45 mins

Serves: about 4-5 (next time I am doubling

 

Ingredients:

 

For the bread

• 1 medium sweet potato (or yam) ~ equivalent to 1 cup, skin removed after baking**
• 1 cup roasted, unsalted cashews
• 6 dates, pitted (I didn't have any but it still came out great)
• 3 eggs, whisked
• 2 tablespoons raw honey
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• pinch of salt 

For the topping

• 1.5 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1/4 cup raw honey
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon maple extract
• pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
2. Poke holes in your sweet potato and bake for 30-40 minutes or until soft and completely cooked through.**
3. While your sweet potato cooks, add your dates to a food processor and pulse to combine. Then add your cashews and let run until you have paste with the cashews completely broken down and combine with the dates.
4. Once your sweet potato is cooked, reduce heat of oven to 350 degrees.
5. Add cashew and date mixture to a bowl, along with your baked sweet potato with the skin removed, eggs and all other bread ingredients. Mix well.
6. Grease two bread pans (I used bread loaf pans) and add your sweet potato mixture equally to both pans.
7. Bake for 15-18 minutes then let cool.
8. While the bread is baking, place a small skillet over medium heat and add your coconut oil then chopped walnuts.
9. Let the walnuts begin to toast for a minute or two, then add your honey, cinnamon, maple extract, and pinch of salt.
10. Mix to combine and let cook for about 1-2 minutes more.
11. Add your sticky nut mixture to the top of your sweet potato breads.
12. Let cool completely (the nut mixture will harden a bit) then cut and serve!

Notes

**If you want that process to be quicker, add your holey sweet potato to the microwave and cook on high for 3-4 minutes or until soft.

Paleo Pork Stir-fry

I posted the other day about how we started on the Paleo diet. Well the other night I made stir-fry. Let me tell you; it was amazing! You would have never known I was on a diet ha. It was full of flavor and food! Try it out; it's a nice change for dinner. I will for sure be making this again soon!

Paleo Pork Stir-Fry

Ingredients:
2 small pork tenderloins, trimmed of fat and sliced into thin strips
1/4 cup chopped cashews 
1/2 med sweet onion, chopped (green onions would be better but I didn't have them)
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
4-5 stalks celery, sliced
2 cups broccoli, chopped into bite-size pieces
1/2 head cabbage, shredded
1 small can sliced water chestnuts (I don't like them so not included)
1 tbsp minced ginger
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp coconut oil
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
6 tbsp soy sauce (the only cheat as far as Paleo goes)
Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:
Heat a wok or pan over high heat. Add coconut and sesame oils and swirl to coat. Add pork to pan and cook until meat has browned on all sides, about 4 minutes. Add mushrooms, water chestnuts, celery and broccoli; stir for 1 minute or until vegetables begin to release some of their liquid. Add  cashews, garlic, ginger, cabbage, and green onions. Toss to combine and then pour in the coconut aminos. Cook for 3 minutes or until cabbage has wilted. Garnish with sesame seeds.

Paleo and Big News

Ok, so the news isn't that big, but I landed a job. It's for Walmart (I know, some people hate it and don't like shopping there). However, a job is a job. I'll be doing stocking from 4pm-1am. This is a weird schedule but I like the idea. I'll be home to sleep just a couple hours after my son and husband. Then i'll have all day to see Liam. We will see how crazy things get once my husband starts college in the fall though. I just hope I like it or can stand it for a while. At least I can wear jeans and a shirt haha. Navy blue, but still a shirt and nothing fancy. Maybe i'll be comfy, since I don't have to wear slacks and flats. I hate flats a lot ha; tennis shoes are better to me. The only problem I may face is the fact that the store is remodeling but that shouldn't be too bad. Hopefully things will work out with this job! I AM sad that i'll be missing Liam for part of the night though.

Anyway, my husband and I decided to start on the Paleo diet once again. We did this a while back for about a month. If you don't know what that is, I suggest you read up on it here. I haven't lost anymore weight since having Liam and losing half of the baby weight. Quite frankly it's making me pretty upset. I'm hoping this will jump start some weight loss. Add in my job (since i'll be constantly moving and lifting) and I should be golden. Not sure how long we will keep up with it this time. I did find some pretty amazing looking recipes though. This morning we had chocolate coffee pancakes and boy they were amazing. Last night for dinner we had turkey burgers wrapped in lettuce with butternut squash fries. It was actually satisfying without the bun. I wanted something sweet so we had a blueberry cobbler type desserts last night as well. Used blueberries, almond flour and a few other ingredients. That was only from day one and this morning. I hope we can stick with this and get some results. I felt good last time we were on it.

Are you doing anything different to your lifestyle?

Steals and Deals

 

So if you recall, I did doublers at Albertsons last week, but they also had them this week. I got up bright and early Sunday so I could snag all the good deals. They had their buy 10, save $5 promo again so I got in on that. This is why I have so many bottles of Propel. That was my filler so I could equal 10 items to get all the sales. I found so many that I ended up doing 8 transactions so bare with me. Again, if you need any help, let me know. There is a contact page if you would like to email me! I have also been thinking about doing a vblog one day since it is easier to show people how to do couponing, rather than with words and pictures. For abbreviation lingo, read this page.

Worth $136, spent $31 (77% savings)

Transaction 1: **Apart of the buy 10, save $5 promo**
Kraft Sizzling Salads Dinner Kit - $1.99 ($4.29 each orig)
Kraft Sizzling Salads Dinner Kit - $1.99 ($4.29 each orig)
Kraft Sizzling Salads Dinner Kit - $1.99 ($4.29 each orig) Propel (7 bottles) - $1.00 ($1.49 each orig)

-$5 for promo savings
Doubled $1/1 Kraft Sizzling Salads Dinner Kit (peelie found on product)
Doubled $1/1 Kraft Sizzling Salads Dinner Kit (peelie found on product)
Doubled $1/1 Kraft Sizzling Salads Dinner Kit (peelie found on product)
**doubled to $1.99 instead of $2 since you can't have overage - but that still made them FREE**

Paid: $2.00

Transaction 2: **Apart of the buy 10, save $5 promo**
Kraft Sizzling Salads Dinner Kit - $1.99 ($4.29 each orig)
Pacific Soup - $3.00  ($3.99 orig)

Pacific Soup - $3.00  ($3.99 orig)Propel (9 bottles) - $1.00 ($1.49 each orig)
 

-$5 for promo savings
Doubled $1/1 Kraft Sizzling Salads Dinner Kit (peelie found on product)

Doubled $1/1 Pacific Soup Product (printable coupon)
Doubled $1/1 Pacific Soup Product (printable coupon)
**doubled Kraft Dinner Kit to $1.99 instead of $2 since you can't have overage - but that still made them FREE** 

Paid: $6.00

Transaction 3: **Apart of the buy 10, save $5 promo**
LA Victoria Salsa (6 bottles) - $2.19 ($3.59 each orig)
Everyday Essentials Beans - $1.99  ($1.99 orig)Propel (4 bottles) - $1.00 ($1.49 each orig)

 

-$5 for promo savings
Doubled $1/2 LA Victoria Salsa (SS insert)
Doubled $1/2 LA Victoria Salsa (SS insert)
Doubled $1/2 LA Victoria Salsa (SS insert)
Used $1/1 Everyday Essentials Item (Albertsons Coupon Book)

Paid: $7.13

Transaction 4:
Heinz White Vinegar - $1.69 ($1.69 each orig)
Heinz White Vinegar - $1.69 ($1.69 each orig)
Heinz White Vinegar - $1.69 ($1.69 each orig)
Essential Black Beans - $1.19 ($1.19 orig)


Doubled  $1/1 Heinz Vinegar (SS insert)
Doubled  $1/1 Heinz Vinegar (SS insert)
Doubled  $1/1 Heinz Vinegar (SS insert)
Used $1/1 Everyday Essential Item (Albertson's coupon book)
**doubled Vinegar to $1.69 instead of $2 since you can't have overage - but that still made them FREE** 

Paid:$0.19

Transaction 5:
Capri Sun - $2.99 ($3.49 each orig)
Coffeemate Creamer - $2.00 ($2.99 orig)
Coffeemate Creamer - $2.00 ($2.99 orig)
Essential Black Beans - $1.19 ($1.19 orig)


Doubled  $1/1 Capri Sun (Newspaper Insert)
Doubled  $0.55/1 Coffeemate Creamer (printable)
Doubled  $0.55/1 Coffeemate Creamer (printable)
Used $1/1 Everyday Essential Item (Albertson's coupon book)

Paid: $2.98 + tax

Transaction 6:
Planters Sunflower Kernels - $2.19 ($2.19 each orig)
Precious Mozzarella - $5.19 ($7.29 orig)
Precious Ricotta - $4.39 ($5.29 orig)

Doubled  $1/1 Planters Product (Newspaper Insert)

Doubled  $1/1 Precious Product (Newspaper Insert)

Doubled  $1/1 Precious Product (Newspaper Insert) 
Paid: $5.77

Transaction 7:
Jamba Juice Smoothie - $2.50 ($3.29 each orig)
Jamba Juice Smoothie - $2.50 ($3.29 each orig)
Precious Ricotta - $4.39 ($5.29 orig)

Doubled  $1/1 Jamba Juice Smoothie (Printable)

Doubled  $1/1 Jamba Juice Smoothie (Printable)

Doubled  $1/1 Precious Product (Newspaper Insert) 
Paid: $3.39

Transaction 8:
Lance Crackers - $2.00 ($3.19 each orig)
Lance Crackers - $2.00 ($3.19 each orig)
Precious Mozzarella - $5.19 ($7.29 orig)

Doubled  $1/1 Lance Crackers (Printable)

Doubled  $1/1 Lance Crackers (Printable)

Doubled  $1/1 Precious Product (Newspaper Insert) 
Paid: $3.19

Liam is a Year Old Already?

I have been super busy and forgot to post updates about Liam being a year old. A YEAR OLD. How did that happen?! I swear I just had him. I seriously can't believe how fast this part year went. I still can't believe it's 2012 sometimes in general. Anyway, he is doing good and growing well! He is now 20lbs 13oz and 29 inches long. His head is still in the 80's for percentile but that's no big deal ha. He will always have a big head ;). He has been walking since 9 months and is trying to run now haha. Especially when he's chasing us. He is quite a ball though, he takes blocks from his box and throws them, he recently found his nose so he sticks his finger up there and he talks a LOT. He doesn't say many words but he jabbers like crazy. He cracks me up all the time and I love it. He definitely has quite the personality. We finally took down the gate that kept him with us by the couches. We put half up to block the hallway and rooms, plus the other half for the kitchen. He just has more freedom and likes it more it seems. We started mixing whole milk with formula about a week and a half before he was one.

He switched over perfectly and is going great on milk. Liam also eats EVERYTHING. He is definitely not picky, unless he has too much of one thing. He can't have the same food all day or the next day. I can understand a variety; I'm the same way. He LOVES veggies and fruit. He loves meat too but he loves corn and fruit so much it's ridiculous. Although I did crave fruit a lot when I was pregnant with him. ;) This summer has been weird, but we took him to the pool for the first time. He needed a nap so he was sleepy and even fell asleep on me...he would. He climbs, he plays hide and seek with you, and he loves swings. He is just a big ball of energy. I can not wait to see how this next year will be. He is amazing and I can not believe how much I can love such a little man.